Goals Before 2014: Creativity (Week 9)

Now that November flew by, here we are, one month to go before the ball drops and we launch ourselves into 2014! Let's do this!

After my retreat, I decided to take a break from all things "go, go, go" last week, just so I could really process the experience, and keep the same "go with the flow" attitude that I carried with me during the retreat weekend. That meant spending time with my man, giving it our all rock climbing (we've hammered out a new routine and it's just SO GOOD!), meal planning turned into delicious feasts!, a visit from my lovely parents, and catching the new Hunger Games flick. Instead of brooding about how I have to wait an entire year to see the next movie, let's get to the goal.

WEEK 9: CREATIVITY {December 2 - 9}
It's all about unleashing my creative spirit! While this time of year has our schedules PACKED, and our to-do lists maxed right out, my aim here is to infuse creativity (for fun) into the week.

A coupla projects:
+ We (mostly Sebastian) built a shelving unit for the office, so I plan on gathering some goodies to jazz it up.

+ Finish the painting I've been working on. (By painting, I mean, paint-by-number. Don't judge. Looking for something to just calm your mind and you don't really have the drawing/ painting gene? Pick one up!)

+ We have a bay window in our bedroom that Sebastian built a custom bench for, which looks freaking awesome, but has been sitting bare for quite some time now. This week I'll be heading to the store to pick out some fabrics and then it's time to dust off the ol' sewing machine! (Something I don't think I've done since... that high school sewing class I was so keen on. Challenge accepted!)

+ 'Round these parts, Mondays are dedicated to PUMPING YOU UP! My aim here is to create a new desktop wallpaper each week from my own photo collection. I've had a few of you send me snaps of your backgrounds in all their glory, and it seriously LIGHTS ME UP. Giving stuff away for free? I'm all for it. I'll be brainstorming this week on how I can give more (while adding value + love + joy into the mix... a recipe for pure juiciness)

+ While we're on that note, any resources that you would LOVE to get your hands on? Brainstorm with me!

Everywhere I look, I'm seeing action-packed goals, mighty declarations, and serious go-getter attitudes. It's contagious! There's something about declaring + sharing it that just kicks it up to a whole 'nother level. So, I wanna know: How are your goals treating you? What do you want to accomplish this week/ month?

And remember: pencil in time for yourself. There's only so much you can do before you burn out. We've all got overloaded to-do lists, action-packed schedules complete with holiday parties, secret santas, champagne toasts, and friends + family to enjoy life with. Make space for JOY, to stop the 'doing', indulge in belly laughs, spontaneous dance parties, and the simple pleasure of 'no plans'. Give yourself permission to simply live.

Let me know your thoughts in the comments, sweet one x 

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Goals Before 2014: Juice Cleanse Recap + RETREAT (Week 7)

After feeling a bit wishy-washy, off and on, and a big ol' "meh" the past coupla weeks... I'm back! I'm feelin' like I have a renewed sense of energy and an all around FI-YAH! that's been lit beneath me.

Let's do a little recap, shall we?

THE INTENTION: Radiance. Nourishment (clean foods) + Movement (sweating it out!) followed up with a three-day juice cleanse.

THE PREP: During the week I swapped out sugar for hydration, greens, and super foods with the help of meal planning to keep me on track. Often, for me, it's when I get over-hungry that the cravings set in and I'll indulge my sweet tooth, so the key was to not let that happen. Preparation is key! Having healthier options within reach goes a long way.

On top of that, my intention was to mix things up, stir around stagnant old energy, and make way for the (shining, glorious) NEW. I did short bursts of workouts in the evening to get my blood pumping, fit in a rock climbing sesh, and treated myself to an intense Bikram yoga class that always leaves me feeling totally, 100% refreshed. 

THE CLEANSE: 6 Nourishing Juices. 3 Days. 

Let's get real: I was pretty nervous about this experience. This is the second time I've done this cleanse, and the first time around, it wasn't so pretty. I was physically sick, had insane-o withdrawals, and I had to sneak in small amounts of food just to keep my hunger/ headaches/ nausea at bay. It was tough. Really, freaking tough.

Since then, about a year ago, I've completely and utterly transformed my lifestyle. I've transformed.

