Sovalis Posted Friday at 03:20 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 03:20 AM I spent the last half of the previous challenge feeling like I was slowly sinking into the dark. Things were getting a little overwhelming and the only thing I felt I could do was try to enjoy the silence and solitude as much as possible because it was that or lose my grip on everything. A temporary med adjustment and my Dave coming home has buoyed me up again a bit, but on my ascent I realized that I had been getting glimmers of the goodness around me even in the darkness. Reviewing my forum posts and my daily journalling showed me that in hindsight it hadn’t been total darkness, that there were moments of brilliance and strangeness and beauty even in what emotionally felt like a barren ecosystem. This is a good reminder that our perceptions don’t always line up with the facts, and it’s one I need to keep in mind as we slip into shorter days and longer nights with the seasonal change as it can affect me. This challenge will be primarily focused on collecting glimmers. A glimmer is the opposite of a trigger: something that catches your attention that makes you feel good, content, grateful, playful, contemplative, etc. I like to think that I am pretty good at noticing these things and drawing them into myself, but a more dedicated practice for a bit can’t hurt anything. Glimmers are related to a gratitude practice in my head, but they aren’t quite the same thing for me: glimmers are more fleeting, more catch and release than my gratitude practice, which is ritualized and written down. I am not sure if I’ll be writing down my glimmers for this challenge or not, but I think I’d like to if I can without damaging the ethereal nature of them. So this part of tracking things will be kind of wishy-washy, but I think that will be okay. In terms of tracking I do have my chart ready to go: I am hoping that a lower stakes challenge will help me recover a bit and fortify for the next round of Dave’s absence which will be January 4 to the end of March-ish. I need to be farther away from burnout before we do this again. I hope that you are feeling cool and collected and ready to conquer your respective challenges if you are already on the boards for Zero Week. If you are taking the Zero Week to regroup and rest, then I wish you the deepest and most restful recovery. Thanks for being here. ❤️ 13 2 Quote Past Challenges: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16 Current Challenge: #17 “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Link to comment
Sovalis Posted Friday at 03:28 AM Author Report Share Posted Friday at 03:28 AM A quick update for today before I go to bed: My glimmer for today was that I got to do deadlifts again as part of the legs circuit at the gym this morning!!! IT WAS AMAZING!!! It was 60lbs, and I had three intervals of 45 seconds to do as many reps as I could. The first 45 went super smoothly, I think I got ~20 lifts in, felt like a well oiled machine. The second interval wasn’t quite as fast but was still super smooth. The third interval I needed a break during - we were only resting 30 seconds between sets and that’s just not a lot when you are pushing it the way I was. But I still did really really well and the rest of the exercises went pretty well also, and I came home feeling like a freaking rockstar. It’s not a single lift max, but it felt SO GOOD and I was stupid excited. I was also the only person to attempt the deadlifts, the other classmates all did a squat machine thingy. It kind of freaked me out and the deadlifts were much more exciting, so I did that instead. And I was a giddy school kid for quite a while about it. 4 10 Quote Past Challenges: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16 Current Challenge: #17 “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Link to comment
Ranger Hal Posted Friday at 06:29 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 06:29 AM 3 hours ago, Sovalis said: A quick update for today before I go to bed: My glimmer for today was that I got to do deadlifts again as part of the legs circuit at the gym this morning!!! IT WAS AMAZING!!! It was 60lbs, and I had three intervals of 45 seconds to do as many reps as I could. The first 45 went super smoothly, I think I got ~20 lifts in, felt like a well oiled machine. The second interval wasn’t quite as fast but was still super smooth. The third interval I needed a break during - we were only resting 30 seconds between sets and that’s just not a lot when you are pushing it the way I was. But I still did really really well and the rest of the exercises went pretty well also, and I came home feeling like a freaking rockstar. It’s not a single lift max, but it felt SO GOOD and I was stupid excited. I was also the only person to attempt the deadlifts, the other classmates all did a squat machine thingy. It kind of freaked me out and the deadlifts were much more exciting, so I did that instead. And I was a giddy school kid for quite a while about it. Look at you go!!! 1 Quote Challenges: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23, #24, #25, #26, #27, #28, #29, #30, #31, #32, #33, #34, #35, Current Walk to Mordor: 2019, 2020, 2021, 2022, 2023, 2024 Adventures: Adventurers Wanted: A West-Marches Campaign Link to comment
