This is an experiment.
Do you want to join me?
It’s called, Operation: Relishing-Every-Single-Day-of-October… and it all started when I woke up this morning and didn’t even realize it was the first day of October.
That’s right, here’s my absolute favorite month of the year and somehow my life has gotten so sped up that I didn’t even realize it was here already.
And even though my immediate thought was, “Wow, how did the days slip by?”
The truth is, I’ve had this uncomfortable awareness that my pace has been too hurried, with too items on my wish list, too many home projects jotted in my calendar book, and yes, too much discontent.
And I’ve noticed something.
I’ve noticed that no mater how many items I’m scratching off my list there’s always so much more to get done. I won’t bore you with a photo of the unopened boxes in our garage right now, but it seems like it never ends. Do you know what I mean?…
Even my blogging which is usually a source of joy has gotten me down lately. It bothers me when I can’t catch up on my visits to other blogs. Or when I’m not responding to my comments, which mean so much to me.
But mostly I’ve noticed a sense of loss after I visit all the lovely Fall Home Tours going on in Blogland right now. Honestly. It’s like standing outside a big, festive party and looking in through a smudgy window. I guess it makes me realize how much I really love styling and photographing my home for you all.
And there it is. My problem in a nutshell.
Dreaming and planning is a slippery slope. It can easily get you dissatisfied with what you’ve got at the moment.
Ever since we got into this new home I’ve been in a constant state of planning for our home renovations. Focusing on the yuck carpet that I want to be rid of... Getting quotes. Collecting ideas. Yada yada yada.
But the problem with being engrossed in home renovations is that it’s easy to live too much in the future where all the prettiness will be. Instead of right where my little old body is, in the midst of my sometimes messy-chaotic-very unfinished life. I’ve heard people say they have similar reactions after visiting perfectly staged blogger homes.
It can plant a quiet seed of discontent in us.
Sigh. It’s all about balance isn’t it?
But here’s my bottom line: This month I want to live more in the NOW. I want to get off the hurry train and be more mindful of the little blessings I’ve been missing by focusing on this darn house.
So I had this idea and maybe you can join me.
Earlier this year when I did my 30 day yoga challenge I learned a powerful lesson. It’s fascinating really, but when you commit to doing something new everyday your life begins to change in other ways. You begin to count your days. Notice the dates. Suddenly you’re acutely aware of how much time is passing and it’s this kind of open-eyed alertness, that actually helps you slow down. And own your life.
After all, this is it. Today.
This is your body,
this is your age,
this is weight,
this is your house,
this is your small, sacred space in the world right where you are today.
Now repeat after me.
I know. Pretty powerful huh?
Alright, here’s my plan.
It’s 31 days of showing up in October.
Every day during October I’m going to come here to Gwen Moss land and write something down. Period. Hopefully it will inspire you, it will be the same kind of topics, just a shorter version. But it will be my way of staying fully present during the month of October.
Heck, I’ve never done this before so my goal is to work on the ‘art of imperfection.’ That means not having to worry about posting perfect pictures or posts with typos.
Hey, it’s just you and me right? Hanging out together.
This October …lets experiment.
Grab your own notebook or your laptop or your IPhone or your own blog and join me by jotting down something each day in October.
And let’s savor the small stuff.
xoxo
Leslie
17 comments:
Leslie, You must have read my mind. I feel like my life is spinning out of control. Our move, renovations and caring for my dad has taken a toll on my health and sanity. I need to slow down and focus on each day. Thanks for this post.
xx,
Sherry
Hanging out with you every day ... just one more reason to love October!
Thanks for this refreshing post. I have had a tough week already and this is just the thing to take my mind off of it!
Shelley
Oh I wish you could see the smile on my face....huge Leslie....HUGE! I am in, every day, cannot wait...well, I won't wait. Starts today. I am going to write something, maybe not long but something.
GEEZ.... you are a great inspiration.
I needed this. BIG TIME.
Same here. Enjoy every moment. The tasks will still be there when you're ready.
Yes! This is a wonderful idea!
Oh darling … you know I just love You!! How beautiful and profound is this! I … in my attempt … to improve my blog … I have begun to be silenced by my drive in persued perfection … so much it's just not that fun anymore. I love the idea … of just posting something daily … although I know I never will :)) But I am so excited to come visit you everyday my dear!
