Backstory: I see this campaign, or something like it, on Facebook all the time: Post something that makes you smile! Share the 27th photo on your phone!
Actually, though, it was Carrie at Me & My Quite Contrary Life who inspired me to “capture my joy” for this nudge.
One week, seven photos. Starting with…a perfectly relaxed and civilized breakfast.
Backstory: Back in my single days, I was very crafty. I made wreaths with my glue gun, I created elaborate table centers, I sewed. Not just mending; I made curtains and duvet covers without patterns and created all my prom and formal dresses. Legit! In my early 30s I discovered a friend and I shared a love for needlework and…wouldn’t it be more fun to do it together? We made a date and worked on our own projects while we chatted. The following month, we invited a few other friends to join us, and our group became the Crafts Babes.
Then life got busy. Work, responsibilities, and household projects took over. Then I got married, and my “free” time was not entirely my own. That’s a good thing, of course. But as I was putting together The List for this year’s nudges, I recalled things I used to love to do and vowed to do them again.
This week, that means I’m going to get crafty.
As always, you can do this nudge along with me or come up with another task that fits the intention. What was something you once loved to do that you haven’t done in a long time?
What Happened: There’s a small cabinet and a plastic storage bin in one corner of my office where all my crafty supplies are stored, including some unfinished projects. I knew exactly what was in there, I knew all week I “had” to do this nudge, but I kept putting it off. Why? I’m not sure. Maybe because it felt big, like it was going to suck up my time, take away from other things I need to do. Maybe because I was worried I wouldn’t enjoy it again, and I’d feel sick for having kept all that stuff around for so many years.
And that’s why this nudging adventure is so good for me. This is my nudge to pull those items out, try them again, and make a decision about how I want to move forward.
So that’s what I did two nights ago. I unearthed a cross-stitch project I started about 20 years ago (maybe longer–gack!). The original plan was to complete the four seed packet designs and frame them to decorate the kitchen of whichever apartment I was living in at the time. I finished the tomato (cute, right?). I started the eggplant, then the whole thing got tucked away and neglected until now.
The first thing I discovered is that my eyesight is not what it was back in the day. Those little stitches are hard! I dove in though, while complaining to Thor about the poor (ahem) lighting, and completed a few rows. It was…frustrating. Shoot! I had high expectations for this, was hoping I’d get hooked again, but I’m not sure.
I pulled it out again last night, and it was still rough going. Maybe I need to invest in a big magnifying lens or those cheapo magnifying old lady reading glasses you get at the pharmacy? I think I might do that before I give up on this. Because even though it wasn’t as satisfying as I initially hoped it would be, I did derive some satisfaction from seeing the work progress. Maybe those seed packets will look cute in our kitchen here?
The Ah-Hahs: I’ll admit I was disappointed with the outcome of this nudge. I really was hoping I’d pick up right where I left off, would rediscover an old passion and find it still inspires me today, maybe even launch a Bay Area chapter of the Crafts Babes. Sorry to say, I’m not feeling it.
Is it time, then, to Kondo all my needles and threads? Hmm…not quite yet. I don’t yet feel “finished” with this. And that, I think, is the gift of this nudge. By trying things old and new, I can figure out what feels good and authentic to me today.
Backstory: Back in my single days, I was very crafty. I made wreaths with my glue gun, I created elaborate table centers, I sewed. Not just mending; I made curtains and duvet covers without patterns and created all my prom and formal dresses. Legit! In my early 30s I discovered a friend and I shared a love for needlework and…wouldn’t it be more fun to do it together? We made a date and worked on our own projects while we chatted. The following month, we invited a few other friends to join us, and our group became the Crafts Babes.
Then life got busy. Work, responsibilities, and household projects took over. Then I got married, and my “free” time was not entirely my own. That’s a good thing, of course. But as I was putting together The List for this year’s nudges, I recalled things I used to love to do and vowed to do them again.
This week, that means I’m going to get crafty.
As always, you can do this nudge along with me or come up with another task that fits the intention. What was something you once loved to do that you haven’t done in a long time?