Harriet Posted Friday at 07:39 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 07:39 AM I love the concept of the glimmers (and the catch and release nature of them lol) and I'm here for low stakes challenges. Also, way to go on the deadlifts! I'm so glad you are enjoying them, which I already said about your strength training about a second ago but it is true. 1 1 Quote Let cheese and oxen and mead crowd out our secret desires for power and domination - Harriet the Viking Just be bold, fluid and unapologetic, not small, hairy and indecisive - Harriet the Artist You can absorb me! - Harriet the Contextless Guru Link to comment
Sea-to-sky Posted Friday at 08:56 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 08:56 AM Low stakes sounds like a great plan. Here for glimmer collecting and awesome pictures of deep ocean organisms ??? 1 Quote the creative spelling comes as standard. Enjoy! A journey of thousand miles, begins with a single step - Lao Tzu Challenge: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8 Link to comment
Heidi Posted Friday at 10:56 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 10:56 AM I love the idea of glimmers. 1 1 Quote ♥ & ☮, Heidi West-Marches Campaign Herb-Gatherer Spoiler Gypsy Druid Level 12 Philosopher and level 11 Librarian (built on the Monk class, with a training path in The Way of the Cobalt Soul) Ranger: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 :: Druid: 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |:: 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |:: 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |:: 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |:: 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |:: 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53| 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 |:: 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | :: 70 | Paladin: 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | :: 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | Shaman: 82 | 83 | 84 Philosopher-Librarian 85 |:: 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | Heidi Chronicles NF Character Sheet | @theheidifeed| MySlashdotKarmaIsExcellent Walk to Mordor - (spreadsheet) Let's catch up: https://calendly.com/loveandpeace Link to comment
Rookie Posted Friday at 11:31 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 11:31 AM May your challenge be full of glimmers 1 1 Quote {Chase the wind and touch the sky; I will fly} Link to comment
Everstorm Posted Friday at 11:36 AM Report Share Posted Friday at 11:36 AM What a beautiful concept ? 1 Quote Life before Death Strength before Weakness Journey before Destination Link to comment
Artemis Prime Posted Friday at 02:12 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 02:12 PM 10 hours ago, Sovalis said: Reviewing my forum posts and my daily journalling showed me that in hindsight it hadn’t been total darkness, that there were moments of brilliance and strangeness and beauty even in what emotionally felt like a barren ecosystem. This is a good reminder that our perceptions don’t always line up with the facts, and it’s one I need to keep in mind as we slip into shorter days and longer nights with the seasonal change as it can affect me. I have been feeling this rather hard myself, lately. Here's to finding the beauty in the barrenness. 10 hours ago, Sovalis said: I like to think that I am pretty good at noticing these things and drawing them into myself, but a more dedicated practice for a bit can’t hurt anything. You are fantastic at this, and have helped me to become better at it as a result, but agreed, a little intentionality from time to time can really help reinforce good habits. 4 Quote "For God did not give us a spirit of fear; but a spirit of power, love, and self-discipline". - 2 Timothy 1:7 "All we have to decide is what to do with the time that is given us." -Gandalf Link to comment
Darciana Posted Friday at 03:10 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 03:10 PM I am here, supporting! I'm glad you can see the glimmers of life ? they may be fleeting, but they're so beautiful 1 Quote You don't have to be perfect, you just have to be better than you were before. Do that every day and you will succeed. Link to comment
Harriet Posted Friday at 03:59 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 03:59 PM Oh and the challenge title is reminding me of an album, blackwater park. Great album. Contains death growl, though, so I must issue a warning with my recommendation. 1 Quote Let cheese and oxen and mead crowd out our secret desires for power and domination - Harriet the Viking Just be bold, fluid and unapologetic, not small, hairy and indecisive - Harriet the Artist You can absorb me! - Harriet the Contextless Guru Link to comment
Snarkyfishguts Posted Friday at 04:10 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 04:10 PM I love this concept so much, and I'm super excited for you to find those small delights through the day! 1 Quote Link to comment
sarakingdom Posted Friday at 05:05 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 05:05 PM What an excellent sea-creature filled journey to: 2 1 Quote I felt like I could run forever, like I could smell the wind and feel the grass under my feet, and just run forever. Current Challenge: #24 - Mrs. Cosmopolite Challenge Past: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11a & #11b, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16, #17, #18, #19, #20, #21, #22, #23 Link to comment
Shello Posted Friday at 05:49 PM Report Share Posted Friday at 05:49 PM Love the focus on glimmers 1 Quote Race: Amazonian Ogre Princess | Class: Ranger | Profession: SuperHero | Affiliation: Doodlie and Pancake for Life Respawn Challenge Arcs: 2021 | 2022 I am not saying I am Wonder Woman. I am just saying no one has ever seen me and Wonder Woman together in the same room. Original Spawn Challenges 2014 - 2020: 1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12 , 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34, 35, 36, ?? Roadmaps: 2016 | 2017 | 2018 | 2019 | 2020 Starting weight = 290.4 (2014); Current weight = 241.2; Total pounds lost: 49.2 Link to comment
