My personal first aid kit
I’ve raved a number of times about US blogger Carla Birnberg – who I’ve been following since her MizFit days – and who has inspired a number of my blog posts, including this one.
Yesterday Carla talked about her ‘personal first aid kit’ – an exercise she did with her daughter. The idea behind the kit is that it treats, comforts and heals emotional injuries – just as its better-known counterpart does with the physical kind.
Carla soon realised their perception of their ‘kits’ were vastly different. Carla was thinking of ‘things’ to lock away for a rainy day, whereas her young daughter was less metaphorical, identifying Carla and their family dog, for example.
There’s obviously no correct answer here but it allowed me to consider my own personal first aid kit. Thanks to a number of factors and my 48yr old hormones my emotions have been all over the place of late so it seems timely then that I would identify the things which will nourish / nurture me when things get bad. And I’m limiting myself to five.
1. A book.
It’d be almost impossible for me to select one book but if I did it’d have to be something I could read again and again. It’s cheating but The Complete Novels of Jane Austen would be a no-brainer for me. I read it in its entirety while in a challenging situation a few years ago and all of Austen’s offerings. And – in case you didn’t know – in my world reading makes almost everything better.
2. A bathtub. Or similar.
Another no-brainer and anyone who knows me (or has seen my banner or social media profiles will guess this one…). Now I know an actual bathtub wouldn’t fit in my kit, but pampering products most certainly would!
In all honesty I could take or leave the bubbles and fizzy things as it’s the comforting sensation of the warm water that I appreciate, but smelly stuff is always an added bonus.
3. My phone or iPad
Although I hate to admit it doing without my phone AND iPad would nearly kill me. I know they’re huge time-wasters but that’s exactly why I need and appreciate them. They kill time. They give me something to do. And – just as importantly – they connect me to others.
4. Vanilla Diet Coke
I’ve basically given up consuming the stuff on a regular basis, however… there are some days when just a swig will make everything alright. I’m not sure what it is about the fizzy black goodness that does it and how much is psychological, but this one is another no-brainer for me.
5. A card from my mum (and dad)
Carla included something in her kit to remind her she was loved and I’ve stolen that idea for my last item… which – if push came to shove – would probably be the first item I threw into my first aid kit. My mum gave me this card around the time I got my redundancy from government four years ago. My dad had been gone for nearly a year then.
What would you include in your personal first aid kit?
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CARLA
September 23, 2016I love this so much for so many reasons. I could blame allergies or hormones but I wont 🙂 it’s just who I am.
I teared up at the last one.
I pray my daughter feels that way about me and would include that to feel loved as well when she’s older….
xoxo
Debbish
September 23, 2016I’m sure she will Carla.
Thanks for the inspiration! x
Jo
September 23, 2016I was just saying to hubby that I’m feeling as though the world is closing in again & I need to work out how to stop the panic- other than beta blockers, of course. I agree re Jane Austen & bathtubs, but my go to is always my music. Especially daggy love songs & pop songs. Abba & Pet Shop Boys always work.
Debbish
September 23, 2016I was at the hairdresser’s this morning and they had some great music on. It reminded me how little I listen to it. I can’t have music on when I work – interestingly enough. (Though someone plays the radio in the office and that’s okay as I tend to zone out – and it’s the other end of the room!)
Michelle Weaver (@pinkypoinker)
September 23, 2016Photos of my kids, my dogs and walking in fresh air. The beach or any running water is very therapeutic to me as well. I think I’d choose the complete works of Jane Austin too 🙂
Debbish
September 23, 2016Her writing is really dense Michelle so you could get something different out of it each time you read one of her stories….
Oh yes, water’s therapeutic for sure…. (*Deborah reminds herself to look up and out at the ocean*)
Jess
September 23, 2016Oh I love this, especially the last one.
Debbish
September 23, 2016Thanks Jess. You probably also saw Carla’s post.
Kate W
September 23, 2016If I thought long and hard about this, the answers might be different but my immediate reaction is: a book (whatever I’m reading or my Kindle!); a swimming pool; my sunglasses; and my photo albums.