Backstory: This nudge came from some brainstorming I did as I thought about what to include on The List. I devoted some time to recall “Things I loved doing when I was a kid.” I loved baking! I loved being creative in the kitchen! In elementary school, my best pal (Hi, Krista!) and I did a lot of experimenting and even had our own sort of “signature” chocolate chip cookie recipe.
So this is my nudge to get back to doing things that feed my soul. The “uncomfortable” part? Well, I don’t really like eating most baked goods. (I know, crazy.) I’ll give them a taste, then I’ll give the rest away in care packages. Feels like a win-win!
As always, you can do this week’s nudge with me or pick something that speaks to you. What did you love doing when you were eight years old? Here’s your excuse to do it again.
What Happened: I chose a new-to-me recipe–for apple+raisin+oatmeal cookies–and tried it out. They were…meh. About as exciting as they look:
But I enjoyed the experience, and that’s what counts!
After I delivered care packages to a few neighbors (with promises to share samples of my next experiment–I hope it’s better!), I sat down and looked through the rest of that particular recipe book. I’ve had it since the mid-1990s! There were notations of hits and misses, suggestions for future improvements, and tags on recipes to try. I got kind of a tingly feeling as I flipped through. Anticipation, excitement. I marked a couple of other recipes I want to try and some I want to revisit, and I’m thinking maybe I’ll work my way through the rest of this book over the next few weeks. I’ll make copies of the recipes I want to keep, then share the book with someone else. Baking, creativity, care packages, decluttering. Fun!
The Ah-Hahs: I’ve noticed recently that baking/cooking is a theme in my life. Many of the TV shows I watch are either competitions or lessons. I love novels that include recipes. Even when I go to the movies, I like scenes about preparing and sharing meals. When I watch period movies or documentaries or take tours of historic homes, the rooms I most want to study are the kitchen and dining room. I don’t think I need to unpack this much further. Ever since I was little, baking has made me happy.
Baking + creativity + care packages + decluttering = FUN!
Backstory: This nudge came from some brainstorming I did as I thought about what to include on The List. I devoted some time to recall “Things I loved doing when I was a kid.” I loved baking! I loved being creative in the kitchen! In elementary school, my best pal (Hi, Krista!) and I did a lot of experimenting and even had our own sort of “signature” chocolate chip cookie recipe.
So this is my nudge to get back to doing things that feed my soul. The “uncomfortable” part? Well, I don’t really like eating most baked goods. (I know, crazy.) I’ll give them a taste, then I’ll give the rest away in care packages. Feels like a win-win!
As always, you can do this week’s nudge with me or pick something that speaks to you. What did you love doing when you were eight years old? Here’s your excuse to do it again.
Backstory: I’m always looking to expand my horizons, learn something new, challenge myself. This nudge is designed to encourage me to set time aside to actually do it.
Will I discover a new hobby or a company I’d like to work for? Feed a curiosity? Be inspired by someone I admire? All possible.
The uncomfortable part is the commenting. But like with other activities, I’m sure I’ll get more out of the experience if I actually engage.
What Happened: Well….
1) An author’s blog. I’d signed up for this person’s newsletter a while back, but have never received anything beyond the welcome message. This week I explored her website in search of the promised blog (no luck) and checked out her Instagram, but it appears to be mostly personal/family photos. Bust.
2) A specialty soap company. Was hoping for some interesting info, but it was mostly notices about new products and sales promotions. Nonetheless, I am intrigued by their lovely offerings, and I got some ideas for gifts for upcoming holidays and birthdays–including a possible splurge for my own birthday. Pretty much another bust.
3) A prosecco club. I love bubbly wines and am currently on a quest to learn more about how champagne and prosecco are made and how I might pair them with food. Did a quick search to find related blogs and found one that looked promising. A post on travel packages mentioned a hotel that offers a bath in a tub filled with prosecco(!)…starting at 9,000 euros. (Not in this lifetime!) Other posts featured cocktail recipes, but I soon noticed some of the pictured ingredients were missing and instructions were inaccurate. (Meanwhile, it made me thirsty to try some new things, like pairing prosecco with fish ‘n’ chips–yum!) I gave up, however, when I noticed that the last post was over two years old and there was no place to add new comments. Semi-bust.
