Greenleaf

I'm not sure how this happened, but I have managed to get through the worst part of this week with my stress levels actually better than when it started. I'm sure this is in no small part due to my daily meditation. I have been doing a short breathing exercise in mountain pose as soon as I get out of bed each morning, and finishing each day with five minutes of guided meditation. I'm also on track with my Yoga sessions - two out of two so far this week. I've had a couple of coffee free days - and haven't had more than one on any other day. De-cluttering is also going well, having exceeded my goal already this week. I'm not exactly sure what has happened here, but it feels good.

Great work during your first week. Its easy to let things slip when things get busy, but you've kept on top of your water goal, and made time for your others too - "about once" is way better than not at all. You have also taken an intelligent approach by focusing on one aspect this week. Scattering your focus during a busy time can lead to not getting anything done, but by honing in on Yoga you can be sure you will give it your best. Good luck, though I suspect you wont need it.

Enjoy your trip, hopefully a welcome break from your busy schedule of late - and I hope you gain a lot from it.

Thanks for the kind words BitterOyster, I think overwhelmed sums things up quite nicely. My baseline level of stress has become far, far too high, and I'm about to enter a two week period now during which I will have the least respite. I have been trying very hard not to keep worrying about how much I have to do, and how I will cope with things. This is where meditation, and the beginnings of mindful practices will really help. This is one of the reasons I have the quote in my signature - it is a mental touch stone for me to bring me back to the present when I am overwhelmed with stress and anxiety. Anyway - back to the challenge goals. I've had a pretty good week, I am especially proud that I havent missed my daily meditation at all - this part is currently the most important to me. My coffee intake is on track - including some zero coffee days, and I'm finding the zero alcohol quite easy. My three yoga sessions slipped a little. I only completed two this week, which I was a little disappointed with at first, but then two is certainly better than none. And finally clearing the physical clutter has gone well, I perhaps underestimated what I could get rid of. My original goal of 5 items per week sailed by as I hit 12. The week is looming. Time to take a deep breath and centre myself.

Thank you. And crumbs may be all I can muster this challenge. I'm not sure what to really say in this update. On the positive side my fluid intake goal has been spot on, and I'm pleased with my consistancy with meditation. I missed a Yoga session today, which I will hopefully make up tomorrow morning. I would normally insert an excuse around work wiping out my energy levels here, but then that is always true. I have reached a bit of an impass with my career lateley and my workload has become unmanagable. I cannot continue the way I am, however I do not yet have the requisite skills to change my career in the direction I wish to go. I think this officially counts as de-railing my thread, and I don't want this to become too much like a journal so I will leave that thought there for me to mull over later. I hope everyones first week is going well so far.

Following along if I may. I like the theme and narrative you have chosen, and some good goals to go along with it. I wish you luck, though I suspect you wont rely on luck.

Just checking in briefly as my first day starts to come to a close. I'm pleased with how today has gone - not only have I achieved my goals today but I also took an extra five minutes to complete a mindfulness exercise - and was attempting to make myself more present in my life as my day went along. I have a long way to go yet, but I feel today was a good start.

**takes a deep breath of the fresh lake air** Greetings Druids, I think I am going to like it around here.

You have a great approach to this challenge, and looks like you have had some wins already. Plus Camp NF should be an amazing experience.

Your dailies all seem like a great way to achieve those goals, meditation, yoga, and journaling are all great ways to become more mindful and hopefully find yourself again. You mentioned feeling at home with yourself, I hope that you find this feeling to stave off the isolation of being in those strange surroundings.

Great simple goals. Goal 3 is an important one - I like that you are making a point of doing those things for yourself mindfully.

I spent some time considering if I should post a challenge. I’ve had a fairly off and on relationship with these wonderful forums over the last couple of years, and my last attempt at a challenge did not go so well. However I need to start helping myself again. I’ve let things slide on a grand scale, especially when it comes to my mental wellbeing. I’m fairly overwhelmed at the moment, and my stress levels are out of control. I’m about to go into a month where my opportunities to switch off will be limited, hence why I initially hesitated on this challenge - as completing it this month will be hard going. But thats exactly why I need to do it now. If I’m going to turn my life around then I really need to focus. I will focus internally, and clear away my mental clutter. For this journey, the company of druids seems perfect. I am going to keep this very simple - no themes, just simple goals to focus my mind. 1) Meditate for 5 minutes daily I have done this before, but then stopped. My meditation habit is extremely sporadic, so before I increase the time, I need to make it a daily again. 2) Yoga three times a week I enjoy Yoga immensely and find its a great way to centre myself. It too has been extremely sporadic. A new habit needs forming. 3) Increase the intake of the right fluids I can be pretty good with what I drink, but I want to cut down on coffee and completely cut out alcohol. If I’m going to get my mind back on track then I need to stop putting so many toxins in. Green tea and water are my friends. I will allow a maximum of one coffee per day throughout this challenge, but absolutely no alcohol. Side quest - Clear the physical clutter Having read about the mental benefits of clearing physical clutter, I have been trying to ask which items I own bring value to my life. In the last week I have removed 30 unnecessary items from my life. Because I have removed a fair few this week it will get a bit tougher from here on out. My goal for this challenge will be 5 items per week. I will try to be as present as I can in these forums, and I vow to stick it out to the end, but as I indicated earlier this month will be fairly hectic, and time will be short, so I may go quiet on occasion. I am glad I did this.

