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Findings
It's fair to say I LOVE a challenge. It's also fair to say I can get bored relatively easily so 30 days of mix and match challenges has suited me rather well. Every day is a new mini-challenge and somehow, setting myself a goal makes me more likely to achieve change, even in the smallest way - maybe it's the list ticker in me.
The last 30 or so days (took a bit longer as I missed a few days), my challenge list has simply reminded me to do some things I often forget and forced me to rethink some bad habits (being stuck to my phone, doing 5 things at once). When it came to writing down my 3 favourite challenges, I was even surprised myself by which ones I chose. They were:
1. Listen to 10 minutes of music whilst doing nothing else
Haven't done this for ages....and how simple and uplifting it is! Like some mooning teenager back in the day, I chucked on the headphones, lay back on my bed and lost myself in the music. Beeeyoootiful! For once, actually hearing the music and the lyrics and properly listening instead of, yep....doing a million other things at the same time. So easy. SO much better than 10 minutes of trash TV or sadly increasingly depressing world news. Go on, do it. it's 10 tiny little minutes and you'll feel great for it.
2. No TV for the day
I don't even watch THAT much TV but invariably abc for kids and the news will always find their way somewhere into our family's daily routine. Neither of which I particularly mind or have a problem with mind you so I was not expecting any aha moments with this challenge. However...........I did notice two major bonuses from not having the TV on for the whole day. The first was that the kids, believing the TV to be irreparably broken, eventually gave up whinging and just found other things to occupy themselves. They had fun together with a new game and I feel better in myself that they are using their imagination rather than being zombiefied by Peppa Pig. Secondly, Jones and I spent the evening chatting amiably in front of the fire which was lovely.....nothing special but just some nice time to unwind from the day, listen to one another and connect after our various stresses. The evening also seemed to stretch far longer than usual and I went to bed feeling very wound-down and at peace. Now, none of these insights are particularly surprising or insightful, I realise that. Most of us know that too much TV may addle one's mind but I find we fall into the routine of it being on regardless. The sense of feel-good I received from this simple exercise reminded me to do it far more often. No TV = good ZEN (DISCLAIMER: there will always be a place for Peppa Pig in my life for at least a few years yet!)
3. Random act of kindness
I was inspired to include 3 random acts of kindness in the 30 day challenge having read a couple of different articles on the power these small acts can have on one's sense of wellbeing and happiness. Giving IS more powerful than receiving but again, sometimes in our crazy, busy lives we find ourselves time-poor and kindness-poor, with little left to give beyond our own daily grind. I enjoyed being reminded to do a small favour or act of kindness for someone and it really did make me feel happy to give someone else a little joy. In no particular order my RAKs were:
It's fair to say I LOVE a challenge. It's also fair to say I can get bored relatively easily so 30 days of mix and match challenges has suited me rather well. Every day is a new mini-challenge and somehow, setting myself a goal makes me more likely to achieve change, even in the smallest way - maybe it's the list ticker in me.
The last 30 or so days (took a bit longer as I missed a few days), my challenge list has simply reminded me to do some things I often forget and forced me to rethink some bad habits (being stuck to my phone, doing 5 things at once). When it came to writing down my 3 favourite challenges, I was even surprised myself by which ones I chose. They were:
1. Listen to 10 minutes of music whilst doing nothing else
Haven't done this for ages....and how simple and uplifting it is! Like some mooning teenager back in the day, I chucked on the headphones, lay back on my bed and lost myself in the music. Beeeyoootiful! For once, actually hearing the music and the lyrics and properly listening instead of, yep....doing a million other things at the same time. So easy. SO much better than 10 minutes of trash TV or sadly increasingly depressing world news. Go on, do it. it's 10 tiny little minutes and you'll feel great for it.
2. No TV for the day
I don't even watch THAT much TV but invariably abc for kids and the news will always find their way somewhere into our family's daily routine. Neither of which I particularly mind or have a problem with mind you so I was not expecting any aha moments with this challenge. However...........I did notice two major bonuses from not having the TV on for the whole day. The first was that the kids, believing the TV to be irreparably broken, eventually gave up whinging and just found other things to occupy themselves. They had fun together with a new game and I feel better in myself that they are using their imagination rather than being zombiefied by Peppa Pig. Secondly, Jones and I spent the evening chatting amiably in front of the fire which was lovely.....nothing special but just some nice time to unwind from the day, listen to one another and connect after our various stresses. The evening also seemed to stretch far longer than usual and I went to bed feeling very wound-down and at peace. Now, none of these insights are particularly surprising or insightful, I realise that. Most of us know that too much TV may addle one's mind but I find we fall into the routine of it being on regardless. The sense of feel-good I received from this simple exercise reminded me to do it far more often. No TV = good ZEN (DISCLAIMER: there will always be a place for Peppa Pig in my life for at least a few years yet!)
3. Random act of kindness
I was inspired to include 3 random acts of kindness in the 30 day challenge having read a couple of different articles on the power these small acts can have on one's sense of wellbeing and happiness. Giving IS more powerful than receiving but again, sometimes in our crazy, busy lives we find ourselves time-poor and kindness-poor, with little left to give beyond our own daily grind. I enjoyed being reminded to do a small favour or act of kindness for someone and it really did make me feel happy to give someone else a little joy. In no particular order my RAKs were:
- a chocolate cake delivery to the mum of a newborn and a sick toddler confined to home
- stopping for 5 minutes to talk to an old lady who I see often but usually only have a few moments for
- babysitting for a friend at short notice
ZEN-giving properties
If you tailor make the 30 day challenge to really stretch you in your areas of "weakness" or, perhaps let's call them, potential development, I reckon this could have profound impact on your ZEN levels and maybe even your life. If there are any changes you'd like to make in your life, this 30 day approach allows you to dabble with small, temporary changes and see how, by creating a bit of momentum with small goals, greater achievements may follow. I myself am now going to write myself another 30 day list to focus on cutting out mindless technology/ TV, more reading of old-school books and lots of listening to music. I'm calling it an 8 out of 10! |
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Ok peeps, this one's for you. YES YOU!
If I've learnt anything in these last few months it's that having a personal challenge, however great or small: a goal, something to work on or strive for, feels good. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, trying something new, learning a bit about yourself and ultimately feeling positive effects...in the head, the heart or the body = very good ZEN.
So I've put together a 30 day calendar of mini challenges for you to try. These are based on my experience, my reading and watching - all suggestions which in some way have been proven to have a positive impact on us.
Go on, print it, stick it on the fridge and give it a go......what have you got to lose?
If I've learnt anything in these last few months it's that having a personal challenge, however great or small: a goal, something to work on or strive for, feels good. Pushing yourself out of your comfort zone, trying something new, learning a bit about yourself and ultimately feeling positive effects...in the head, the heart or the body = very good ZEN.
So I've put together a 30 day calendar of mini challenges for you to try. These are based on my experience, my reading and watching - all suggestions which in some way have been proven to have a positive impact on us.
Go on, print it, stick it on the fridge and give it a go......what have you got to lose?