Another completed nudge–cheers! (Bubbly image by vbosica from Pixabay)
The Ah-Hahs: This nudge was disappointing. I’d hoped to find something that tickled and intrigued me and inspired me to learn more. Didn’t quite come together. Still, I’m glad I tried. And I haven’t given up. There’s a worldwide web of information out there, and I will explore some more another day.
I am curious: Did you find anything that intrigued or inspired you? Did you comment, and did you hear back from the host? Please share.
Backstory: I’m always looking to expand my horizons, learn something new, challenge myself. This nudge is designed to encourage me to set time aside to actually do it.
Will I discover a new hobby or a company I’d like to work for? Feed a curiosity? Be inspired by someone I admire? All possible.
The uncomfortable part is the commenting. But like with other activities, I’m sure I’ll get more out of the experience if I actually engage.
Backstory: “Hate”? Really? Such a strong term. I can think of things I dislike doing, but this seems a bit much.
I looked back at my notes from when I was putting together my list and confirmed this nudge was designed to push me way out of my comfort zone. In part, it’s designed to get me to do something that has been on my to do list forever, and for whatever reason has been put off. Like catching up on the mending (ugh) or weeding the backyard (which looks like a jungle after all the great rain we had earlier this month). Or–and this is a biggie–have new headshots taken. These days, I do not like having my photo taken. At all. Because I am pretty much not happy with how I look. At all.
Maybe there’s something in that last statement I can work with.
How will you nudge yourself this week?
Backstory: “Keep a gratitude journal” is on like every list of things to do when you’re feeling down. Most of the time I’ve seen instructions to note three things every day, so I decided to up the challenge to 10. I can find that many things to be grateful for, right?
Since this is for seven days I’m starting now:
What can you celebrate today?
What Happened: I tried this different ways, sometimes starting my day with my list, sometimes wrapping up the day in reflection. A couple of days I couldn’t come up with all 10 at once, so I added as things came to me. Did that yesterday, then realized this morning I had forgotten to finish, so I had to come up with a few extras. I’m pleased to report, it wasn’t hard.
Early in the week I noted things close to home (my favorite green pen, where I get to live). On Thursday I noted the blessings of having courage, humor, empathy, and creativity. Croissants, a sunny day, and just being able to get out of bed (not everyone is lucky) all made my lists.
The Ah-Hahs: As I reviewed my lists this morning, what struck me is the abundance of extraordinary relationships. Both individuals and groups of friends are included. These are the people who support, challenge, encourage, uplift, and pray with and for me. They share sorrows (theirs and mine) and make me laugh just when I need it most.
I suppose I take this for granted sometimes, and this nudge has me rethinking how I will spend my time and energy moving forward. Because upon taking this survey, I am reminded that I am a truly fortunate woman, a wealthy woman in terms of friends. And I am so grateful.
Dear Nudgers,
I hope this finds you and your loved ones safe and healthy. I am feeling extra grateful this morning as my husband, one of the “essential” people, is finally home with me for a few days of what I’m calling “shelter-in-peace” and getting much-needed rest.
While not a lot has changed for us (he still went to work, I still work from home), I have had more free time to worry. Up till yesterday, my primary coping tool was online Solitaire. Not the worst choice, but not great. Then I shifted to deep-cleaning the house and tackling projects that have been on the to do list for far too long.
Today I’m getting creative. It dawned on me that some of the nudges we’ve done together can be done at home, can feed my soul, and can distract me from panic-inducing news updates and social media posts. I might re-do them, or I might pull a few new ones from the bowl and double-up in the coming weeks.
If you are also in need of creative distractions, here are some past nudges for inspiration:
Learn how to sign a fun phrase in American Sign Language (or learn a phrase in French, Japanese, Farsi…)
Learn something new about my city’s history
Make a list of cities I want to visit, pick one to explore
Learn something from a YouTube video
Memorize a poem (or song, inspiring speech, uplifting passage from the Bible)
Thank a writer, artist, or musician (or nurse, police officer, grocery store clerk, delivery person, and every other essential person who is serving on the front lines of this crisis)
And finally, Open DNS wine, drink from Waterford glass. “DNS” stands for “Do Not Share” and refers to the good/expensive stuff we’ve been saving for the “right” special occasion. What are we waiting for?
À votre santé. (To your good health.)
xo Kathleen