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  1. This is JUST what I need today after a weekend with MIL!

    I picture mine being in a small plastic box (preferably yellow) with sticker-pictures of my neices/nephews, parents, family pics from my youth, personal phrases etc. all on the outside.

    Inside would be our mini-wedding album (which I LOVE and am the only person who ever looks at 🙂 Pens that I love to write with, greeting cards/stationary so that I can write someone I love a nice letter (always cheers me up), juggling balls, a picture book (1x.com).

    fantastic idea, as always! Thanks!
    ~rupal

  2. Okay, pardon my “automatically jumps to the off color” brain, but I didn’t think your jump rope was a jump rope. I’ll leave it at that lest I embarrass myself.

    A first aid kit is definitely something I’m going to have to put together once the semester ends (even though I probably need it now). In it, I’m putting a journal, pretty perfume samples, a few love letters the fiance wrote me, Anne Frank’s diary, fancy bubble bath, and a mini-bottle of cheap red wine, and a jump rope that’s not a jump rope. 😀

  3. back in a bit but this:

    Okay, pardon my “automatically jumps to the off color” brain, but I didn’t think your jump rope was a jump rope. I’ll leave it at that lest I embarrass myself.

    made me laugh out loud, Ashley.

    Not that you dont have a better idea than my JumpSnap! (wink)

  4. LOL at Ashely.

    Great question, Miz!

    Id have in my kit a photoalbum as well. Lots of movies to watch. Good clean food (or a picture of?) to remind me that when I binge I feel WORSE than when I eat well. And my stuffed teddy I’ve had since I was 5.

  5. At first I thought that my kit would be crammed with pictures and things from my twins BUT THEN I REALIZED THAT THEY MIGHT BE WHY I NEED A PERSONAL FIRST AID KIT!!

    Thank you for the realization moment that it may be high time for me to focus a bit more on BEA so I can give back to my twins.

  6. I LOVE you in that hat!

    So having a personal first aid kit sounds like an awesome idea. For now, mine consists of the front door–quickest cure for the grouchy, aimless, can’t get on track feeling is to walk out of it and go on a long walk.

    But since that’s not always practical, a pimp hat full of inspiration might be just the thing!

  7. You are so creative and yet it is so obvious an idea (which I always think is the hallmark of genius :)).

    I can’t get the video to play (at work. shhhh) but would have in a personal first aid kit:

    A candy bar. Only one. And perhaps snack size?
    Magazines. I never get a chance to read mine and subscribe to a bunch of crafting magazines.
    My favorite cardigan sweater.
    My dog 🙂

  8. Your readers are up early, MizFit!

    I thought I would be first.

    Loved the video and the concept of self-care.

    Nancy

  9. Great idea Miz! My first aid kit would definitely contain chocolate, pictures of my husband and pups, a goofy picture of me with the girls, my favorite sweatshirt, Say Anything DVD because that movie will always make me happy, and a Patty Griffin CD because I can’t live without her music. 🙂

    OK, I have to brag for just a second. Chris (husband) is quoted in the review section of Geography of Bliss – the one that says he learn more from that book than he did reading a year’s worth of The Economist. 🙂

  10. Whew, you scared me for a second with that jump rope contraption. 🙂

    My personal first aid kit is hanging right here where I can see it. It’s a pair of pom-poms, similar to the ones I got a far away friend so that she could “cheer herself up”. One day I needed some cheering, so I got my own set of pom-poms. Should a down day occur, I’m armed now.

  11. As usual a great idea for me on my Monday morning. I never thought about a personal first aid kit, so I will have to give that some thought, because I can see how beneficial it could be.

  12. I just betcha we’ve all got the “chocolate” handy as the first item.

    Not having toddlers around, the whole house tends to be my first aid kit; my junk is all over the place. In the living room I’ve got two bookcases full of books, check. DVD rack, check. Jump-rope, medicine ball, dumbbells, check. Comfy reading couch, check.

    I won’t list everything in the kitchen, bathroom and bedroom, or I’ll be here all day.

  13. I don’t think I could resist any woman with a hat like that. As for personal 1st aid kit:

    The YouTube video of Susan Boyle’s initial audition for Britain’s Got Talent – Hard not to smile at that.

