Unsticking the Envelope

I have created a bigger challenge broken down into smaller monthly, weekly, and daily challenges to help me meet my bigger goals.


One is to start taking better care of myself and lose 20 lbs in two months, by my 28th birthday.


The other is to write 50 thousand words in 2 months.


Progress I made today was making healthy freezer meals for the whole family, two servings each, of chicken fajitas for my husband, and tilapia fajitas/rice bowls for the little one and I since we try to eat only seafood for meat. I also have some stored away in the fridge awaiting us for dinner tomorrow. The plan is to plan ahead with meals so we aren't tempted to waste money on eating out or throwing together unhealthy food. We'll see how it goes. I also forced myself to eat routinely today. I typically have very little of an appetite, but I ate a healthy breakfast this morning, beans and rice with cayenne powder for lunch, and apple for snack. Will have a salad bar for dinner as we have to eat out tonight.


I enjoyed a bike ride in the stifling Florida summer heat with my son. It was nice to get out in the fresh air and soak up some Vitamin D. It was nice to get out of the routine, spend time with him, and have him start conversing with me. I love those bonding moments. I love that bike riding is all-encompassing with getting exercise, getting out of the routine, and making memories with my little one. Also mingled small sets of weight-lifting and pilates in the few minutes I can get throughout the day.


I pushed myself to write 1,000 words in Love is a Fickle Thing Two. It's funny how I stop myself up immediately with I Can'ts, but then once I am actually sitting in front of the screen, or in my case lying on my comfy bed, and start writing, it just flows, a little... enough. Instead of looking at the big picture of adding to the whole story, and adding all the pressure to myself on top of it, I have done what I intended to do with Romaine anyway, I am writing in short bursts of journal entries which is how I originally wanted to layout the second book anyway. I find it is much easier to write that way. I am getting renewed bursts of creativity by an artist's blog I am reading, and also using my own creative struggles incorporated into the story. I realized I am working too hard trying to make Romaine and the story into something it was never intended to be. It is supposed to be a simple, flowy, coming-of-age story from an artist's P.O.V. that is geared more towards artistic people. Now I am nearing finishing it, the reality of other people reading it has gotten me thinking I need to write for that audience, thus I lose it entirely. I started writing for Romaine, and the story I wanted to read, and so I must continue that way. It is magical and cracked with paint smudges and beautiful scenery with some realizations and maturity along the way. Why must I always complicate things and think if it is "easy" or "simple" then I need to feel guilty and must not be doing something right or am not doing enough?! Why is it so hard for me to just release control and let things flow?!


Well, moving forward, so much has been going on, but I must start getting ready. Meeting my wonderful husband for dinner then swapping my boy with him so they can go to VBS and I can go to my first meeting for the Creative Writing team at church. I am excited. VERY excited about being a part of this team, being in the middle of flowing creativity, and being with creative folks outside of myself for a good purpose. I am anxious for the growth I know will occur in me and my writing as a result of this new adventure.


Cheers to New Things and new adventures!


So, what is it that you want to do but have been too afraid/tired/overwhelmed/etc. to do?


Why not let go of the excuses and start doing it now?


Until next time...