Me & My Quite Contrary Life

NUDGED: "Review all my past nudges" and celebrate! BACKSTORY: I can't believe this is my 100th nudge! I began this project on October 14, 2018, after being inspired by the 52Nudges blog . I desired to have more joy in my life and to get out of my comfort zone. I wanted to accomplish things instead of just talking about them and saying "someday". These nudges have challenged me and helped me grow in so many ways. For this 100th nudge, I wanted to look back at all my previous nudges. What were my favorites? Which ones were the most difficult? Which things have I continued to do after the week's challenged ended? What have I learned?  QUOTE:  REVIEW: My first nudge was "Change my routine" on October 14, 2018. That week was difficult as I was kicking off this new nudges project and really wanted it to go well. While it was difficult to change my schedule (I'm a planner!), I found myself happier afterward and was motivated to continue tackling mor

NUDGED: "Put together a gift basket for myself" BACKSTORY: I have come across a handful of special baskets at other peoples' houses. Instead of being decorative, these baskets have been put to use and filled with all kinds of good things. They are mobile fun units. They are usually located in the living room, and contain things such as coloring books, colored pencils, books, art supplies, etc.. The baskets can be pulled out and enjoyed at any time. I really like this idea but never created one for myself....until this nudge! QUOTE: "Never, ever underestimate the importance of having fun." - Randy Pausch HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: This was a fun nudge to tackle! I first found a blue plastic tote that was storing holiday decorations, and moved those items into a cloth bag. I really wanted to use what I had available and not spend any money on completing this nudge.  I then laid out all the fun things I enjoy doing in my free time. This included coloring books and c

NUDGED: "Learn from the other side" BACKSTORY: This is a difficult nudge! Our nation feels very divided right now. Everyone has their own opinions on issues, especially when it comes to religion and politics. I know how I stand on these topics too, so I don't listen to reasoning from the other side. But, I want to learn.  This week, I will resist the urge to debate and prove my point. I will lean into my curiosity and really listen. What is their perspective? Why do they feel this way? QUOTE: “Listen with curiosity. Speak with honesty. Act with integrity. The greatest problem with communication is we don’t listen to understand. We listen to reply. When we listen with curiosity, we don’t listen with the intent to reply. We listen for what’s behind the words.” ― Roy T. Bennett, The Light in the Heart HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I began the week by making myself a roadmap of the viewpoints I wanted to learn more about. I wrote down which side of

NUDGED: "Learn something about my city's history" BACKSTORY: I was born and raised in Sioux Falls, and am really proud of this city that I call home. It's a great place to live. I know some of the city's history, but there is always more to learn. I'm going to let curiosity be my guide this week as I discover more about the past. QUOTE: "We are not makers of history. We are made by history." - Martin Luther King Jr. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I was surprised by all the resources that are available to learn history. To learn about my city, I could read historical signs posted at various sites, read one of many books published by local authors, check out local museums or even their online exhibits, view photos and collections from state archives , hear stories on several websites after a simple online search, or even just talk to someone older than me who loved through it. I learned lots of really cool things about my city! Here are some highlights

NUDGED: "Write in a new way" (re-do week!) BACKSTORY: My original intent for this nudge was to learn to write in Shorthand like my Grandma did. I have an old book that teaches it, but I have struggled to learn it each time I have tried. It's all dashes and lines to me!  This week, I want to take something "basic" (writing) and do it in a new way. Maybe I will revisit Shorthand this week, or maybe I will try to write in cursive again? Maybe I can try hand-lettering as something new. I love options! QUOTE: "Life begins at the end of your comfort zone!" HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Take two! I am finally feeling better, after feeling like I got hit by a bus for 8 days. I am grateful to be healthy again and grateful for all the calls, texts, messages and deliveries this past week. I have the best friends and family! You are so appreciated by me.  I paged though the Gregg Shorthand book. My edition has a date of September 1945! It didn't make a lot of sens

