Social Media Break

For the last couple months, I've had the itch to leave Facebook again.  I think when you've left FB before and have experienced the advantages of having a break from social media, you will never forget the clarity & freedom that comes & will CRAVE to have that back!

Some of the things I loved most about my previous 6 month break from social media:

1. I heard 62.35% of what Ivan said instead of 20.55%
2. We communicated more during car rides, at home & restaurants since I wasn't glued to my phone
3. I took time to pause, reflect, & plan each morning & night instead of beginning and ending each day with social media newsfeeds

 

Loki picture

4. I was forced to be more creative when boredom hit
5. I saw those around me while waiting in line at the grocery store or bank, dentist or Dr appointments,  I said hello instead of using my phone as an escape from awkward interactions

6. I felt FREE, free from receiving or passing judgment, free from those annoying addictive social media habits, free from the many facades on social media, free to just enjoy a moment-to not feel pressure to capture a picture as proof of the great things I'd experienced, free to be more present in my life and in the lives of those around me
7. I felt more AWARE-aware of myself and those around me
8. I looked up, not sideways- looked up towards God's opinion instead of others' opinions
9. I began to enjoy the season of life I'm in, instead of trying to keep up with the Joneses on social media
10. I realized there are MANY good ways to live and experience a fulfilling and happy life, many of which are not portrayed on social media
11. I saw my goals, values, and priorities CLEARLY, simply

So why did I ever come back?  On my immediate family's side, I have 15 siblings, 9 bro/sis in-laws, 38? nieces and nephews. On my husband's side, he has 13 siblings, 10 bro/sis in-laws, 41? nieces and nephews.  Keeping up with family is much easier/more convenient to do on social media.  This time around, I'd like to make a habit of calling, using Skype more, & driving to visit them.

I also felt like FB provided a quick & easy way to have my bucket filled. link to bucketfill-osophy Some days I just wanted/needed to hear a compliment from someone other than my husband.  I've noticed it's easier to share a compliment on a picture or post than it is to voice a compliment in person. Wish I didn't feel this need...but I'm human and I'm still learning and growing.

I don't think social media is the enemy.  I do think some of us are better managers of our time spent on social media than others.  For me, it's harder to experience the advantages I listed WHILE participating in social media.  Ideally, I'd like this "break" to be indefinite, but we shall see! 

I will continue to blog, so you can find my latest happenings here!

Pleasure or Pain?

For YEARS, Ivan has voiced his belief that raising a puppy/dog is no different than raising a child.  He has never raised a child but he HAS raised a puppy Rottweiler named JD.

I fought him for months on this topic but despite our differing beliefs on parenting we eventually got married and 4 months later, we got our first puppy, Noa.  Isn't he charming?!

Pretty soon, Ivan had won me over to his philosophy: raising a puppy IS like raising a child.   I too have not raised a man child.  (So, you can all laugh at our ignorance and assume we'll both be in for a surprise when we decide to have our own man children).

As our spoiled only puppy child developed some very not so charming habits, I found an audiobook-The Loved Dog by Tamar Geller.  She explains pleasure and pain in regards to training a dog.  Instead of focusing on punishing a dog for bad behavior,  focus on rewarding a dog for good behavior.  In the words of Tamar Geller, "When you coach your dog using The Loved Dog method, your wishes will become his favorite behavior because he will associate it with great pleasure—not pain" 

If raising/training a puppy is like raising a child then surely these same principles apply to the "other man child" I am raising/training....my husband! Eureka! Raising a puppy is like raising a child but raising a puppy is ALSO like raising a husband.  My husband not only responds better to pleasure, he's MOTIVATED by pleasure not pain.  So, nagging (pain) about how we never get outside and move, doesn't get the results I desire. Pleasure driven...pleasure and exercise? Does it even exist?! I know it does, but convincing Ivan of this, is the challenge.  Here's my best attempt to make fitness pleasurable-our fitness bucket list.

The goal is to complete 2 a week.  We are starting week 2 of Couch to 5K Training tomorrow.  We are planning on running a 5K Color Run on June 6th!

Our 100 Day Challenge

I admire couples who are able to work TOGETHER to achieve their goals.  It is no small feat! Ivan and I have set many goals but sadly, have accomplished only a few together!
Anyone else know this struggle?

We have set the goal to "improve our health by eating healthy and exercising" SO many times. 

Furthermore, we both fall into the, "I'll try" trap. "I'll try to eat healthy" "I'll try to exercise 5x's a week" "I'll try to make a healthy meal plan" I'll try... I'll try... I'll try...

I think I'll buy a little Yoda as a reminder of this great quote.  I am tired of trying and getting NO WHERE! I am ready to DO this and enjoy the reward of hard work and persistence! 

I'm ready to face this challenge with Ivan to achieve a healthier happier life together.

Since we've never achieved a goal together.  I'm not quite sure yet on how we'll do it but I'll post a monthly update on our progress along with the things that work for us as I find and practice them!

  

Do One Thing Everyday That Scares You

What's more boring than a homebody?  Two homebodies! 

One of our goals this year is to "get out" more.  I've been mesmerized by this challenge to "do one thing everyday that scares you"  For an introvert, that includes socializing with other people!

Last week, my good friend invited my husband and I to go country dancing in an old barn, she assured us there's a large enough group to easily go unnoticed.  I had made up my mind I was going to do this "scary" thing and...we followed through and went! And even enjoyed ourselves!

Country dancing was on Saturday; on Monday, Ivan scored some tickets from work to a Jazz game.  

 

We were excited because they were floor tickets

Our tickets included dinner-a prime rib buffet.  Yummo! 

Honestly, I was just happy I didn't have to make dinner!

 

One side of the dining area had the city scape and the other side was the basketball court.  We joked about how we would prefer to watch the game in the silent dining room overlooking the court.  But alas, we had come this far and we ventured to find our "floor seating".

As we went down portal F to be directed to row A where our seats were located, Ivan asked if I was ready.  Prior to driving down, he said in jest that we might be on T.V., this sent me into a nervous frenzy and hearing the roaring crowd made my fear OH SO REAL.

Turns out the ambiguous "floor seating" portal F row A, meant FRONT ROW seating, our feet were on THE COURT!  I was a seat away from the assistant coach, trainers, and JAZZ PLAYERS!
I felt waaay more important than I'd like to, fidgeted the entire time I sat there but made it through the first half where we switched with Ivan's coworkers.

These were our seats for the second half. Second row seating!

Needless to say, we had a blast doing something outside our ordinary boring selves!