Debbie Does Push-ups! Days 16 & 17

Day 16 (and 17 because life happens): Push-Ups, Friendships & The Power of Showing Up

Dear Diary,

Confession time.  I didn’t write yesterday.  Not because I forgot.  Not because I quit.  Simply because I had one of those days.  Teaching, gym, practicing yoga, meetings, admin, life … and I decided I wasn’t going to write just to check a box.  Yes, part of my challenge is writing and sharing every day (Sundays off).  And, I’ve done that for over two weeks straight, which for me is pretty huge because I’m a classic start strong, fade later kind of human.  But something is different this time.  I’m learning not to be so hard on myself.  I’m learning to rest when my body asks for it.  Being sick during this push-up/writing challenge forced that lesson (big time).  And honestly,  I’m proud of myself for listening.  Especially because I spend a lot of time telling “students” (my biggest teachers)  to take their yoga/Pilates off the mat (strength, balance, self-care, inner trust, honouring rest).  If I can’t do that myself … who am I to preach it?  I could fake it.  No one would know.  But I would know.  And if you’ve been reading along, you already know I’m not perfect.  I’m a work in progress just like the rest of the world.  Being honest with myself (and with you) is part of this whole journey. 

Day 16: 85 Push-Ups:  Volunteering & the 8.5% Boost

Yesterday’s push-up target was 85, reflecting how volunteering is linked to an 8.5% boost in mental health.  My first reaction was “seriously? Only 8.5%?!”  I remember a time volunteering that felt like a 200% boost.  Years ago, in my early 20s, I worked at Geneva Centre for Autism.  Shout out to any of my GCA family reading this!  I started at the front desk, then moved into admin roles, coordination, executive assistant and eventually Training Institute Coordinator. I had just finished college in Social Service Work and wanted to test out the world of helping others.  I learned sooooo much there. About autism. About families. About resilience. About how many invisible struggles people carry.  The moment that stuck with me the most came from volunteering in a siblings group.  This was a space for kids who had siblings with autism.  A place where they could talk about their experience. Because most of the time, their world revolved around supporting their sibling’s needs.  So in our sessions, I’d ask things like:  Tell me about your sibling.  How old are they? When were they diagnosed?  But most importantly:  Tell me about YOU.  And the kids were surprised at first.  They weren’t used to being asked that.  They loved their siblings deeply.  They 100% understood why attention had to go there.  But they also felt unseen sometimes.  By the end of those sessions, there were hugs, smiles, and “see you next week!” vibes. Witnessing that was super powerful.  My heart was so full.  This little girl asked me once,  “Do you have any siblings?”  I said yes, I have a brother. Why?  She smiled and said,  “I can tell. And I can tell you’re a good sister.”  My brother Dan might debate that depending on which childhood memory you ask about lol … But at that moment, I felt something shift.  That’s when I realized volunteering doesn’t just help others.  It reminds us what matters.  It builds gratitude.  It connects you to humanity.  So yeah … I’d say I love this push-up target fact of the day, but I feel it to be way more than an 8.5% boost in well-being.

PS.  Confession #2.  I’m behind in my push-ups but tomorrow is rest day for writing and catch-up day for push-ups.  Just sayin’ ;) 

