30 Day Yoga Challenge Last Thoughts

After having an especially grumpy day, I sat down on my yoga mat to start the day's practice. I wasn't in a great mood and I didn't especially want to do it, but I knew it would help relax my shoulders and possibly lift my spirits. As I began moving through the motions, I could feel the weight of my irritation disappearing. Just the act of breathing and stretching while listening to the calm voice of Adriene took all the worries of the day away.

I haven't done this month's challenge perfectly, but it has been so good for my body and mind. I can tell my mood is lighter when I'm done with the yoga practice of the day. The kinks in my shoulders and neck evaporate.

Participating in this challenge has convinced me that this is a good practice to continue. I am going to continue doing the 30 day yoga practice this next month as well, even if I stumble along at it. I've seen improvement in my balance and flexibility. I'm able to bend forward and touch the floor with much more ease than when I began. I've used the breathing exercises in the middle of anxiety and it's helped to calm me down.

Overall I'm incredibly glad I did this. Every time I experiment with a new challenge, I fight against perfectionism and worrying that I'm not doing something "right"; but I'm learning to let go and enjoy the process.

I'll be revealing next month's challenge at the end of this week. Since last month's was focused on the body, this next month's will be focused on the mind. Starting back to school and all the stresses that come with that, I want to do something that will help me be more mindful and present.

Do you have any recommendations on good books that've helped you be more mindful and present?

My 30 Day Yoga Failure

My husband showed me a video of an engineer whose friends dared him to ride a bicycle they had re-made so when you turn the handle bars to the right, the wheels go left. He understood it in theory but couldn't ride the bike that way because his mind and body were wired for riding how he'd learned as a child. Many people tried but no one could do it. He shared how our brains have something like algorithms that take a long time to change. Even if our minds know something, it takes much longer to accept and it's often with practice. So he practiced riding the backward bike five minutes every day for eight months. Finally, it clicked and he was able to ride!

I started this challenge to do yoga for thirty days. Sidenote: I am not an A-type personality; I'm more of a Z-type. So naturally, I haven't done so well with my challenge. I started out strong logging my excitement through the first week:

Day 1:

Today I woke up with a stiff neck and sore right shoulder so jumping into yoga was exciting because I knew it would stretch them out. This first video seemed really gentle and slow. It wasn't completely what I expected but it was exactly what I needed! Felt so amazing at the end. The stiffness in my neck was almost gone and soreness in my shoulder had disappeared.

Day 2: 

I really enjoyed today's stretching video. It felt good on my shoulders and back. The low lunges were difficult for me and I found myself having to lower my knees to stay balanced even after adjusting my position. Hopefully I'll gain strength there. I enjoyed the routine of touching toes and stepping back though!

Day 3:

This lesson was more difficult for me. It focused on balancing and I really struggled to hold several of the poses. It just showed me that I really need to work on building balance. it was a tiny bit discouraging but I know over time I will gain strength.

Day 4:

Oh my, I loved this day's practice. It felt so good to my body and lower back! I was able to easily do all the practices so that helped boost confidence. I am wondering how to do the child's pose when I have a belly. Do you open the legs to make room? Keep your head higher? I need some adjustments in that. It's so relaxing to end in corpse pose.

Day 5:

This was a fairly easy practice and seemed short compared to the other ones.

Day 6:

I usually hate abdominal workouts, but I'll admit I liked this one. It was done with enough flow and change of activity that it didn't register as too difficult to my brain, even though my abs felt it!

Day 7: 

Worked up a sweat today! This one was a bit more active and used many of the moves she's been teaching. It was easier to follow along because I'm becoming more familiar with them. Only the side leg lift took me off-balance, everything else was doable.

Day 8:

More meditative and calming. This feel on a Saturday and was perfect for relaxation and resetting my mind.

Then I had a rough day and didn't fit yoga in. It snowballed into a bunch of days. 

Day 14:

This one was nice and stretching with legs and shoulders. I did have a pain shoot through my left knee during one of the forward lunges, so I turned my foot outward a bit more and that seemed to help.

Entered day fourteen, then nothing. Today's the eighteenth.

My inner critic started in with: "I knew you wouldn't do it", "You can't finish anything", and "You never do it right". Inner critics are so mean! I didn't want to blog about it. I felt silly and stupid for not being consistent with 30 days of yoga (especially since I was enjoying it). 

