Staycation - Staying Never Felt So Good

My vacation is almost over and I've never felt better.  It is not easy today to watch all the posts of my friends travel around the world while I remain at home.  Except that today, enriched from 10 days of vacation at home, this was an experience that I will look back as more than satisfying.  Achieving simple goals by using my time to do yoga, to eat healthy, to think healthy, to spend time with my family, to have fun and to accomplish big home projects with my husband.  In every experience, I walked away reconnected to myself, my family or my friends.

The big news is that I am a planner.  Those who know me might say, "No kidding." And I always knew that I am best when I am in my routine, but this was different.  I had a new plan every day.  Without my regular routine, I was free in LA to do something new, something different, something meaningful and/or something fun.

When I drive home from work, I often reflect on how much or how frustrating my day had been.  During this vacation, I took time to breathe, reflect on the past 6 months and thought about how much more I want to do for the rest of the year and even beyond.  Vacation is a separation from my routine that made me realize how much I value my routine.  These two weeks offered me the opportunity to reconnect.

I didn't go the the beach, I didn't climb mountains, and there are a lot more experiences I didn't have, but what I did have was real, meaningful and fulfilling.  When I was planning this vacation, I had one thought - "Don't get to the end of the vacation and regret it."  And I do not.  I will cherish these next couple of days before I return to work and know that I am returning to work happier, relaxed, satisfied, and excited for what is next.

 

Change of Scenery #staycation #immersingmyselfingoodness

Day 3 - When I first planned my vacation, I had hoped that my family would be able to take a trip somewhere. Unfortunately, this year we had to stay close to home but I still kept my vacation days on the schedule.  I had my concerns about my staycation as I had written before, but making the moments count so that I can feel like I am on vacation was my real goal.  

While I am on vacation, my kids are in school and camp and my husband has his to do list which leaves me time to create opportunities to enjoy time in my own city.  One of the best ways for me to change my perspective when I feel stuck is to change my scenery.  It could be as easy as driving a new way, taking these yoga classes or even relaxing in a different part of my house (my house is not that big, so this is actually not as easy as it sounds).  

So here is my plan for the next few days - 

Yoga - I got my free week and I'm on day 3 and yes, I love it.  I hope I still love it when I am paying for it or when I am back at work and trying to find the time to get to class.

Movies - I love going to the movies, but I go to the same 2 theaters all the time.  After today when I see newest Transformers at my regular theater, I going to make some plans to see movies at different theaters around LA.  It will give me a chance to step out of my familiar places and give my senses a little wake up.

Restaurants - This takes a lot of planning and sometimes too much time when 4 people all want to chime in about where we should eat.  Over the next week or so, I'd like to choose 2-3 new places to have a new dining experience with my family.  So many new interesting places have opened and again, if I drive a little farther then my typical 4-5 mile radius, my senses will have to become more alert to what is happening around me.

More to come...

Day 14 - #mywaytohealthylife Immersing Myself in Goodness

This past week was not as easy to be on my healthy track.  And before I start making excuses, I just want to keep going and try to make more good decisions than bad.  In anticipation of my vacation which is supposed to help me relax, I was overwhelmed with all that I needed to do to prepare for 2 weeks out of the office, but still be at home.  I'm planning my staycation with enthusiasm so that I can make the most out of a vacation I really need.

The theme of this staycation is to immerse myself in goodness.  Living in LA, I often see people midday out for a run, lounging in their favorite coffee shop with a good book, posting on FB that they are at the beach or at movie, and I always wonder, "What do they do?  Why do they get to do such fun things during the day?"  I want to do that.  So for the next 2 weeks, I am immersing myself in taking the time to see the sights, work out, finish a few books and even organize my life.

