52 books in 52 weeks

Weekly Therapy: the travels and tribulations of a 30-something

- Mel

the week:
Driving. Snowstorms. Missing family plans. Paying an extra night for hotel because it was booked for December 25 and not December 26. (seriously). Hangovers.

HANGOVERS.

Just another holiday trip back to Ohio. While we were “snowed in” during our stay at the lovely Renaissance Hotel in Cleveland, we checked out the new casino, and ate and drank our way down East 4th Street (a must-visit street on any visit to the Midwestern city).

By the time we arrived back home, I was tired and cranky and… sick. Ugh. So sick. Don’t mind me, I’ll just be that Old Lady recovering in her bed on New Year’s Eve.

weekend:
Sunday, Browns vs. Steelers at Heinz Field!

52 books in 52 weeks:
6. Cleveland is Your Best Friend: 67 Things I Miss About Home (gifted from the boyfriend on Christmas). Finished it in one sitting.

seven things, seven days:
1. Hot yoga on christmas eve — what a way to start the week!
2. AND a new yoga mat and bag to continue my practice in style.
3. Yes, I got my watch. (I know!!!)
4. 30-day No Alcohol rule in effect for January (this is not a resolution, but a “cleanse” if you will).
5. Derby practices start again next week!
6. So happy to connect with TWO new clients this week for my freelance business!
7. In light of the upcoming holiday, Making Habits/Breaking Habits: How to Make Changes That Stick (adding to my read list!)

Happy New Year, 30-somethings!

Every 30-something needs: A Quiet Space

- Mel

Reading, meditation, yoga, napping: all 30-somethings need a space in our home — indoor or out — that is a designated Quiet Space.

To unwind, recharge, be creative, learn something new, be crafty, get away from husbands/kids/pets.

This space can change, depending on weather and circumstances, of course. I used to like our living room… until a TV was put into it. I like our outdoor patio area… but it’s a bit too cold in my neck-of-the-woods. The bedroom is super comfortable… but being an insomniac, I have to use it as JUST a sleeping space to curb any extraneous distractions.

My preferred area is a little nook in my attic-slash-third-bedroom. After turning our second, conjoined bedroom into our sitting/media room, we freed the upstairs finished attic space into a reading and sleeping area. While it could certainly use some temperature regulation (and probably some new carpet), it’s cozy and peaceful.

Perfect for my 52 books in 52 weeks project.

Total hilarious side note: those IKEA chairs? They had to be taken apart to fit up the attic stairwell. We have a helluva time finding furniture to fit into our small rowhouse. Originally, the boyfriend’s “bachelor” apartment living set was to be there — wouldn’t fit. My work desk? Wouldn’t fit. When we purchased a new mattress set, the delivery person had to return the box spring because IT WOULDN’T FIT. But happy ending small space bonus: queen-sized mattress sets can be purchased with a two-piece box spring! I’m still holding onto hope that a papasan chair will fit up here.

What type of Quiet Space do you prefer?

30s Life List: 52 Books in 52 Weeks

- Mel

Do you have a Life List or Bucket List?

I have a few items on mine.

One, is a goal to get back to reading. I love reading — or, at least I did at one point in my life — but I haven’t made the time to do so. In fact, I spend WAY too much time mindlessly trolling the internet instead. This, a shutdown mode of my multi-tasking brain in overdrive, which doesn’t allow me to watch a television show or movie OR sleep like a normal person. Ultimately, with my intent to return to school next Fall, I need to get my brain in shape.

Goal setting promotes motivation and focus. By setting clearly-defined goals, you can take pride in the achievement of tasks that initially may seem lengthy or impossible. As you progress through the steps of “goal work,” you embrace challenges and overcome obstacles, ultimately succeeding at something that makes you very happy.

I attempted the 52 books challenge last year, but derby responsibilities got in the way. I need to make time to unwind though even from that, and reading helps me do that. By this time next year, I want to have 52 books — of all topics, lengths and genres — completed.

I’ll be keeping a weekly log here (I also created a Google Doc) to help me track. I’ve completed my first book since Thanksgiving week (via Kindle), and halfway into my second (checked out from the local library). I read two books at one time; it’s weird, but I’m always getting ready to finish one while I’m already started into another. Remember that aforementioned multitasking brain? It’s a blessing and a curse. I like the convenience of bringing my Kindle everywhere, yet still enjoy the page turning of real books (book stacks and shelves make me happy). I can love and appreciate both.

Week 1, Book 1:
1. “My Mother Was Nuts” by Penny Marshall

I’m also in the middle of “Nixon’s Darkest Secrets” and starting Kelly Cultrone’s “If You Have to Cry, Go Outside” (should be a quick-and-easy read) and have two others that go back to the library next week on my “to finish” list. And another two just received from Amazon (I suppose these two from Malcolm Gladwell could wait a bit though).

Ambitious? There’s no other way.

51 books left to go!

More about Goals from a Psych perspective: The Paradox of Goal Setting from Psychology World — takeaway: don’t fear failure, and do your best without focusing on the results.

Please recommend a good book in the comments!