cermakalex This week has been all about a big change. My daughter and I knew we’d be spending two months in a spa for treatment. But to be honest, there wasn’t much we could do to really prepare for what awaited us. People often don’t realize what they have until they lose it—especially if they had taken it for granted up to that point. And honestly, people here are really trying to make it pleasant for us. But how do you enjoy a shared bathroom with fifteen other people? Or food that may meet some standards but the days are filled with pasta, dumplings, and bread. And the bed? It probably remembers your grandma. And it’s just not yours 🙂
It’s in moments like these that a Gratitude Journal is a brilliant tool to help you recognize and appreciate what you have—and to be thankful for it. Whether it’s having your own proper toilet, being able to choose your meals, diving into a bowl of strawberries with no limit, or sleeping in your own bed with a good pillow under your head and your favorite book in hand.
21-day challenge: Gratitude Journal
After three weeks of the challenge, it doesn’t end there. This is one of those habits a person should maintain forever. It’s a small step that costs nothing, but it can do wonders for our mental well-being—and that impacts our overall mindset. And a positive attitude? That’s a key pillar in working on your own longevity.
Personally, right now, in a fairly stressful situation and in an environment far from a five-star hotel, I’m becoming more aware of all I have at home. And to survive here without an unnecessary nervous breakdown, I find four small joys every day—four things to be grateful for. And I always fall asleep thinking that it’s actually not as bad as it first seems.
Spa Survivor
The spa is in a beautiful setting—woods, peace, sometimes even deer during a morning walk. Which is definitely a bonus. That is… unless you’re pushing a stroller with a child who weighs as much as you do. In that case, the hills turn into a personal challenge. But why not—hilly terrain beats any gym.
That’s why I really wanted to keep up my morning movement—exercise and swimming, which I’ve been practicing for several years now. And believe it or not—I’ve managed it. I get up at five in the morning (yes, voluntarily!), and I do a three-kilometer brisk walk. The body gets what it needs—including endorphins.
Otherwise? Like a summer camp from the 80s. We’re in a part of the medical facility, so there’s a schedule, mandatory tasks, and procedures. The funniest of them? The afternoon walk, officially called climatotherapy. Shared showers, food sometimes like from a poor school cafeteria… yeah, sometimes it’s really a survival battle. Counting down the days is a must. 🙂
Habit 1 – More Protein
The spa food obviously has its standards, like any other cafeteria. Choosing between two meals isn’t always ideal, but it’s clear that if one of the options is semolina porridge, I’m skipping that. That’s really not nutritionally balanced. So far, I’ve managed to keep my protein intake at the right level, thanks to a morning shake. What is alarming, though, is the 2 to 2.5 times higher fat content in these meals. So we’ll see what impact that has on my weight.
Habit 2 – Better Sleep
This habit has totally gone down the drain. I didn’t really even get started, but since I’m not sleeping in my own bed, there’s noise in the hallways, and overall I’m in a more stressful situation, I wake up during the night, get up before the alarm, and feel tired all day. So the goal now is mainly to stay positive and reduce primary fatigue. I’ll probably have to wait until I’m home to get back into a proper sleep routine and rhythm.
So wish me luck!
