Earlier this month I was able to take part in something I've wanted to do since we arrived in this awesome town. I've been heasitant to do anything about it because I felt so strongly that this thing was something I was supposed to be a part of and I didn't want to see it crash and burn.
Then one day someone else opened the door.
We have a local facebook message board where people post everything from restaurant and auto mechanic recommendations to community event and lost pet announcements. It's a great resource.
I got on one day to ask a question of my own when another caught my attention...
"Are you a minimalist? I want to know more..."
This simple question got several responses and sparked great discussion. Then, I realized what was happening. I saw the serendipitous formation of a group.
This was as good an opportunity as I was ever going to get. So, ready or not, I had to go for it.
I made the suggestion that it would be great to meet up in person to talk more, share ideas, successes, and failures from each of our personal journeys to simplicity. Any takers? Please and thank you!
I created a facebook page to manage the group and coordinate in person meetups. Almost immediately we had 6 followers! Then I was clued in on the difference between facebook pages and groups and that people would probably be alot more likely to share and contribute in more private group.
The group was created a few weeks ago and last I checked we were at 44 members. It's awesome!
We've had more great discussion and I am getting things ready for our first meetup next month. I'm really looking forward to seeing this group grow and being able to share and learn from others. I will definitely keep you posted.
How does this tie into my February Lifestyle Challenge of becoming My Best Me?
I am a definite introvert. An INTJ on the Meyers-Briggs, by nature I like to observe, analyze, and most often internalize. Over the past few years as I have learned more and more about simplicity, mindfulness, intentionality, and other things I have had an overwhelming desire to share this knowledge with others (part of the reason I started Burning the Script). I have wanted to share but for me personally it's borderline terrifying.
If something, anything, is supposed to happen in life, it will find a way. With or without me.
In this case it took another like minded person to set the stage. While timing is often key and its important to not force things, when an opportunity presents itself you've gotta go all in and take it.
I have slowly been training/forcing myself to become more assertive in all areas of my life.
It's hard!
I'm not trying to change my I to an E in the Meyers-Briggs assesment. I value that perspective.
My goal is to more openly and confidently share what I have to say before it builds up and I become a ticking time bomb. I've had a few conversations recently with my wife and others about how I feel completely misunderstood by most people. I'm not projecting My Best Me so they aren't seeing it.
I'd love to change that.
.
Monday, February 23, 2015
Tuesday, February 17, 2015
My Best Me / Getting Things Done! - Lessons Learned from Rocks and Chickens
This unseasonably warm weather has been amazing! (please, let it snow though so we have water storage for the year) I've been able to get outside and get busy marking off several items from the To-Do List that has been haunting me for way too long.
I got a couple months head start on the "spring time" yard work. Things like raking up the final leaves that fell after the snow settled in, picking up tree branches that have fallen from big storms, cleaning up trash and moving wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow full of rocks.
I've been told by neighbors that the older gentleman who lived in our home before us had kept an amazing back yard with gravel pathways, planting beds, entertainment areas.... After he died nature knew it had about a year and a half before we would come along and it didn't waste any time reclaiming the land. I spent a lot of time last spring and summer trying to make sense of it all. Mr. Ol' Timer had a strange fascination with rocks and bricks. They are everywhere! They line all the pathways and there are big caches in the most random places.
We've decided we wanted OUR yard to be a bit different from how HIS yard was. So rather than try to clean up and salvage what he had done I decided this year I would try to limit the beating my mower recievs and collect as many of the ankle breakers as I could before the long grass started growing again. It's no small task!
Last year I converted one of the sheds in our back yard into a coop for our hens. By converted I mean put a door in the side and added a hen ladder. I have been meaning to add in a floor so they are not running around on the bare ground and kicking up a nasty storm cloud of dirt and pulverized chicken turds. I used 1/2" wire mesh so when it gets messy I can easily sweep everything through the mesh and collect it to throw on the compost pile.
