[NeverThatBored] Monsters grow in the dark

[NeverThatBored]

Monsters grow in the dark, so if you like your monsters small and manageable, you probably want to go and meet them at your earliest convenience. - Raptitude

 

This challenge is all about going to meet those monsters before they can grow. It's a continuation/modification of my Action Absorbs Anxiety challenge from last round. 

 

Some Background

Last challenge, I focused on the idea that the best way to handle anxiety is to start doing stuff - anything from one-time to do list tasks to fitness stuff to regular chores. I kind of already do this, but the idea was to deliberately handle anxiety I've been experience by consciously taking action. It wasn't the most successful challenge, but I still think the idea is solid so I'm continuing it this challenge. 

 

This year, instead of doing the typical 4+ goals per challenge, I decided to focus on one new habit per challenge. With 10 NF challenges in the year, that means the opportunity to explore TEN new healthy habits. I'm a finisher, so I've stubbornly stuck to this concept even when I wasn't sure I wanted to keep doing it. Now, in the final challenge of the year, I've decided to give up new habit #10 to continue working on habit #9 instead. 

 

Habit summary:

Spoiler

 

1. Walked daily and/or at least 16 miles per week (anything above 12 is acceptable to me as long as it's not consistently that low)
2. Established a morning routine
3. Smoothies for breakfast and salads for lunch....this didn't stick...I've currently changed it to skipping breakfast most days (or eating only a small lunch on days where I have breakfast) and that has stuck better
4. Doing hard things by reminding myself how much I like the archetype of the guardian. Don't want to do stuff at work? But I'm a guardian! I've got to help out my peeps! Etc. This one has only been so-so at sticking, but I'm still working on making it a proper habit.
5. Basking. Focusing on what I accomplish rather than what I don't accomplish. Posting updates specifically about things that are great (toughed it out through a painful workout? Great! Sat in the sun and absorbed some vitamin D? Great! Made a tasty smoothie? Great!) rather than fixating on things I'm not happy with. 
6. Re-focusing on 3 workouts a week, with at least 2 of them being a specific strength workout I do at home. I'm dealing with some cysts in my wrist that forced me to tweak the workout, so it took me a while to get back to the point where I was doing it consistently and feeling like I was progressing. 
7. Going from 2 runs/week to 3 runs/week by doing just 20 minutes of run/walking for each run, and letting my legs adjust
8. Lunchtime routine Not so successful, but I haven't given up on it yet.
9. Action absorbs anxiety - focused on taking action in a variety of forms to specifically combat anxiety

 

Challenge Details

 

Exact details TBD but I want to get this posted in the meantime so I have a place to update.

 

[Elastigirl]

That is an impressive list of new habits!

[Basement Cat]

I like the 'one habit per challenge' thing. Good luck! Following a fellow cat!

[Emerald Eagle]

Following!

[Kestrel Grey]

David Cain is a wise man.  Following

[NeverThatBored]

Week 1 Monday Update

 

Success! I did a yoga video in the morning, walked for 49 minutes, and then finally did a full bodyweight workout. I kept it short, but since I've been out of commission for so long it felt like plenty. I'm trying to let go of my expectations about what I'm capable of so that I can just do the workout I need to do that day. My total pushup reps increased by 1. The ranger mini actually helped motivate me too! I incorporated mountain climbers into the workout. 

 

My cat is very confused when I do anything exercise related. Doing some planks? He comes over and lies down on the floor underneath me. Doing some mountain climbers? He lies down on my hands. I love cats~

 

I didn't get much done on the one-time tasks front, but I still feel ok about the day.  

[Mad Hatter]

3 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

My cat is very confused when I do anything exercise related. Doing some planks? He comes over and lies down on the floor underneath me. Doing some mountain climbers? He lies down on my hands. I love cats~

I don't think your cat's confused at all, it sounds like it knows exactly what to do.

[deftona]

Following! 