    Soundtrack to Across the Universe

    Pictures of my wife and kids when their laughing so hard that tears are streaming down their face.

    A new bag of freshly ground coffee.

  14. I love this idea!! There’s definitely a ton of things I’d put in mine… and it would include not only the ONE Jen Lancaster book, but ALL of them! (my best friend and i are going to her book signing here in a couple weeks). I’d also have some great chocolate, photos of my fiance and I, a whoopee cushion, and a t-shirt from the camp I’m a director at. My summers are ALWAYS happy, and the shirt reminds me of that…

  15. I always read and rarely comment but had to this morning:

    Posts like these are why I start my day here. I tend to overcomplicate things whereas you do not.

    A personal first aid kit? so simple and I am making one after work today.

  16. What a great take on personal first aid kits! I am anxious to hear your take on the “jump rope”. I have thought about purchasing one of those, but I have been leary of it.


  17. South Beach Steve? I can’t wait to film video about it.

    I’m FINALLY caught up on reviews and can quit using and start yammering.

    (Teaser? Well.well.worth.money.spent. IMO.)

  18. This is exactly what I’m looking for in my search for ways to nurture myself.

    I have a collection of songs that I can’t help but sing along to that always puts me in a better state of mind so they’d definately go in my first aid kit.

    @Cammy…I did a double take on that jump rope contraption too. LOL

  19. LOVE this idea! I have an old shoe box that I keep things in that make me smile, but it’s gotten kind of cluttered over the years (is that a representation of my life or what??).

    I think I need to add some knitting supplies and coffee. Two things that slow me down and remind me that happiness is often found in the simple things in life.

  20. I need this at the ready for times when I fear I am reeling toward old habits.

    Fitness Guidance Counselor of mine, you are.

  21. you are making me LAUGH about the JumpSnap.

    Love your ideas so far—-and I used my kit this weekend TWICE.

    (says a lot about my crazy wkend huh? :))

    Really works for me.

  22. Is it terrible that all I really want in my personal first-aid kit is a big box of silence? Preferrably somewhere outdoors.

    And… the jump rope confusion has me laughing my arse off!

  23. I love the idea of the personal first-aid kits. I think I will be creating this for myself tonight, while hubby works late.

    My kit will be housed in my favorite tote bag – I’ve had it since college and always take it with me on vacations, so I think it fits this purpose perfectly. I think the kit will have to contain a few trashy romance novels – preferably a Johanna Lindsey, a Judith McNaught, and perhaps a Julia Garwood (or two). Definitely need chocolate – I’m think a white chocolate square, a dark chocolate square, and a milk chocolate square.

    I will have pictures of all the people most important to me – hubby, my parents, my nieces and nephews, and my best friends. Throw in a vanilla scented candle and my honeysuckle sented body lotion and I’m a happy camper!

  24. Yeah, uh-huh, mine is called the LIQUOR CABINET.

    Sure…jump rope…you keep telling Ren Man that; we’ll back you.

    But seriously? In my kit would be my current knitting/crocheting project, a good book, old journals, al wrapped up in a fleece blanket. (Something for the hands, head, and heart).

    My baby turned 13 yesterday.

  25. It is really eyeopening for me what my first thoughts were for my kit.

    May be a bad sign.

  26. My baby turned 13 yesterday.

    HAPPY BELATED!!

    How was the celebration? What was the celebration??

    It is really eyeopening for me what my first thoughts were for my kit. May be a bad sign.

    And an intended by-product of my post. It forced me, as well, to look at and examine precisely what I turn to in times of stress.
    It was eye widening here as well.

  27. I think the jump rope is winning for the best idea so far. Well, maybe it’s not the jump rope….

    I love your idea, Miz. Now what to put in my kit. I twittered you about my nordic walking poles. I think what that tells me is I need that physical exertion in my every day. If I skip it too often, I start to get a little blue. And I can come up with lots of reasons for skipping it. This is a good reminder to help me with those ‘rational lies.’

  28. Okay, I’m putting my first aide kit in my much-neglected cowboy hat!

    I suppose mine, for those days that are really bad and nothing seems to go right, would include a bottle of tequila, the movie Clueless, and a knitting project.

