Steve

I’ve discovered a way to tackle goals I’ve had for years: online community and short-term challenges/projects.

I’m an introvert, but that doesn’t mean I don’t like people. I love being with friends and family, but I need my independence too! I get in a zone when I’m alone and I can accomplish ten times more work (home and professionally) than if I was working with a “team.” This is yet another reason why I love writing. Most of the work is solitary, but I get the joy of working with others at certain stages of the process. Perfect!

I’ve noticed over the past couple months that online programs and community challenges are helping me more than any other strategy I’ve used in the past for health and happiness.

Here’s a list of the programs I’m working on now and a couple I’m excited to get started on:

1. Couch to 5k: I’m almost in week 8 and my hubs has joined me! We started out breathless after a couple minutes and now we’re up to 25 minutes of continuous running. In addition, we’ve explored the parks in Baltimore City and it’s fun starting our day together (usually we leave the house at 6:30AM on run-days). I couldn’t be happier that we’re getting healthier together and keeping each other motivated.

2. Kris Carr’s #NoTVfor30Days and #LoveList twitter groups. Love lists are so simple and powerful. Grab a piece of paper and write ten things you love–the first things that come to your mind. It can transform your mood in seconds. People are sharing their lists on twitter and building a community of love listers. The #NoTVfor30Days initiative is boosting my daily productivity ten-fold and helping me sleep better at night. Plus, I’m not being bombarded by advertisements every night. I have never been a big tv watcher, but it is definitely what I gravitate toward when I want to tune out. Rather than switching on the tv, I’ve been more proactive about doing something else to relax–reading, de-cluttering my home, talking to friends, having meals at the table with my husband, and the list goes on.

3. Susannah Conway’s August Break starts tomorrow! I’ll be photo-blogging the whole month. Since I’ll be traveling most of August, this is the perfect time to use more pics and less words here. Can’t wait!

4. Bindu Wiles’ Shed Project. This doesn’t start until September, but I plan on participating and it has sparked a de-cluttering revolution in my home. Drawers, closets, desks, and cabinets beware. I talk a lot about my new-found de-cluttering passion in my last post.

5. Freckled Nest’s Home-Ec e-course! I finally dusted off my grandmother’s sewing machine, cleared out a section of my office and committed to learning how to use this intimidating contraption. I always stare in awe at the projects of crafty bloggers and tell myself that I just don’t have that talent. How can I really know this if I don’t try? I would love to be able to make things for our home & family and recycle many of the things I’ve found through de-cluttering.

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This is my most recent recipe for happiness:

30 min. exercise/~5 days per week + de-cluttering + DIY craftiness + tv detox + Love Lists + web surfing for creative spirits = : )

Tagged as: craftiness, de-cluttering, family, Home-Ec, Love List, online community, photo blogging, running, sewing, Steve, Writing & Editing

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