Greenleaf - the answer is inside

[Greenleaf]

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.

[Greenleaf]

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.

 

[Foo]

Following along, hoping to gather crumbs of awesomeness.

[Greenleaf]

On 05/04/2016 at 11:24 AM, Foo said:

Following along, hoping to gather crumbs of awesomeness.

 

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.

[BitterOyster]

I don't think it's off topic since your work affects your energy level, and the Nerd Fitness motto is 'level up your life' not just your health. It's tough to be at an impasse with your career and when work is stressful it takes away the energy you might use to change, so it feels like a catch 22. But I see you here striving to make changes despite feeling overwhelmed so I'm sure you will eventually see a way forward and take action when the time is right.

[Greenleaf]

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.

[Sunmage]

GREAT!!!

 

Welcome around btw!

 

 

[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.