Category Archives: Nudge

Nudging: Claim my “bread”

Backstory: The idea for this nudge came from the book The Sermon on the Mount by Emmet Fox. It basically comes down to embracing the fact that God (Mother Earth, the Universe–whatever term you choose) always provides. “Bread” in this instance may be actual bread, though it really means everything we require for a healthy, happy, free, and harmonious life.

Then it’s a little more. It’s a call to stop being so stubbornly self-sufficient. And that’s what intrigued me, so I thought I’d explore it. Do I need to work on stopping all the doing in my life? (Yes.) Do I need to allow some good to come to me for a change? (Yes.)

Last year, a close friend was rushed to the emergency room and received a very scary diagnosis. I was terrified, and I desperately wanted to do something to help her and her family. She, naturally, resisted at first. We’re grownups, we’re proud people, we can take care of ourselves–right? I told her I understood, for I saw myself in her. I asked her to allow me to step up, and she finally accepted. It felt really really good to be there for her, even in small ways. She has since recovered, and I am reminded that my friends would like the opportunity to give to me on occasion too. Sometimes we can give each other the gift of giving to each other. I know that last sentence is a bit of a tangle, but when I break it down, it makes sense to me.

I’m not sure where this nudge will take me, and I’m eager to try it out.

Nudging: Ignore the laundry

Backstory: Well, crap. I knew this was coming — heck, I created these nudges! — and have been dreading the day I would pull it from the bowl. That day has come.

This is included because over the past two years I’ve noticed I’ve been been saying more frequently “Laundry is my life.” Sorting, washing, drying, line-drying, ironing, folding, putting away…. It’s meant to be a joke, but it’s not so funny any more.

There was a small part of me that thought just now  “I have until noon — I can do just a few things (aka cheat) to get ahead of this.” But that defeats the purpose of the nudge, so here I go, starting now, I commit to ignoring the laundry for one week.

To keep myself honest, here’s a photo of the basket of clean laundry sitting next to my bed.

laundry before

If all goes well (haha), it will be right here seven days from now. Impossible to know if I’m doing myself a favor or creating a massive headache for myself for next Sunday.

 

Nudging: Have lunch outside

Backstory: I have such good intentions, but then so often I’m “too busy”. This nudge is about shaking up the routine.

After I pulled this nudge this morning, I thought about my options. The obvious choice for me is to head to the backyard (I work from home even when we aren’t sheltering-in-place). Back in my corporate days, I would find a place to sit in a courtyard, near a fountain, perhaps. In a perfect world, of course, I’d find a pretty spot in a park or on the beach.

Speaking of the sheltering-in-place, my husband and I got creative when we wanted to get out. A few times we picked up sandwiches to go, found a spot with a view, and had a “picnic” in the car. This would fulfill this nudge too.

If none of the above work, at the very least, I can open a window.

Hope you can get out this week.

Nudging: Do something patriotic–update

Backstory: I laughed out loud just now as I drew this, because here in the United States, it’s Memorial Day Weekend. The last Monday in May is when we remember the men and women who have given their lives in military service to our country. Our flag has been flying outside our home since 7 am, and will continue to fly through tomorrow, so, technically I could call this nudge “Done!”

Not so fast. The whole point of 52Nudges is to go beyond the normal and comfortable and do something more. I just looked up the definition of patriotic: expressing devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country. I’ll have to think on this a bit.

What Happened: I woke up this morning (Monday–Memorial Day) knowing exactly what I wanted to do to complete this nudge.

In the early days of COVID sheltering-in-place, I learned about Notes for Support. Through this nonprofit, we can send encouraging messages to patients battling the virus and to the healthcare workers who are on the front lines. The nonprofit organization was created by a high school junior named Gina who knows first-hand about the power of receiving a physical note. (Read her story here.)

Note for Support

I’ve been sending notes here and there. It feels like a perfect way to complete this nudge, to show my support for Americans fighting our common enemy, if you will. So this week I am committing to sending two notes each day — one to a patient, one to a healthcare worker. I’m sharing this information today in case you’d like to join me in this.

To members of our military and their families, to healthcare workers and their families: Thank you for your service!

Nudging: Do something patriotic

Backstory: I laughed out loud just now as I drew this, because here in the United States, it’s Memorial Day Weekend. The last Monday in May is when we remember the men and women who have given their lives in military service to our country. Our flag has been flying outside our home since 7 am, and will continue to fly through tomorrow, so, technically I could call this nudge “Done!”

Not so fast. The whole point of 52Nudges is to go beyond the normal and comfortable and do something more. I just looked up the definition of patriotic: expressing devotion to and vigorous support for one’s country. I’ll have to think on this a bit.

Nudging: Do something crafty

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?

Nudging: Explore 3 new-to-me blogs + comment

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.

 

Nudging: Let something go

Backstory: A thing? A relationship that has run its course? A limiting belief?

This is a deep nudge. It involves my deciding to fully release something*. Completely. No negotiating. No hanging on.

And trusting. For I believe that when I create space in my life by removing something that isn’t serving me, I open myself up to something better.

*You might add “over to God/Spirit/the Universe” here, if that is part of your faith practice.

Nudging: Keep a gratitude journal for 7 days x10

FIRST PASS: Back when I started this, I included a rule that allows me to “pass” four times during the 52-week session. This is the first time I’ve invoked it. The nudge I originally drew: Sit (and sweat) in a sauna. Yeah. So not going to happen. Even if the gym wasn’t closed till April 7, I can’t imagine wanting to sit in a warm damp room with a swirl of germs going around. So…moving on.

Meanwhile, I hope you and your loved ones are healthy and safe. Stay calm and wash your hands! xoxo

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?

With the virus and the shelter-in-place order here, this seems like the perfect time to count my blessings. Since this is for seven days, I’m starting now:

  1. our convertible
  2. Thor (my darling husband)
  3. money in the bank
  4. letters from friends
  5. scarves
  6. living near the beach/Pacific Ocean
  7. ’80s tunes
  8. Louie (my darling dog)
  9. avocados
  10. tator tots

What can you celebrate today?