I still have a few things to do like building real nesting boxes and adding a slanted panel below the mesh so the droppings can be collected easier. But the ladies are up off the ground and the coop is a whole lot less dusty.
It has been a noticeable adjustment for the chickens though. The first couple days they didn't want to walk on the mesh or adapt to using the side door again. We had been collecting 7-9 eggs a day consistantly for months. With the change egg production (or at least the eggs we could find) dropped to 3-4 each day. I brought in 7 eggs last night so it appears they are adjusting well.
When you are working in the dirt or creating something with your hands your mind is active and you are able to learn from whatever it is you are engaged in.
Lessons Learned From Rocks and Chickens
Sometimes in life we come accross things we don't expect or particularly want to find. They may have been there for a very long time or placed there recently by ourselves or others. These things have often been buried and dormant deep below layers of other commitments, preocupatoins, time wasters..... clutter! It can be very uncomfortable and even painful when these things surface.
Other times we are cruising along in life and out of nowhere something changes and our life is turned upside down. We are caught off guard and don't know what to do with ourselves. We don't know where to lay our eggs.
In any situation we must make choices. How will we respond? Will we try to repair what we find or is it better remove it and move forward? Will we act as though nothing has happened or will be be proactive and assert ourselves to make things right? Will we move on with grace, taking with us the positive or will be plant our feet, becoming stubborn and stagnant in the present by only thinking of the past?
I got a couple months head start on the "spring time" yard work. Things like raking up the final leaves that fell after the snow settled in, picking up tree branches that have fallen from big storms, cleaning up trash and moving wheelbarrow after wheelbarrow full of rocks.
I've been told by neighbors that the older gentleman who lived in our home before us had kept an amazing back yard with gravel pathways, planting beds, entertainment areas.... After he died nature knew it had about a year and a half before we would come along and it didn't waste any time reclaiming the land. I spent a lot of time last spring and summer trying to make sense of it all. Mr. Ol' Timer had a strange fascination with rocks and bricks. They are everywhere! They line all the pathways and there are big caches in the most random places.
We've decided we wanted OUR yard to be a bit different from how HIS yard was. So rather than try to clean up and salvage what he had done I decided this year I would try to limit the beating my mower recievs and collect as many of the ankle breakers as I could before the long grass started growing again. It's no small task!
Last year I converted one of the sheds in our back yard into a coop for our hens. By converted I mean put a door in the side and added a hen ladder. I have been meaning to add in a floor so they are not running around on the bare ground and kicking up a nasty storm cloud of dirt and pulverized chicken turds. I used 1/2" wire mesh so when it gets messy I can easily sweep everything through the mesh and collect it to throw on the compost pile.
I still have a few things to do like building real nesting boxes and adding a slanted panel below the mesh so the droppings can be collected easier. But the ladies are up off the ground and the coop is a whole lot less dusty.
It has been a noticeable adjustment for the chickens though. The first couple days they didn't want to walk on the mesh or adapt to using the side door again. We had been collecting 7-9 eggs a day consistantly for months. With the change egg production (or at least the eggs we could find) dropped to 3-4 each day. I brought in 7 eggs last night so it appears they are adjusting well.
When you are working in the dirt or creating something with your hands your mind is active and you are able to learn from whatever it is you are engaged in.
Lessons Learned From Rocks and Chickens
Sometimes in life we come accross things we don't expect or particularly want to find. They may have been there for a very long time or placed there recently by ourselves or others. These things have often been buried and dormant deep below layers of other commitments, preocupatoins, time wasters..... clutter! It can be very uncomfortable and even painful when these things surface.
Traits in our personallity that we were previously unaware of.
A relationship with a lifelong friend that has become toxic.
Secrets that have been kept (even with good intentions) by a family member or friend.
Other times we are cruising along in life and out of nowhere something changes and our life is turned upside down. We are caught off guard and don't know what to do with ourselves. We don't know where to lay our eggs.
Job responsabilities evolve to something we didn't sign on for.
Our personal information is compromised.
Someone we love leaves our life in any way.