Day 17: 170 Push-Ups:  Friendships & the 17% Boost

Today’s push-up target is 170, representing the 17% boost in wellbeing that each new friendship can bring.  I love this one.  Friendships are wildly underrated for mental health.  When I took my life coaching course (yes, I’m certified … and yes, I mostly use it to coach myself), one thing that kept coming up was how critical relationships are for overall wellbeing.  It sounds obvious.  Of course friendships matter.  But they matter way more than we give them credit for.  Not just for your mental health, but for your physical health.  Very much connected.  Obviously.  You don’t need a million Facebook “friends.”  You don’t need a giant circle.  We’re not 20 anymore.  Or maybe you are; cool, enjoy, hydrate, good luck lol …  As we get older, circles change.  People move. Get married.  Have kids. Change jobs. Shift priorities.  And that’s ok!  I have some friends I don’t see often, but when we do connect, it’s like no time has passed and my cup is completely full.  Shout out to you!  Thank you for being a friend.  Yes, Golden Girls, I know.  I’ve also had friendships where I’d leave feeling crappy about myself because jokes crossed lines and I’d hear, “Relax Deb, don’t be so sensitive.”  (Yes, I’m a Cancer. Yes, I feel things. Moving on.)  Funny how the universe gently removes certain people over time.  And then there are the friendships that show you what "showing up for you" really feels like.  Some of mine flew all the way to Portugal for my wedding.  I joked they just wanted a trip to the Algarve and they said yes, the beach, the wine, the food … oh and also you finally getting married.  That’s friendship. 

New Friends, Vacation Friends & the Bus Beer Guy

One of my favourite friendship stories started in Cuba almost four years ago.  Rui and I were newly dating and on the airport bus heading to the resort when this guy cracks open a Cristal beer and asks the tour guide how long the ride is.  (Because we’re in Cuba, yes there’s a tour guide and beer on the bus, obviously).  “About 15-20 minutes,” the guide says. “Perfect,” he replies. “I’ll take another Cristal in about 8 minutes.” Rui and I giggle at each other and he says, “I like that guy.”  Fast forward:  we kept running into Bob (the Bus Beer Guy) and his wife Vicki at dinner, the bar, the pool … and after one hangout Vicki says to me,  “I f*ckin’ love you!”  And honestly, same!  Such a fun vacation.  After that, we exchanged numbers, stayed in touch, visited each other a few times (they live in Sudbury) and yes, they ended up at our wedding in Portugal too.  Late 50s, retired, fun, kind, real.  A couple we look up to.  Friends for life.  Proof that new friendships can start anywhere and really do boost your well-being. 

Airport buses included.

And Then There’s My Best Friend

Not to be cheesy … but my husband is my bestie.  Here’s the proof.  Two months into dating I told him:  “Here’s the deal.  No farting in front of each other. It ruins the romance.”  He said “ok cool.”  Agreed.  Fast forward to us swimming in Lake Simcoe (1.5 months later).  I tell him I might need to pee in the water.  Then accidentally, bubbles everywhere!! I’m dying laughing and apologizing saying, “oh my god, oh my god that was an accident.” He says, “oh yeah yeah, I see you trying to hide things saying you have to pee.  You can't hide here. That’s more than a pee eh my love?”  We laughed until we cried.  Recently he said,  “that must’ve been hard for you, holding those in for a month and a half.”  Rude! Also hilarious. Also accurate. Best friend material. 

Friendship Goals Moving Forward

I was listening to Mel Robbins (another kind of bestie of mine) talk about 2026 goals, and she mentioned making friendship intentional.  That hit me.  It’s so easy to let time fly, to be “busy” and not make time for friendships.  So my goal this year:  One friend date per month.  Group or one-on-one.  Away from work. Away from family stuff.  Just connection.  Because friendships aren’t extra.  They’re essential. 

What I’m learning

Between the volunteering stat yesterday and friendships today, here’s my take-away (and maybe yours).  Helping others heals us.  Connection strengthens us.  And showing up for people  (including ourselves) is where the real magic happens.  Today’s push-ups aren’t just reps.  They’re gratitude for every person who’s shaped my life.  Old friends.  New friends.  Family who feel like friends.  Friends who feel like family.  And yes … the bus beer guy.  Cheers to you “Meestor Bob.”

Wink wink … nudge nudge 

If you’ve been meaning to text a friend, do it. If you’ve been waiting to make plans, make them. If you’ve been thinking about volunteering, try it. Connection might not solve everything. But it makes everything feel a little lighter. And … that’s a pretty powerful thing. Just sayin' ...

Yoga Debb

Building strength, mindset, and real-life consistency; one breath at a time 💗