Did you get something special for Christmas this year?
Some fancy soap? A special bottle of wine? Cozy socks that you don’t want to wear because they’ll get dirty? An expensive perfume you feel like you can’t wear on a daily basis?
Use it. Daily. For no reason at all. Enjoy it. Don’t wait.
It’s that weird time of year where Halloween is behind us and everyone is in disagreement on whether to focus on Thanksgiving or Christmas. This year, it seems like Christmas is winning. Holiday jingles have already started playing over store speakers and the displays are largely red and green.
With the change in season, I wanted to update my latest obsessions. I love looking back at these posts and being reminded of past joys and interests, and I hope you enjoy them too and maybe find your own inspiration!
I’m a bit of a nerd.
I always have to be learning something new, whether that’s taking an actual class, listening to a new podcast, enjoying TED Talks, or reading a good book. Otherwise, I feel stagnant.
So, when MasterClass came to my attention a few years ago, I immediately wanted to try it. Especially, as they are able to get such impressive speakers that are at the top of their various fields. However, I always found the price tag to be a bit of a deterrent (about $120 for an annual membership). With so much free content out there, I had a hard time committing to a subscription.
But when I received a gift membership to MasterClass for Christmas, I dove in!
Yes, it’s August 18th.
Yes, it’s about 100 degrees outside.
Yes, I brought out my fall candles and decorations already.
If my house smells like fall and looks like fall, I can pretend it is fall. At least, until I open the door to go outside.
I don’t know if it’s been the extremely hot summer or what, but I find myself looking forward to fall more than in past years. This morning I went for walk very early and with the wind, it actually felt a little cooler. Not the crisp air of fall, but it had that sort of special feel to it. It got me thinking about all of the fall activities I want to enjoy this year, so I decided it’s time for another fall bucket list!
Now, that the jetlag has finally cleared, I’m ready to tackle this post.
I had the most incredible opportunity to travel to France this summer with time in both Lyon and Marseilles. I loved it all- the food, the people, the buildings, the fields, fresh lavender everywhere. All of it. As I had a lot of travel time to think and no phone service (more on that below), I realized this trip, like all good trips, provided me with new perspectives on life. I wanted to write this post, mostly for myself, so I don’t forget as I settle back into the daily grind, but hopefully it gets you thinking too!
I was hesitant to write this post.
I don’t want to say that I was traumatized as that’s probably a bit dramatic, but having to complete SMART goals each year for a previous job did… leave a bad taste in my mouth. Can anyone else relate??
Considering that the SMART framework is an effective way to set achievable goals, it’s obviously very disappointing to feel this way about the process. So, when I heard about SMARTER goals while listening to the audio version of Your Best Year Ever by Michael Hyatt, I wanted to give the whole process another chance.
I don’t know if it’s decompressing from the busy spring or what, but the last month or so, I’ve been completely unmotivated. I know what I should do and even what I want to do, but I can’t seem to make myself take the steps. Is anyone else feeling this way- burnt out despite being less busy?
So, I’ve been trying to take it easy on myself and do more fun and new things until the feeling passes. That’s where this list of my latest obsessions comes in!
I’m currently listening to the audio version of The Fun Habit: How the Pursuit of Joy and Wonder Can Change Your Life by Mike Rucker, PhD, and am shocked by some of the research he shares.
He says we are supposed to be having AT LEAST two hours of fun each day. And to be clear, passively scrolling through Instagram does not count as ‘fun’.
I don’t know about you, but I don’t think I’m hitting this benchmark most days. If you aren’t either and maybe don’t even know where to start, Mike Rucker recommends creating a fun list that you can go to when you need inspiration.
I’m currently listening to the audiobook version of The Magic of Thinking Big by David J. Schwartz, PhD., and I am loving it!
Though it was first written in 1959, it largely reads like it was written today with a few exceptions. I love that unlike some other self-help titles, the takeaways are very clear and the chapters include summaries at the end. It makes it really easy to try to apply the guidance to your own life.
There is one idea that has really stood out to me and I hope you can find it helpful too!
I’m finally ready to talk about it.
The 15k race that I look forward to all year long- and spent months training for- didn’t go the way I wanted. No PR. No fancy top 10% finisher hat. Just a headache and a participation medal.
While it’s easy to get stuck in the disappointment (and I was for a few days), I’ve come to terms with it all. If you’re a runner who misses a set goal, maybe my thought process will help you!