Mostly Daily Blogging and Showing Up for Each Other

Somehow, I missed another day of blogging. Yeesh!!! I am going to change my tag from #dailyblogging to #mostlydailyblogging. In writing, the time away from the page, can be as helpful as time on the page. 

Yesterday was such a lovely day, aside from some annoyances, so I've decided to list some pet peeves. NEVER MIND! I started and found myself getting more and more annoyed. Let's list the loving ways we all show up for each other: 

1. Checking in on friends
2. Being vulnerable
3. Invitations
4. Being curious
5. Giggles, silliness, and laughter
6. Honesty
7. Grace & forgiveness
8. Honoring each other's stories 

Love this list and it really brought me UP instead of DOWN. 

What if it all works out?

Today, I did something that can be a teeny bit scary. The whole time I kept telling myself, it's all good. It's all going to work out. 

Guess what? It did!

Oops!

Spring break started and blogging fell away.  It was not an intentional stop at all. The change in routine means it totally slipped from my mind. 

While I believe in the power of showing up, I believe MORE in coming back after a slip or a failure. To me, the number of days doing something is important, but what's more impressive is the returning after a some time away. 

I've never been one for streaks...I'm more the person who will do the best I can for as long as I can and I'll come back if I forget or miss a day. 

So, I'm back...blogging again...showing up after some unintentionally missed days. Proud of myself for coming back and not giving up entirely. 

UN-Comfort Zone

I am a homebody. I love my space. It's cozy and happy.  It's safe and comfortable. Comfortable. Comfortable. Yes, it's my comfort zone. I need to leap into my UN-comfort zone more often. That's where change and growth happens...in the spaces where one feels uncomfortable. 

I am doing that. A LOT. I am working at a job that's completely new to me, so I've spent lots of time in my UNcomfort zone this year. Once the ice is broken, it feels a bit familiar to feel off kilter. I have joined a gym (I CAN NOT BELIEVE I SAID THOSE WORDS.)  and I'm going 3-4 times a week. And now, I'm planning a trip to a place I've always wanted to visit. 

Bella (my dog) and I are taking a road trip to a new place. I am nervous and really, really excited. Today I purchased a ticket to for an adventure while on that trip. Details to follow, once we're back home. Sometimes in life, you just have to jump and figure out how to land on the way down. Here I go....

DAILY!

 Sigh...daily means every single day. It's later than I usually write. I'm tired. Out of ideas...but I said I'd write a blog post every single day. What do I do? 

Skip the day? Then I've missed a day of my DAILY blogging or do I just get anything down on the page. I'd rather write something meaningful than just dump anything down and count it. 

Extra posts! That's the ticket. I need to have a couple of drafts with finished posts so I'm ready in case this happens again. 

Until then, I just finished my daily blog post. 
Thank you for reading!

Today, I Felt...

happy

grateful

loved

proud

exhausted

dread

concern

frustration

confusion

clarity

inspired

productive

collaborative

relieved

hard working

frustrated

shocked

peaceful

satisfied

seen

heard

understood

delighted

unhinged

silly

like I belong.

Benchmark Progress

 I joined OrangeTheory in January of this year. Here's what you need to know...I HATE GYMS! I have never, ever had a good experience in a gym. My friend, Beth, encouraged me to join her, so I finally gave in. 

Almost 30 classes later, I am hooked! I love the coaches guide me through the hour. They are tough and encouraging and so much fun! The whole energy at the studio is entirely encouraging! People cheering each other on...it's exactly what a gym should be. 

On January 22nd we had a benchmark. I am a power walker, so it was half a mile for me. I walked at a small incline and it took me 8:38. Almost two months later, I kept the same incline and cut my time by 38 seconds! 

This accomplishment is one I am SO proud of!!!

73 Vogue Questions: My Answers

Vogue creates videos asking celebrities 73 questions in one shot. Here are my answers today...

1. Favorite time of day? Early morning before the world wakes up. I adore the quiet peaceful feeling I get at that time of day. 

2. Biggest weakness? I hate to admit this, but sometimes I feel like I give up too easily on myself. 

3. Biggest strength? My empathy.

4. Biggest learning experience? Calling off my wedding two weeks before and moving almost 500 miles away from most everyone I knew and starting over. 

5. What makes you angry? Meanness!

6. A vice you wish you could give up? I did give up Diet Coke which was my biggest vice. Now? Maybe reality television- but is that really a vice? 

7. What are you most excited about these days? Writing and notebooking!

8. Best compliment you’ve ever received? I love when someone thinks I’m funny!

9. When are you most inspired? After I talk with my friends.

10. Sweet or savory? Sweet.

11. Something that makes you smile? Angel numbers.

12. Something people don’t know about you? I like how I look with glasses more than without. 

13. When do you feel most like yourself? When I am alone and writing. 

14. 3 things you can’t live without? My notebook, pens, and ice water.

