The Wellness Project

In early January, I stumbled across a blog post on Mind Body Green about a 12 month challenge for 2015. Detoxing, more water, budget Farmer's market trips, etc. After the failure of 2014, I felt like this was a great list to go from, and shared said blog on my twitter. The author, Phoebe Lapine, DM'd me about an opportunity to join a guinea pig group for a project she's working on...and my dedication to self wellness and awareness kicked off.

It was January 2nd, and I already had plans for the entire weekend that mostly included drinking. So I decided to jump ahead to the next month and rework completely cutting out 3 amazing vices at a later date. That meant I got to start with #MakeupFreeMonday. 

January 5th

I have always been very self-conscience of my skin. Since the 4th-ish grade, I've had acne/zits, a form of rosacea, oily/dry skin, etc. Even now, still being fairly active, I deal with larger than normal pores and all the things I just listed. I wear a thicker foundation that evens me out just about 7 days a week. But if I want to really get to know myself, shouldn't I stop hiding behind my Clarins?

January 12th - giant zit in middle of forehead

In short, yes. To get some courage, I used the Clarins skin brightener (a very light moisturizer for added glow) and a light pink lip gloss. To add some more fun and due in major part to my eye issues, I wore my broken glasses. 

January 19th

What I learned: I need more sleep. And I need to get a better handle on my skin. I know there are days where I need to throw my mask on (meetings with clients and C-suite), and days where a little brightener and gloss, maybe a little mascara, are all I need. But I am pretty without the layers and I  feel more confident knowing I can still do the job without the cosmetics. 

January 26th

To continue growing, I decided on a slightly more drastic measure to end my month. I want 2015 to be a big year all around, and these are the first steps I'm taking. There's a lot more to be had (and blogging more regularly with a good computer is one of them!) and I look forward to sharing my trials and tribulations with the interweb universe. Feel free to comment and let me know if you've participated in make-up free Monday. Also, check out Phoebe on her website - http://feedmephoebe.com/

To Starting Over in 2015

On roadtrip in OR, Aug 2014, photo taken by Terri Shadle

I let myself go. Physically, mentally, emotionally, financially. For various reasons with multiple explanations and excuses, I was unfair to myself and to people around me. Even now, 13 days in to the new year, I haven't done justice to all the resolutions I spouted off to the hubs and friends...but that's alright. And do you know why that's alright?

Tomorrow is always a new day to make a fresh start.

So here is what I'm going to do.

1. Physically. When I say I let myself go, I mean I've gained 15lbs I really don't want. I was doing a great boot camp for a few weeks right during the holidays. It sort of helped, but I let bad food and really enjoying alcoholic beverages derail me. So I plan to:

• Go beyond running and soccer: get back into the gym (at work) for weights and add back my early morning video routines (Brazilian bum bum here I come!)
• Get more sleep! The only way I'm waking up is if I can actually fall asleep
• Cut the crap: eating out is a big deal for me. Less sugar, sodium and processed foods, and more getting creative with my lunches

2. Mentally.  I burned myself out with work. I am not finding joy like I used to and it's making me complacent and less creative. I don't want to be bored with what I'm doing. I want to be a productive member of the team...not dead weight. I will:

• Re-evaluate what I do. I keep thinking I'd do better as a PM, but I don't know what that entails. Actually research it.
• Take courses. When I get depressed, I read crappy romance novels. I should put time into something that will challenge me, not piss me off.
• Write more. This blog is an outlet and I thoroughly enjoy writing. I should create more and get myself back on track

3. Emotionally. This is a bit more private, but the bottom line is I got depressed and made a lot of excuses.

• Stop making excuses. For myself. For others. Take accountability for what I'm doing and don't let it rule my life.
• Listen to my gut. Once I get all the smart foods in it, she should lead me back on track.

4. Financially. Student loans, credit card debt, living beyond my means. I never thought I would have to deal with all 3 at once because I was smug and thought I was smarter than that. Sadly, my emotional being and excuses took over my life last year, and now I need to regroup.

• Get control of what I'm spending. Stop eating out. Stop buying things I don't need. Stop pretending I have the money to play when I don't. Sounds easy, but I can be weak. No excuses!
• Get back on track with the hubs. We've both been bad and non-communicative here and we both need to set boundaries and regroup.

2015 is my year to refresh. To purge the toxins in my life and take control of things I've let get out of hand. I want to write and share more, clean up my act and celebrate the journey along the way. There are so many things in life I'm grateful for which is why I've come to the conclusion I need to to do better. And I plan to do that...first thing tomorrow.

On Living Life

On a beach in Hawaii, 2009

 My new husband is extremely work oriented. Forging a path in his career to put him on the right course to success is his number one priority. And where I support and respect his dedication to finding a job that is fulfilling and meets his ambitious needs, I sometimes have a hard time understanding it. Don't get me wrong, I want to live "The American Dream" (or what's left of it) as much as the next gal. But I have this desire to expand my horizons and inner happiness another way...by living as much as possible.

With my aunt passing away suddenly, finishing my master's degree, and getting married all happening within 3 months of each other, I've had a hard time digesting what it is that makes me happy. What is it that makes life worth living each day? I'm sure there is a mathematical way to figure this out. But since I am pretty bad at math, I've deduced three possibilities simply based on what I've experienced and learned so far.

1. Do something you love full time. This is the "find a job you enjoy" philosophy. It's not easy, I can tell you. Finding a job you love that pays well isn't always a possibility. Finding a job that isn't shite usually gets a "whoo hoo" in our current economy. But if you can find this position. This magical occupation that actually makes it easy to wake up at 6am and head to work...hold on to it with 2 hands and don't let go!!!

If you can't, I give you:
2. Hobbies! Get some! Join a club. Join a gym. Knit. Play a sport. Go to quiz nights at local pubs. Start an evening out club with friends. Start a game night. Blog. Play music. Listen to music. Travel (which is also number 3). Check out classes at your community center. Zumba. Join a parenting group. Anything to get your mind off the daily grind and the job you may not love. I personally have a few I love doing and I've met amazing people from them. There is something to be said in enjoying the fact that you can do fun things - even little things...

And 3 to living a full life...
TRAVEL! It doesn't need to be far. It doesn't have to be expensive. But getting out of your town/city and checking out what other places have to offer is eye opening and refreshing. It can recharge you. We spend so much time attached to our computers, our jobs, this compact life we can't stuff anything else in...that we just don't. Make a deal with yourself to get the hell out of your cage! Take a mini-break to the ocean...or that cute little B&B 5 towns over. Travel abroad for a few days/weeks/months if you can do it, and immerse yourself in the culture.

Life is truly amazing. Ferris Bueller said it best: "Life moves pretty fast. If you don't stop to look around once in a while, you could miss it."  A job is time consuming - so find something you enjoy (or can at least tolerate). Hobbies let us do and be who we are - it adds a little something to your week beyond "work, eat sleep". Find something you find fun and do it! And travel beyond your town - it lets you see things you don't normally see and meet people you normally wouldn't have met. Dream big here! You can learn a lot by hoping on a train/plane/or in a car...

Of course, these are just my opinions and I know there's a bigger, deeper philosophical conversation at work here, as well. But for me and my personal reflection to what makes my life fulfilling...these are the things I cherish most (with the exception of family...but that's another story). Please feel free to let me know what you would add to the list!