In any situation we must make choices. How will we respond? Will we try to repair what we find or is it better remove it and move forward? Will we act as though nothing has happened or will be be proactive and assert ourselves to make things right? Will we move on with grace, taking with us the positive or will be plant our feet, becoming stubborn and stagnant in the present by only thinking of the past?
Saturday, February 14, 2015
My Best Me / V-Day Yay! - Paper Clutter Nay!
Happy Valentines Day!
We're 2 weeks into the month and I thought it was the perfect day to do an accountability check for this month's lifestyle experiment. "My Best Me"
I've wrapped up several of my home design projects recently and have had a few pretty slow weeks. It's been nice. Really nice! I've learned to enjoy this time and not get stressed out about money coming in and staying busy. I know this next week it is going to pick right back up and I'll be cruising again with work for a while. For now I've decided to take full advantage of the extra time and get things done.
First up, the Unpacking Party.
There were a few things I knew I wanted to bring back into my office and life right away. I've been feeling the desire lately to start drawing more so my drawing table was a must. I also have a few vintage military storage drawers that I inherited with the house. Retro, edgy and a perfect home for my office supplies. It felt good to get some big items out of the way and open some space to make a mess.
Time to get down to business!
There she was, The Beast. A heavy, old, red, filing cabinet. As good a place to start as any.
I had been holding onto years and years of school papers, income tax forms dating back to 2002, real-estate contracts for our first home (now on #3) and other paper relics that just didn't need to be in my life. I hadn't been holding on to them for any particular reason, I just hadn't found the time to sort through them.
When I realized I didn't have a use for the now empty space hog of a filing cabinet anymore I quickly decided it would be very helpful as a temporarily solution to tame another paper monster we've had recently down by the family computer.
After going through 2 more moving size boxes filled with more of the same paper madness I put my shredder to good use on all the sensitive info and filled the recycling bin.
I would say I'm about halfway done with the project. Which is great because I'm halfway through the month. I still have the biggest mountain to climb. My books. I love books. Technology is amaing and it is great to have reading material litteraly at my fingertips with my computer and phone. Call me old fashion if you will, there is something maabout real books that makes reading more enjoyable. Alot of my books are architectural reference books that I love for all the pictures. But I guarantee I could find the same projects online. 5 minutes tops.
The past 3 months of working in a more simple space have given me new perspective on what I really require to run my business. Less distractions means better and faster work means happy clients.
Working through the unpacking process and other things I've been able to do this month has been great. I've noticed a big difference already in my ability to let go, be myself, and love life. I'm frustrated less often and I feel I've done better at demonstrating the amazing love I have for my family. You might have to ask Ali and the minions if I've really improved or if I'm just dilusional.
I'm really not big on V-Day but love them with all I have. It feels great to let it out.
Up next...
Getting Down and Dirty With Yardwork
We're 2 weeks into the month and I thought it was the perfect day to do an accountability check for this month's lifestyle experiment. "My Best Me"
I've wrapped up several of my home design projects recently and have had a few pretty slow weeks. It's been nice. Really nice! I've learned to enjoy this time and not get stressed out about money coming in and staying busy. I know this next week it is going to pick right back up and I'll be cruising again with work for a while. For now I've decided to take full advantage of the extra time and get things done.
First up, the Unpacking Party.
There were a few things I knew I wanted to bring back into my office and life right away. I've been feeling the desire lately to start drawing more so my drawing table was a must. I also have a few vintage military storage drawers that I inherited with the house. Retro, edgy and a perfect home for my office supplies. It felt good to get some big items out of the way and open some space to make a mess.
Time to get down to business!
There she was, The Beast. A heavy, old, red, filing cabinet. As good a place to start as any.
I had been holding onto years and years of school papers, income tax forms dating back to 2002, real-estate contracts for our first home (now on #3) and other paper relics that just didn't need to be in my life. I hadn't been holding on to them for any particular reason, I just hadn't found the time to sort through them.
