Joyful Notes

Christmas is almost upon us...just 5 more days.  Can you believe it?

This month's challenge has zipped by too, and I'm a little sad that I only have 11 more joyful notes left to write.

I have had such a wonderful time penning a short note to a different friend each day that I am truly going to miss it on January 1st.

I know nothing says I have to give it up...I mean I could be like Gretchen Rubin, who wrote The Happiness Project, and allow the challenges to compound from month to month (although I might run out of friends that way...and would potentially have to recycle my friend list).

                                                    

Although I had a better solution this morning while driving to work...perhaps monthly I could mail a full length letter to a friend and try to keep in touch better.

I find that with my oldest friends, those I went to college with, we don't see each other very often and, other than a few texts here or there, we don't have the opportunity to stay on top of what is going on in each others lives.

Having a strong friendship bond can have some of the following benefits:

1. Live longer--strong friendships help reduce your levels of chronic stress
2. Keep us from being lonely
3. Increase self-esteem
4. Encourage you to change habits (i.e. give up smoking or to start exercising more)
5. Help you cope with trauma

Now that we know our friends can help us live longer and healthier let's think about ways to keep that connection.

What ways do you keep in touch with your friends?

The Hand Written Note

I'm just under two weeks into my letter writing for the month of December and it has been met with some very positive responses.

Several of my friends sent me messages and texts saying that my little note came at just the right time, that they are feeling stressed and it was good to know someone was thinking of them.  It also gave us a few moments to remember some of the funny times we've had (nothing like sharing 20 year old stories and still laughing as if they happened yesterday).

It made me feel awesome to know that I had such a positive impact and confirmed that I am doing this challenge at the appropriate time.

The holidays can be challenging for people.  It doesn't just have to be people who have lost loved ones...it could be the taxing nature of making sure everything is taken care of (both at home and work)...there is a lot of pressure to be perfect with your holidays.

Remember though nothing is perfect and that you should do whatever you do with love and with a thoughtful heart...don't do it just because you think you have to.

I've realized 12 days in that I should probably write down the people I've mailed cards to and those that I will send to over the next 19 days...I don't want to forget anyone or send them a card twice (that would be kind of embarrassing).

So like Santa I've made my list and checked it twice...the only downside is that I fear I may have left someone out...but then nothing says I can't keep sending cards.

                                                       

So if you are sitting there reading my quick missive and a friend pops into your mind.  Send them a quick hello...you won't be sorry that you did.

December is Here and so is Challenge #3

I wrapped up my November Challenge (no Christmas pun intended here) and I am off and running with my December Challenge.

This month I am sending a handwritten card each day to a friend.  Their tenure as my friend isn't what got them on my list but a desire to let people know that they are special to me and that they have positively impacted my life is what got them on the list.

So if I met you last week and asked for your mailing address...that's why 😊

It's the little things that sometimes make me excited about my challenges and the need to go to the post office and buy stamps was thrilling...however when I got there and there was a HUGE line because people are already in the holiday spirit dampened by excitement a little.

                                       

However I'm super lucky to have a husband who is willing to help me succeed with these challenges and he went the next day right when they opened and secured 31 stamps for me.

Continuing a little bit with October's challenge of getting rid of things I am using postcards that I had made a couple of years ago and just can't seem to use up.  But they are kind of sweet and girly...so I think they say "I appreciate you."

With my supplies at the ready I have crafted my first two cards and each day it gives me something to look forward to.

It gives me a chance to think about my friend of the day and reflect back on the good times we've had over the years.  Some of the shenanigans we've gotten into and the fond memories just brighten my day.

I hope the notes are enjoyed and that perhaps it will encourage them to do the same...and no they don't have to write me back.

But as a society we could do with spreading a little more love and cheer...what better way than a grassroots movement of letter writing?

So think about joining me, you don't have to do it all month, but think about letting someone know how much they mean to you.

November is Coming to a Close

November's challenge of 100 push-ups, squats, and crunches is coming to a close.

I am completely astounded at myself but I am glad it is ending.  This challenge bored me and did not give me the fulfillment I felt when I purged my stuff.

What is odd to me is that I like working out.

I like the way my body feels when it has been worked and the muscles are tired...but this wasn't quite enough.

To ramp it up a little I did start a 30 day cleanse and fat flush through Isagenix.  A friend of mine talked about how great she felt and how she loved the feeling of having her body be more alkaline...so I joined up.

                                          

This helped make November a little more interesting.  Thus far I have lost 1 inch off of my waist (that was in 8 days AND with Thanksgiving in there).

I don't say that to brag but just to mention that it took a small lifestyle change to help flush out some of the fat that I've been hanging onto with the three children I birthed (I wasn't genetically blessed to bounce back into pre-baby shape like Gisele Bunchen).

The cleanse has helped me feel better about myself, I have more energy and don't crave sweets or copious amounts of food as I did in the past.

After this 30 day period is over, somewhere around mid-December I will start a second cleanse (why stop a good thing???) but what I am hoping is that it will keep me on track and that holiday indulgences won't be so great and I won't start the new year thinking how upset I am by all of the stuff that I ate.