    I’ll have to spend some time thinking on this one, it’s a great idea!

  29. LOVE the hat and the idea!

    So here is my list of what I WILL put into my personal first aid kit.

    I would definitely have pictures of my kids and hubby, especially of special times together.

    A list of encouraging scriptural references

    Old journals (food and thoughts)

    MP3 player with my all time favorite music. It would be a mix of really upbeat and then also very soothing in their appropriate folders of course.

    A feel good movie DVD (will have to put some thought into which one)

    A list of my accomplishments

    A few pieces of dark chocolate

    My current thought journal with my favorite pen.

  30. Ha ha ha! Ashley’s comment cracks me up!

    What a great idea. I know I would have some photos in mine, along with some craisins but not sure what else. It’s a really, really good idea!

  31. You have such creative post ideas!

    I would make my kit in my old brady bunch lunch box!

    That alone makes me smile.

    I need to decide what would go in it.

  32. dang. the comments are slooow to come to handheld today.
    VERY COOL heather about your husband/the review!

    And love the idea of keeping a list of accomplishments in the kit as well.

  33. Must admit I thought the same as Ashley re: your jumprope. Batteries included????

    You are a GENIUS – I hope copious praise does not cause you to blush. This is such a great idea. I have a loosely arranged collection of books: same Jen Lancaster as you, Barbara Sher “I Could do Anything…”, quote book and my favorite things journal listing everything I’ve loved or lusted for in the past 25 years (and it’s A LOT). As with everything else in my life, I should be a bit more organized in this departement. Loved this post – as usual.

  35. This is a really neat idea!! I’m open to trying anything when it comes to keeping myself from bingeing my brains out! Inside I would put a picture of my boyfriend and me looking cute (to remind me how lucky I am), my bracelet beading kit (to keep my hands busy and off food), a few pieces of paper with affirmations in them to shove some positiveness in my face.

  37. I can’t watch the video at work but can figure out what you talked about from the comments (want to see that pimp hat though LOL).

    I adore this idea!

    I would have a picture of my dog I recently had to put to sleep. She always knew how to brighten my day and her photo still does.

    I am all about the music and would have an ipod in there if I had an extra one 🙂

    I’d also have some nuts in there as a reminder for me that when I am eating junky I tend to feel junky.
    Self love for me = eating well.

  38. I love this idea! I am going to make one and put it in a beautiful gift bag because I LOVE the thought of giving myself a present when I need it, even if it’s the same thing the next time I might need it.

    So far, I’m going to put in something that smells wonderful (maybe a spa votive candle), of course some Dove dark chocolate promises, a little photo album, a pair of crazy sparkly earrings that I really wouldn’t wear outside of the house – or a TIARA! I need a tiara!!! A bookmark with some inspirational saying on it, a Bonne Bell Lip Smacker in Dr. Pepper (brings back the HS days) and a warming face mask. And of course one of Jen’s books – she always makes me laugh!

    P.S. Your jump rope startled me as well!

  40. Man, I am CRACKING. UP. about the jump rope confusion. Hilarious. (And I have to admit that I like Ashley’s version better. But then I’ve never been a big fan of jumping rope, LOL.)

    I don’t have an actual box, but I do have a pretty basket under my coffee table that holds my secret I-need-a-break-stat stash of . . . trashy magazines. No gossip mags (I decided to stop giving them my money), but fashion mags, cooking mags, decorating mags . . . LOTS of them. When I’ve had a hard day, I curl up on the couch and look at the pretty pictures. (And sometimes with a bowl of Kraft Mac’n’Cheese, which is SO bad for me, but once or twice a year I do. not. care.)

  41. I hadn’t see the personal responsibility video before either.

    Thank you for linking back.

    I would have my first aid kit be in a shoebox from my one and only pair of expensive Manolo heels.

    A reminder to treat myself sometimes.

    Not sure what I will put in there yet.

  42. After reading all the comments about the jump-rope, I had to go back and rewatch the video, ’cause I didn’t know what the fuss was all about. Okay, NOW I’ve got it figured out what you thought it was!

    Shame on all you ladies! Shame, shame, shame!