And, you guys! The difference it has made! Not to say that this cleanse isn't difficult to stick with, because there was some definite cravings that I had to fight off, and definite moments of "Oh my, I feel super crappy right now." but here's a short-version of how it all went down:

Day One: Juices 1-4, feeling ahhh-mazing! In the evening, the cravings set in and I was itching for junk food. Anything salty, greasy, loaded with sugar, giveittomerightnow! I still had a ton of energy, but just felt hungry, so I called it a night and went to bed early.

Day Two: Woke up feeling ready to tackle the day! Juices 1-3, I was feeling awesome, and I prepped all the juices for the rest of the day + half for the following day. Since I was whipping up all the recipes myself, I definitely was feelin' a bit chained to my juicer. Juice 4 (Spicy Lemonade) was starting to become really difficult to get down. I was feeling rather consumed by spend all of my days juicing + drinking juice, please give me something else to do! Stir crazy? Yes, I think so. Down Juice 5 + 6 went, and I just felt a total lack of energy. My cravings switched from junk food to sushi, red peppers, massive salads, and fruits. Figured my cabin fever was getting the best of me, and went for a walk around our neighbourhood. My energy levels were depleting at a rapid rate, and thoughts of giving up were pressing against my mind.

Day Three: Hopped out of bed feeling like a completely different person than the night before. Energy levels were soaring. I was shocked at how well the experience was going for me, and was expecting a crash later on in the day, but it never happened. Cravings were nearly diminished for me at this point, and I just felt good, although, admittedly, I was getting tired of the same tastes day-after-day. There was a definite mini-dance party going on after I sipped down the last juice of the day. 

POST-CLEANSE: Energy levels are ramped RIGHT UP. Usually, I'd hit a wall throughout the day where I'd start feeling completely exhausted, and that tired, sluggish feeling isn't there anymore. I'm waking up more alert, and that energy is being carried on straight through until it's time to call it a night. My body is feeling SO much lighter, and that icky bloated feeling has totally diminished. On top of that, the dial on my sugar cravings has been turned WAY down, which feels like a total breath of fresh air.

Moving forward, I don't think that a cleanse is a way to clean out your system just so you can go back to your old ways and bad habits. It's not a solution to a problem. It's a kick start to a better way of living. To more intentional choices. That's what this week has been for me, and it's what I'll carry with me in the days ahead. It's time to invite RADIANCE in wherever I go. (Can I get a hell-yeah?!)

What about you? Have you thought about doing a juice cleanse? Have you done it before? I'd LOVE to hear all about it.

{Side note - the recipes that I used can be found here, and my (extensive) first review of the cleanse is right here.}

WEEK 7: RETREAT {November 18 - 25}
Starting Friday, I'll be heading offline for a 3-day at-home retreat, which will consist of a whole lotta journalling + reading + meditation + BEING which I just KNOW is going to feel like a giant AHHHH throughout my entire body. Sometimes life can feel like one giant go, go, go and we forget to dial it back and tap into our own inner wisdom + life force. Self-care at its finest, my love, and it's going to be grand!

DECLARE IT: What are your goals for the week? Drop it like it's hot in the comments!

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Goals Before 2014: Radiance (Week 6)

Hey there.

This past week has been a bit of a mixed bag, from spending an entire evening in bed under the covers after being hit with a really bad migraine to super productive days jammed packed with to-do's all the way to treating myself to a massage that left me feeling supa blissed-out.

Needless to say, presence was a massive lesson that I dove into head first. And boy, it was a lesson. Lots to be learned and mastered with that one.

There are days when you are so there, in the moment, the here and now, and everything else just fades into the background. You're in the zone, and it feels so freaking good and you think, "Living in the moment, daaamn! More of this, please."

Then there are the days when thoughts are flying at you from all angles, the pressures, the overwhelm, the over-thinking, constant analysis. Sometimes you're hit with the unexpected (like a crippling migraine), and it's left you there feeling incredibly counter-productive and the guilt creeps in. There's nothing like a wrench being thrown into your plans to throw your mind into a frenzy.