Debbish
September 23, 2016I’ve recently been ditching heaps of photos. My mother did a big cull when she got termites and had to clean out a room. She offered me some but I already had a heap and it occurred to me that I’ve got no one to give anything to. There’s really no point in me keeping anything as I don’t have kids or anyone to hand stuff on to. My niece will get ‘family’ pics from her parents, but that’s about it.
Mareli Thalwitzer
September 23, 2016This is beautiful Deborah! Vanilla coke! We used to get it here in good old SA but only for a short while. Loved it though. The card thing is a wonderful and comforting idea. I have letters from my mom that are always close by (she passed away over 8 years ago) and just this week, before I went for my ivf I was reading a short little book I’ve received from her. Was all the comfort I could need.
Hope you will have a good weekend!
Debbish
September 23, 2016Mareli
I’m not sure if you’re aware I lived in Mozambique in 1995 – 1996 (for about 16-18mths). The most exciting time of the week was Saturday morning when my friends (with a car) would take me to the booze shop (where we also changed money) and to a supermarket that SOMETIMES had diet coke. And sour cream.
If there were cans of diet coke I would buy as much as I could afford!
Ness
September 23, 2016Definitely books. Pens and notebooks. Cups of tea and cakies.
Debbish
September 24, 2016Oh yes… I contemplated food but nothing jumped out at me which was unusual!
Denyse Whelan
September 23, 2016What a great topic..and thanks for the recommendation I have now signed up for blog updates from Carla. Your list was both loving and a teensy bit sad…but isn’t that what comfort is about? Me: soft pillow (I am fussy…oh so fussy), electric heat pad for my back (sooo comforting), iPhone on forever charge (derr) with all of my photos,apps and connection 24/7, lollies of some kind (currently my faves are fantales), husband(?.if not allowed, then some loving words from him via my phone/pics), newspaper, art supply mini stash…that’s enough for me …for now!!
Debbish
September 24, 2016I’m pretty sure you’re allowed to include your husband. We make up the rules as we go along after all!
Kirsty @ My Home Truths
September 23, 2016This is such a good idea Deb – I’m going to have to put in some thought as to what would go into mine (I suspect I would not be able to limit myself to 5!)
Debbish
September 24, 2016True. I find it easier to come up with a very small number (my first 3 were obvious) but then struggle as I try to prioritise others.
Kooky Chic
September 24, 2016Vodka, books, chocolate and a box of matches. Love your card.
Debbish
September 24, 2016Damn! I forgot about booze. I haven’t been drinking much of late but definitely wine or champagne.
Sarah
September 24, 2016Oh I love this! I’d have a book and a hot bath in there for sure too
Debbish
September 24, 2016Yes sirree!!!
Leanne @ Deep Fried Fruit
September 24, 2016I love this! Although you’d need a bloody big first aid kit to get your bath in there …
If we can fit baths into our kits then I’d also go with a spa bath, champagne, a magazine or book, my phone and perhaps on this occasion I’d go for a New York style pepperoni pizza. Oh, and a heat pack and fluffy slippers for when I get out of the bath. Oh, and now I’ll need a TV with unlimited on demand Foxtel viewing. Ok, I think that’s it …
Debbish
September 25, 2016Yes… I like the non-literal list ideas myself. And I forgot wine. And food.
Janet Camilleri (@middleagedmama1)
September 24, 2016What a lovely idea! I would have to include chocolate in mine 😉 and a couple of favourite photos.
Debbish
September 25, 2016You made me realise I’d forgotten photos but of course I’d have them in my iPhone. (I didn’t mention a charger though… 😉 )
Jan @ Notes from a Readerholic
September 28, 2016What a great idea! I need to think about this and decide what would be in my kit. I know my Kindle would be there with several hundred books! But there would have to be some other things–my cats perhaps?
Debbish
September 29, 2016Oh yes Jan, pets would definitely be an important inclusion.
mamagrace71
September 28, 2016That is an awesome kit, Deb! I also like how you were being very resourceful and you got the one book with all of Jane Austen’s works! Nice one. I have a birthday card from my mum that I’ve held onto. She gave it to me in the midst of a fight we had been having. Means the world to me.
Debbish
September 29, 2016Ha yes, I think Jane Austen packs her writing with enough words to entertain me on each re-reading!