Just a small gesture… of course I picked to send some to my Mom because she is the best lady around! She has been going through some medical things for a while now, so I thought today was no better day to just send some brightness her way. I hope it makes her smile. Some days it is nearly impossible to be thousands of miles from her and the rest of my family…
Ahhh. This was so relaxing. Random how such a small, simple thing can be so destressing. I need to do this more. It is no masterpiece but really not the point…
There is a great article on ColorIt.com about benefits of adult coloring and I believe it.
Here they are:
1. Your brain experiences relief by entering a meditative state
2. Stress and anxiety levels have the potential to be lowered
3. Negative thoughts are expelled as you take in positivity
4. Focusing on the present helps you achieve mindfulness
5. Unplugging from technology promotes creation over consumption
6. Coloring can be done by anyone, not just artists or creative types
7. It’s a hobby that can be taken with you wherever you go
So maybe grab some colors, buy a book or print some pages out, and destress. 👨🎨👩🎨🎨
Mia and I have been doing our 20 minute walks everyday and no alcohol goes on! 😎
So that is for the day. 😉 More to come tomorrow.
This was definitely something on my list but suddenly has been thrown into my life and is pretty exciting.
My roommate, Tracy, bought a diffuser,
A book about essential oils,
And oils.
Tonight when I got home from work Tracy had “Citrus Bliss” going. It has some great benefits.
I am excited to start exploring this and think it could be something I explore all year long!
I am looking forward to exploring it for mental and physical benefits.
Well, here is another longer period challenge!
Before I moved into my current house I walked everyday, at least twice a day. I did not have a backyard, so I had to take Mia out at least that much. I have gotten rather lazy since moving into a house with a backyard over a year ago… and it is time to change that.
Mia enjoys her morning time in the backyard, often runs the fence line with the neighbor dog, and basks in the sun (when it is out and not freezing). But I know it is time to make a change, get up and moving, and make sure to take significant walks everyday. To start that, I will be walking everyday for the next 30 days for at least 20 minutes.
Today we did FOUR miles in an hour and 20 minutes. It would have been much faster if Mia did not have to pee, poop, and smell things every 2 minutes…
In addition to this goal I just want to express that I am also doing a fundraiser called Run Ranger Run.
It is a great fundraiser to help raise money for veterans. You can help veterans out too by donating to my team! Just go to CrowdRise.com choose my team “GCE – Getting Closer Everyday” and then choose me, Megan Tutin! Any donations go directly to GallantFew, a charitable organization that has the mission “To facilitate a peaceful, successful transition from military service to a civilian life filled with hope and purpose.
Our team is dedicated to run/walk/bike 565 miles by the end of February (there are 10 of us!).
Thanks for any donations. Veterans and veteran families thank you!
On a side note, I ate meat Sunday… so I guess the vegetarian run is over. But I definitely feel like I felt healthier during that time so I plan on concentrating more on eating that way, just with meat every once in a while.
Today is day 7 of no alcohol, but technically only day 6 because I took Super Bowl Sunday as a cheat day. I feel more productive… I finished knitting a baby blanket for a baby shower I am going to this week, I am almost on to my second book on my list, and I think I will be finding it easier to get up and do my walks/runs!
So far this year is shaping up to be pretty great. Making this list and actually holding myself accountable to it feels good.
So, my ritiual on Friday nights is to finish working my double then sit down with friends, regulars, and coworkers to have some drinks. Tonight being the first Friday in a while I would not be doing this I wondered how I would spend my night. But coming home right away is kind of a relief and very relaxing to just come home.
So what am I doing with my night. First, today I am trying Kombucha. I know what some might say… it has alcohol content and I am not drinking alcohol this month, but the content is basically non-exsistent.
Now I am just going to relax, knit a little, maybe finish my first book on my list of ten, A Man Called Ove, and then head to be bed much earlier than I am used to.
Anyway, I bought Synergy Cosmic Cranberry made by GT’S. It is different. Very vinegary. People say you get used to the extreme taste of it, so I guess I will have to try more
What is kombucha? Read this Shape.com article for an explanation and a brief explanation of some of its benefits.
Here we go!
This is pretty self explanatory.
I am allowing myself two cheat days, this Sunday… because, yea, it’s Super Bowl Sunday 🏈😉. And February 21st. We have an event at work that night that is literally a beer tasting. Plus, I think with anything, giving yourself some leyway helps you actually achieve your goal better. Or I am just making up excuses to have two cheat days. Either way, who makes the rules around here? Me. So we are going with that.
Hoping to detox and save money!
Wow, what a gorgeous day today in Colorado! Monday is my “day off” meaning I do not have to go into the bar but I stay at home doing my marketing planning for the bar for the week.
So my roommate is out of town… Mia and I have the house to ourselves, well, plus the two kitties, Beans and Katniss. Anyway, I opened up the windows and did my work for the day… taking a break every once in a while to work on my SECOND scarf, because yes, I already finished number one.
But it was in the 60s today! It was refreshing to get fresh air even though I did not really have time to spend the afternoon outside.
Now the temperature is dropping, so probabaly time to shut the windows. But it was nice for the day and something I definitely recommend when you can get the right weather!
When I was making my list of 365 Things to do in 2017 I spent a lot of time online looking for events, special tasks, and the like. I came across this questionnaire and the title struck me, 50 Questions That Will Free Your Mind. So I added it to the list and today I take it on. Here goes:
1. How old would you be if you didn’t know how old you were?
22-23. For those that don’t know, I am 32.
2. Which is worse, failing or never trying?
Never trying.
3. If life is so short, why do we do so many things we don’t like and like so many things we don’t do?
I think for the most part it is to make other people happy.
4. When it’s all said and done, will you have said more than you’ve done?
I hope not!