But then I thought of you and how you might feel alone in your struggle to do new things. How you might feel like you're the only one falling down, when you're certainly not. Maybe you have failures like me and need to see someone bite the dust to know we can stand back up. I thought about the bike rider and how we're all wired. New habits are not like a switch you flip and suddenly you're different. It takes time. It takes re-training and practice. Reaching goals is more like stumbling than walking a perfect line.

Fall down, get up again. Fall down, get up again. Fall down and sit for days, get up again.

We need time to change the algorithm.

So I'm getting up and I'm going to finish this challenge in an imperfect, falling-forward way. Maybe I won't get all the days in, but that's okay; some days are better than nothing. I'm shushing the inner critics, embracing imperfection and continuing on.

Do you struggle with this? Are you a stumbling goal-setter?

Same Outfit Every Day?

Would you be willing to wear the same outfit every day?

Some of the most forward thinkers of our time have done it and are doing it; President Barack Obama, Steve Jobs, Mark Zuckerberg, Alice Gregory, and Matilda Kahl. They've taken one stressful decision out of the their morning routine by wearing the same outfit every day. They do this to keep from wasting precious decision-making energy on items that don't matter and save their best thinking for ones that do.

I have long loved this idea and have partially adopted it by creating a "uniform" of clothes so to speak. Jeans, top, cardigan, flats. That's my uniform almost daily. But it's still not as extreme as wearing the same outfit every day because currently mine changes a little each time through pattern/color of tops; color of jeans; and type of shoe.

At the beginning of the year I toyed with reducing my 20+ wardrobe down to ten and seeing if I could do a year with ten pieces. The prospect excited me because the thrill of reducing gives me a freedom high. Yet each time I try to reduce my wardrobe to ten, I struggle with choosing the pieces. 

So if successful women like Alice, and Matilda, are wearing the same thing every day; I'm tempted to do the same. Taking even those last few decisions away and adopting a uniform of exactly one outfit every day.

It would be simple, chic and comfortable and I'd never have to decide again. 

The minimalist side of me jumps at the chance, but the artist side of me hesitates. Then I read somewhere about an artist who felt she could focus her creative energy on her art much easier when she wasn't exerting creativity in her clothes. That quieted my inner protest and has ignited a fire of curiosity. Would it increase creativity?

Wearing the same thing every day seems more simple to me than going the route of ten items. Less constricting if you will, which I know sounds completely opposite.

I'm thinking of trying it as an experiment, maybe a year, to see how it would feel to wear the same outfit in all seasons. And if I love it, then I'd be set. If I hated it, then I'd be done. I'd like to do a 365 project and take a photo every day to document the process and share how I'm feeling.

What do you think? Would you be interested in seeing that? Or do you think I'm crazy?

Sugar Free Experiment

I've been sugar-free for eight weeks. I decided to try dropping sugar from my diet for a number of reasons, not the least of which is my high chances of getting diabetes. But also, I wanted to see if it would make me feel better.

Muffin tin baked egg and bacon

You should probably know that I'm a sweet-LOVER. As in, if given the choice between eating a meal or eating dessert, I would take dessert. So I wasn't really sure how this experiment would go, but I felt strongly that it was something I should do.

I bought the book, I Quit Sugar, to help me have some guidelines and offer some good food suggestions. Sarah is inspiring and encouraging so it helps the process.

Sugar-free peanut butter and coconut granola bars

I'm going to be completely honest here, the first week sucked. It felt like giving up my life, because . . . sugar. Plus, on the IQS program they really encourage dropping fruit during the detox period and filling up your nutrient tank with veggies so that made the process even harder for me. One thing that became painfully clear is that when Americans celebrate, it is almost always with a sugar~fest. I had to re-train myself to celebrate other ways and at the beginning, this was difficult.

However, the next week something interesting began to happen, I stopped having those shaky moments of intense hunger before a meal. I found myself being able to calmly eat and not cram food in because my blood sugar was dropping.

Sausages with veggies

About the third week, I realized that my cravings for sweets and extra food had dropped considerably. I found myself being able to wait longer between meals and eating far less than I had been. 