NUDGED: "Write in a new way" BACKSTORY: My original intent for this nudge was to learn to write in Shorthand like my Grandma did. I have an old book that teaches it, but I have struggled to learn it each time I have tried. It's all dashes and lines to me!  This week, I want to take something "basic" (writing) and do it in a new way. Maybe I will revisit Shorthand this week, or maybe I will try to write in cursive again? Maybe I can try hand-lettering as something new. I love options! QUOTE: "If you want to make God laugh, tell Him about your plans." - Woody Allen HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:  I started the week with writing in cursive. I usually print and haven't used cursive for decades. It was slow at first! I had to think about each letter and write it slowly. It took me 10x longer to write! I wanted to keep with it though, and was curious to see if my writing got better the more I did it.  Then, my plans changed and week derailed with a number: 10

NUDGED: "Take journal to coffee shop for 1 hour" BACKSTORY: This was a newer nudge I added at the beginning of the year to help me do more fun things that I enjoy...but then COVID happened. I kept pulling this nudge during several weeks, only to throw it back because coffee shops were closed. Boo!  While many coffee shops are still closed, the drive thrus are open and many still need business. It's time for me to figure out my new normal, so I accepted the nudge this week with the extra challenge of completing it during a pandemic.  I don't see myself actually sitting in a coffee shop and journaling, but I will find another nice, safe spot to enjoy writing with coffee. I want to make it work this week!  QUOTE: "Reading is my inhale and writing is my exhale." - Glennon Doyle in "Carry On, Warrior" (This quote deeply resonates with me!) HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I'm surprised at how difficult it was to complete this nudge, considering in the availa

NUDGED: "Learn to play Craps" BACKSTORY: Craps is a popular casino game that many people enjoy, including my husband. I have watched him play this game many times (pre-COVID!) but I never learned how to play. I'm sure there are rules and strategies involved...but all I see are rolling dice and then cheering/yelling/booing/swearing. This item has been on my list of things to learn for many years. What am I waiting for? It's time to actually do it! QUOTE: "To learn something new, you need to try new things and not be afraid to be wrong." - Roy T. Bennett HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: My grandma always encouraged learning and education. She told me often to learn all that I could as no one could take those lessons away from me. I never forgot that and always try to keep learning.  My husband gave me an introduction to Craps while on a walk with the dog (yes, discussing Craps while picking up crap!). He explained the basics of the game to give me a place to start in

NUDGED: "Read though an old journal" BACKSTORY: I process my life by writing about it. Oddly enough, after I write, I don't look back and re-read my journal entries. I prefer to look forward and don't want to get distracted by things that happened in the past. This nudge marks the first time I would intentionally re-read previous entries. Why is it a challenge for me? I am afraid of re-living tough moments. I assume I will get tired of hearing myself babble on and on about meaningless things. I wonder how many "important" problems in my teens will seem trivial to me as an adult. But, it is the nudge this week and I am determined to complete it. Putting on my game face... QUOTE: "If you do not make peace with your past, it will keep showing up in your present." - Dr. Wayne W. Dyer HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I quickly learned that re-reading old journal entries and saved emails (many from 20+ years ago) can be good and bad. Journaling was

NUDGED: "Splurge on something for me" BACKSTORY: I am a saver and don't usually spend money on myself, especially for purchases just for fun. While this nudge may be easy for some people, it will be a challenge for me! I want to find something that will bring me joy, then splurge on it...without feeling guilty. That's difficult! QUOTE: "Some things are worth the splurge." - Kiernan Shipka HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: This week, I was on the lookout for that "extra" thing that would give me joy. I surprised myself and found several things to splurge on! 1) In addition to our normal groceries, I also bought myself an iced coffee (love these!) and a small container of mint chocolate chip ice cream that was made from coconut milk. I would normally be amazed at this special ice cream then put it back, but this time I decided to purchase it as a splurge. I am so glad I did. It was delicious! I am so happy that I discovered a new way I can enjoy ice

NUDGED: "Check out a small town" BACKSTORY: I have lived in Sioux Falls for most of my life. It's a great city, but I get wrapped up in my bubble and don't venture out just a little further. There are many small towns around the area that I don't get to often (or ever!). My husband and I really enjoy exploring new places together and trying new restaurants. I'm grateful he is on board (or "in car"?) to help me this week. The challenges of this nudge? 1) Getting lost in a small town (a very real possibility for this directionally-challenged gal!).  2) Picking which small town to check out and what to do while there. Let's go! QUOTE: "Don't be afraid to expand yourself, to step out of your comfort zone. That's where the joy and the adventure life." - Herbie Hancock HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: We had many options for small towns to check out, but I ended up picking the town due to a restaurant I have heard really good things