When I realized I didn't have a use for the now empty space hog of a filing cabinet anymore I quickly decided it would be very helpful as a temporarily solution to tame another paper monster we've had recently down by the family computer.
After going through 2 more moving size boxes filled with more of the same paper madness I put my shredder to good use on all the sensitive info and filled the recycling bin.
I would say I'm about halfway done with the project. Which is great because I'm halfway through the month. I still have the biggest mountain to climb. My books. I love books. Technology is amaing and it is great to have reading material litteraly at my fingertips with my computer and phone. Call me old fashion if you will, there is something maabout real books that makes reading more enjoyable. Alot of my books are architectural reference books that I love for all the pictures. But I guarantee I could find the same projects online. 5 minutes tops.
The past 3 months of working in a more simple space have given me new perspective on what I really require to run my business. Less distractions means better and faster work means happy clients.
Working through the unpacking process and other things I've been able to do this month has been great. I've noticed a big difference already in my ability to let go, be myself, and love life. I'm frustrated less often and I feel I've done better at demonstrating the amazing love I have for my family. You might have to ask Ali and the minions if I've really improved or if I'm just dilusional.
I'm really not big on V-Day but love them with all I have. It feels great to let it out.
Up next...
Getting Down and Dirty With Yardwork
Friday, February 6, 2015
My Best Me / Unpacking Party
A huge step towards achieving February's Lifestyle Experiment goal of being "my best me" is going to be rifling through all the junk I've had hidden behind the curtains for over 3 months.
I'm planning on getting started with that tomorrow morning. Before I do I wanted to do one final check in from the Packing Party I had on Halloween. I made a video of this but am once again having issues with youtube... I need to figure that out!
For now, you get pictures. This is everything I've used for business and all the clothing I worn.
I'm amazed at how little clothing I have really needed the past 3 months.
Starting with essential, I have my ReAL Salt Lake game day scarf. I've brought out 5 neck ties for dapper days. I only use about 12" of hang-rod space for pants, shirts, jackets, and belts. I have the dirty clothes basket below and have a small drawer unit for pajama pants, swim and soccer shorts, socks and underwear. I'm keeping my shoes and some athletic gear on top of the drawers.
I do have a coat, jacket, and pair of running shoes downstairs and some "dirty work" clothes out in the garage.
And that's it!
I know that as I begin going through everything I've kept hidden for the past few months I will bring more things into my space. This experience had given me the stubbornness and will power to make sure what I do bring back in will be limited to the things that are necessary for life and business. I don't imagine that being much more than I already have.
I'm planning on getting started with that tomorrow morning. Before I do I wanted to do one final check in from the Packing Party I had on Halloween. I made a video of this but am once again having issues with youtube... I need to figure that out!
For now, you get pictures. This is everything I've used for business and all the clothing I worn.
I love my desk now! I've done a few things to free up space like adding a dual monitor stand and cable management. I've been able to keep things pretty simple. Just my keyboard and mouse, speakers, pencil sharpener, desk lamp and a small tray for pencils, pens and things like paper clips.
It still gets pretty messy when I'm working but it's so much easier to maintain control. On the floor I have a couple boxes I am currently using as a filing system and my trash and recycling cans.
You may have noticed. I started painting the walls. The puke color I had before was a huge distraction for me and I'm able to focus so much better with the clean white.
Behind my desk I've added a small shelving unit for office supplies and tools. I'd like to create a surplus storage area somewhere so I only need to have one of each item on hand in the work zone.
My kids' office is looking about the same. Having less junk in the office overall has helped to coral their art supplies and projects.
I keep the space heater stowed in the corner when it's not in use.
I'm amazed at how little clothing I have really needed the past 3 months.
Starting with essential, I have my ReAL Salt Lake game day scarf. I've brought out 5 neck ties for dapper days. I only use about 12" of hang-rod space for pants, shirts, jackets, and belts. I have the dirty clothes basket below and have a small drawer unit for pajama pants, swim and soccer shorts, socks and underwear. I'm keeping my shoes and some athletic gear on top of the drawers.