It's going to take effort to create a daily to do list balancing fun, spirituality and the errands that I need to do.  Here is my first attempt at the next few days:

Sunday - Father's day.  Family time.
Monday - Yoga class, clean out closet, relax in my backyard
Tuesday - Walk, meet friends for lunch, healthy food shopping and cook dinner, try spin class
Wednesday - Yoga class, lunch with my daughter, go to the opening day of new "Transformers"

Somewhere in these days, I want to meditate.  I may start my day with daily minyan which is truly immersing myself in goodness. The spirituality that I feel in that room of prayer gives me strength. The hum of the individuals praying, themselves trying to start their day with words of gratitude, envelops me in a way that I have trouble putting into words, but it is good.

First steps can get me to where I want to go.  Keep moving forward will allow me to succeed and have the staycation that I need and want.

Stay tuned.

Mindful Management #whathatareyouwearing

In a recent conversation, a few of us were brainstorming and some asked, "What hat are you wearing?"  It will likely become the theme of our staff retreat later this summer.  I have heard this phrase before, but at that moment it really struck me as a challenge and opportunity.  I used to find the changing of the hats as difficult, awkward and unsettling.  Now, I change hats with a smooth transition and allow this growth to enhance my experience.

Clarity of hats - The biggest lesson I've learned is to wear one hat at a time.  It is just easier for everyone.  Am I the team leader?  If so, then lead.  Am I the team member? If so, then be a creative and supportive force on the team.  The best meetings allow all staff to share, learn, create and feel we all accomplished.

Chaos of hats - Sometimes when I am distracted, frustrated, rushed, or misunderstood, I need to just listen.  Even when I see my colleagues in their specific roles, personalities and moods get in the way of accomplishing our goals.  During these moments, I try to sit back and listen.  Most often, the "listening hat" is my solution to help move past the chaos.

My "Best Self" hat - My most important hat.  Striving to be my best self is the most productive, fulfilling and positive way for me and those around me.  Trying to make good decisions for me, for my family, and for my staff takes time, thoughtfulness and the ability to see the bigger picture.  During difficult conversations, it is important to keep calm and focus on how best to accomplish one's goals for the conversation.  I have to remember that the person facing me needs to hear me in a kind and assertive manner.  Showing strength, confidence and grace at this time is the key to having a difficult, yet successful conversation.

For the next two weeks, I will be wearing my vacation hat and while I won't literally be wearing a hat, I will make sure that to bring some balance back to my life and I will figuratively keep that hat on for the next two weeks.  It's all part of #mywaytohealthylife.

Shabbat Shalom and have a great weekend.

Day 8 - #mywaytohealthylife

Day 8 - In this weekly journal, I want to track my progress as well as keep a record of some very good lessons I learned this week.  Here we go...

• I can do this.
• Focus on my mind first.  That's where I make the right decisions.  Reminds me of the old saying, "The fish stinks from the head." (one of my favorites and applicable in so many situations.)
• Do things that are good for the heart.  
• Meditation - brings the heart rate down and allows my mind to clear.
• Celebrate joyful moments.  Every moment.  Every one.
• Play cards
• Cook
• Hang out with people who make you smile.
• Count small successes
• Learn from the missteps
• Keep going
• Keep track and stick to routine

I'm taking a deep breath and taking my next step forward.  

Day 1 - #mywaytohealthylife

Today is day 1 of my own personal health challenge.  It took me a while to get here and of course, I'm mad that I'm starting over again.  I'm also relieved that I'm here again.  There is some freedom in getting back to a healthy routine, a regiment that gives me direction and goals.  I like structure and I enjoy cooking, meditation, and living positively.

Why today?  Probably because I want to, need to and am tired of not feeling as good as I used to.

How will I do this?  I'm going to write a lot.  Track my food, my exercise and start writing here again to share my progress.  So many of my friends inspire me by their healthy choices and I want to include all great ideas.

How do I define success?  I'm sure everyone has great answer for this - reach my goal weight, lose inches, wear a smaller size and those will define part of my success.  In addition, I want finally integrate my mind, body and soul so that I don't have to start this over again and again.  I will only know that success years from now and that is something I'm ready to start right now.  Working to achieve that balance of family, health, friendship, community and career will be my success.

What are my rules?  This is the easy part.

1. Stay focused
2. Make good decisions
3. Meditate
4. Be kind to myself

So here we go...