Salinger Posted Monday at 04:18 AM Report Share Posted Monday at 04:18 AM Hey Sov How are you? How was your weekend? I hope you caught many glimmers x 1 1 Quote Link to comment
Heidi Posted 6 hours ago Report Share Posted 6 hours ago Hi, Friend. Hope you're having a glimmering, shimmering week reconnecting and nesting. 1 1 Quote ♥ & ☮, Heidi West-Marches Campaign Herb-Gatherer Spoiler Gypsy Druid Level 12 Philosopher and level 11 Librarian (built on the Monk class, with a training path in The Way of the Cobalt Soul) Ranger: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 :: Druid: 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |:: 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |:: 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |:: 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |:: 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |:: 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53| 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 |:: 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | :: 70 | Paladin: 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | :: 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | Shaman: 82 | 83 | 84 Philosopher-Librarian 85 |:: 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | Heidi Chronicles NF Character Sheet | @theheidifeed| MySlashdotKarmaIsExcellent Walk to Mordor - (spreadsheet) Let's catch up: https://calendly.com/loveandpeace Link to comment
Sovalis Posted 3 hours ago Author Report Share Posted 3 hours ago Hi Friends! I don’t have time to reply to everyone, but thank you for joining me along this journey. I am delighted to have you all with me. ❤️ My time off with Dave was truly, astonishingly, amazingly peaceful and wonderful. I don’t think I have felt this connected and loved and relaxed for around a year. We painted a lot of minis, ate good food, watched a bunch of tv (new Legend of Vox Machina episodes were great!), and I was even able to start sleeping in our bed by the end of it. Dave came home with a cold and the congestion combined with his weird shifting sleep schedule made it hard for me to sleep with him so I was in the spare room. I think we are sorted out for that now though and I am glad for it. The small holiday has really thrown into even sharper relief that I was definitely not okay for the few weeks before he got home. I am starting to strategize better self care strategies for when he leave in January as that will be an almost 3 month tasking. I am starting to put food in the freezer a portion or two at a time so that I have fewer impediments to nutrition when he is gone. That seems like a reasonable first step. The second step is scaling back on peanut butter as I got out of hand with eating that recently. I had my InBody scan done on Monday for the start of the challenge and it was not great. I am up a half pound of muscle, which is nice! My inflammation is high still (makes total sense with all the wheat I am eating and the working out), and I have gained three pounds of fat mass in the last six weeks. This doesn’t surprise me, but it is disappointing. Still, all I can do is start making better choices and trying to build up the supports that will help me not repeat this in a few months. I am impressed that I am not lingering in my woe or beating myself up about it. Definitely a mindset win. Have to run to get ready for work, but I am glad the forums are back up and we can rock merrily along! I hope that the leaves are beautiful where you are! Thanks for being here! ❤️ 4 Quote Past Challenges: #1, #2, #3, #4, #5, #6, #7, #8, #9, #10, #11, #12, #13, #14, #15, #16 Current Challenge: #17 “Finish each day and be done with it. You have done what you could. Some blunders and absurdities no doubt crept in; forget them as soon as you can. Tomorrow is a new day. You shall begin it serenely and with too high a spirit to be encumbered with your old nonsense.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson Link to comment
Snarkyfishguts Posted 3 hours ago Report Share Posted 3 hours ago OH yay! I'm so happy you and Dave got some quality time! and YAY for more muscles! WOOT! 3 pounds of fat mass is nothing, you'll take care of it! 1 Quote Link to comment
Heidi Posted 19 minutes ago Report Share Posted 19 minutes ago hooray for loving, centering connection and for mindset gainz. sending love. ❤️ Quote ♥ & ☮, Heidi West-Marches Campaign Herb-Gatherer Spoiler Gypsy Druid Level 12 Philosopher and level 11 Librarian (built on the Monk class, with a training path in The Way of the Cobalt Soul) Ranger: 1 | 2 | 3 | 4 | 5 | 6 | 7 :: Druid: 8 | 9 | 10 | 11 | 12 | 13 |:: 14 | 15 | 16 | 17 | 18 |:: 19 | 20 | 21 | 22 | 23 | 24 | 25 | 26 | 27 | 28 |:: 29 | 30 | 31 | 32 | 33 | 34 | 35 | 36 | 37 | 38 |:: 39 | 40 | 41 | 42 | 43 | 44 | 45 | 46 |:: 47 | 48 | 49 | 50 | 51 | 52 | 53| 54 | 55 | 56 | 57 | 58 | 59 | 60 |:: 61 | 62 | 63 | 64 | 65 | 66 | 67 | 68 | 69 | :: 70 | Paladin: 71 | 72 | 73 | 74 | 75 | 76 | :: 77 | 78 | 79 | 80 | 81 | Shaman: 82 | 83 | 84 Philosopher-Librarian 85 |:: 86 | 87 | 88 | 89 | 90 | 91 | 92 | 93 | 94 | 95 | Heidi Chronicles NF Character Sheet | @theheidifeed| MySlashdotKarmaIsExcellent Walk to Mordor - (spreadsheet) Let's catch up: https://calendly.com/loveandpeace Link to comment
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