NUDGED: "Speak boldly and strategically" BACKSTORY: I noticed I don't say "You're welcome" or "I love you" or "I'm sorry" often enough. I don't give my perspective when someone is proudly stating false information or making racist remarks. I find myself staying silent when I should speak up, out of fear or because I am uncomfortable. This makes for a great nudge then, as more than anything, this nudges project has taught me to take action and move out of my comfort zones. I honestly feel like this may be one of the hardest and most personal nudges I have tackled in a long time. I am determined to do my best! QUOTE:     HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I don't like conflict or debates, but I also can't stay silent all the time and avoid tough issues. I don't want to live with the regret that I should have said something but I didn't. I also don't want to be walked over by others. I have been wresting with t

NUDGED: "Drink half my body weight in ounces of water daily" BACKSTORY: Drinking water is good for my health, but it is something that I don't think about most of the time. Do I drink enough each day? I have no idea. The inspiration for this nudge came from the book "100 Life Challenges". The book includes 100 life goals, set up as 30-day challenges to make each one a habit. Challenge 18 is "Drink Half Your Body Weight in Ounces of Water". The author alleges that "consistent water intake elevates your mood and gives you energy throughout the day, but it also helps cushion your joints, supports your kidney functions, and allows you to digest foods efficiently." This nudge will give me a head start on this 30 day challenge...if I can stick with it! QUOTE: "Pee clear, pee often." - Unknown HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I got to guzzling right away this week, drinking almost 100 oz of water on Sunday. This was above my goal amount f

NUDGED: "Tackle a nagging task" BACKSTORY: I have many tasks that are constantly on my to-do list, week after week. These "minor" things annoy me so I consider them "nagging tasks". For some reason, I never get around to completing them, so they are always there continuing to annoy me. Can I break the cycle of suck this week, and accomplish at least one thing?! QUOTE: "When we accumulate projects on our to-do list, they eat up our attention, even if unconsciously, and even if we never start them." - from "Thrive" by Arianna Huffington HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I have been in a season of tackling projects recently, so I had momentum going into this nudge. I cleaned out a pile of books that I finished reading but don't want to keep, and donated 20 of them to a good cause. I also just finished cleaning through all my papers in a four-drawer file cabinet, which resulted in two bags of paper to be recycled. I am on a roll! I qui

NUDGED: "Teach Coco a new trick" BACKSTORY: We adore our 11-year-old dog, Coco. She brings so much energy and laughter to our home. She is a lab/doxie mix that we adopted almost 10 years ago, and we consider her a part of our family. We completed a dog training class with her years ago when she was younger. She still remembers many of those commands (sit, stay, leave it, lay down, roll over, etc.) but we haven't taught her any new tricks since then. This could be challenging! Can we teach an old dog a new trick? QUOTE: "If you think dogs can't count, try putting three dog biscuits in your pocket and then give him only two of them." - Author Phil Pastoret HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: We tried. We worked really hard  to complete this nudge but still came up short (excuse the pun! Sorry Coco!). Since Coco is food motivated, we first tried to teach her "fist bump" while rewarding her with treats. I wanted her to tap her paw on top of my cl

NUDGED: "Use good china and glasses" BACKSTORY: We have cabinets full of beautiful dishes that we don't use very often. They might be taken out and used when we are hosting a large holiday gathering at our house, but are otherwise always kept in the cabinets. I was nudged this week to use them without having a big occasion. Even if it was just the two of us having dinner on a normal day. I don't need to keep things for only "special" occasions. Every day is special - right? QUOTE: "The question of what you want to own is actually the question of how you want to live your life." - Marie Kondo HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: It took us until Saturday night to complete this nudge. We are so in the habit of using our normal dishes that this nudge slipped my mind most of the week. On Saturday, we got take-out from Famous Dave's and ate our food from the feast platter on our fancy white plates. It was fun! So fancy. LESSONS LEARNED:  I was su