My challenge next month, along with the cleanse, is to mail a note to a friend everyday.  My husband asked "Do you have that many friends?"  Yes silly boy I have 31 people I would love to send a message to and let them know how much they mean to me and that I really appreciate their friendship.

To prepare myself I already have the post cards (they are ones that I made from a photo I took of some roses)...the picture always makes me happy and hopefully it will do the same for my friends.

The only other thing I need to do is go buy some stamps...yep I am going to handwrite the messages..I think it makes it a little more personal even though e-mail is so darn convenient.

Do you ever send or receive actual letters anymore?  Does it make you feel a little extra special to know someone had to go to a little extra work to send you that message?

Creating Habits and Routine

I must admit I have not been as put together for this months challenge...at least so far.

Last month I had to find items to eliminate but I could do that morning, noon, or night.

I'm find thing that when you expect yourself to do 100 pushups, crunches, and squats you need to plan your day out a little better.

I've had days so far where the I was trying to pack all of this in in the last hour and a half before bed, I've had days where I've forgotten which set I was on, and days where I did some in the morning and then forgot to do the rest until almost bed time.

This had to stop if I was going to feel good about this month's challenge

                                  

One of the chapter's in Greg McKeown's book "Essentialism" discusses routine and how having a set routine lets your mind go on autopilot for that task (i.e. driving to work the same way everyday) and allows you to open your mind to other creative thought.

                                                 

By having a routine you make sure that certain functions get done at specific times.  A week into this challenge and I realize I need to be more regimented with it.

I can do 20 push ups and squats at a time but then I need a little break before I do the next set...so to make sure that I finish the challenge strong and hopefully create a habit of doing exercise at various intervals through out the day I've created a schedule for myself.

The schedule comes with cues...so to start off the day I get out of bed and stretch and then do 20 push ups and 20 squats.  After I've finished my shower 20 more push ups and 20 more squats.  I get all of my primping done and get dressed 20 more push ups and 20 more squats.

Just by incorporating it into my morning routine I knocked out 60 of the 100 reps for each of those exercises.

It left me feeling pretty accomplished AND feeling like it would be no big deal to get the other 40 in.  

I created a routine that is easy to follow and sets me up to succeed.

Do you have routines in your life that you use to help you throughout the day?

Can I do that 100 times a day?

That is a question I woke up this morning asking myself.

Can I do 100 push ups, 100 crunches, and 100 squats EVERY day?

I think it is the push ups that will be the most challenging for me, not to be sexist, but like lots of women my upper body strength is a bit lacking.


                                               

I'm not sure why I chose 100 of each...but that seemed like a nice round number.  Before I chose it I looked on Pinterest, if you ever what some inspiration on exercise challenges take a gander at Pinterest...you will be overwhelmed with possibilities.

My husband surprised me and is going to join me for this challenge.  He wants to recommit to being healthier and the idea of having a partner to keep him accountable is exactly what he needed.

I wanted to make sure that some of my challenges were physical to ensure that I challenged myself both physically and mentally.

Do you know some of the ways that exercise helps?

Besides the obvious getting in better shape it can:

• Reduce Stress
• Release endorphins which give you a boost in your happiness
• Strengthen your cognitive ability
• Boost your creativity
• Strengthen your bones and muscles
• Builds self esteem
• Make you more productive

I don't know about everyone else...but I could use all of those benefits

My thoughts for this month were to include interesting information about exercise and how it can help keep you healthy and hopefully I can encourage some of you to exercise along with me.

Final Thoughts on Minimizing

The first 30 day challenge is complete

                                                      

Right now it kind of feels more like saying goodbye to a good friend than a party.

I realize I can go through my items and eliminate them at any time...but that devotion of the daily purge won't be occurring.

So how did I do?

Well I tried to keep count of everything that I got rid of, and within a small margin of error, I calculated it at:

98 individual items

It seems both like a small number and also like a large number...is that even possible?

It seems large because I think "Holy Crap did I really have almost 100 things I didn't need."  

Then in the same breath I think "Holy Crap did I ONLY have almost 100 things I didn't need...maybe I didn't look enough."

I think the main lesson I learned, aside from the best way ever to fold your clothes (thank you Marie Kondo), is that this is a process that doesn't have a definitive end.  I will be coming back at intervals to check in with my "stuff" and see if it still deserves a place at my proverbial table.

I must say that I am most pleased with my closet.  When I walk in I don't feel overwhelmed and I can easily see everything so that I can more easily pick out what I am going to wear for the day.

I enjoy having less choices.  I am not left feeling that perhaps I made the wrong wardrobe decision and I'm also not standing there for fifteen minutes trying to figure out what I want to wear.

I read a great book on this topic called "Essentialism: The Disciplined Pursuit of Less" by Greg McKeown.  I don't want to ruin the book for anyone who  may want to read it (and you don't have to buy it you can get it through your library) but in it Greg gives you great ways to say "No" and ways to weed out those things that are "nonessential."  So he may illustrate his point with a reference to a business...but it is totally applicable in everyday life.  

So think about what things you can say "No" to and what you can weed out that will help your life focus more on the essential/important things.

Well that concludes October...on to November and challenge of exercising each day.

Won't you think about joining me?