Here we go, 2015. Let's start with Yoga and a Blog Post

Writing an insightful blog post has been on my 'to-do' list for months. Bi-weekly, my Google calendar reminders me to write. Whoops.  Week after week, month after month, the time passes.  Perhaps I come across a concept or nugget of wisdom - or a joke - that I want to pass along.  Soon I find myself 13-tabs deep on the computer screen (please someone tell me you know what this is like!) in a seemingly never-ending abyss of like-links and articles I want to read.  Becoming overwhelmed and either amped with excitement or plagued by thoughts of self-doubt regarding my knowledge, expertise, or depth I'd deem valid for writing about a particular topic, my original intent to share information is stymied. OR, I take an easier route and post the article on Facebook.  Speaking of Facebook, does anyone else feel exasperated/inspired/lazy/skeptical/hopeful all at once when you read what people post for their long-winded end-of-year Facebook posts?  (Okay, disclaimer: This is a blog. It is okay to be long-winded in this space!)

How difficult it was to focus on writing the blog even when I opened my blogger platform to write. Upon opening the platform, I was immediately distracted in wanting to read the list of other blogs, which would no doubt lead me to considering a multitude of additional practice's I'd like to incorporate, blog posts I'd like to write about, and information to share with others.

YEOW! Focus!

Today began my '30 for 30 Challenge' through Yoga International.* I have know for the last several days this purposeful, intentional, planned, directed daily yoga practice would be a benefit to me and have truly been eagerly anticipating the challenge.  I marked my calendar with a daily reminder (as though I would need it, since I will also receive a daily email!).  My coachy-minded self had decided that morning would be the best time for me to engage in this practice: Easiest to protect the morning, quiet time, set the tone for the day, yadda yadda yadda.

Then my day happens (who's with me?). I woke up and was in a funk of an attitude. No specific reason for feeling funky. One of my first thoughts was remembering I have a 30-minute yoga practice to complete today.  Honestly, I was thankful for the structure this commitment provides.  Knowing I would 'get it done' but 'not feeling like it right now' upon waking, I pittered around the house in a feeble attempt to create a sense of purpose for myself - made some tea, let the dogs outside, consider my plans for the day. Oh yeah - it is January 1, 2015 - I ought to finish my 2015 list (more on that in a blog post to come!).

Wait a second. This post was meant to be about my first day of the '30 for 30' challenge.  Focus.

Hours later (I won't spend the next 45 minutes divulging the less-than-thrilling details of my morning consisting of Netflix self-soothing therapy, romance novel reading, and several hour nap), I was still not in a good place mentally. Time to just do it.  Even though my yoga-space is not cleaned up/picked up like I wanted it to be.

Enter: Day 1, Yoga for Strength, Daily Practice.

THANK YOU, Yoga International. Of course, as I knew it would be, just what I needed.  What boggles my mind is why did I wait over half of the day to do this? I know how good it feels physically, mentally, spiritually, and how it balances my emotions. Gah.

I did it. And it was glorious. And simple. Although, clearly from the length of this post, my mind isn't any slower, I am delighting in an improved mood and recognizing several of my hopes and needs for 2015:

• I'm learning more and more that I need a central 'parking lot' for my ideas and aspirations.
• As a part of the practice today, we moved in and out of poses. We were called to 'release'. This spurred my mind to remember I want to release unfavorable/non-beneficial thoughts and let go of unrealistic expectations ASAP.  (I have a LOT of those.)
• Let it go. Release. I don't need to do everything or be everywhere.
• Not everything has to be perfect. (Even my writing. Even this blog.) (This is a tough one. I am trying very hard not to go back and edit or reorganize my thoughts in this post!)
• Even though I'm a Health and Wellness Coach and a fitness trainer, I am human. I am not without flaw or failure. I am me. And that is okay. 

That said, I am proud of myself for partaking in my Day 1 of this challenge by not being controlling of my environment. Here is a photo of what my space looked like today.

Not terrible. But not what I had envisioned.  Let it go. 

Now I feel inspired to get outside and walk the dogs, work on my yoga/creative/office space, and finish my 2015 list.  I also want to write a lot more. Hopefully in a more organized and purposeful way.  But guess what? Not everything has to be perfect. 

Side note: I am also participating in the 'Self-Discovery 7 Day Challenge'.  This may or may not come up in future posts, so fair warning to you.

*(I do not endorse Yoga International in particular. They just happen to have some really great stuff!)

@CoachBurow #yogaeveryday #30for30 #dynamicwellness #mindbodyhealth