NUDGED: "Wipe down the kitchen cabinets" BACKSTORY: We painted all our kitchen cabinets in the spring of 2018, going from a medium wood color to a dark blue/gray. It was a lot of work but we love it! However, I haven't spent any additional quality time with our kitchen cabinets since then. I know I should wipe them down occasionally...but I don't. Not all nudges are fun. Some nudges "encourage" me to finish tasks that I don't want to do. It is definitely a challenge! Will I feel joy this week as I wipe down my cabinets? Will it inspire me to do more cleaning? (taking a minute to pause for knowing laughter) QUOTE: "Tomorrow becomes never. No matter how small the task, take the first step now!" - Tim Ferriss HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I would rather buy new shoes or make crafts like my previous nudges. That was one thought that went through my head as I used a damp towel and wiped down all the kitchen cabinets. I waited until Thursday n

NUDGED: "Make a craft from Pinterest" BACKSTORY: I enjoy casually browsing Pinterest for finding ideas and looking at pretty things. It's a great way to relax after a long day. I have several boards where I save things, most filed under the "make someday" category. The nudge this week challenged me to actually make a craft instead of just planning on making it. How will it turn out? Will I be inspired and want to do more? QUOTE: "In crafting there are no mistakes, just unique creations." - Unknown HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I decided early on this week that I would not spend any money on craft supplies to complete this nudge. I have plenty of supplies already and I did not want to venture into public stores for a few items. This guideline helped limit my search for which crafts to create this week. I ended up making three projects, all inspired by pins that I saw and saved on Pinterest awhile ago. Craft Project #1: String-art of my state (South

NUDGED: "Wear different shoes every day" BACKSTORY: This nudge comes from Kathleen's 2.0 list of nudges and it intrigued me. While I own many pairs of shoes, I tend wear the same ones most of the time. Tackling this nudge would be a way for me to get my feet out of their literal comfort zone and try different shoes! It would also be a great way to "pair down" what I have or see if I need to invest in more.... QUOTE: "Give a girl the right shoes, and she can conquer the world." - Marilyn Monroe HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Each day this past week, I wore a different pair of shoes. Some days, I wore two different pairs of shoes - dressy shoes during the day and casual shoes in the evening. I actually didn't have any difficulty rotating my selection. I could always find a new pair to wear. Black shoes and pants for work It was actually very comfortable for me to wear different shoes, with the exception of my new leopard-print flats. That pair

NUDGED: "Drive a new street/area" BACKSTORY: It's so easy to get into a rut. Each weekday, I drive to work and back home, usually with little variance to my route. I see changes and new construction that happens along my normal streets, but miss what else is happening around the city. The nudge this week encourages me to get out of my comfort zone (literally!) and check out a new street or area. QUOTE: "There are wonders to see, to feel, to enjoy, once you get out of your comfort zone." - Unknown  HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I took to the road this week and checked out some "new to me" areas. One evening, I drove around a residential area with big, expensive homes, then a once-familiar neighborhood that my friends used to live in. Both areas were not as I remembered as a child/teen. The houses didn't seem as big and as grand as before, and I thought of all the work it takes to be a homeowner. This was not something that occurred to me as a kid!

NUDGED: "Have lunch outside" BACKSTORY: I would say that I eat 98% of my meals indoors. It's not that I don't like having picnics, it's just that I don't think of the outdoor option when I am hungry. I'm not a fan of bugs or temperature fluctuations either, which may be additional reasons I eat inside most of the time. This nudge is intended to get me out of my temperature-controlled, bug-free, comfort zone and into nature. QUOTE: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I was really apprehensive about completing this nudge and initially came up with a bunch of excuses before trying it. It will be too cold this week. It is too windy. We don't have chairs set out on our back deck yet. On and on....until I told my husband about the nudge and he helped me. On Sunday, hours after drawing this "impossible" nudge, we decided to grab lunch. We picked up Chinese food at a grocery store (they have excellent teriyaki chicken!) and my husband came up with a

NUDGED: "Jump rope" BACKSTORY: When I came up with my list of nudges/challenges, I decided to add activities that I enjoyed when I was younger. Jumping rope was an activity I did a lot growing up but haven't done in many years. I was curious how it would feel to try it again. Would it give me joy as an adult? I just hope I don't injure myself! QUOTE:  HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I found a jump rope in my fitness drawer, hanging out with other forgotten items. The weather was beautiful this week, so I had no excuse to not try it. I was a little nervous at first that I would hurt myself. I completed the first jump (YES!) before catching my feet on the second jump (booo). It was far more challenging than I remembered. I struggled to complete 10 forward jumps, then tried until I finished 10 backward jumps (swinging rope behind me then jumping). Full disclosure - It was not pretty. I was not a graceful jumper. There were never more than two completed jumps in a r

