I’m posting this on my blog so I feel a larger sense of commitment to this 30-day challenge I signed up for to run a mile everyday in the month of February. Running the mile doesn’t frighten me, but being able to do it everyday does. I love to run outside, and looking at the forecast for this week, there’s no way I’d make it through the first few days if I ONLY ran outside. So…I guess it’s to the work gym for me. And it’s free and it’s pretty nice…so I guess it won’t be torture. And I know if I do this, I’ll feel much better at the end of February than I do right now, and perhaps I may even get back to the point where I enjoy working out. Am I making this sound exciting at all? Cause I’m not really feeling it, if you can’t tell. But something has to give; my rut is still rutty, so some sort of change is necessary. Maybe this is it.

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Update: I just realized it’s really only for the month of February, so its only a 28-day challenge, which somehow seems like it might be easier to accomplish. :)

Things with me have seemed a little off kilter recently and I’m trying to figure out why. It’s the beginning of a new year, I’ve set some healthy goals, but something still feels off. I’m desperately anticipating Habitat season. Participating in those builds last summer was probably one of the most fulfilling things I’ve ever done, so I’m ready for that to start up again. I think I might also need to get back into soccer despite my knees yelling at me. But if I do soccer, then I miss Habitat on Sundays.  So, its a trade off.

My circle of friends is bigger than ever…so maybe that has something to do with it. I’d like to think I’m surrounding myself with good people, but, as I learned in theatre, sometimes less is more. Networking is great, and sometimes that turns into friendships, but I’m trying to learn to be okay with the fact that doesn’t always have to be the case and that I’m allowed to just be acquaintances with people. Anyhoo. I’m still doing a lot of cooking and parties, which is extremely fun for me and my friends. It’s a good creative outlet for me, but it is somewhat eating my pocketbook, so I need to find happy medium. Maybe that’s what I need…a happy medium, balance, equal give and take. That should always be true, shouldn’t it? Sounds so easy….

I started off the day with some yoga, much to my surprise. I typically hit the snooze button until the very last possible moment and then spring out of bed to frantically shower and rush to work. But I also usually start waking up an hour or so before my alarm clock even goes off and just make myself go back to sleep. However, I’ve always known that when my body wakes me up, I feel much better throughout the day if I just get up then, even if it’s early. So that’s what I did today. I read a few pages from “Julie and Julia”, a Christmas gift from my mom, but quickly decided I needed to get moving.  Using my Wii to connect to Netflix, I found an energizing yoga/pilates workout and I did about 25 minutes of it before patting myself on the back for working out so early.

It felt really good. Not just the stretching and movement, but the energy and calm that came from it. It helped me to remember to just breathe. Things have been crazy at work these past few days, as well as some unexpected “previous life” stuff, all of which I have to deal with on my own, so I think breathing will come in handy. Now, I just need to make a habit of it.