I do have a coat, jacket, and pair of running shoes downstairs and some "dirty work" clothes out in the garage.
And that's it!
I know that as I begin going through everything I've kept hidden for the past few months I will bring more things into my space. This experience had given me the stubbornness and will power to make sure what I do bring back in will be limited to the things that are necessary for life and business. I don't imagine that being much more than I already have.
Tuesday, February 3, 2015
Lifestyle Experiment - February - My Best Me
February, the month of love.
Valentines Day is an amazing day!
Sales of cheap chocolates and oversized teddy bears go through the roof. If you haven't made a reservation for dinner enjoy Taco Bell. If you don't have a date... you suck. And if you planned a crappy date... you suck even worse!
Stupid Cupid
I lucked out and got one of the good wifes. She doesn't really care all that much about San Valentine.
But I still felt driven by the sentiment of the season in choosing my experiment for this month. I thought about what I could do to really demonstrate the love I have for those most important to me. My thoughts kept going back part of my post from January 22nd - Meditation and Affirmations.
The post that ended up being published was way different from the one I had mentally drafted. One of the rare occasions where I learn something from myself.
"I want to be able to give others MY BEST ME. They deserve it! Each one of the relationships I have deserves me to be engaged and present in the moment. Each one deserves for me to be at my best.
This is something I have been failing at for years and I sincerely apologize.
This is reason numero uno why Burning the Script and simplifying my life has become so important to me. I want to strip away and dispose of anything and everything (physical, psychological, spiritual...) that distract me from the essential beauty of each relationship I have."
My lifestyle experiment for February is one of the affirmations I set for myself in January.
It is going to be driven by a few other supporting affirmations.
Like January's challenge, this isn't super exciting or as much of an experiment as some of the things I have planned for later in the year but it is crucial. It is something I need to make happen for myself and for others.
I've said it so many times here. The number 1 biggest thing holding me back from being the man I know I am. CLUTTER. Everything from the physical to the mental and spiritual.
No more tinkering or dabbling in my efforts. It has to go NOW.
I have a few specific and measurable things I am setting out to accomplish this month.
Yardsale season is coming up and this time we'll be ready. Our kids are on board and we have begun the process of purging the toys. Whatever we decide to keep will be divided into smaller groups and rotated with the seasons.
I'll be taking down the curtains from my Packing Party and doing a serious beat down on what I've been hiding for the past 3 months. My goal = clean and clear. If I don't need it, I don't own it. I plan on using the same method the kids are using on their toys with my clothing. Group clothing into seasonal groups, work clothes, and athletic clothing. I'll store what I'm not using and throw the rest on the yardsale bag.
I'll work with my wife to tackle the common areas of our home. We've already been through a few rounds of this and I think with a few small tweaks and tools it will shine.
Reducing the visual mayhem will be a huge step forward and allow me to start peeling off the layers of internal clutter. I think the mental and spiritual aspects will for the most part work themselves out.
My relationship clutter is a different story and will likely need more attention than my Packing Party Pile. I've haven't been present and engaged. I haven't been ME and damage has been done.
In a conversation with my wife a couple nights ago I had a complete break down. I don't want my kids to remember their Dad as this stranger I've been for most of their young lives. I want to change while they are still forgiving. My wife saw something in me when she agreed to wear my ring and hold hands forever. Whatever that was hasn't been around much lately. She deserves better.
I want to be the relaxed, care free, inventive, spontaneous, loving person I once knew.
They won't know what hit them!
Valentines Day is an amazing day!
Sales of cheap chocolates and oversized teddy bears go through the roof. If you haven't made a reservation for dinner enjoy Taco Bell. If you don't have a date... you suck. And if you planned a crappy date... you suck even worse!
Stupid Cupid
I lucked out and got one of the good wifes. She doesn't really care all that much about San Valentine.
But I still felt driven by the sentiment of the season in choosing my experiment for this month. I thought about what I could do to really demonstrate the love I have for those most important to me. My thoughts kept going back part of my post from January 22nd - Meditation and Affirmations.