The two biggest lessons I've taken away are:

1. To accept the unexpected. Because it's inevitable. You can spend hours planning out your week, day-by-day, hour-by-hour, minute-by-minute, but eventually, life throws you a curve ball, tossing your schedule way out of whack. It forces you to take a step back, and slow down. You can do one of two things: let frustration consume you, or accept it and use that time to dive into some self-care and tap into your inner wisdom.

2. Our realities are formed by our thoughts. This one's a biggie. I've been practising the art of approaching each day looking through a lens of non-judgement. It's meant taking those slower days, or the days where you're feeling a bit off, and asking what do I really need right now? What can I do to honour myself in this moment? Instead of diving into a story of guilt/ blame/ shame, it's shifting the focus, consciously adjusting my thoughts, and choosing to step away from negativity.

Why don't you give it a go? What's something you can do today to honour yourself?

WEEK 6: RADIANCE {November 11 - 18}
After feeling a bit foggy/ sluggish over the past few weeks, my aim here is to support my body with what it needs. I'll be nourishing my body with clean foods, saying no to sugar, and yes to awesome food choices, through meal-planning and capping the week off with a juice cleanse. (Which didn't go so well for me last year, so cross your fingers!)

On top of all that, I'll be inviting in exercise with intention and moving my body every. single. day. Whether that means a quick high-intensity workout at home, sweating it out rock-climbing, or winding down on the yoga mat... I'll be tapping in, listening to my body, being present, focused, and really challenge myself. It's all about RADIANCE! Glowing, brilliant, crystal-clear radiance!

Va-va-va-voooooom!

Pop on over to the comments and share your goals for the week! I'd LOVE to hear! xx 

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Goals Before 2014: Presence (Week 4)

First off, a confession: I didn't stick to my plan of developing a rock-solid morning routine 100%. Carving out a morning routine that works for me is still going to take some time to figure out exactly what that looks like.

In my mind, I had mapped out what I thought it would look like - spending extra time being super-productive or squeezing in a quick workout. What this really meant for me was opening my eyes a bit earlier (anywhere from 15 to 40 minutes), and taking the time to be still before gearing up for the day.

Instead of forcing myself to be strict with a morning schedule, if I fell behind, I didn't guilt-trip myself for it, I simply made time in the evening before bed to wind down into meditation, read a book, or dive into some inner-exploration. Taking these extra moments for myself brought clarity not only in that moment, but that feeling stretched throughout the day. Moments where I'd usually get frustrated (rush-hour traffic), I set the intention for peace and simply went with the day, however it unfolded.

More than anything else, the act of simply being gentle with myself and giving myself space to breeeeathe has been the biggest shift.

That said, it's all still a work in progress but I'm looking forward to honing in on a routine that works for me, not one that I've read about, been told about, or that's worked for somebody else. Let's call it customization. I'm fancy like that.

WEEK 4: PRESENCE {October 28 - November 4}
This week it's all about presence. I've got a big week ahead full of personal projects, work deadlines, a course I've enrolled in, as well as a weekend away with friends. My aim here is to be in the moment. To focus on what's right in front of me, rather than letting my mind run off, thinking/ planning/ worrying about something else.

Instead of letting my mind run off, when I'm away having fun with a friends, I'm not going to think about the to-do list I have at home, I'm just going to be there. When I'm hammering out the details of a project, I'm not going to guilt myself because I haven't completed a course assignment, I'm going to immerse myself fully in my project. Laser-focus. Crystal-clear attention. Full-speed ahead!

My hope here is that presence works its way into all aspects of my life. Not just the "getting shit done" parts, but also the snippets in the day where I create space for myself, and invite in pockets of pure joy. To clear my mind of inner-chatter when I'm on the yoga mat. To write simply for the joy of writing. To stop and jump on my mini-trampoline just for fun. To take my meditation practice further, and go deeper.

I have a feeling it's going to be a pretty freaking awesome week ahead.

YOUR TURN: What goals are you setting for yourself this week? Declare it + share it in the comments! xx

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Goals Before 2014: Setting The Tone (Week 2 + 3)

My apologies for the late post today, the first day after the long weekend is always such a hectic one! But I hope everyone's feeling amped up to tackle this week and another goal!