  43. SHAME ON US? Or would Dr. Laura Berman be cheering us on? 🙂

    Anyone see Oprah with her on it?

    She’s shocking—-but she’s conversation provoking.

  44. Miz, this is a lovely, lovely idea. I am going to think seriously about this and actually DO it! I really like the idea of the pictures, and I have a thingy that my sister gave me for christmas that I can download pictures to and carry around with me. I have never figured it out, but this seems like the perfect opportunity to do!

    Thank you again, Miz, for the thought and care you put into your posts, and for the many people whom you ‘visit’ and comment/encourage.

  45. This is a great idea. Not sure what my kit will be yet but probably one of the many cool bags I have. In it would be pictures of Jamaica, family and our pets. Also bracelets and seashells from Jamaica. I would include magazines, Lemongrass scented items, journal of my past weight loss/fitness successes, money to keep my eye on my goals, my Future Millionaire mug and magnets (they make me smile!). Phew what a variety of things.

    That’s it so far but I’m sure I could add more.

  46. Love it!

    Mine would have the entire Twilight series & a few envelopes of microwave popcorn and my bible.

  47. My box will have the size labels I cut off old pants that are now too big for me. Some photos of the younger members of my family that hopefully, I will be alive & healthy for when they graduate, get married etc. and a copy of my favorite video ” Shirley Valentine”. I pop it in whenever I need a lift.

  48. I love this idea! And you in that hat.

    Mentally I’m beginning to assemble mine– a few of my favorite recipes (because cooking relaxes me); a pouch of lavender bath salts; my torn-out article on the benefits of child’s pose; a CD; some of my sister’s funniest letters; a pad of paper and a pencil and a sharpener.

    And, yeah, why not toss in what we mistook the jump-rope for? I think that fits right in with the personal responsibility theme. And with the hat! 🙂

  50. Such a great post & a thought provoking one at that. I must say that I am with some others.. although I knew what you had in your hand per the jump rope, my mind went elsewhere. Does that tell you something about me.. HA!

    I really have to think about this & make it right but some things that came to my mind were pictures of my deceased parents & grandparents, family pics, pictures/tokens of my Hawaii trips since Hawaii always calms me & I love how I feel when I am there & it has been too long since we went! From there, I still have to think it out.

    Thx as always for some really great posting!

  51. So glad there was chocolate in there. I have a pink hat just like that which I wore when I dressed up as Pam Anderson for Halloween. I also love love love fake tattoos. You may have just inspired me to put one on right now!

  52. oooh, wow, love the idea of a self-care kit. my first thoughts were i want to see you in that hat, using that jump rope. then i thought about music, and how i love lyrics, and finding ones that really mesh with how i’m feeling or things i’ve experienced… so maybe an ipod would go in there with a chosen few

  54. You read my mind always, Miz.

    I need to make one of these!

    I shall and will report back.

    Love the hat.

  55. What a cool idea, Miz! Hmmm…not sure on the particulars, but mine would have something to read, something to knit, something to nosh, some slack-key guitar music, some plumeria-scented bath gel, and a bottle of bubble stuff.

    p.s. – That hat cracked me up! Although I’m a little surprised it wasn’t a Cat-in-the-Hat style had. Thing 2 would love it, too; pink is her (think Steel Magnolias here) “signatuah culluh.”

  56. So.

    First thought: “gah! I wish I had her arms”

    Second thought: “OMG, that doesn’t look like a jump rope” and, in light of the context, it made sense…until I realized it was a quicksnap. Okay.

    Third thought: I’ve always had a phone number in my first aid kit. It’s been different people over the years but I’ve always been lucky enough to have somebody who will pick up the phone and listen when I really need it most.

    For me, that’s better than chocolate.

    Thanks for the inspiration and smiles!

  57. *smacks self in head*

    Love the phone number idea.

    Love the Seth.

    Please to clickclick on Seth’s link.

    I promise you his site will NOT disappoint.

  58. hmmm… I don’t know. I try to make my entire home my personal first aid kit. Even where I live is chosen, in part, by my ability to see the volcanos out one side of the apartment and the mountains out the other. I try to pay attention to those things in my daily life, to build an environment that contains things that are emotionally, intellectually and spiritually nourishing.