The post that ended up being published was way different from the one I had mentally drafted. One of the rare occasions where I learn something from myself.
"I want to be able to give others MY BEST ME. They deserve it! Each one of the relationships I have deserves me to be engaged and present in the moment. Each one deserves for me to be at my best.
This is something I have been failing at for years and I sincerely apologize.
This is reason numero uno why Burning the Script and simplifying my life has become so important to me. I want to strip away and dispose of anything and everything (physical, psychological, spiritual...) that distract me from the essential beauty of each relationship I have."
My lifestyle experiment for February is one of the affirmations I set for myself in January.
I am MY best ME
It is going to be driven by a few other supporting affirmations.
I am the change I want to see in the world
I actively work to eliminate the non-essential
I say NO in order to say YES to people and causes I am passionate about
I write my own script and live life on my own terms
Like January's challenge, this isn't super exciting or as much of an experiment as some of the things I have planned for later in the year but it is crucial. It is something I need to make happen for myself and for others.
I've said it so many times here. The number 1 biggest thing holding me back from being the man I know I am. CLUTTER. Everything from the physical to the mental and spiritual.
No more tinkering or dabbling in my efforts. It has to go NOW.
I have a few specific and measurable things I am setting out to accomplish this month.
Yardsale season is coming up and this time we'll be ready. Our kids are on board and we have begun the process of purging the toys. Whatever we decide to keep will be divided into smaller groups and rotated with the seasons.
I'll be taking down the curtains from my Packing Party and doing a serious beat down on what I've been hiding for the past 3 months. My goal = clean and clear. If I don't need it, I don't own it. I plan on using the same method the kids are using on their toys with my clothing. Group clothing into seasonal groups, work clothes, and athletic clothing. I'll store what I'm not using and throw the rest on the yardsale bag.
I'll work with my wife to tackle the common areas of our home. We've already been through a few rounds of this and I think with a few small tweaks and tools it will shine.
Reducing the visual mayhem will be a huge step forward and allow me to start peeling off the layers of internal clutter. I think the mental and spiritual aspects will for the most part work themselves out.
My relationship clutter is a different story and will likely need more attention than my Packing Party Pile. I've haven't been present and engaged. I haven't been ME and damage has been done.
In a conversation with my wife a couple nights ago I had a complete break down. I don't want my kids to remember their Dad as this stranger I've been for most of their young lives. I want to change while they are still forgiving. My wife saw something in me when she agreed to wear my ring and hold hands forever. Whatever that was hasn't been around much lately. She deserves better.
I want to be the relaxed, care free, inventive, spontaneous, loving person I once knew.
They won't know what hit them!
Lifestyle Experiment - January Report Card
It's a new month so time for a new challenge.
Before that, a quick check in from January's "Routine Maintenance" experiment.
I did pretty well with this one in the end. It was a bit of a rocky start because I had to scramble to get things in place but I got it together and would call it a success.
Here's my report card.
Wake up with my alarm at 7:00 : A-
We've been passing around a nasty cold in our house. There were a few nights where I was up taking care of sick kids or unable to sleep myself. I never hit snooze though. It was always a concious decision to push my alarm back.
Pray : A
Didn't miss a day. What a great way to start the morning! A reminder of all that I'vebeen blessed with and what I have to look forward to. A way to check in and ask for support. Heaven knows I need it.
Drink Water : B-
I never skipped out on the first glass. But slacked on the water intake throughout the day.
Body Weight Exercises : B
Some days my sick body didn't have the juice. I made a real attempt every day but couldn't always produce. Overall though it was great. I feel stronger, more flexible, and more balanced
Meditation and Afirmations : C
I didn't have it set up to start and soon realized I didn't know what I was doing. It took me a couple weeks to get some solid affirmations in place but when I did they did their job.
Read : B-
I read something every morning and every night. Sometimes it felt like I was just going through the motions and I didn't retain what I would like to. Others times It gave me exactly what I needed.
