In The Next 30 Days

A 30-Day Challenge Closer to Brighter, Shinier, & Happier.

April 30th, 2013

Love Letters Day 30 | Lessons Learned

This is my stationery box. It’s filled with cards for birthdays, house warmings, new babies, anniversaries, thank yous, just becauses, and any other occasion that calls for a card. It’s been open pretty much all month long, and I’ve searched through to find the perfect cards to give to random anyones who pick up my love letters I set free. It’s been a great reintroduction to some cards that I’d forgotten I had (like those Wonder Woman postcards. Awesome.)

Here are some other things I’ve come to learn this month.

There’s no wrong place to leave a love letter. You might think that love letters have to be placed in romantic locations, but really they can go anywhere. And even more, sometimes, the less loved places are the very best spots to drop letters. Check out my Instagram feed for lots of places that I’ve left letters this month, and follow me to keep up with where I might leave future letters.
You can get personal in a love letter to a stranger. While what I wrote might not have been the most secret-revealing something, my words are personal because of who they reach and because of the love they hold.
I need love letters too. And I know now they might not be written with pen and paper. Showing myself love is as important as showing love to my family and strangers.
The more customized the letter the better. Sharpies, crayons, collage, embroidery. Anything goes. These are unique, hand-written letters. The paper they are on should be just as cared for and thought out.
Always carry love letter supplies. You never know when you might want or need to write a love letter. Inspiration strikes most anywhere. I have started carrying stationery and mustache Duck Tape in my purse. You know, just in case.

I will be reaching into my stationery box to write more love letters to strangers. I find I’m kind of addicted to sharing such positive vibes. And like my 30 Days of Random Kindness or my 30 Days to Be Positive, I find that I want maintain the elation and happy vibes. It feels good to do something for someone I don’t know. I’m not out for recognition, but I’m after the happiness these letters bring me. So yes, there will be more letters, and when there are, I’ll share them with you.

Tags: lessons, letters, MoreLoveLetters, what i've learned
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February 28th, 2013

Find Creativity Day 28 | What I Learned

I sit here wishing February had 31 days.

I’ve enjoyed searching for my creativity, mostly because I’ve found some of it, and that feels good. But I wish had more days to continue my quest. I’ve learned some important things this month. See:

You can find creativity. I really believe that everyone is creative. And because you are creative, it’s just a matter of finding out how to encourage that aspect of your personality, of your life. It could be something as simple as a strong cup of coffee or as elaborately planned as a trip to Paris. Whatever it is, find your methods and then live them. Your creativity will follow.
Rules are good things. Whether it’s establishing a routine for your creativity or setting guidelines to get your work started, rules help to support your creativity and encourage it.
It’s not all about art. My brain is swimming these days, but it’s swimming with some unconventional creative ideas. For example, I want to mod podge the cover of my cell phone with aluminum foil. I’ve written some and drawn some this month, but even more than what might be considered fine art, I’m seeing creativity pop up in more day-to-day happenings. And that’s a wonderful thing.

I didn’t meet all of my creativity goals this month. I certainly didn’t finish a story, and I didn’t share anything with you guys. But I am still working on it. And I think that’s one of the most important aspects of creativity. It doesn’t just stop. You can’t use it up. So I’m going to keep working on my goals, and I will keep sharing with you all. Promise.

Tags: creativity, lessons, what i've learned
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January 31st, 2013

Body & Mind Cleanse Day 31 | Lessons Learned

It’s amazing what you learn when you start to lean all the bad stuff out of your system. I started these 30 Days thinking I’d work to flush my system and somewhat quiet my mind. I didn’t follow any conventional or set plan, but I did find new exercise and fruit loves that will carry me through a clean new year. (I hope.)

Here’s what I learned during this Body & Mind Cleanse

Anything can be juiced. This month, I’ve turned all kinds of things into juice. And not just fruits, but green veggies, carrots, squash (although I don’t know that I recommend it so much). But the kicker, I don’t have a juicer. I have a food processor and a blender. But as long as you don’t mind a little pulp in whatever you’re drinking, a food processor is all you need. I love melon mixed with cucumber and herbs or spinach and unsweetened applesauce. And Oh My! do I love cranberries. (I have 6 bags in the freezer waiting for me.)
Cleansing leads to weight loss. I don’t know how many pounds I’m down, specifically. But I have lost weight this month. I even had to buy new jeans. The tag said “Skinny Curvy” jeans. And while that’s about the biggest oxymoron I’ve ever heard, I like it.
Exercise can be cleansing too. I’ve been reading about the detoxing properties of hot yoga lately. While I’m not convinced that hot yoga cleanses more than my pores through torrents of sweat, I am convinced it’s good for my brain. Right, I know all exercise is a mood booster, but yoga is a quiet kind of exercise. So while my body floats to a bow from down dog (which sounds so much more graceful than it is) I’m sometimes able to think away and relax into other thoughts. The sweat, the stretch it all kind of disappears and I actually feel refreshed.
My brain needs work. So yes, I have moments of quiet during yoga and maybe sometime while I sleep. But I have a lot of trouble turning off my brain and finding those moments of clarity inside my head. Meditation is one way to get there. But I’m also searching out other ways to detox my thoughts as well, like photography or listening to music. And I found great peace in writing fiction lately. All this has inspired February’s 30 Days, that I’m excited to share with you on Friday.

I don’t know that I would say my body is pure and free of toxins. And I certainly can’t say my mind is at peace and full of positivity. But after 30 Days of working toward perfection, I can say I’m closer than I have been in a long time. I have more energy. My skin is clearer. I don’t really get muscle sore. I stand up straighter. I’m never hungry. I just plain feel good. And that is proof that I’ve made a step in the right direction.