Week one summary Overall not the start I had hoped for, but on looking at the numbers below I did slightly better than it felt like I did. Stress is still my biggest enemy, but making the time in amongst all of my responsibilities has been tougher than I expected. 1) Swim twice a week Two out of two. My first session back was tougher than I hoped, but completely expected due to the amount of time I've been out of the game. It felt good to be back in the water. 2) Yoga twice a week One out of two. Better than none, but I could have completed two, I made the time, but came up with an excuse. Likewise as per the swimming, when I did manage to get myself into gear it felt good to be back. 3) Two healthy snacks a day. Hmmmm. I would describe my achievement here as...meh... I some impulsive decisions and could have tried harder one bad snack on three separate days so 4 out of 7. Life Goal – Five minutes of meditation daily. Similarly to goal three – I could have tried harder. It doesn't matter how much I go on about not having time for myself – ITS FIVE FREAKING MINUTES! I can always make five minutes. However for reasons whih are basically lame excuses I only managed a 4 out of 7 here too. Onwards and upwards!

No so much a specific event - but I am excited about the possibility of becoming the best version of "me" that I can, and doing it in the company of some awesome fellow rebels! It's a goal I will never be finished working on, but I plan on having a great time during the journey! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

It is indeed, but just think - by completing the challenge on "hard mode" like you will, then doing it any other month will be a breeze! For me its finding the time / prioritising. Like most people I seem to have a ridiculous amount of demands on my time, and when something has to give its easy to put myself at the bottom of the pile and not spend any time working on my goals - because everything else is "more important". Procrastination is one of my favourite hobbies! I used to play far too much WoW but went cold turkey last year. This is by far the most awesome community I have ever found, I'm glad to be back here. For the rebellion! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I really enjoyed reading your thread, in fact I felt more relaxed myself just by reading it! Your goals are great, as is your consistency in achieving them so far. Swapping out alcohol entirely for herbal tea sounds like a significant challenge in itself. I practice Yoga a little, but must admit I've never looked at Qigong, it sounds like a great start to your day. Keep up the good work! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

Great work on the calorie front! Sounds like your TKD sessions are pretty intense. I feel your pain with the early mornings, I'm naturally a night owl, with early mornings enforced by little ones. Carving out that extra time for yourself should really help, and its important you are taking your time to get used to it (vague pun intended) before using it for anything too taxing Keep it up! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I've dropped out of the BBWW twice now because of the same two exercises (albeit it was an issue with tendons around my hip) It's great that instead of giving it up you've adapted it and kept going. *Internet high five* I found Yoga helpful to strengthen the supporting muscle around my trouble joint, but I am now also going to be stealing your ideas and giving the squats another go. You've made it through a bad day and carried straight on, that's a big win. Subbed for the winning! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I was a man of my word, and meditated for five minutes last night, and then again tonight. My mind was still a bit busy during but I used to find that got better with practice. I also went for my second swim of the week tonight, and I'm already starting to get back towards my old times/distances. All in all I'm feeling a bit more positive than I was at the start of the week, hopefully the momentum will start to build now and I will get some of my mojo back. Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

General chat FTW! Now the challenge can really begin! Thanks Flea for making it happen, and Teros for your wizardly forum powers Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I think I may need to change my angle of attack ever so slightly if I'm going to get through this challenge. So far I have been trying to complete my swims and yoga on specified days. While this is the optimal way forward, and the way I've always worked before, my aforementioned time issues mean I'm missing sessions, and then not doing anything when I do get the opportunity. So until I'm properly back in the swing of things I'm just going to get my sessions in whenever and wherever I can. Plus I really need to get going on my meditation goal. Whatever happens I WILL meditate today! Sent from my Nexus 7 using Tapatalk

I came for the tea and Sherlock, I'm staying for the success. Looks like you have some well thought out goals, especially as you took the plunge at the last minute.

Greatness is alot of small things done well, I think you have exactly the right idea. If you get the basics right you can build a strong foundation that you can build on for the rest of your life. Great work so far You are going to rock this challenge!

When time is short its good that you have prioritised your positive habits and kept them going. Tracking and posting is really helpful, but nothing will beat lifelong healthy habits. You certainly have the right attitude, good luck!

Late to the party but following along for the awesomeness. Spartans Aroooooo!