When I first started whispering this idea to myself in meditation, it was a bit intimidating. I have reflected on this for a week, and I have come to a very positive conclusion:
101 to 31
101 to 31 is a personal self-care challenge. For the 101 days leading up to my 31st on August 16th, 2016, I am celebrating this new decade I am in and the journey I am on. Because, as much as I talk about the importance of self-care, I want to practice it more mindfully.
Historically, I dread my birthday. Too many bad ones to count, and each year I make a conscious effort to not let it get to me. This year, I am going to celebrate. I am going to celebrate every day by caring for this vessel that has carried me through so much in the past few years.
A birthday is THE time to Sparkle!
I have spent years reflecting on the lessons as I grow through them, and this year, I want to stand authentically and boldly before it all. To stand in front of my journey as a Soul Warrior who is committed to loving transformation and consciously striving to be better.
I am going to tell you a secret: turning 30 was a HUGE blessing.
This year, I have learned much about who I am and how I process change in my life. I have a greater faculty for recognizing my faults in a way that I am almost ashamed to admit I didn't know about myself earlier. That's the beauty of 30: awareness. I also have never felt more beautiful, feminine, flirtatious, pretty, and confident. No makeup on, roots showing, I still feel prettier than any other time in my life. This has come from emotional soul searching, understanding my shadows, and in response, I feel lighter.
30 also has some other perks: complete confidence to transcend BS. What used to be over the top is more mellow. You can say "no" more easily. I joke: "How many fucks do I give? Zero." AND IT FEELS GOOD! Another favorite: you can acknowledge when you're wrong and apologize. It's not easy to admit when you're wrong, but you learn how to do it more gracefully which is encouraging!
There's also more of a connection to the mystical. My soul practice has never been more meaningful and tangible as it has been this year. Holding sacred space and creating meaningful conversations between guides and angels has been fluid, dynamic, and lovely. I have felt more in the flow and relinquished control to being present and staying positive. So much stress has been alleviated by finding my own quiet. 30 teaches you to love your own company.
Noise seems louder, drinking seems harder, and strangers seem more stranger. So you draw in a little bit and start exploring what lights you up. What do you want to continue to learn? To explore?
So to say thank you to 30 for being such an amazing lesson in learning to love myself, I commit to 101 to 31, and invite you if you feel inclined, to commit to self-care and see what transformation is possible in 101 days.
Here's my outline (take or leave, or write your own!):
* 2 drink Maximum (unless a very special occasion)
* In addition to working and being on my feet 4 days a week: 2 days of fitness/wk a long walk and/or a run around Greenlake
* Practice self-care every day: a bath, read something stimulating, meditate, gentle yoga, go to bed early, etc.
* Continue eating well with real foods: fruits and veggies, and proteins. Explore more with vegetarian options like portobello mushrooms!
* Accept that binges can happen. Make the best decisions you can.
* Find my budget sweet spot.
* Give this a try: schedule a cheeseburger day 1/month and a pizza day 1/month
These are continuations of the aspects I have been working on for the last month, and I want to keep it up. I am ready to see what happens and am excited to see the transformation happen! I am honoring where I have been by honoring this body, this mind, and this soul that has gotten me to this point and I encourage her to be her best.
