Welcome back to the . . . Sanctuary . . . where once a week – on Fridays – I aim to preserve my sanity. And maybe yours, too. If you missed my inaugural Sanctuary post (the one where I explained all this), you can find it here.
So. What have I got for you this week?
Well. This has been a busy week for me, so I’m taking the (kind of) easy way out this Friday. I still have three things for you . . . three things that will make you smile and just take you away from the everyday nonsense we all face. But. They’re all things I found on Instagram. Usually, I try to mix up my “sources” here in the Sanctuary because I know some of you don’t use Instagram anymore (or ever). But, here we are. This week is Instagram Week here in the Sanctuary!
Three things this week . . . One of them is (maybe kinda) helpful, one of them is pretty amazing, and one of them is just plain silly fun.
Ready?
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The Helpful Thing
I would be lost . . . if my fingers and hands didn’t “work.” I mean, everything I enjoy doing (pretty much) involves using my hands, and usually fairly intricate finger movement as well . . . drawing, knitting, writing, embroidering, painting, gardening, cooking, typing. And since I have rheumatoid arthritis, I’m always on the lookout for ways to protect my joints and improve their functionality — for now and for the future.
So when I saw this flash across my Instagram feed, I paid attention. I’ve been trying to do these finger exercises each day . . . not as a special “workout” or anything — just as I go about my day. I decided to share them . . . because I know a lot of you enjoy hobbies-you-do-with-your-hands, too.
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The Pretty Amazing Thing
I keep my Instagram feed carefully “curated” (as much as is possible with Meta products . . . ) to bring me joy. Lots of poets. Tons of artists. A little dancing. Gardening. (Okay. A lot of gardening.) That kind of thing. The other day, one of the art-related accounts I follow shared a series of short videos from a Japanese artist whose medium is . . . nature. I was mesmerized! If you want a quick escape, just watch one – or all – of these short videos (there are 8 or 9 included in this link). They’re pretty amazing!
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The Just Plain Silly Fun Thing
In the some-people-have-too-much-time-on-their-hands category (but also in the isn’t-that-clever category), I bring you this guy . . . who sings and dances to songs we all know and love . . . in a bathroom 3-way mirror. Because we can all really use a laugh right about now.
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And that’s it for this week. I hope you found some sanctuary here today.
At least for a few minutes.
Enjoy the weekend!
Find some joy. Protect your peace.
These are great Kym! Thank you. The artist…AMAZING and so very, very clever. I’ve done similar finger exercises for a long time. Doing stitching and knitting, my fingers often end up feeling cramped and tight. Good to see some that I have not incorporated into my routine. Hope you have a fabulous weekend!
Lots of sanctuary here, Kym! I include finger exercises in my walk. It’s incredible how weak your fingers get with age, and I have noticed this over the last couple of years. Great advice. And grandma’s bathroom mirror? I love it! Reminds me of how my big brother used to stand in front of a mirror every day and practice his moves when we were kids.
These are all fantastic, Kym! I am now going to get lost in the very deep well that is Daniel Coffman’s IG… hahaha! Happy weekend!
Something helpful, something beautiful and calming, and something funny — a perfect three!
When I win the lottery I’m going to have a masseuse come to my house to give me lovely hand massages, but until then finger exercise are good. And I have a mirror like that in my downstairs bathroom, so now I know how to use it for entertainment purposes. Thanks!
Thank you Kym!
These are all great and you mixed it up well so no need to feel any sort of way about using Instagram for this week!
Oh wow. Those are GREAT! Special thanks (from my hands) for those hand exercises/stretches, too!