My focus last week was on getting my house in order and knocking off those less-than-thrilling "to do" items off the list, and let me just say, putting pen to paper and crossing those items off felt so good!

I'll be honest, a couple of those items were left to the wayside since we travelled back to our hometown for Canadian Thanksgiving, leaving less than enough time to get it all done... but I have officially changed my last name on all legal paperwork (in case you're new here, I got married last April... so that one's been nudging me for awhile now!), I've made space for a couple tasks that I've been wanting to do for months now, and we've found some really awesome artwork for our home... making it feel more "us".

Regarding this project as a whole, I did do some time going through my goals and two big questions have been popping up:

1. Is this something I really want to do?
2. How will I feel after I've accomplished this?

These are two Q's that I have been and will continue to ask myself as we navigate ourselves through the rest of the year, since the ULTIMATE goal is to invite joy + ease + all kinds of feel-good emotions. Just a little somethin' somethin' to think about as you pick and choose your own slam-dunk goals.

WEEK 2 + 3: SETTING THE TONE {October 14 - 28}
My aim here is to create a morning routine that sets the tone for the rest of my day. To me, this means opening my eyes earlier, getting myself on my feet, and carving out time for me.

Sometimes that might mean hitting my yoga mat, or moving my body in some way. It might mean opening up a book, sitting down to meditate, scribbling in my notebook, or simply sipping tea while daydreaming out the window. What I plan to cut out is: checking my phone as soon as I wake up, hitting the snooze button, and scrambling to head out the door first thing.

As you can see, I'm setting aside two weeks to really help create an awesome morning routine that I can stick with. The reason for this is, well, I like to sleep. I love to sleep. Mornings are so not my forte. What I do know for sure is that the mornings that I have hopped out of bed early, that same sense of calm and clarity has travelled with me throughout the day. While I know this will be difficult for me, by giving myself some extra time along with the public accountability, I'm excited to feel the buzz of the morning high throughout my days, even if I have to drag myself out of the comfy (warm, inviting, glorious) bed.

OVER TO YOU: Have you been setting goals lately? How do you pick and choose 'em?

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Goals Before 2014: Making Things Happen (Week 1)

Time to kick this plan into action! Last week I let you in on an experiment I had in mind (and hope you'll partake in!) in an effort to turn the stress + overwhelm that comes with the end of year waaay down.

I know, I know. You're thinking, "It's only October, why the hell are you talking about 2014?!"

Let me explain: From my personal experience, I tend to start thinking about how I'm going to kick off the new year around the last couple of weeks of December. Yep, right around the time when there's 3578591 loose ends to tie up and a million more errands to run. Pair that up with the end of year chaos of holiday festivities, and you get a lot of reactive priority-shifts + actions. This is about being proactive. And we've got plenty o' time for that. (12 weeks plus a coupla days to be exact!)

You can read more about this experiment here but here's the condensed version if you're playing catch-up:

It's all about chucking obligation out the door and being led by feel good decisions through a free-form structure (That's code for you decide exactly how these next 12 weeks play out! Yes, you! The creator/ master/ commander/ expert of the good + great + awesome in and of your Universe, respectively. So much pow-ah!)

We'll be removing complication from the equation and scaling back projects + goals into smaller, actionable items LEADING TO laser-focus, clarity, and a helluva lotta productivity CREATING simplicity, ease, and joy ULTIMATELY setting ourselves up to launch 2014 on a HIGH NOTE! With fire! Pizazz! Oomph! 

SIGN. ME. UP.

Last week, I spent some time mapping through some of the goals that I'd like to make happen, giving myself a small guideline to follow but nothing too concrete that I feel obligated to follow to a T. (Too much in-depth planning tends to make me feel a wee bit claustrophobic, I need a little wiggle room for spontaneity! The spice of life! You know?)

WEEK 1: GETTING MY HOUSE IN ORDER {October 7 - 13}
While trying to get all my ducks in a row over the past few days, I've already headed up this week's goals by:

+ Getting a couple of annoying to-do's off my list - like, unsubscribing to newsletters that I'm always deleting, paperwork to renew my passport, and some banking.
+ Painting our bedroom
+ Purchasing new bedding (!!!)
+ Started creating a productive + inspiring office to work in at home
+ Downloading a zillion new audiobooks for my morning commute

However, I definitely thought I'd accomplish a lot more than I did but, you know, painting. It's the ultimate time suck. But! It was a huge item to tick off the list! (Even if we still have to finish up the accent wall, I'm still checking this one off as a major success! We've now successfully painted our entire place aside from the bathroom.)