Now that my eighth week is over, I'm eating fruit again and even some sweeteners on occasion ~ Stevia and Rice Malt Syrup. But I'm trying to keep myself off sugar and not overdo the sweeteners.

Almond meal mini-pancakes

I never, NEVER thought I could be someone who went without sweets. But the more I'm without them, the less I want them. I'm hoping this trend continues until I don't even think about them anymore.

Iced coffee and cream

I will say, my one saving grace was coffee with milk. The milk takes the bitterness away and now it even tastes sweet to me. It didn't in the beginning. But I don't think I could have done this without my coffee, and coconut. Real coconut added a semi-sweet alternative when I got really desperate.

I'm thinking of sharing a few sugar-free recipes that I enjoyed. I'm not really a chef but I've certainly cooked more through this experiment because it's the only way to know you're completely sugar-free. I've found what works for me and what doesn't.

At the end now, I find myself with so much more energy. I don't have that sluggish feeling or even sluggish brain. I'll take all the help I can get in that department! I continue to lose pounds and inches (slowly ~ this is no flash diet). All of this has made me feel so much better that, for now, I'm choosing to stay off sugar.

Grapefruit tastes much sweeter now that I'm off sugar!

Would you like me to share recipes? Have you ever gone without sugar? Do you think I've lost my mind? ;)

A Spending Break

I'm trying something new in February: I'm taking a spending break.

This means I'll pare down spending on wants and only spend on needs. I decided to do this after reading Rachel's post about the Spending Fast then afterwards obsessing over reading the blog And Then We Saved. I know this idea sounds dull and restrictive, but I'm excited about it because of the potential to save money.

In the book The Happiness Project, Gretchen talks about people who are abstainers versus those who are moderators. Abstainers find it easier to abstain from things if they cut it all out instead of moderating. Moderators can't stand to be ruled by extremes and must moderate the rules. I, apparently, am an abstainer. And because of this, I'm going to restrict myself to NO spending on wants (see list below). I would like to commit to doing this for a month and if I am able to save, will continue doing so for perhaps a year.

Things I will spend on (my needs):  house, gas, food, bills, medicine, doctor/dentist, haircuts

Things I won't spend on (my wants):  eating out, coffee shops, clothes, books, movies, shoes, gifts, makeup, trinkets, house decor

Here are some things I plan to do to make this an easier transition:

Use What I Have

I've been decluttering but still have a cabinet full of make-up and lotions I haven't begun to use up. So, instead of buying more, I'm going to use what I have. This goes for the pantry and freezer too, (Tuna, I'm looking at you). I'll use materials I own to create DIY's for the house and to hopefully create meaningful gifts.

Get Rid of What I Don't Want/Need

This seems obvious, but I need to remove things I don't use out of my house, closet, drawers. I'm going to sell what I can on Craig's list to help my savings grow. Everything else will be given away, gifted away or reused.  This helps me save in the long run because I'm not paying to clean it, store it or add wear and tear to my home or closet. Also if I re-use something, it'll fill a need without having to purchase anything.

Take Advantage of Free or Discounted Stuff

I've already compiled a list of free fun activities around my city. I also plan to take full advantage of MidAmerica Food ($30 for a box of food ~ mostly meat!). I'll share more of what I find as I go along. I'm also part of Freecycle so if I have a need, I can always see if there's a listing and then get it free.

Make My Own Fast-Food

I'm embarrassed to admit this, but one of my biggest and most tempting money wasters is fast-food. I've formed a bad habit of grabbing a pizza or burgers on nights I don't really want to fix a meal. My plan of action is to cook meals on Sunday night for the week. I know I'm must less tempted to stop in a drive-through when dinner will only take fifteen minutes to heat. Also, I plan to use the crock pot more often. If I have veggies sliced and ready to pour in the crock pot; it'll be easier to follow through. One night of preparation for the week will help me create healthy and inexpensive fast-food.

These are my thoughts as I begin; I'll keep you posted on how I do. Have you ever done something like this?


Read through my progress: Update 1; Update 2; and Final.