[NeverThatBored]

So I've mostly finished my Christmas shopping, but then I keep coming up with better ideas for people I already bought presents for! So I can't get my mind to stop Christmas shopping.

[Bookish Badger]

Following!

[Maggie-Miau]

Following with extreme interest!

 

Congratulations on this year's habits, by the way; you've accomplished so much!

[Emerald Eagle]

7 hours ago, NeverThatBored said:

So I've mostly finished my Christmas shopping, but then I keep coming up with better ideas for people I already bought presents for! So I can't get my mind to stop Christmas shopping.

 

I am extremely jealous that you have already finished your Christmas shopping! I started a google Doc where I track present ideas for family and close friends. That way when inspiration hits or I hear them say "it would be really awesome if I had X" I can write it down and remember it and then surprise them either at Christmas or their birthday. Maybe something like that would help you record your ideas?

[SkyGirl]

I love your goals and I love everything you have accomplished so far!! I'm following because you rock!!   

[NeverThatBored]

12 minutes ago, EmeraldEagle said:

 

I am extremely jealous that you have already finished your Christmas shopping! I started a google Doc where I track present ideas for family and close friends. That way when inspiration hits or I hear them say "it would be really awesome if I had X" I can write it down and remember it and then surprise them either at Christmas or their birthday. Maybe something like that would help you record your ideas?

 

I do that too. But I keep having ideas for people who I've already bought presents for, so then I have to battle the urge to buy additional presents! 

[NeverThatBored]

Week 1 Tuesday Update

 

Another good day.  I did some yoga in the morning and then went on a run. I beat my previous run time by 1 minute AND I skipped the break I've been taking in the middle. I'm a wee bit sore from the workout yesterday, which is a good thing too. I've decided I don't have to try to get in a walk on run days, since running usually ends up supplanting walking and I'm tired of fighting it. 

 

In terms of to-do list items, today I followed up on a thing with my address change that needed to be dealt with. I also took steps towards completing two other items on my list. +3

 

Food has been pretty good today? Depending on what good is? I made a very tasty spinach quiche this morning:

 

 

And I made some kick ass broccoli for lunch. So, veggies and non-junky food, if nothing else. 

 

Work was a little slow. I was trying to record some audio and someone started mowing their lawn or something, so I had to pause for the day when I was hoping to get it done. But that's ok. Probably no bonus points for hard work though. 

 

And finally, a wrist update!

 

Spoiler

This was my wrist shortly after getting it out of the brace. This was as far as I could bend it when I was really pushing:

 

 

The doc said I had about 40% ROM at the time.

 

And this is my wrist today! 

 

 

I still have a lot of ROM to recover and some scar tissue pain to work through, but it's a LOT better. 

 

 

[fleaball]

Yay getting better!!

[RES]

Yay for food, wrist improvement, and new challenges  

[Xena]

Congrats on the improvement with your wrist!

 

Have you seen this? There is definitely a cat participating at various points :-)

 

 

[NeverThatBored]

23 minutes ago, Xena said:

Have you seen this? There is definitely a cat participating at various points :-)

 

 

Awwww~ As it should be!

[SkyGirl]

Woohoo, sounds like a great day!! I'm so glad your wrist is getting better!   

[Mad Hatter]

I don't know what your starting ROM was but that looks pretty normal to me. Yay, so glad recovery's going well.  

[NeverThatBored]

14 hours ago, Mad Hatter said:

I don't know what your starting ROM was but that looks pretty normal to me. Yay, so glad recovery's going well.  

 

The actual wrist flexion is almost (not quite) back to normal, but it's still stiff and I can't curl my fingers as far into my hand yet. Almost there! 

[Elastigirl]

That is quite an improvement on your wrist!

[fleaball]

FYI, your title makes me think of raising little monster friends in your closet. I have no idea where that came from, but you're welcome.

[NeverThatBored]

40 minutes ago, fleaball said:

FYI, your title makes me think of raising little monster friends in your closet. I have no idea where that came from, but you're welcome.

 

Awww, little monster friends would be great too.