Echo, strength and accomplishment

[Echoceanic]

I debated on whether I should post a challenge here or not this month, due to how I am not really challenging myself, but building habits and patterns instead, but in the end decided 'hey, I have the account, why not use it'.

This new year is starting out simple and works with the title:

 

1. Accomplish your tasks - for this I have my planner, so I'm gonna spare you the details but most of it is writing related this time around.
2. 30 days of yoga - starting this year out calmly with the new release from Adrienne (I haven't done one as it gets released, I've only done them after, and both have been in December funny enough).
3. Don't beat yourself up for having off days - because that prevents you from focusing on today.

 

And that is it. Only one of these should change near the end of the challenge, because I'm going to run out of videos. Today was day 4 of yoga for me, haven't skipped any days so far, been doing the videos late at night, and that seems to be just where they naturally fall. There were days where I had to make myself do it, but today was not one of those days - I felt awesome. I am also stronger and even when i don't feel like I want to do them I seem to be on a kick to now slack since now I can do most of the more challenging things (they have a range and adjustments you can make to make them easier, some she shares and some are instinctual). I always feel better at the end, even if it's marginally.

Tasks are on point. As long as they get done I am not forcing myself to do everything every day. Consistency and discipline. I have also had off days already, and I am working on not feeling bad about them - was a challenge today (because I didn't do work yesterday and the day before) but after I did work, I felt better and left those days behind me. With repetition I should get better at this part. Of course the mental portion of this challenge is the most... well challenging. Huh, there we go.

 

Let's do this.

[Jupiter]

[Echoceanic]

15 hours ago, Jupiter said:

 

 Thanks for the confidence.

[Salinger]

Always by your side Echo... lets DO IT xx

[Echoceanic]

1 minute ago, Salinger said:

Always by your side Echo... lets DO IT xx

 

Hi Sal!

 

Update

So, gonna throw a few things up here:

- I am beginning to think the pain in my shoulders is actually coming from my neck and jaw, and just radiates to my shoulders. I've also done a lot of posture correcting. Current goal at desk is simply - put your feet down (saying this as I have my feet up). I tend to treat the chair as a couch.

- I have a headache and I suck with dealing with them - no idea what to do when they appear besides push through or pass out in bed.

- Freelancing is tiring. That is pretty much it.

[Salinger]

2 minutes ago, Echoceanic said:

 

 

- Freelancing is tiring. That is pretty much it.

 

PREACH.... my word, it is tiring yes. 

 

Headaches - iboprufen? cold flannel on head? nap? lots of water?xx

[Echoceanic]

Just now, Salinger said:

Headaches - iboprufen? cold flannel on head? nap? lots of water?xx

 

Naps is usually my go to, but I can't do it all the time, since time and I can mess up my sleep. Ibuprofen helps, sometimes? I took it and didn't have an effect this time. I ted to have the 'behind the eyes' type of headache. 

[Wild Wolf]

21 hours ago, Echoceanic said:

Don't beat yourself up for having off days - because that prevents you from focusing on today.

 

This is something I, too, need to learn to live with. I am my own worst enemy, after all lol. "Challenge" looks good, Echo! Following  

 

Wolf

[Echoceanic]

2 minutes ago, Wild Wolf said:

This is something I, too, need to learn to live with. I am my own worst enemy, after all lol. "Challenge" looks good, Echo! Following  

 

 

Hey Wolf, haven't seen you in a while.

I've made a lot of progress in that one, especially since I faced the reasons why I was so hard on myself.

[Echoceanic]

Update:

 

I accidentally took yesterday off like the holiday it is (here). And for the first time I didn't beat myself up, even if I forgot to do a lot.

 

So today was day 6 of yoga for that reason. In the 30 days of yoga, day 6 is always the 'Adrienne will murder your core and then urge you to love that part of yourself' day. I didn't want to skip it for that reason, and I did it, even if it hurt (especially because it hurt, because now I can breathe through that part). Now that I can actually engage my core, my biggest challenge has become me making sure my neck is not clenching.

 

And yay my legs and palms are more flexible. 

 

I'm working on my own story, while I wait for feedback on my freelance work (and trying not to stress about it).

 

I'm sleeping a lot again. 

[Jupiter]

1 hour ago, Echoceanic said:

I didn't want to skip it for that reason, and I did it, even if it hurt (especially because it hurt, because now I can breathe through that part). Now that I can actually engage my core, my biggest challenge has become me making sure my neck is not clenching.

And yay my legs and palms are more flexible. 

 

Yay for doing yoga despite it being hard. Nice job!

[NeverThatBored]

7 hours ago, Echoceanic said:

So today was day 6 of yoga for that reason. In the 30 days of yoga, day 6 is always the 'Adrienne will murder your core and then urge you to love that part of yourself' day. I didn't want to skip it for that reason, and I did it, even if it hurt (especially because it hurt, because now I can breathe through that part). Now that I can actually engage my core, my biggest challenge has become me making sure my neck is not clenching.

 

Dude, that's awesome! 

[Echoceanic]

Update:

 

I did two yoga videos yesterday, due to the fact they were the calming ones and I could catch up. One earlier one before bed, Day 8 is basically meditation, so that's what happened. I still have core doms - below my diaphragm. But they're not really bad.