5. What is the one thing you’d most like to change about the world?
How people treat other people that have differing views in politics, religion… the big stuff. Help facilitate a more understanding world.
6. If happiness was the national currency, what kind of work would make you rich?
Art!
7. Are you doing what you believe in, or are you settling for what you are doing?
I settle.
8. If the average human life span was 40 years, how would you live your life differently?
I would travel more and not worry so much about debt, savings accounts or be financially responsible.
9. To what degree have you actually controlled the course your life has taken?
I think I have had pretty good control over the course of my life. I have moved when I wanted to, but work wise I think I am too often a slave to money.
10. Are you more worried about doing things right, or doing the right things?
A healthy mix of both.
11. You’re having lunch with three people you respect and admire. They all start criticizing a close friend of yours, not knowing she is your friend. The criticism is distasteful and unjustified. What do you do?
Defend my friend.
12. If you could offer a newborn child only one piece of advice, what would it be?
So cliche, but “Life is short. Make decisions that lead to happiness.”
13. Would you break the law to save a loved one?
Absolutely.
14. Have you ever seen insanity where you later saw creativity?
I don’t think so.
15. What’s something you know you do differently than most people?
I think I hold my friends to a higher standard than most people. I have recently come to terms with the fact that not everyone is your friend or has your best interest at heart. I live my life in a way that honors those close to me but excludes those that are hurtful or negative. I used to think this was cynical, distrusting, or being a mean person, but now I see it as a way to be happier.
16. How come the things that make you happy don’t make everyone happy?
Everyone has a different idea of happiness and different things that make them happy. That’s no secret. So obviously, things that make me happy won’t necessarily make others happy.
17. What one thing have you not done that you really want to do? What’s holding you back?
Start a career in art. I just haven’t found the right fit.
18. Are you holding onto something you need to let go of?
Yes. It’s a big one and hard to release. I work on it internally but it hasn’t gone away yet.
19. If you had to move to a state or country besides the one you currently live in, where would you move and why?
This is impossible to answer! There are so many places. I guess number one would be England. I was born there but left when I was three, so I don’t remember it at all. Reasons are endless: the culture, the ability to travel easily to other European countries, history, etc.
20. Do you push the elevator button more than once? Do you really believe it makes the elevator faster?
No.
21. Would you rather be a worried genius or a joyful simpleton?
Hmmm. I think worried genius.
22. Why are you, “you”?
The way I was raised, the people I have come in contact with, but most importantly, events that have happened in my life.
23. Have you been the kind of friend you want as a friend?
Sometimes.
24. Which is worse, when a good friend moves away, or losing touch with a good friend who lives right near you?
Losing touch with a good friend who lives near me. I have moved a lot so have learned to stay in touch with long distance friends. Sometimes it is harder to keep in touch with those in town because I always think… well, I can call them next week to get together and then time just passes and passes.
25. What are you most grateful for?
My family.
26. Would you rather lose all of your old memories, or never be able to make new ones?
This is intense! I think never be able to make new ones…
27. Is it possible to know the truth without challenging it first?
No.
28. Has your greatest fear ever come true?
No.
29. Do you remember that time 5 years ago when you were extremely upset? Does it really matter now?
This question is too poignant. Yes, I remember. No, it does not.
30. What is your happiest childhood memory? What makes it so special?
I think it’s a cluster of memories. Playing in the woods, riding my bike, playing HORSE until the sun went down with my best friends… It’s special because it was so innocent yet meaningful.
31. At what time in your recent past have you felt most passionate and alive?
Days that I get to be creative.
32. If not now, then when?
Soon. But I get the point. Now!
33. If you haven’t achieved it yet, what do you have to lose?
Pride.
34. Have you ever been with someone, said nothing, and walked away feeling like you just had the best conversation ever?
Yes.
35. Why do religions that support love cause so many wars?
Something I relish in everyday. I think it’s just a lack of understanding and compassion.
36. Is it possible to know, without a doubt, what is good and what is evil?
No.
37. If you just won a million dollars, would you quit your job?
Yes.
38. Would you rather have less work to do, or more work you actually enjoy doing?
More work! I’m a workaholic.
39. Do you feel like you’ve lived this day a hundred times before?
Some days.
40. When was the last time you marched into the dark with only the soft glow of an idea you strongly believed in?
I can’t recall.
41. If you knew that everyone you know was going to die tomorrow, who would you visit today?
My Mom.
42. Would you be willing to reduce your life expectancy by 10 years to become extremely attractive or famous?
No.
43. What is the difference between being alive and truly living?
Truly living is living a life that you want not what you think is needed.
44. When is it time to stop calculating risk and rewards, and just go ahead and do what you know is right?
I don’t know! I want to say NOW! But it’s hard to let go and just do it.
45. If we learn from our mistakes, why are we always so afraid to make a mistake?
Because we don’t want to be seen as failures.
46. What would you do differently if you knew nobody would judge you?
Everything!
47. When was the last time you noticed the sound of your own breathing?
A yoga class, at least a few years ago.
48. What do you love? Have any of your recent actions openly expressed this love?
My family, my friends, art. No, I don’t think they have.
49. In 5 years from now, will you remember what you did yesterday? What about the day before that? Or the day before that?
Sadly, probably not.
50. Decisions are being made right now. The question is: Are you making them for yourself, or are you letting others make them for you?
I think I’m letting others make them for me.
Wow! That was intense. The questions are so simple but they make you pause and reflect. I hope to walk away from this more mindful. For the most part the questions almost seem rhetoric, as I felt answering them was like “DUH”. Yet, it is things I should be reflecting on daily but don’t. It opens you up. I hope to use this as motivation to live more fully.
365 Days in 2021 