redwoodfog

This has been one helluva week and I've been in survival mode- ignoring the challenge. Feel like I'm at a juncture where it would be really easy to just forget the challenge altogether and be on my not-so-merry-way. But even though things are crazy right now, I'm pretty sure all of the challenge goals are do-able and would be extremely helpful and grounding for dealing with stress.

Your 3 main quests balance/compliment each other very well! Sorry to hear about the job, but it seems like you've got a good attitude about it and finding a new job with a different orientation. Working retail as an introvert is definitely hard (been there done that) but especially if there's pressure to sellsellsell.

Yoga, gratitude, gardening, walking the dog, meditation, craftiness? SUBBED!

I'm also trying to get yoga into my morning routine- I like your basic steps. Do you have a set routine, or just go with whatever poses and stretches feel good?

Such a good idea! I've done something similar with a dowel and a toy tied to the end, but inevitably the toy slides off/tie breaks, etc. PVC sounds sturdy. MOVING IS HELL! I barely finished cleaning/packing in time for the walk through. So tired from days of packing, cleaning, lifting, and sleeping on the floor (after selling the bed.) I was getting ready to take off for the 4-5 hour drive across the mountains when I realized that driving with how exhausted I am would be idiotic. So, staying at my folks' tonight and will take off early tomorrow. Needless to say, morning goals were not met. However I'm cutting myself some slack and if I do yoga/duolingo/dog walking this afternoon- points shall be counted! Hope everyone else is having a good first day. Going to cruise some other threads now.

It's so frustrating! I have to keep reminding myself that he's not actually trying to pull my arm off, he just wants to go faster/smell what he wants, etc. I see all these people with dogs trotting alongside them and wonder "how!?" Hoping more consistency on my part + super high value treats help. So, the best laid plans... I was planning on finishing up packing/cleaning today, but it was going to involve working ALL DAY. Around 9:30 I started getting in the car and saw this grizzled old dog trotting down my busy street. I have weird stray dog karma. Like, I always find stray dogs. So I offered him some kibble and he was all like "dude, yes" and was soon in my back yard. Kept my boy in the car because he would have annoyed this other dog who looked about 14. Posted craigslist ads, cruised the local pet rescue sites, and generally fretted. I ended up driving him to the shelter where I feel confident someone will claim him because A. He smelled like shampoo and B. He had a Hanukkah collar (no tags) on. Anyway. At this point in the day it was starting to seem virtually impossible to finish the cleaning/other tasks before day's end. So I decided to leave Monday mid-morning. Will still try to complete the goals as planned, but it may not be the most serene of mornings. '

Woohoo, bass guitar! You should probably post some sound files here of your progress. Or something. Just sayin'.

Aw! She sounds like a cutie. I know my boy needs more exercise, but the loose leash training has been so frustrating that I usually try to exercise him other ways. Hoping this challenge gets us walking together more often.

Yeah! I signed up 2 months ago and haven't logged on since :/

He is an 8 month old lab/shepherd/pit/chow/whoknowswhatelse! Here he is with his new baby Corgi friend. What is yours? I'm all about butter and a light layer of jam. Mmm, toast. Maybe I'll experiment with some super whole grain breads and subsequent toast.

Yes please!

January 5th: day 1 of the first challenge of the new year, and also my first full day in my new home! When I made this account and chose a username, I was in the land of dry grass and oak trees but dreaming of my favorite part of California. Now I return there, to the redwoods and fog . A change of scene provides the opportunity to more easily intercept some old habits/routines and replace them with new ones, and what better place to start than the start of the day? I love the morning. Seriously. I love being inside and cozy watching the sun rise, or outside breathing in the fresh air. I love watching people do morning things. I love the quality of light. I love the way my mind feels- alert, crisp, and clear. Unfortunately, for the past several months, I have sunk into a very negative morning routine where I feel very disconnected from all of this. I get up, take pup out, make coffee, and sit in front of the computer for at least an hour, sometimes two. It makes me feel low, sluggish, and sort of discouraged about life. My main quest for this challenge is to connect with the mornings and lay a mindful foundation for the rest of the day! Main Quest: Build A Nurturing, Active Morning Routine Goals #1: Yoga My favorite Youtube yogi is offering 30 days of yoga videos in January! The videos range from 15-30 minutes, and I will do 5 videos each week. 5 points possible/week #2: Walk Pup Deceptively simple. I have been working on loose leash walking with my pup who wants nothing more than to pull like a sled-dog. An essential part of the training is that him pulling = me stopping. This can lead to a very stop and go walk, and requires a certain amount of patience. But a walk is such an essential part of a good morning routine for both of us that I am ready to put the time and training in! To meet this goal, all I have to do is get outside with pup, leash, and the treat bag and do some walking/training, even if it's 10 minutes. I'm hoping that by the end of the challenge we will be walking in harmony! 7 points possible/week #3: A Healthy Breakfast sans Internet Healthy is subjective, but for my purposes it means basically anything other than sugar-laden pastries/muffins/other sweets or white flour toast. (I am a toast fiend.) Will try to increase fruit and veggie consumption with breakfast as well. The other component here is to stay off the computer while I fix and eat breakfast. 7 points possible/week Side Quest: Spanish! I've taken 3 semesters of Spanish in school and love learning the language. I've decided not to take any more official courses, but want to continue learning the language. Duolingo seems like a super cool, fun way to practice skills. My somewhat modest goal here is to spend 20 minutes 3x a week on Duolingo. 3 points possible/ week. (More to come.. I'm packing like a madwoman at the moment!)

I love your personal goals! Talking to one random person a day sounds challenging but like a really good way to stretch your comfort level. Heck. Yes.

Yeah, I know that one! Though anyone who yells at you for apologizing (even if it's not warranted) is a schmuck.

Totally true. I just have so much self-doubt that if someone tells me (or hints) that I was bitchy when I was really just being healthily assertive, I will apologize and scurry back into my demure, soft-spoken hole! Working on it...