 

Working is going well but wow am I not organised - I am switching from project to project. At least the paid ones are done way earlier than the deadline so yay. So I haven't caught up to my personal writing, but I made that plan before a lot of stuff came up. I want to sew this weekend.

 

Mental state is okay, but i need to work on my organisation and determination. And procrastination.  

[Echoceanic]

On 1/9/2020 at 1:24 AM, Jupiter said:

Yay for doing yoga despite it being hard. Nice job!

 

On 1/9/2020 at 6:51 AM, NeverThatBored said:

Dude, that's awesome! 

 

Thanks guys!

[Salinger]

Great job Echo, you are doing so well ❤️ proud of you! xx

[TGP]

wow, your doing great!  I'll try to follow you for a bit.

 

so is your yoga then, kind of broken up between very hard ab exercise and less intense calm/relaxing session?

 

and are you on a program or using posted online vids?  curious...

[Echoceanic]

On 1/10/2020 at 7:27 PM, TGP said:

so is your yoga then, kind of broken up between very hard ab exercise and less intense calm/relaxing session?

 

Hi TGP so nice to see ya!

 

Yup, pretty much. There are days where it's super intense, days where it's only intense because of how you do the exercise, and days that are more about meditating. All different types of 'difficult'.

 

I am doing Yoga with Adrienne's 30 day program from youtube. For the third time though first time as they come out - she does this every year I think. Day 6 is always core day, day 8 is meditate day, so those are fixed, but otherwise it's a nice flow with a word of the day.

[Echoceanic]

Update:

 

Yesterday I elected to write at night instead of doing yoga so I am one day behind again, but whatever. My sleep schedule finally has a chance to even out (went to bed at 4 am, got up at 9 am, if I go to bed early tonight I will get back to my 8 am wake up). And today, i finished my novelette!

 

Now I'm gonna see what beta readers I can get before I go over it like a hundred times and then see where I can submit it. It's the third book I've finished, second one I've liked when it's finished. I already have the next lined up. I want to get as much done as I can before the exams and editing gets here. Hopefully February. If I have to edit and take exams at once, I will pause freelancing again. Priorities people.

 

Also, I realised that my hair is back at the length it was before my haircut in October. Fun, cause I will be able to get my layers fixed without having it cut super short. Hilarious because what? And I get to try hairdressers again. Didn't like the last one, but there are plenty of em.

 

I also hand washed things bent over the tub until my lower back screamed, now I'm gonna do the yoga and wash my face a bit earlier than 5 minutes before bed. 

[shaar]

Aha - there you are!! ^^
 

What are you thinking of sewing over the weekend?

[Echoceanic]

Update:

 

Did the yoga day 9, got a stiff neck - from the sphinx pose (from keeping my shoulders going down). Some days the body part she tells us to pay attention to is perfectly fine, but the complete opposite one starts acting out. Usually neck for me. 

Did the yoga day 10 - had a laugh at my hamstrings again - them stretching was all I could feel no matter what we did. I mean, not a bad thing, those are y weakest part, just funny. 

 

Need to find something to relax the neck - you know that part that goes from the base all the way to to the ears? That and the same area in the back is so stiff right now I can feel them as individual things. This is how I know my problem is my neck and not my shoulders now.

 

On 1/11/2020 at 10:01 PM, loire said:

What are you thinking of sewing over the weekend?

 

*stares at pile of clothes needing to be fixed, pile of sewing patterns, and my nearly empty closet*

I learned how to fix my sports bra (the pads were riding up so I sewed them down at the bottom to the front of the fabric).

 

Suffice to say this is a big thing I need to tackle but never manage to - mainly because it's a thing I can't do alone and today I would up writing instead of it. Maybe tomorrow I'll do more? The bra was supposed to be done last month so hey, progress right?

[Jupiter]

2 hours ago, Echoceanic said:

And today, i finished my novelette! Now I'm gonna see what beta readers I can get before I go over it like a hundred times and then see where I can submit it. It's the third book I've finished, second one I've liked when it's finished.

 

That's awesome, nice job!!

[Echoceanic]

13 hours ago, Jupiter said:

That's awesome, nice job!!

 

It definitely makes me feel giddy.

[Echoceanic]

Update:

 

The day was pretty great honestly. I woke up early-ish and wound up relaxing a great deal (watching a show) instead of the continuing the work from yesterday but it felt right. I'm planning on retiring early now, after I finish this update and a video I'm listening to. Lunch was quinoa and chicken and I want to eat after a shower and read a bit. 

 

Didn't do everything I meant to do, but I feel nice actually.

[Salinger]

So good Echo, lovely to read you have had such a nice day xx

[Echoceanic]

Update:

 

My sleep schedule is back in the crapper. Oh well, managed two days (I didn't even go to bed late, I just wound up sleeping too much because I wanted to lie down in warmth a bit - this screws me up so much). Otherwise I am doing pretty good, medium level of productivity. Would I like to be more productive and more aware of my time, yes, but for now I'm gonna take this. Cons - didn't do any work today. Pros - exercised pretty early and should go to bed soon.