It’s January– in fact, only January 14– but it’s felt like a long two weeks. I wonder if that has anything to do with the number and variety of New Year’s challenges I signed up for? Hmmm. Could be.
I’m still thinking of sneaking into the Yoga with Adriene challenge, taking my seat at the back of the (virtual) class. As always with being late for things already in progress, the question is: to start at the beginning, or just jump in where they are now? Honestly, I don’t think either Adriene or Benji (her very cute dog) cares.
The Apartment Therapy challenge is coming along. No, I didn’t make a complete To-Do list for all things I need or want to do with my place (e.g. paint dining room, renovate kitchen), but I have done some clean-out of spaces and targeted a few home projects that can (theoretically) be done in an afternoon. And my plants have gotten some extra love, too.
I took on a new challenge that started January 8. Ten Percent Happier’s Imperfect Meditation Challenge is going swimmingly. For each of ten days, it features a little video chat and short (3–10 minute) meditation. Topics have included “It doesn’t have to feel great”, “Just pick one thing”, and my favorite so far, “Make friends with joy”. I liked it because it sets us all straight about what joy is and what joy isn’t. Maybe this will help, too.
The thing for me with challenges is to let myself be lured in, and then get interested or committed enough to continue through to the end. Also, having some flexibility is also good. The Ten Percent Happier challenge is asking us to do 10 out of 14 days, and I’m on track to do all of them.
Well, that’s interesting. Could this be because I already have a well-established meditation practice, but NOT a well-established yoga one? Why, yes. Doing the Ten Percent Happier challenge isn’t challenging for me. But Yoga with Adriene (and Benji) is.
What would be a proper January Challenge for me would be to go back my living room, turn on Yoga with Adriene (I think it doesn’t matter where), and see what it’s like to join in the middle of the month. That feels challenging. And a little intriguing.
Dear Readers, how are you doing this mid-January 2024 with whatever challenges or projects or plans you made 13 days ago? I’d love to hear about them, and promise not to be judgy (I mean, how could I, right?)