The older I get … the more I am coming to love the process of life … to slow down and make a personal commitment … not to live a hurried life. I have come to a place of joy just making meals … and even the cleaning up after. I am so much happier … with simple in the moment these days.
Thank you so for the gentle reminder my friend! I look forward to catching up with you in real life as well!
Much love to you my dear!
Tamera
Leslie,
There are plenty of folks that are or have gone through that same feeling of discontent...looking too much to what's in front of you instead of what's happening right now. This is a great way to force perspective and enjoyment of the here and now. I appreciate just reading your always well-written posts.
P.S. I'm bummed because I didn't get an email notice of your new posts...I've fixed it by adding you to my homepage feed.
31 days is a good amount of time, it will be fun to see what unfolds.
xo,
Karen
I have the same problem with the fall tours. But mostly because I'm never ready for fall. Never ready for grey skies of winter here. I'm joining you in spirit this month, and maybe you can join me in this one thing. Take a sticky note and write this on it "Lord, thank you for the way things are RIGHT NOW."
Leslie,
I thank God for the day I discovered your blog! I too have been thinking of the remaining 3 months if the year and where the time went.
I have had some family and personal issues going on since January and my life has felt like it was spinning put of control. I n the last month after , 9 months of turmoil I have settled down are realized, " I can no longer carry other peoples rocks in my backpack" .
Thank you for always bringing me back to center!
I love following along on your remodeling adventures! Keep up the good work.
Xo Elizabeth
Great idea, Leslie. It's not too late to link up to the 31-day series hosted by Nester. It's at least year #3 of writing each of the 31 days in October. I participated the past two years but couldn't get motivated this year. Here's the link: http://write31days.com
I listened to 3 pod casts yesterday by Chalene Johnson of the Smart Success Academy. I so wish she had not taken them down...they were perfect for how you're feeling right now. #4 is up today if you'd like to check it out ~ I haven't watched it. So many things she suggested made perfect sense to me. I've been in a real funk lately and, even though I know better, haven't felt "enough". Loss and rejection reared their ugly heads again. Not fun!
Anyway, I would love to visit you each day of my favorite month! Perhaps I might join you too ~ :)
Thanks for sharing from the heart ~ you always bring a smile to my face!
xo
Pat
leslie, i think i get you. it's so easy to feel overwhelmed, and i agree that if we pay too much attention to blogstuff it can exacerbate and magnify the overwhelmment (whatev i'll make up words ALLLLLL dayyy). you ARE enough. and so am i. and we're too hard on ourselves. and it's stupid because we're never gonna reach a level of perfection with interiors or BMI. so we just get little bits done each day, and your quest for october is honorable. i salute you!
Breathe...just breathe. :-)
Marilyn (in Dallas)
Hello dear Leslie,
I am just catching up after an incredibly busy time styling for an event in Chico to celebrate breast cancer survivors. The beauty, the enthusiasm and encouragement for each other was palpable for the women who have been on the journey of cancer and recovery. Being immersed in that world has been an inspiring reminder of how to live in the moment....the moment today. I have found myself, at various times in life, living for the future. I know you left a gorgeous 'nest' and you are starting over in the feathering process. How lovely that you are able to consciously slow down and enjoy this phase. Your new dining room (and fun chandelier project) look fantastic. That gray and gold----swoon!!! I love your style lady. We are definitely on the same wavelength. Have a wonderful week and I look forward to your October series.
xx, Heather
Oh Leslie ~ I so would have jumped on this wagon ~ how come I am so far behind in my reading??!! I so enjoyed it when I did it last May that I actually had planned to do it again. On another note ~ your blog comments are not showing up in my email and I need to figure out why. I am not sure if it is Blogger or Yahoo yet when you reply to my comments I get the email ~ strange. I cannot wait to read more ~ off I go!
Came over from Pat's blog. I love this. I had a recent health scare that really caused us to slow down and focus on what really matters. And, even now that it has been resolved with good news things have changed. No longer is the mile long to do list important. My youngest flew home from college to surprise us this weekend. The list went out the window, and to be honest...it felt good, it felt right and we survived!
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