As a blogger over at Weddingbee, I had the incredible opportunity of growing friendships with some crazy talented women. Though our weddings are mostly memories, I’m lucky to have these incredible gals as friends and inspirations.
Like Emery. When she’s not cracking me up with some flawlessly-timed truth, she’s writing amazing YA novels that are so realistic and relatable, I feel 17 again (in the best possible way). She’s also motivating me to not be such a shrinking violet, with her #15in15 challenge. You can read her post about it here. To summarize, it’s a challenge to try new things or make improvements, in active (rather than passive) endeavors.
This idea crossed my path early this year, so some of the points are in progress or accomplished. Good thing- the year’s half over! They are, as follows:
- Experiment with nail art. I’ve been a polishaholic for a while, and I always do my own nails at home, but shiny, solid color is my mainstay. I’m going to be more playful with color and design, maybe even make a salon excursion… It’s just nail polish, after all.
- Learn to Dutch braid. I learned how to French braid as a kid, but wanted to step my braid skills up. I’ve managed to master the Dutch braid, now to get good at different applications!
- Relearn calligraphy. I attempted to learn calligraphy as a child, but lacked the patience. Revisiting it as an adult, it’s so beautiful and meditative, and I am obsessed. But I don’t even have a set handwriting, so it’s definitely an uphill battle!
- Conquer homemade bread. We don’t eat a ton of bread, but when we do, it creeps me out how long it lasts on the counter without mold. I want to find or develop a bread recipe equal parts healthyish, delicious, and easy, so that I can consistently keep basic bread stocked that I feel good about us eating.
- Make loveRavayna happen. Man, I’ve been rolling this blog around in my head for years, just letting life get in the way and being a big fat wimp about actually doing it. Enough of that- big girl panties are on, because starting somewhere is starting.
- Travel someplace new. “I’m in love with places I’ve never been and people I’ve never met.” I’m constantly wanderlusting, but this year I got to realize a dream trip to Spain and France. Art, food, wine… incredible. Lots of details on that to come.
- Live life unscheduled. This is major for me- I live and die by my lists and agendas. Most days, I need them to get it all done, but I want to be better about blocking out time to just chill. And of course, I’m perpetually working on rolling with it when my carefully orchestrated schedule goes to hell.
- Make new friends. Other than the one I married, my closest friends are scattered worldwide. I can be so painfully shy, but I want to really push myself to form and invest in new friendships, especially local ones.
- Settle skincare. I’ve been on the sunscreen and skincare train for a while, but #thisisthirty and my skin’s starting to show it. I’m going to make some serious efforts in handling my current skin issues before it becomes an avalanche.
- Focus on strong not skinny. I’ve been working out fairly consistently for a few years, and am generally pretty close +/- to what used to be my “goal weight.” I weigh in often to regulate, but it’s really important that I prioritize the way I feel in my body, and its increasing strength, over the number on the scale.
- Choose happiness. I’m so incredibly fortunate, but I can be a total worrywart and fixate on the worst. I’m making conscious efforts in several aspects to have more positivity in my life.
- Get outside. I want to spend some time hiking, at the beach, maybe some vague camping? In general, more time outdoors- I can be too prissy sometimes, and a little grub’s good for a girl.
- Streamline stuff. I’m no packrat, but life would be easier if certain aspects were simpler. I’m working on major culling and organizing, and utilizing what I’ve got on hand rather than mindless consumerism.
- Rest more. With my crazy schedule, I definitely need more sleep. I’m working on going to bed earlier and optimizing naptime, along with making time to unplug and unwind.
- Pursue polish, not perfection. My tendency to perfectionism can simply be too much: energy, effort, to handle. So in life, style, and most other things, readjusting to more reasonable ideals is the idea.
So, there lies my quest. Most of these are pretty abstract and rather long term, but I feel like simply taking the time to evaluate and enumerate these items is a great way to focus, and lord knows I love crossing stuff off a list. I’m looking forward to pushing myself out of my comfort zone, trying new things, being brave, and sharing the adventures along the way!
love,Ravayna