Out of the Little Red Dress

What I'm loving today:

• Wearing something OTHER than the Little Red Dress. As much as I loved learning from the experiment, I am beyond thrilled to be wearing jeans.
• Polyvore. Have you found this treasure? A site with photos of clothes to mix and match in your own combinations. It's inspiring and addicting.
• Going through my closet with tips from The No-Brainer Wardrobe. It's not a fashion book, but rather one that helps you discover your style and find a simple way to dress daily without resorting to frumpiness. I'll be sharing some of my combinations in future posts. Loved this book so much, I became an affiliate: Click here to visit Hayley Morgan @ The Tiny Twig. 
• A wall beside my favorite chair that I've devoted to art. It makes me happy to see so much color!
• Getting better at keeping up with my routines, thanks to Flylady.

What are you loving today?

Little Red Dress: Days 36 - 42

Day 36

Day 37

Day 38

Day 39

Day 40 (painting)

Day 41

Day 42

Days 29 - 35, I took a break from the Little Red Dress while vacationing in New York. When I got back home and found it waiting, it was a reunion of sorts. I can't say I was thrilled to see her. I sort of begrudgingly pulled the dress over my head; but once I put it back on, it felt right.

Getting back in this Little Red Dress routine calmed me. It gave me fewer decisions and helped put my days back in order. The dress has given me the gift of simplicity. I understand now how owning fewer things can lighten the stress load. Does that mean I want to live in one dress for always? No. I thought at this point I might be willing to do such a thing, but my growth isn't there yet. I'm counting down the days until Sunday.

Lesson five: The gift of simplicity comes through having less stuff.

If you'd like to read more about the Little Red Dress Experiment go here.
Days 1-7
Days 8-14
Days 15-21
Days 22-28

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Little Red Dress Days 22-28

Day 22

Day 23

Day 24

Day 25

NO PHOTOS for Day 26 and 27. 

Sick with a stomach virus, I stayed in pajamas all day.

Day 28

This week was better than last. I had renewed energy about the Little Red Dress.

I've been reading more about other countries and cultures in the poorer communities of the world. They seem to be so full of joy with so little. I'm sure that it wears on them the same as financial worries wear on anyone; but they seem able to rejoice in the little things--savor the small moments. They don't have as many "expectations" or "rights" that they're touting around and being disappointed when it doesn't happen.

I've seen I DO have an entitled mindset. I often feel like I'm owed or that I have the right to what I want. But what about being happy with what I have right now? What about not searching for bliss in the great unknown, but finding it in the everyday? That's what I attempted to do this week. And I found whining has a much harder time showing itself when you're feeling grateful.

Lesson four: Be grateful for what you have in your life TODAY.

If you'd like to read more about the Little Red Dress Experiment go here. Also,
Days 1-7
Days 8-14
Days 15-21

Little Red Dress experiment Days 36-42 (days 29-35 were spent in New York and I didn't wear the little red dress, forgive me)

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Little Red Dress Days 15 - 21

Day 15

Day 16

Day 17

Day 18

Day 19

Day 20

Day 21

This week the Little Red Dress got it's first battle scar; a tiny rip at the corner of one pocket. I had to mend it best I could (I'm only slightly competent at that sort of thing). I couldn't help thinking how it's only been three weeks and I already have a tear. I've been washing my dress on delicate cycle and drying only lightly before hanging it up. I'm careful about what I do in the dress, which I suppose anyone would be if it was all they had.

I can't imagine a child wearing the same thing day after day, the wear and tear must be triple. But then, I suppose if you knew the value of your clothes, you would be more careful. Kind of like we teach children about carrying a glass or something breakable. They learn to be delicate. I've tried to be careful with the Little Red Dress, but when I think of it, it's probably not the I-won't-have-anything-else-to-wear-if-I-ruin-this careful. It's sobering when I think of that.

Lesson three: Having only one garment is a burden.

I guess I should've known that, but this dress has felt like Frodo's ring this week--heavy and burdensome. I lost some of my creativity because I just didn't have the heart for it. It's embarrassing to admit because it emphasizes how spoiled I am--that aspect of this experiment has been painfully evident. And each time I want to whine and complain, I feel this prick in my heart of how I still have a choice. Even now, I could give this dress away and have no worries about it. BUT, there are those who can't; and I'm beginning to understand I don't have a clue of what that's like.

