Me & My Quite Contrary Life

NUDGED: "Read/explore 3 new blogs" BACKSTORY: I enjoy reading blogs but rarely step out of my comfort zone to find new ones to read. My usual categories include health and fitness, religious, books, and home improvement blogs. I have my favorite people that I have followed for awhile, but I realized there might be new blogs out there that I would enjoy also. I could learn a lot from expanding my view with new ideas and perspectives. My nudge this week is to find three new blogs to read, and to learn at least one thing from each of them. And, go! QUOTE: "Telling your story is transformative. For both the storyteller and their audience, a new bridge to understanding is created." - Susan Burton HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:  I started this week with a big step out of my comfort zone. I felt overwhelmed with the large number of blogs available and needed to find a way to limit the number to three (ish). I made a post on Facebook asking for recommendations of blogs an...

NUDGED: "Use a household item in a new way" BACKSTORY: Recently, I started to get creative and re-purpose items around the house for other uses than originally intended, like using a relish tray to hold craft supplies and using a decorative bowl to hold dog bones. I wanted to work on this nudge to look at my possessions in a new way and see if I can utilize things differently. I intended to give an item new life with a new purpose. QUOTE: "Change the way you look at things and the things you look at change." - Wayne Dyer HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:  I was much more aware this week of intended purposes of items around me and how I was actually using them. I made a list of some things that I love and use in a non-conventional way: I hung a chandelier in our laundry room. It is so unexpected and pretty, and gives lots of light to see stains! My Grandma's cookie jar now holds scraps of fabric. It held cookies for decades before this and I love how it still ...

NUDGED: "Stop apologizing" BACKSTORY: While a well-timed and genuine apology is very important, I find myself often apologizing for things without it being necessary. I came across an image similar to the one below on an online forum of women I really admire. Many of them share the same struggle as me with over-apologizing. I thought it was a good idea and wanted to try it sometime , and sometime became this week when I drew this nudge from the wooden box. I hope to change my vocabulary to respond with appreciation instead of apologizes (especially when an apology is not needed!). QUOTE: "Words can inspire. And words can destroy. Choose yours well." - Robin Sharma HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:  A quick Google search on this new concept guided my new mindset for the week. From boredpanda.com : "Unless you're Canadian, you're not doing anyone any favors by saying 'sorry' all the time. In fact, being overly apologetic can lead a person to s...

NUDGED: "Play my flute for me" BACKSTORY: I knew this nudge would be challenging for me but was something that I have been meaning to try once again. I started playing the flute when I was in 5th grade and didn't put the instrument down until my early 30s. I stayed in band throughout high school and college, including playing in marching band and concert bands. I also played my flute in church or nursing homes as a soloist or accompanying another musical group. I was in a flute choir for many years and took private lessons. My dad is a talented, life-long musician so it was in my blood and was something I excelled at with many hours of practice (and my perfectionism!). Music was a big part of my life and shaped who I am today. A serious picture from my high school band days - with the same flute I have today. The music stopped one day about 5 years ago. It was a combination of factors that produced my "retirement" from playing the flute/piccolo. My flu...