In Bed by 10:30 : B
Some nights I just didn't feel tired at all. Other nights I was feeling completely blah and wanted to smash my face into the pillow as soon as the kids were in bed. Only 1 night did I stay up late to finish a movie.
Overall Grade : B-
I'm not going to be Valedictorian for this month but I learned as much or more than I expected to. I was reminded how good it feels to go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day. I can feel my circadian rythms becoming more balanced. This past week I have been waking up naturally 15 - 20 minutes before my alarm.
I will definitely keep the rituals going. I realized that making my nights a mirror of my mornings didn't work out as I had planned so I have simplified that routine. Mornings worked pretty well so only minor tweaks there.
I'm feeling motivated and excited for the next mountain to climb...
Before that, a quick check in from January's "Routine Maintenance" experiment.
I did pretty well with this one in the end. It was a bit of a rocky start because I had to scramble to get things in place but I got it together and would call it a success.
Here's my report card.
Wake up with my alarm at 7:00 : A-
We've been passing around a nasty cold in our house. There were a few nights where I was up taking care of sick kids or unable to sleep myself. I never hit snooze though. It was always a concious decision to push my alarm back.
Pray : A
Didn't miss a day. What a great way to start the morning! A reminder of all that I'vebeen blessed with and what I have to look forward to. A way to check in and ask for support. Heaven knows I need it.
Drink Water : B-
I never skipped out on the first glass. But slacked on the water intake throughout the day.
Body Weight Exercises : B
Some days my sick body didn't have the juice. I made a real attempt every day but couldn't always produce. Overall though it was great. I feel stronger, more flexible, and more balanced
Meditation and Afirmations : C
I didn't have it set up to start and soon realized I didn't know what I was doing. It took me a couple weeks to get some solid affirmations in place but when I did they did their job.
Read : B-
I read something every morning and every night. Sometimes it felt like I was just going through the motions and I didn't retain what I would like to. Others times It gave me exactly what I needed.
In Bed by 10:30 : B
Some nights I just didn't feel tired at all. Other nights I was feeling completely blah and wanted to smash my face into the pillow as soon as the kids were in bed. Only 1 night did I stay up late to finish a movie.
Overall Grade : B-
I'm not going to be Valedictorian for this month but I learned as much or more than I expected to. I was reminded how good it feels to go to sleep and wake up at the same times every day. I can feel my circadian rythms becoming more balanced. This past week I have been waking up naturally 15 - 20 minutes before my alarm.
I will definitely keep the rituals going. I realized that making my nights a mirror of my mornings didn't work out as I had planned so I have simplified that routine. Mornings worked pretty well so only minor tweaks there.
I'm feeling motivated and excited for the next mountain to climb...
Sunday, February 1, 2015
Routine Maintenance - Read
Reading sharpens the mind.
Reading calms a stormy soul.
Reading teaches what others know.
Reading tells fantastic tales.
Reading spawns greatness.
Why did I choose to make reading a part of my daily ritual?
In the morning reading was the catalyst for new ideas. It woke up my mental capacities. It reminded me of the vision I have for myself. I started the day with quick and engaging reads. Blogs and feeds I follow and find inspirational. New ideas and questions to get me through the day.
As a part of my slowdown process reading helps to shut out the business of the day. It calms me and allows me to feel balanced and centered. I read longer things. I read scripture. I read fiction.
Though it's not reading and not part of a set routine I also listen while I work. Mostly music, pod-casts, and talks of different types. It keeps my mind active and allows me to focus better on the work I am doing.
Also not a part of a routine but I love to read to my kids. People call them chapter books. Roald Dahl, E.B. White, J.R.R. Tolkien, L. Frank Baum... I just finished reading Peter Pan with my 7 year old daughter. The language was strange and it called for a lot of explanation and conversation. I started reading Charlie and the Chocolate factory with my soon to be 5 year old son. Easier to understand, quicker, funner, with laughs and excitement.
Reading is essential.
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