Intellectual Wellness

This week looks different than I imagined. It’s day two of being snowed in my house. The temperature hasn’t gotten above freezing and the roads are solid sheets of ice. I don’t trust my little car to make it to work or the grocery store – even though I need to do both.

Thankfully, I’ve been able to work from the safety of my home and I’m digging deep into my pantry and eating random groceries I’ve had for a while. It’s supposed to warm up tomorrow and I will be able to get back to my routine. Fingers crossed.

This week in my Self-Care Series I’m focusing on intellectual wellness from Substance Abuse and Mental Health Services Administrations (SAMHSA’s) eight dimensions of wellness.

SAMHSA defines intellectual wellness as: “Recognizing creative abilities and finding ways to expand knowledge and skills”

Since I’m currently snowed, I figured this would be a good time to explore this dimension of my wellness.

I started reading a new book called “The Arrivals”. It’s a spiritual fiction book about a group of people that die in a plane crash and find themselves in the afterlife. As most other curious humans, the afterlife intrigues me. What is going to happen?!? Of course, I’m in no rush to find out, but I do like reading other people’s ideas and speculations.

The book itself is fairly easy to read and I imagine I’ll have it finished as my snow days wrap up.

Another way I am focusing on my intellectual wellness is starting a LinkedIn profile. I’m content with my current job, but I think it is a good idea to start networking and see what all is out there. Making a LinkedIn has been on my to-do list for a while, but I keep pushing it off for whatever reason. No time like the present – I suppose.

While focusing on my intellectual wellness, I have been doing a lot of research on blogging. I stumbled upon https://artofblogging.net/ and found a lot of the tips really helpful. I even listened to a couple episodes of the podcast and found myself jotting down some main points in my Notes app.

This got me thinking about ways to grow and expand my blog and I decided to sign up for the Amazon Associates program. I heard about this program from a friend a couple of weeks ago, but I was hesitant because I don’t particularly love Amazon. Sure, it’s convenient and an incredible business idea, but I’ve heard firsthand that they don’t treat their employees great and well Jeff Bezos in general causes me to eye-roll. BUT I decided to give it a shot. No harm in trying. So be on the lookout for me to review some products soon.

This post is the halfway point in my Self-Care Series. It’s been beneficial for me to explore the different dimensions of wellness. Each week, I find myself consistently thinking about the dimension I’m focusing on.

Have you guys been following along? Here’s the previous weeks:

Emotional Wellness

Social Wellness

Occupational Wellness

Stay tuned for next week when I focus on my financial wellness!