Committing It to Paper: Recording My Experiences in a Travel Journal

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adventure, adventures, courage, free-writing, Grand Tetons, journaling, national park, travel, vacation, write28dayschallenge, yellowstone

I wrote a book this past year. I’m super pumped and proud of my accomplishment.

I do, however, feel the need to explain. This isn’t a story for publication. Chances are, no one else will ever read it besides me.

So why am I so excited to have finished?

When You Crave Hibernation

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books, camp fradd, concerts, free-writing, reading, write28dayschallenge

This morning seemed to get the memo straight away – it’s Monday, and the day fully intends to behave accordingly.

The weather is rainy.
Technology isn’t cooperating.
My mood isn’t quite optimistic enough to overcome the grossness of the day.

Fighting Frustration and Being Unsatisfied With Better Than Last Year

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books, free-writing, goals, reading, write28dayschallenge

Each year I set a reading goal of 100 books – this includes books of any length, genre, or media. When I tell people about my number, I always feel the need to clarify that I include audiobooks in this total. Between illness early in the year and the increase of time spent at home in 2020, I exceeded the goal. I crushed it. I worked the last week of the year to bring my total up to 100 PRINT books read.

Emphasizing the Adventure in Life – While Not Neglecting the Mundane

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everyday life, free-writing, goals, manifesto, scripture, work, write28dayschallenge

While trying to hone my writing niche, I’ve done a decent amount of introspection. Which pieces of my life do I feel deserve the most attention? What should I emphasize with my writing?

A few years ago, I wrote a manifesto, at the prompting of authors Kathi Lip & Cheri Gregory in their book Overwhelmed. The theme of the book is planning the life you want, rather than scheduling the life you’ve accepted. Stated a different way we have to look in the direction of our dreams or we will steer ourselves in the wrong direction.

Take the Leap to Discover the Possibilities

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five minute friday, free-writing, goals, write28dayschallenge

I’m setting the timer and joining the Five Minute Friday crowd as we discuss this week’s prompt: possible.

What would be possible if I weren’t filled with self-doubt? Last year, I set a goal for myself.

Receive one rejection letter.

Taking Small Steps Toward Change: Step by Step, Word by Word

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books, bullet journal, free-writing, journaling, learning, racing, running, write28dayschallenge, writing

Whether it’s a natural part of my personality or a talent, I pick-up habits fairly easily. Currently, I’m tracking my fruit and vegetable intake, journaling, and “suiting up” for exercise daily. As a reformed perfectionist, I’m working to see this as simply information for future growth, rather than a report card of my worth as a human.

This habit tracking served me well when I first took up running. The discipline of running 3-4 times a week and building up mileage weekly carried me through my first half, all the way through my last marathon. Highlighting the box of the completed workout kept me motivated to lace up my trainers and complete those runs.

The Art of Writing: Doing the Work When Creativity Lags

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books, free-writing, journaling, learning, write28dayschallenge

While the official Write 28 Days Challenge is over, I’m choosing to continue the work. 

I’m not sure where I got in my head that writing isn’t a creative endeavor, but it’s a falsity I’ve held onto until recently. Perhaps a part of me still does, but recently I started fighting against the belief.

Embracing the Warmth of an Early Spring as the Weekend Approaches

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free-writing, insomnia, podcasts, running, spring, training, training plan

The signs of spring surrounded me today at lunch. When I saw the Five Minute Friday prompt “Green” I knew exactly what I wanted to write about. Leaves, trees, I don’t have to look very far to see new life emerging from a hard winter.

Yet, when I sat down to write, my brain started chasing squirrels. Metaphorical ones of course – I have no love for furry rodents. Thankfully we left those behind us in last year’s big move.

Scripture, the Enneagram, and Habit Tracking: How to Turn Weakness into Strength

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bullet journal, enneagram, free-writing, habit tracker, hiking, perfectionism, running, write28dayschallenge

Always tracking behaviors and learning new ideas, I sometimes grow tired of being able to perceive what needs to change in my life. However, unless we are aware of our habits, we have no hope of steering them in the direction we hope to go.

When I first read about the Enneagram, I had no clue that some people struggle to determine their type for months or even years. When I read about Type 1: The Perfectionist/Reformer, I immediately discovered my type. I’ve fought perfectionism my whole life, knowing this weakness prevents me from being the person I ought to be.

The Enneagram has taught me, however, that my greatest weakness is also my biggest strength. This lens of viewing the world helps me consistently grow through life.

How to Shift Perspective on Giving Up

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audio books, books, Grand Tetons, national park, stairs, training, working out

My attitude towards working out resembled that of other days. “But I don’t wanna.” I’ve previously written about how I overcame that attitude. The last time I felt this way, I suited up and knocked the workout out of the park.

An object in motion stays in motion. 30 minutes and 50 flights of stairs later, I let myself stop. Legs shaking and sweat dripping down my back, I felt that same sense of accomplishment from my early days of running. Who doesn’t need the extra endorphins in these “unprecedented times?

Me, 2 weeks ago

“Don’t you just hate those perky people who enjoy their workouts?