NUDGED: "Let something go" BACKSTORY: Let it go, let it go..... Okay, now that song is in your head like it was in mine all week, we can begin. You are welcome. :) I pick a word/theme as a resolution for each year and "let it go" was my phrase a few years ago. That was a big year for me in letting go of toxic relationships, extra pounds, unrealistic expectations, extra clutter I didn't need, and getting out of commitments I didn't enjoy. This nudge was a chance for me to revisit that year. It was uncomfortable at times but I am amazed at the growth and freedom that resulted. What should I let go of this week? QUOTE: HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I let go this week, even when it wasn't easy or comfortable I let go of many inches of hair at a much-needed haircut. It ended up being shorter than I was planning and feels like a big change to me. It pushed me out of my comfort zone, but I am getting used to it every day I let go of 12 masks this we

NUDGED: "Learn and use Spanish this week" BACKSTORY: I took four semesters of Spanish in college and really enjoyed it. It was difficult to learn at first but got easier the more I studied it. Unfortunately, I haven't many opportunities to use Spanish after I graduated so some of it was forgotten. Becoming and staying fluent is one of my goals so I have been working on it little-by-little each day. My goal has been to spend 10 minutes a day of Spanish lessons with the free Duolingo app. Some days I rush through the lesson and complete it in a shorter time. My nudge this week is to commit to learning the language (including trying out new features in the app) and speaking it as much as I could. QUOTE: "Learning another language is not only learning different words for the same things, but learning another way to think about things." - Flora Lewis HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: To commit to 10 minutes a day, I actually set a timer and made sure I worked on Spa

First of all, Happy Easter to you! He is risen! I hope you are having a blessed and safe day, wherever you are. NUDGED: "Do a daily writing prompt each day this week" BACKSTORY: I own several books that offer space to write a few lines each day or respond to a writing prompt. I love buying these books and love writing, but haven't made writing in them a habit yet. Time to start this week! QUOTE: "Writing helps you reflect on your life and changes you're making. This is incredibly valuable, as often we do things without realizing why, or what effects these things are having on us." - Leo Babauta HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: In hindsight, this wasn't the ideal week to attempt this nudge. Due to our current pandemic, I spent every evening this week sewing face masks. It took a lot of my time and focus. But I didn't set a time goal or a minimum word count for this nudge; I just had to write every day. And I did! I tried writing at different times

NUDGED: "Re-write my prayer targets and pray specifically" BACKSTORY: I started a list of prayer targets after I saw the movie War Room, which encouraged me to pray boldly and specifically for my most important requests. I hung this list on the wall in my prayer closet. The original list was created on 11-15-15. I haven't created a new list since then...until I got nudged this week to do it!  QUOTE: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God." - Philippians 4:6 (NIV) HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Maybe it was lingering effects from my last nudge of gratitude, but I started this nudge with gratefulness. I reviewed my prayer list from 2015 of all things that seemed impossible to me at the time, and seven items had been answered decisively. Praise God!  Then I started brainstorming my new prayer list. I made one big, long list that included my new prayer requests and some pr

NUDGED: "Keep a gratitude journal for 7 days, 10 things each day" BACKSTORY: I"m excited for this nudge as it is something I can do while social distancing and being quarantined. It will be good to focus on the good things in this season of uncertainty. I pulled out my old gratitude notebook, dusted it off (ha!), and made plans to write at least 10 things each day that I am grateful for. QUOTE: "Gratitude bestows reverence, allowing us to encounter everyday epiphanies, those transcendent moments of awe that change forever how we experience life and the world." - Sarah Ban Breathnach HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: The hardest part of this nudge was remembering to do it each day! I have so many things to be grateful for, that it didn't take long to list 10 things each day once I got started. My list included a range of things from my family to my comfy bed to watching a sunrise one morning. It definitely made me pay more attention to what was happening arou