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Read some great advice that one has to find a balance between work, love and fun. All three should be 100%, otherwise we lean on one over the other causing imbalance. For me:
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If I can create new experiences each week that will be a success |
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March 1st. |
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Do the best I can, be realistic about time and money. Even small inexpensive adventures are possible. |
Create an Experiment
Lizzy
- Member Since
- 07/01/09
- About Co-creator of Edison.
- Web http://www.misslizzy.me
- Experiments 51
- Observations 332
Comments & Observations
Lizzy This week I will take Jack to Northampton for New Year's Eve fireworks. Maybe will invite some friends along.
Dec 30, 2009
Lizzy We went to the fireworks last night with my mom and Jack (son) in Northampton and it was really lovely. I tried to be okay with not having a "bigger" new year's plan. There is so much expectation around the holidays! At 11 pm I decided to create a "now journal" and write up all the great new things that I did in the past few months.
Jan 01, 2010
Lizzy Its easy to sit inside on a cold winter day. Instead going to visit with friends (get out of the house and do something different).
Jan 01, 2010
Lizzy Dinner with friends was so nice and gave me a chance to work on improving my conversation skills. Was able to ask my favorite New Year's question "What were the three things that changed your year?".. I love hearing the different answers.
Jan 02, 2010
Lizzy Doing some home decorating today. Hanging pictures I wanted to hang for ages. Also went out and bought plants and flowers for the house. Its such a small detail but loving your space feels so good and can be done for little money.
Jan 02, 2010
Lizzy Maybe will take a trip to Washington DC in March for my brother in law's portrait show at the Capitol Building (a huge honor). Interestingly, the idea of traveling raises immediate commitment issues for me (I am just realizing). I am afraid a vacation will cause me to lose focus on work, or what if work is too busy and I can't get away. I am noting this for future reference. Need to commit to the trip, keep my focus on work, and deal with deadlines/budgeting my time if things get overly busy.
Jan 05, 2010
Shrey Chakravorty Like the experiment... :)
All I would like to say is...
Why dont you take the total as 100 and then divide stuff, as in, out of 100%
30%, 30%, and 40% (for example)
this way, even the time can be scheduled accordingly...
:)
Jan 07, 2010
Lizzy Hi Shrey, welcome and thanks for the suggestion. Yes that is curious, should life be considered a sum of all parts, equally balanced? I suppose yes. There are times where I work more or less, so perhaps those are the times to look at how much relative balance I have in all areas. Very interesting! Thanks.
Jan 07, 2010
Matthew Cornell I like your experiment, Liza, esp. the idea that fun activities don't have to be expensive. For the trip, your commitment insight is interesting. I wonder about going to extremes - very little planning or a lot. Also, could you make the trip shorter? Just thinking...
Jan 10, 2010
Lizzy Definitely the idea of no planning sounds great. Also allows for lower expectations, which in general has been a goal for me. Plan activities, but keep myself from creating mental pictures about how they will be (basically, no expectations). Meanwhile, on the daily front, I have been doing lots of cleaning and organizing around the house which feels great. But I doing not a s a goal focused chore (as I would have done in the past), instead just puttering around and caring for things as I see they need love. Using this approach makes the whole experience of housework really lovely and relaxing, like a Zen sand box. Just caring for each little detail, one at a time. "Break it down" as you would say Matt!
Jan 13, 2010
Lizzy Fun update. Spontaneously went for a walk yesterday with my mom. High up on the hill above her house overlooking the mountain range, my mom discovered a small pond that formed naturally in the open field. She wanted to go skating so we trekked up the hill. It was very lovely. I've been challenging my thinking to enjoy the moment (inspired by Matt of course). So I tried to notice the small details... beautiful sunlight, being able to see for miles from the top peak, the smell of earth under thawing snow, and the wind. Enjoying chatting with my mom. A perfect day, with photos...
http://www.flickr.com/photos/9650659@N06/sets/72157623104920293/
Jan 17, 2010
Lizzy Fun update. Went to the plant arboretum at Smith College with Jack. Only used my iphone to take pictures, no calls or email. We walked, talked and looked at plants together. Jack was thrilled to see lemons growing. The warm humid air of a greenhouse in winter is quiet wonderful.
Jan 18, 2010
Lizzy Fun update: Went to a new yoga class this week. totally out of comfort zone because everyone was really expert. So it was pretty intimidating. Funny how a new place can feel scary. Made me realize how much I like comfort and routine. But if I go back to this place it will get more comfortable. The plus side is the extra day of yoga really helped!
Feb 12, 2010
Lizzy Going to see a band play tonight in Northampton, which will be fun and totally different. Feeling a little hesitant but again, but looking forward to something new.
Feb 12, 2010
Lizzy Decided very spontaneously to do a 3.5 yoga class yesterday. It as amazing, really challenging, and the people were great. The hardest and best part was actively "being present". Meaning, really wanting to be there and not worrying about all the other chores on my list. Making a choice and then allowing myself to enjoy it thoroughly is really hard but a great practice.
Feb 14, 2010
Lizzy Going for a hike today with a new friend. Its cold out, which is natural incentive to stay inside. But I know I will feel better if I get some fresh air. The challenge again, enjoy the experience entirely and don't worry about being anywhere else.
Feb 14, 2010
Matthew Cornell I love that last bit - it changes the focus from product to process. I find the biggest obstacle is the one you mention: Getting out the door. Once I'm out there, assuming the clothing is adequate, it feels good. Beautiful surroundings help, of course. My favorite is Amethyst Brook - just down the hill from us: http://maps.google.com/maps?oe=utf-8&client=firefox-a&ie=UTF8&q=amethyst+brook&fb=1&gl=us&hq=amethyst+brook&hnear=Amherst,+MA&cid=0,0,1084539657868633151&ei=omR4S5m-HcHN8QaXouG0Cg&ved=0CBkQnwIwAw&ll=42.378004,-72.48657&spn=0.00516,0.010375&t=h&z=17
Feb 14, 2010
Lizzy I have the coming weekend all to myself, very exciting. I want to plan some fun new things. Might do a Saturday morning yoga class, and maybe meet up with friends. Endless possibilities for fun.
Feb 23, 2010
Lizzy Latest update:
• Took my son skiing and it was great fun
• Attended a 3 hour yoga class which was super challenging and pushed my limits
• Spent all day Sunday in the yard, raking, doing a burn pile, digging new garden beds and it felt so good.
• This weekend I plan to attend a philosophy workshop on the teachings of Douglas Brooks, who I hear is an amazing storyteller... http://yoga-sanctuary.com/
Mar 23, 2010
Matthew Cornell Sounds great. Question: Are you finding ways to make you think of adding these kinds of activities in, or is it still an effort (if it was)?
P.S. For you: http://www.flickr.com/photos/matthewcornell/4459046972/
Mar 23, 2010
Lizzy Good question Matt. Sometimes it takes effort, especially to break out of my routine. So I have to remember some of our favorite ideas like "Hey, you never know". And my new favorite "What you put out into the world you get back". If I stick with my routine everything stays the same, so that's big incentive to put in the effort and see what will happen.
Mar 25, 2010