Me & My Quite Contrary Life

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...