Me & My Quite Contrary Life

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: "Wear fun nail color for one week" BACKSTORY: I found myself painting again this week, on my fingernails this time instead of canvas. The idea for this nudge came from the project founder's past nudge of " wear red lipstick every day ". I challenged myself to wear a bright, fun color on my fingernails for a week, something I haven't done for a very long time. It would be visible to others and be a great reminder to me to get out of my comfort zone. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I admit that my first instinct was to paint a subtle, soft color like a light (barely visible!) pink. Not bold enough! My other options included a bright blue, Vikings purple, or bright red. I chose red in honor of the red lipstick challenge referenced above, and painted them on Sunday to display the color for a full week. RED! I had to be careful at work all week after I discovered that they could leave light red marks on white paper. I also had to get used to them ...

NUDGED: "Paint a picture" BACKSTORY: The excuses not to complete this nudge started soon after I saw the task for the week. That really surprised me as I always enjoyed being creative and crafty when I was younger, expressing myself through painting, coloring, drawing and writing. I currently have all the supplies to paint, but never get around to actually creating something. Why? My reasons for why I can't paint a picture right now: I'm not a good artist (perfectionist!). I don't want to waste good supplies that I may use later. I don't want to make a mess. I don't know what to make. There isn't a purpose for the artwork right now - what am I going to do with it when I'm done? QUOTE: "Art offers sanctuary to everyone willing to open their hearts as well as their eyes," said Nikki Giovanni. HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I gave myself permission to create something, even if it looks awful, to see how I felt while doing it. It is okay t...