Me & My Quite Contrary Life

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...

Note: In light of the current global crisis with COVID-19, I thought about suspending this personal Nudges Challenge project. It seems so unimportant when there are matters of a deadly disease being passed around the world. But, I think it is important to maintain some aspects of my normal life and is one thing I can continue to do for my own mental health. I will be continuing on with the nudges then, but making adjustments per safety guidelines (social distancing, etc.). Stay safe everyone!  NUDGED: "Try doing yoga at home one time" BACKSTORY: Good timing on this nudge as I can't go to the gym right now! I have gone to yoga classes in the studio before, but haven't tried it at home even though I have all the equipment. I am curious to see if it will be the same with an online instructor. Will I continue the practice? Will I prefer the class with other people? QUOTE:   HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: Per recommendations from an online fitness group, I checked ou...

NUDGED: "Notice something" BACKSTORY: How much am I missing out on when I am busy and don't stop to notice? In my busyness, I get really focused on completing tasks that I forget to see. I don't notice changes around me. It will be good his week to look a little longer and see what I have been missing. QUOTE: "An unobserved life often leads to an ungrateful life." - Tom Berlin in "Reckless Love" HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: This nudge was a challenge as there was so much for me to notice! I felt extra-aware of my surroundings this week and noticed things for the first time: Neighbors painted their house from blue to gray, which we noticed while on a walk with the dog.  I noticed how I looked and felt as I tried on a pile of new-to-me clothes.  I saw how much stuff I have, from items for hobbies to toilet paper (ha!), and realized I have enough. I do not need to go purchase additional items in the event of a quarantine.   I noticed grammar m...

NUDGED: "Make a complex meal" BACKSTORY: This nudge was on my original list of nudges when I started this project in October of 2018. I usually make meals with a few ingredients that turn into something we have routinely. I want to mix it up this week by making a meal with many ingredients that will take time in the kitchen. It is out of my comfort zone and I am worried it won't turn out. Backup plan: pizza. QUOTE: "Stepping out of your comfort zone and trying new things is the best way to grow," from www.livelifehappy.com HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I decided to make " Beef Bourguignon ", which was a recipe in Jen Hatmaker's " For the Love " book. She highly recommends it and said it is a crowd pleaser. The hardest part is pronouncing the name. I trust her and was willing to give it a shot. I made it on Wednesday night after getting the required ingredients at the store. I made a few substitutions to the recipe, but thought it woul...

NUDGED: "Spend 5 minutes in silent prayer for 5 days" BACKSTORY: I have been feeling convicted that I don't spend enough time in silent prayer with God. I usually spend my entire prayer time talking to God and asking for things, then moving on to something else after I say "Amen." I don't take time to hear from him. This would never work in a relationship - talking non-stop to someone then walking away before they can respond. It doesn't work in my relationship with God either. This week, the challenge is to embrace the silence. To sit still for five minutes. To take a break from my busy, loud days, and to wait to hear the still, small voice of God. QUOTE: "A thriving prayer life is possible when we're quiet enough to hear God speak" - Jazmin N. Frank HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: I used the timer on my phone, set for 5 minutes, to hold me accountable. Each day, I spent silent time alone with God. The location differed; I sat in silen...

NUDGED: "Immerse myself in one big project" BACKSTORY: The idea for this nudge came from Kathleen Guthrie Woods' 2.0 list of nudges . In the past, I have enjoyed working on big projects and losing track of time as I devote myself to accomplishing something awesome. It usually gets messy and chaotic while in the midst of it, but it always gets better and I have a huge sense of satisfaction when I am done. This nudge inspired me to find a big project that has been on my to do list for sometime, then actually do it. It doesn't matter how long it will take me or how messy it gets, my goal was to complete something big! QUOTE: "A little progress each day adds up to big results." - Author Unknown HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK:  I encountered the big question right away: what is the big project that I want to tackle? I made a list of ideas, then felt very indecisive as I tried to pick one. I ended up working on multiple "big projects". 1) This week...

NUDGED: Say "no" to something BACKSTORY: I am always amazed at people who can say no so easily. I struggle to decline things as I don't want to make the other person feel bad. I had a previous nudge week of saying "yes" to something, so this week I will focus on turning something down - saying "no". It could be anything! QUOTE:  HIGHLIGHTS OF THE WEEK: What I thought would be a very difficult week, turned out to be the easiest yet! In the mail on Monday was an invitation to attend a baby shower. After our difficult and painful journey with infertility, baby showers are still very difficult and trigger negative emotions in me. I cannot put myself through it, especially for someone I don't know very well. It was the easiest "no" I have given in a long time. I simply emailed my regrets to the party planner and moved on. No guilt! Since I was on a roll, I also said "no" to attending a conference in April. I have atten...