Week 3 came and went and brought with it some absolute slacking. I did a new thing only four out of the seven days of the week. I debated whether I should even write this post because this past week’s new things were fun, but not groundbreaking and I skipped so many days, but “done is better than perfect” and I’m determined to complete the challenge even if I miss a few days.
I’m finding that many of my new things that I choose are playful and fun. This is making me realize how much play hadn’t been a part of my everyday life and how my intention after this challenge is to actively incorporate play into each day.
In the past I’ve allowed fear to keep me serious and contained. Doing this challenge and choosing to do fun and silly things has really opened me up to a new (and familiar) side of myself that I’d been holding back out of fear of what others would think of me. Being playful and connecting with that creative and child-like side of me is starting to feel better than staying “safe” from others’ opinions.
So this past week, two of my fun things were to take a “slinky break” and try and make the slinky toy that I keep on my desk (and never use) fall down the steps. I was very pleased when I got it to fall three steps!
Another fun thing was to use a $3 drug store coupon to buy something completely frivolous and fun (instead of practical as I usually do). I ended up buying a My Little Pony coloring book (What? It’s a really cute show and there’s a documentary about adults who like it too).
On more of the meditation front, in keeping with the mindfulness meditation class I’m taking, I decided to try a new practice while I rode the bus home from work. Usually, I read or browse on my phone during the trip home. One day I decided to make note of each street name the whole way home. It was amazing to see how many street names I didn’t know and also to see how easy it was to get distracted (I missed at least one street just spacing out). Overall it was a good practice in being mindful of my surroundings and holding focus.
So, that was the third week. I also tried to make a balloon animal from a kit I bought a while ago and that did not turn out well. I’ll be back next week with my reflections on the last week of the challenge. Thanks for reading!
If You Missed the Previous Week’s Reflections:
4 New Things I Tried and the Lessons I Learned in the First Week of the Try New Things Challenge
Week 2 of the Try New Things Challenge and 4 More Lessons
super cool mindfulness practice of keeping up with the street names!
and accessing this inner-child, creative and playful side we have is the beginning of many great things.
enjoying keeping up with your journey, Varonica.
Thanks Vishnu!! It’s been an interesting month.