On Containers, the Process and my Partial Nudges List

Mid-week check in! I am working on my latest "nudge" and having fun while doing it (along with being challenged!!). It has definitely given me new insights....more to come on that!

I am so blessed to have so much support with this project. It keeps coming up in conversations (okay, so I may be excited and bring it up!) and each time I come away with new ideas and support. No one has told me I am crazy for trying this (yet!). I love it when the response I get is, "you know what I've always wanted to do but have been too afraid..." Great ideas!

Each time, I write down the new idea on a small piece of paper, crumple it up, and add it to the box. Each Sunday, I pick a task from the box and implement it that week.

With all the great ideas from other people, ideas from the original author of the project, ideas from books I'm reading, and more ideas that randomly pop into my head, I had to move to a bigger box this week. I picked a container that I love that is big enough to hold the various pieces of paper, with room to grow. I just numbered them too on my master list - 86 nudges total! Wow!!

She's beautiful and full of good ideas!

So, what are some of my future nudges? I'm glad you asked! Here's a partial list:

Nudges for things I have always wanted to do but don't get around to actually doing:

• master a messy bum or top knot (seriously!)
• make a complex meal with lots of new ingredients I haven't used before
• make a craft from Pinterest
• try a new recipe - this week's nudge!
• use a household item in a new way
• wear new outfits or clothing combinations all week
• write for one hour, no interruptions
• go explore a small town
• put together a gift basket for myself
• given in to an impulse that gives me joy
• listen to someone who has a different viewpoint on politics and religion (change my perspective)
• increase my online presence

Some tasks to nudge me out of my perfectionism mindset:

• change my routine - completed Oct 2018
• break a rule (not a law)
• make a sign with hand-lettering (and it doesn't have to be perfect to be beautiful!!)
• do something I am bad at (this will be really hard for a perfectionist!!)

Nudges of things I enjoyed as a child and want to try again as an adult:

• wear a fun, bright color on my fingernails for a week
• play my flute for my enjoyment (it has been years...)
• jump rope
• wear a baseball hat (like I used to as a teen)
• assemble a puzzle
• paint a picture

Nudges to grow my spiritual life:

• pray daily and trust God (no worrying!!)
• list 10 things I am grateful for every day
• meditate daily for a week
• memorize a Psalm
• forgive 5 people

Nudges to work on my physical goals:

• go to the gym 3 times in a week
• work on hip mobility and stretching
• focus on strength training (pull-ups, planks, squats - getting stronger!)
• use the hot tub at the gym
• floss every day for a week
• dance!
• focus on my posture

Nudges to inspire me intellectually:

• learn to identify all countries on a map
• learn something new from an online video
• learn to parallel park (FINALLY!!)
• research a topic and become an expert in a niche area
• read/explore 3 new blogs
• start reading a book outside my normal genre
• renew CPR training certification
• research dreams and keep a dream log for a week

Nudges inspired by things I've read:

• do something that scares me
• prioritize my marriage and show overwhelming love and attention to my spouse
• no complaining for a week
• stop apologizing (when not needed)
• take a photo each day of things that make me happy
• tackle a nagging task
• be environmentally friendly (reduce my footprint)
• ask for something big to receive a "no" (face rejection)

Nudges inspired from "52 Nudges" Founder Kathleen Guthrie Woods (as well as other ideas above):

• do a random act of kindness, completely anonymously
• connect with someone I haven't talked to in over 6 months
• wear nice jewelry I've been saving
• get 8 hours of sleep every night
• go to a new market
• try new food from a restaurant menu
• teach dog a new trick
• take hubs to a new place for date night
• visit a new-to-me bookshop
• drive a new street/area
• do something I hate doing (like weeding)
• go to a park for 30 minutes; sit, breathe, do nothing
• say "yes" to something new
• say "no" to something
• set a small goal and blow it away
• throw something out
• use our good dishes

Nudges inspired by conversations with other people or suggested by others:

• learn to play Craps (a favorite casino game of my husband's)
• write my name in shorthand (to honor Grandma)
• write my own story
• watch and correct my "shoulds"
• rearrange my clothing drawer
• be patriotic - thank service people and veterans, display US flag daily

Phew! Long list! It seems like a lot to accomplish, but it will be manageable as I tackle only one each week. So many opportunities and ideas!!