If you'd like to know more about the Little Red Dress experiment go here.
Days 1-7
Days 8-14

Little Red Dress experiment Days 22-28

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Little Red Dress Days 8-14

Day 8

Day 9

Day 10

Day 11

Day 12

Day 13

Day 14

Second week of the Little Red Dress experiment went by faster than the first one. Maybe I'm just getting accustomed to wearing it, like a student gets used to a school uniform.  I've been pretty careful about eating while wearing it, but one morning I spilled coffee down the front on my way out the door. I wiped it up, but of course didn't have any time to wash it and I couldn't change. It was a pivotal moment for me. It made me see how ungrateful I am for something as simple as a change of clothes.

Doing this experiment has made me more careful with my clothes. I hang my dress up immediately after wearing it without dropping it on the dresser or laying it on a chair. I make sure I take it promptly out of the dryer so it won't be wrinkled. I cover myself with a napkin or apron while eating or drinking (especially after the coffee spill) and make sure it's protected while I'm cooking. Although I've done my best to take care of it, there are already a few stains and I'm only into week two.

I feel humbled every time I begin to feel self-conscious and remember that many people have no choice.

If you'd like to know more about the Little Red Dress experiment go here. Or check out Days 1-7.

Little Red Dress experiment Days 15-21

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Little Red Dress: Days 1-7

Day 1

Day 2

Day 3

Day 4

Day 5

Day 6

Day 7

If you'd like to know why I'm wearing the same dress everyday, see this post.

This has been a good first week. I was all pumped at first and feeling invigorated, but by the weekend, it waned a bit. I felt self-conscious at my son's basketball game wondering if people were noticing my repetitive wardrobe. Started avoiding people to keep from being asked questions and when I caught anyone looking at me unawares, I assumed it was my dress. It was at the end of these unrealistic thoughts that I realized I was TOTALLY SELF-ABSORBED.

Lesson one: It's not all about you.

To add emphasis to that point, when we were driving home I mentioned something about my experiment. Puzzled, my son said I hadn't told him what it was, so I filled him in. He looked surprised and said, "You've been wearing that since Wednesday?"

So much for people noticing...

Check out days 8-14 here.

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Little Red Dress Experiment

Little Red Dress, Day 1

I'll be wearing this Little Red Dress for forty-five days.

Why?
I want to connect in a small way with impoverished people around the world. There are women who only own one or two outfits; who wash them at night and wear them over and over. I want to see what that's like: feel the frustration of wearing something stained; of having to replace buttons; or knowing others will see me, yet again, in the same thing. I want to find out more is not more. I want to set aside this time to limit myself and go without. And even though it's only a taste of what some go through, my hope is that it will make me more compassionate, more grateful and more willing to let go of my consumerist mindset.

When will you wash the dress?
I'll wear pajamas at night so I can wash my dress and there is a small vacation time that I may take a few other dresses with me to alternate since I may not have a washing machine. Otherwise, I'll be sporting the Little Red Dress. I am allowing myself accessories and other articles of clothing to add to it for warmth and experimentation to discover that one article of clothing can stretch a long way.

How come you decided to do this now?
I timed it in connection with Lent which began on February 22 (2012). I'm not Catholic, but I like the concept of spiritual disciplines and thought it was a good time to join friends of mine (who are giving up things of their own) to journey together.

Where did you get this idea?
I'm not the first to do a project like this. Some have done it with a little black dress and one with a little brown dress for 365 days. I'm starting out small, well, big to me; but small in the scheme of a year. We'll see where it takes me.

What made you choose a red dress?
Honestly, it was one I already owned and the only button-down dress I had. I thought a button-down would add more versatility to my outfits and I like the classic look. Plus, I love color and thought it would help me persevere if my dress was bright and cheery. Red makes me smile and oddly enough, I have many complementary-colored things in my closet to go with it.

Is this a fashion blog?
No!! *laughs* I don't know much about what's in. I just play around with my wardrobe, so some things I wear may be heinous to you. I simply enjoy experimenting and this is a fun experiment in limiting my wardrobe.

Will you still be doing your Beyond Sweatshirt series?
For forty-five days, this will be my Beyond Sweatshirt feature since I'll be dressing up and technically out of sweatshirts. I'm looking forward to seeing how many different ways I can wear the Little Red Dress and will share my journey each week along with pictures.

Can we join you?
Of course! I'd love to have you join me. No red dress required, pick whatever you want to wear.

Click here to see days 1-7

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