Gack. I kinda don't want to know what’s hiding in the dark corners of my pantry. But it’s time to pull everything out, wipe down the shelves, and toss out anything that has expired. This might be lacking the “fun” element I want most Nudges to have, but this task has been on my decluttering to-do list for years. If your pantry is ship-shape, accept this Nudge to attack your[...]
I’ve lived in my current neighborhood for over a decade, yet for some reason I can’t explain, I've never stepped inside the specialty cheese shop across the street from one of my favorite restaurants. I’ve walked and driven past it a million times. I’ve even parked in front of it and peered in the front window. Friends rave about this place, about its offerings and its owners. Wha[...]
Pretty straightforward this one. By ignoring the news this week, I hope to lower my blood pressure and maybe focus on more joy in the world. Fingers crossed. What Happened: Well, this was HARD! I jumped right in, committed to sticking to my plan, but "news" is everywhere. Monday morning it distracted me at the gym. (Just try focusing on anything other than the hanging TV screens in fro[...]
My friend Candace introduced me to this practice many years ago, and it's been ages since I've last done it. You know how we get so stressed about money (usually the lack of it)? Well, this is one way to be delighted by money for a change (interesting pun--hehe!). Here's how it works: Get four bills ($1, $5, $20 -- whatever you can swing)."Hide" each of the bills in a different pocket,[...]
Maybe it’s all the isolation from COVID, or just the fact that so many of my closest friends live far away. I need new girlfriends. I need someone with whom I can pick up the phone and be spontaneous. And it takes time to find the right matches and nurture these relationships. But it feels like dating (ugh), and it’s scary and hard! So…I’m nudging myself to make the first move.[...]
Of all things, this Nudge was inspired by a character in a book I read last year (wish I could remember the title). One character would only read books he could purchase for $5 or less. What an interesting challenge! I also love that this Nudge is a way to support a local small business. Speaking of great small bookshops, I’d like to give a shout-out to Dudley’s in Bend, Oregon. In t[...]
This Nudge hits on two themes: self-care and household decluttering. I wish I could go out for a professional facial, but I’m still not comfortable being in enclosed spaces. (Darn COVID.) But that’s no excuse to pass up a chance for some pampering. Besides, I know there’s a treasure trove of potions and creams hiding in the bottom drawer of my bathroom cabinet. Time to dig something[...]
I’ve already forgotten the book or article that introduced “Radical Decency” to me, but the message stuck. As we head into this holiday weekend, I am going to make an extra effort to reach out to someone. Maybe it’s someone I know who is grieving a recent loss or who will be especially lonely. Maybe it’s someone with whom I have a challenging relationship, a relationship that ne[...]
I groaned when I read this Nudge, and I almost put it back for my first Pass. This nudge presents at the start of one of the busiest work weeks for me—oh, plus Christmas. Everything on my massive to-do list is a “MUST-DO”, and at a quick glance, everything in there can only be done by me. Or…? My intention to practice more Radical Self-Care is behind this Nudge. When I added[...]
“Listen, when I was a little girl, I used to spend hours looking for ladybugs. Finally, I’d just give up and fall asleep in the grass. When I woke up, they were crawling all over me.” Under the Tuscan Sun, photo courtesy of Touchstone Pictures I love this line from the movie Under the Tuscan Sun. It’s a reminder that sometimes, when we want something desperately, in[...]