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Do you remember Bridget Jones’s Diary?
“Alcohol Units 6, Cigarettes 45, Husbands 0.”
This current attempt was inspired by the movie. But instead of dropping the alcohol, smokes and poundage, I’m on a path to inspire myself.
How?
By living a healthier, simpler, more meaningful life. Not as easy to calculate this one. But I’m going to try.
In addition to cutting sugar from my diet and eating more like my 5 year old rabbit, I’m also going to journal, do tai chi and meditate. Did I mention I’m going to try to do this daily?
As I write this I can feel myself hyperventilate. It’s not a small task. But a must if I’m going to heal myself and change my life.
I know we’re already 7 months into 2011, but everyone deserves a second chance. And no one needs it more than I. So much regret I have for nights I spent “drinking like a fish” as my cousin once described it. And scarfing down enough Ben & Jerry’s and slurpees to keep a classroom of kids hyper and jittery for a whole school year.
So I’m going to do it.
Anyone else want to join me?
It’s day #1 for me, but I’ve already cheated and started the program. So far, I’m realizing that before bed tai chi and evening meditation are both helping me to sleep. It’s getting myself to do it that’s hard.
So far I’ve already found ways to cheat.
Here’s your CliffsNotes cheat sheet. You know how they say, “hiking is just walking?” Well meditating is just sitting. And if sitting is too boring, lying in bed and visualizing a happy ending story to your life with your husband counts too. Be creative and the process could be a whole lot more fun.
*If you want to be part of the support group to meditate and write more, comment below. Lurkers and meditation wannabes welcome.
Kemari
July 13, 2011 at 8:02 pmI love this post, and I love the Cliffnotes cheat sheet! I was on the couch the other day thinking about meditating and then found myself actually meditating. I was hesitant to call it that though, since I was on the couch…felt like the lazy man’s meditation. But I think you’re right, the intention should count just as much as the action.
I went to the health food store and bought some soda that uses Stevia instead of sugar or high fructose corn syrup, so I can wean myself off sodas completely.
I’ve also been writing every day, even if it’s just a sentence. I want to push myself to do more though. And I think writing and meditating should go hand in hand, at least for me. I find myself greatly distracted when I do try to write.
I am hoping to maybe tie both (or all three) goals to each other: Eat a healthy meal, sit down after and meditate, and then write for as long as I can without stopping.
Did I say already how much I love this post?
Brandi
July 13, 2011 at 8:07 pmHey Kemari!
This is going to sound like a love fest of an email because I have a lot of lovely things to say. I love your email address “literary seamstress” first of all. How creative is that?! And your comment is so inspiring! You’re inspiring me!! You must have been ready to change and had the courage to follow through. It’s really motivating me too. Thanks so much for sharing your journey! I hope you’ll continue along with me. Good luck!
Kemari
July 13, 2011 at 9:11 pmAww shucks. Thank you (on all accounts). 🙂
I’ve been lurking on your site for a while now, but I always find whatever you have to say inspiring. One of my favorite posts was about failure being a good thing. It’s so difficult to find positive in the negative these days, and that post was great. There are tons more that I loved too. I love how open you are when you write, that you express your mistakes and your fears and your goals and your achievements without pretense or worry. That is the most inspiring thing about your site: how open you are, that you are sharing your journey openly.
YOU are inspiring me in that way. So thank you. 🙂
Brandi
July 13, 2011 at 9:18 pmThat means a lot to read that! I think anyone who writes a blog hopes that it will have an impact on someone in a small way (whether it’s helping them decorate their home or inspiring them to make positive changes in their life). I always write as openly and honestly as I can because I have a strong passion to help others realize their own inspiration.
When I started out as a writer, I didn’t have a lot of supportive people to encourage me to follow my dreams (though the ones I had were great. I have to thank writer friend Jordan for her encouraging words and a few other writers who really welcomed me to the field of writing at the start. And my husband of course!)
Anyway, that was the reason why I started blogging. I wanted someone to tell me the things that I write about here. I’m so grateful for your comments Kemari. It means that what I have worked hard to do has been working. Thank you so much!
Sherrie Koretke
July 14, 2011 at 4:52 pmI love how you referenced one of my favorite movies in your post. You’ve inspired me to look at how I’ve been over complicating certain tasks in my life. I see life a little bit different today. Thanks!
Brandi
July 14, 2011 at 5:01 pmThanks Sherrie! I love that movie too. I wrote about it in another post. I’m interested in knowing what you’re simplifying. Hope you can join us on the challenge too!
Steve Rice
July 14, 2011 at 6:19 pmThanks so much for sharing this first stage of your journey. I think everyone can relate to wanting to make major changes in life and the question then becomes: “how?”
I like how you laid out your big goals and then talked about the little steps you’re taking to get there. I think that is a major part of the key to being successful. It is about taking the small steps consistently, isn’t it?
Thanks so much for sharing so authentically.
Brandi
July 14, 2011 at 7:39 pmThanks Steve! It’s just the beginning. Hope you continue to follow the journey with your own.
Lisa
July 15, 2011 at 6:04 pmOoh, this is awesome! I relate. I’ve always been healthy, but not so good at managing my stress. I’ve been wanting to add daily meditation and yoga to my life–for years. I always hold myself back and do it more sporadically. It helps to break it down in small bits and pieces. I had to hire a hypnotherapist to get me to break some bad habits–heehee…like procrastinating too much on Facebook! Thanks for your wonderful spirit and inspiration!
Brandi
July 15, 2011 at 7:00 pmCool Lisa! Did hypnotherapy work?
I decided that healthy living was going to be mandatory if I wanted to have a happy life so I’m really trying to take it seriously this time. Crossing my fingers! It definitely helps to know others are on the same journey too. Hey you’re on FB too huh? I might have to find you. Don’t know if you already found me, but if not, you can find me here.
Lisa
July 15, 2011 at 7:11 pmBrandi, we’ll see if it works. It has in the past. I’m sure I’ll blog about it at some point–heehee!
I’m Facebook too: https://www.facebook.com/PunkRockPsychic
I’ll go find you too! Nice to e-meet you!
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