This week I'll be focusing on more or less the same: creating sacred spaces in our home (continuing to spice up the office, making our bedroom feel cozy + relaxing), checking those other annoying things I've been neglecting off the list (the ones that keep magically reappearing), booking some much needed appointments for the future, as well as tracking my time better to boost productivity.

My hope is that at the end of this week, I'll be freeing up some serious mental space where "I'll get to that..." has been residing for too long!

How about you? Anything you'd like to smash outta the park this week? 

Image via Design Love Fest // Chillhiro

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An Experiment: Combating Overwhelm

Feelings of overwhelm tend to be a reoccurring theme that creeps in again and again. As we head into a new month, the sudden realization that there are only three months until a brand new year sets in. Far enough out to be comfortable with it, and soon enough that it still surprises you.

As the weeks pass, the depleting end-of-year-itis will no doubt rear its ugly head, packing on the unrealistic expectations and dreaded pressure, leaving you feeling helpless and submerged in the world of overwhelm and stress.

I have 3294327 loose ends to tie up!
How the hell am I going to manage my full plate and smash through my goals?
Where did the time go?! It's only ____ days until Christmas!
Why is the end of the year so freaking kuh-ray-zy?

I'm here to tell you that it can be different. Softer, gentler, more productive.

HERE'S WHAT I'M PROPOSING:

Striking overwhelm from our vocabulary before it appears. Not just tackling the lengthy to-do list you've got tucked away, but doing so with intention. No rules, no obligations, all feel-good, free-form. Making room not just for the admin stuff and the "must-get-done" items, but for creativity, expansion, and joy. Step-by-step, side-by-side.

Sounds full of potential, doesn't it?

HERE'S WHAT'S GONNA HAPPEN:

Over the course of 12 weeks (starting next week), we'll begin to map out a goal a week (or take two weeks if it's a biggie!). By setting up realistic, achievable goals in a short-term setting, we'll be swinging open the doors, inviting in more into our lives and setting ourselves up to dive into 2014 feeling accomplished, refreshed, and AMPED to kick it off on the right foot.

The aim here is to...
+ Intentionally add what matters to your plate, creating LASER-FOCUS.
+ Smash through fears and resistance. Open up to more options, more possibilities. (Gimme more of that!)
+ Consciously make the time, making room for more of what you want. (HELL YEAH!)
+ Use this free-form, "how is this feeling?" technique to gently guide you through goal-smashing, setting the tone for what's next. (Don't make "must-abide-by" rules to follow.)
+ Play an active role in creating your own reality.

A FEW TIPS
Take this week to map out your goals - from the dusty, neglected items (like general house-keeping) to the shiny, new treasures dancin' around in your head (think expressing yourself creatively, signing up for a new class, creating a healthier lifestyle, whatever you wish!), and plan it out.

As we head into the next 12 weeks, don't be restricted by your list. While a plan helps you get going, it's not set in stone. Feel like doing your goal for week 6 instead of week 3? Shift it around. Need more time? Take it, sans guilt! Does one of your goals no longer resonate with you? Cross it off the list, open up for more. Trust your gut. You know what's best.

Lastly, hold yourself accountable! I'll be sharing my updates with you as I go, and if you'd like to write about your experiences - by all means! Other ways include, sharing this idea and teaming up with a friend, getting yourself an "accountability partner", or connecting on the Between Dreams community page. And if you'd like to email me for extra support + encouragement + occasional check-ins, you know where to find me!

Phew! I'm stoked! Can't wait to see how it unfolds.

TELL ME: Will you be mapping out your goals in the weeks to come? How does striking overwhelm from your vocabulary feel to you? Would absolutely LOVE to hear your thoughts in the comments. (And if you're joining in and sharing on the web, please be sure to leave your links so I can follow your progress! xx)

Image via Julian Bialowas

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