  59. This is SUCH a great idea! I would definitely put a copy of Reader’s Digest in there, along with my favorite book of all time, Little Women. I really don’t know that I would need more than that. Reading things I love is the ultimate way to relax for me.

    Now, where can I get a pimp hat?

  60. Fab hat!!

    Husband has this old army cap with ear flaps that never fails to crack me up … wonder if he still has it.

    My cats would never stay in a kit, but they’re never far off. I often look at pics that compare me from one time to another where there are visible changes. That helps. Most of my kit is memories … does that count?

    The Observatory is a constant kit. Only 5 more weeks!! Wooot woooot wooooooot!

  61. Miz, re: comment #57, did as you advised and you were right! 🙂 Another great blog to follow…and yes, I was smacking my head about the phone number, too, especially since I just chatted on the phone with She-Who-Has-Saved-Me-Umpteen-Zillion-Dollars-in-Therapy-But-Not-Phone-Bills (aka my best friend since jr. high) at lunch today. 🙂

  62. Dear MizFit –
    What a great idea. In reading the comments, it seems most people gravitated to actual things they’d want to have around in a stressful time. Which I totally resonate with, as I’m living in Fargo, ND, and packed my bags to be ready in case the flood reached my abode. I couldn’t take much, but I definitely did include some precious things. I had to think hard (without a lot of time) to choose which things.

    When I saw the post headline, I was expecting to read a post suggesting an inner first aid kit, so to speak, for ways to develop and carry inner resource first aid. That alone was thought-provoking and illuminating, so I thank you. I’m a teacher of a process called Focusing, which teaches us ways of relating to ourselves, our inner thoughts and feelings, in a way that turns towards whatever is there. So in any such kit, inner or outer, I would want high on my list, maybe at the top, this quality and ability and discipline to notice whatever is there (fear of being judged, shamed, rejected, fear of being ___ – fill in the blanks with worst fears, dreads. worries) in troublesome moments and times. So you’ve reminded me of something I already have and value. And always need to practice. Thanks again, Catherine

  63. Have to wait until later to watch the vid, but in the stop pix I had to do a double take. First “personal care”.. and if that’s a jump rope it’s not what I saw when I looked at it. Been thinking… MizFit is going to have a really interesting video today…

  64. I live alone. Am I allowed to keep my personal first aid kit all over my house?
    Chocolate
    Coffee
    Temperpedic, adjustable bed.
    Music in Kitchen
    Music in bedroom
    candles
    flashlight
    batteries
    extra toilet paper
    ice
    vodka
    tequila
    qtips
    vibrator
    Kindle
    camera
    pictures of family & Chris
    vitamins and supplements
    eye glasses
    matches

    I don’t have a hat big enough.
    I have a lot of little hats.

  65. First, I love your approach that it’s all a work in progress…so right on!

    I’m thinking quick, and not to sound too corny — but I’ll often close my eyes and go to my “happy place” (remember that from Seinfeld?). Just remember a time and place when I felt really happy. And the place isn’t when I fit into my skinny jeans, or have the right number on the scale.

    Just a time when I felt really happy, and I remember the feeling.

    I also keep lots of inspirational books around. I also keep any nice notes, letters, or comments people have written or sent me. Reminds me of the positive impact I have on other people, and what good qualities I have (though I know I have faults too!)

    And yes, chocolate. Just a little of a good quality one goes a long way…

  66. Hmm, I really don’t know. The concept of a personal first-aid kit kind of… escapes me. Things that I need or would like to help me get on track are things I kind of have around me all the time.

  67. this was such a good “exercise” for me – I think I would put magazines, a mini photo album, and even some positive affirmations written on index cards in my first aid box – oh and maybe even some nail polish to help distract me/kill time.

  68. Finally watched the video. My first thought (since I’m so oddly isolated):

    Ask my online friends to send me a photo of themselves + a word or phrase of support/encouragement. Then make these into a little book. (done. Will again, but I just tweeted it).

    Other than that, my first aid kit would have:
    my computer
    some peanut butter and a spoon
    the DVD of Major League
    Eat, Pray, Love
    The Creative Habit

    hmm.. photos and music but those are all on my computer…

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