15. Window seat or aisle seat? Window seat

16. Favorite TV character? Leslie Knope- Parks & Rec

17. Leather or lace? Neither- soft cotton

18. Most adventurous thing you’ve ever done? Start a new job after being a teacher for almost 30 years

19. Describe yourself in 3 words? kind, creative, loving

20. Favorite piece of clothing that you own? My colorful pair of Brooks sneakers

21. What’s inspiring you right now? The warm weather and longer hours of daylight

22. A good piece of advice you’ve received? It won’t always feel like this

23. Diamonds or pearls? Neither, I’m more of a silver girl.

24. First thing you notice about people? Their eyes and smile.

25. Something you regret? Chances not taken

26. Music you’re currently listening to? The soundtrack to the musical “Six” 

27. Favorite card game? Uno

28. Guilty pleasure? Bravo

29. What makes you feel most accomplished? A clean kitchen 

30. How do you start your day? Notebooking

31. Favorite holiday? Christmas because my family is together

32. Looks or brains? A good heart

33. Who would you like to switch lives with? No one. I’ve worked hard for my life!

34. One thing you’ve always wanted to try? 

35. Most recent purchase? Epsom salt

36. Something you wish you knew at 19? I can do more than I think!

37. What do you always carry with you? A pen

38. If you didn’t live in VA, where would you live? I’ve always wanted to live in Washington State

39. When you’re in a bad mood, do you want company or alone time? Alone

40. Best vacation you’ve ever been on? Outer Banks, NC is my favorite place! 

41. A city you’ve always wanted to travel to? Los Angeles, CA

42. Something you never travel without? A book and my notebook

43. Favorite food? I have different favorites at different times- right now, ice cream

44. Favorite snack? Cucumbers

45. A movie that makes you cry? The Family Stone

46. Are you confrontational? Sometimes

47. A talent you always wish you had? I wish I could sing

48. An exercise you enjoy? I love working out at OrangeTheory and I love going on walks

49. A band you love listening to? Pink!

50. Do you wish you had any superpowers? Teleportation would be my preferred superpower.

51. What’s something you don’t want to be doing in 10 years? Worrying

52. What’s the cutest thing on earth? Puppies

53. Best thing that’s happened this year (so far?) Joining OrangeTheory!

54. Favorite cocktail (or mocktail?) Arnold Palmer or Strawberry Acai Lemonade

55. A movie that makes you laugh? Home for the Holidays

56. What’s usually for dinner? Pasta

57. Do you believe in second chances? Yes!

58. What’s your ideal vacation? At the beach

59. What’s your favorite thing? Music

60. What’s one thing you love a lot? I love being creative

61. Favorite color? Yellow!

62. A color you wear most often? Bright colors like yellow

63. Describe living in Virginia in 3 words free, exciting, love, independent

64. Do you like surprises? Yes

65. A lesson you had to learn the hard way? Trust

66. Something you’re tired of? Feeling left out

67. Who do you turn to when you’re sad? Trusted friends

68. A trend you’d like to see disappear forever? I don’t really pay attention to trends

69. Least favorite food? Anything with cinnamon 

70. It’s 4:00pm on a random Saturday, what are you doing? Out exploring someplace new, at a bookstore, or binging a tv show

71. Ideal date? Walking around a city or festival and grabbing something to eat- time to talk

72. What lipstick do you use? No lipstick, I prefer lip balm or lip gloss

73. What are you doing tomorrow? Going to work

Decision Fatigue

I live in perpetual decision fatigue. The more decisions I make, the less I wonder or wander. I feel less creative. OK, that may be a slight exaggeration but there is some truth to it. When I approach my creative endeavors, I struggle with making decisions and I flounder in an ocean of questions, like:

Which path do I take?
Which project do I start with?
Which font do I use?
What colors go together?
What's next? 
When should I start? 
What if...?

This is where things start to go downhill. The "What if...?" questions signal to me that Fear has entered the room. 

 Today, I just push through. I remind Fear that I'm in charge and I politely ask it to leave me alone now. 

When that doesn't work, I write. Writing about the creative process helps me work through it...which is what this post is.

Words Matter

Words matter. Your words matter. Your tone matters too. I can think back all the way to fifth grade and I can still remember the words of the classmates that called me names and laughed at me. That was over forty years ago. I was thinking about that today. 

How do I want to be remembered? How do I want to treat people? I never, ever want to be the face or the voice of mean ugliness for someone else. I want people to remember that I showed up and I showed up with respect and kindness. 

Use your words wisely...with every single person who crosses your path. Lead with respect and kindness and love.