Go Big or Go Home

I'm a perfectionist. If I am going to do something, I am going to do it all out. Go big or go home, right?

That's great except when it's not.

Sometimes I stop myself from starting (or I'm scared to start) if I'm not sure I can finish, or if I'm not sure if I can finish on top.

This is true in so many areas of my life: work, family, running.

Sometimes, though, it's not about going big. It's just about going at all.

Just go. Just do. Just be. Forward motion is better than no motion at all.

Five for Friday

1. Why can't the work week be only four days? I swear that I would be no less productive at work. The extra weekend day would improve my quality of life exponentially.

2. More snow is on the way. Last Friday, I had a fantastically refreshing run in the snow and I'm looking forward to the same tonight or tomorrow.

3. I'm running a half-marathon in five weeks. Yikes!

4. Nothing is as exciting as a new calendar. This week I cracked open my fresh 2014 Moleskine planner and hung up a monthly calendar in my kitchen. Making plans...

5. I have a big to-do list for the weekend. Here's hoping much of it will be accomplished.

Happy Weekend!

Sant-Malo, France

Sant-Malo, France | June 2008

Ai and My Other Love

Today I opened Adobe Illustrator (Ai) on my work computer for a very simple project. I haven't really used this program in a few years, but I realized how much I miss it and how much I want design and design work to be a part of what I do. Coming from a design background (an undergraduate degree in Landscape Architecture) but working in a position currently where I am limited in my time to actually use my design skills, I realize that I really would be much happier bring able to engage with design projects on a regular basis.

Five for Friday

1. I've been thinking a lot about this space and how I want to be brave enough to use it. 2. Marathon training, round two, has been so.much.more difficult than round one. 3. I don't like not being sure absolutely sure I can accomplish something (like finishing a marathon). I have been so stressed about my long runs and my mental state, that I finally decided on my run yesterday morning that I would switch to the half-marathon. I had a moment of regret before I clicked the button but I am excited to refocus and set some half-marathon goals. As for the marathon, I'll be back someday. 4. Speaking of morning runs, I had time for two this week. I've barely run in the morning at all this summer due to family committments. It's so, so nice. 5. It's Labor Day weekend! I'm looking forward to (A) the start of college football, (B) some boating, (C) relaxed running and bike rides, and (D) seeing W (he's been at the grandparents for a few days).

Let's Pretend...

Let's pretend that it's October 2012.

October 21, 2012 to be specific. Otherwise known as the Day I Ran My First Marathon.

Details forthcoming...

Say YES to skinny jeans and yoga

I've been thinking a lot about how to say yes to all those things I want to do or how to say yes to things that I might normally think are not for me. As I get older, I keep thinking about how there's no time to waste. If I want to do something, then, really, just do it. Make it happen or at least don't be afraid to try it out.

Case in point #1: Yoga
A few years ago a colleague invited me to a yoga class at work. Even though I can barely touch my knees, I decided to try it. And, surprise! I loved it. Ever since then I've been thinking about how I should try it again, but I've always found a reason not to go. Until now. This week I finally got my act together, called a local yoga studio, and showed up for a yoga foundations class. I bought a new member package (6 sessions for $50) and got started. Done and done. And, after class the instructor even told me I had good form and asked me if I was a dancer (ha!). So glad I finally did this!

Case in point #2: Skinny jeans
Me in skinny jeans? No way. Really, I mean NO WAY. My body image issues and skinny jeans just do not go together. At all. Until a few weeks ago when I decided to try on a pair of (red!) skinny jean cords at Loft during one of the afternoon 50% off flash sales. Magic happened. Truly. I liked them. (Is this really me talking here?) They fit and looked ok, so I bought them, and I LOVE them. I feel amazing and confident in them. And now I'm just waiting until the next big 50% off sale to grab a pair of regular skinny jeans too. (Make your own skinny jeans.)

Lesson learned: say yes once in a while. You might be surprised.