Dearest Nudger, Today, for the first time in five weeks, I'm wearing real pants. Not slightly-too-big and gentle-on-my-abdomen sweatpants—which have been my wardrobe since March 30—but actual zipped-up, buttoned-up jeans. This is a huge win for me. In case you missed my post from a month ago, a ruptured appendix, surgery, infections, and complications (there was a return visit t[...]
So...my appendix ruptured. I am now home, having spent several days in hospital being treated for the resulting infections. I’m fine. I’ll be fine. I’m also clearing my schedule. For a few moments, I considered running past Nudges or doing some cute little TLC Nudges, but that’s not what I need. Radical Self-Care (and reality) demands that right now I put me first in every w[...]
This Nudge is inspired by a nutritionist-recommended deprivation diet I tried in fall 2021. It was a disaster. I was miserable. Nothing tasted good, I got no pleasure from anything. Sure, a few pounds fell away, but I was so unhappy, I knew I had to find a better way. I did some homework, took a hard look at what I really ate (all around, quite healthy) and how I really exercised, and[...]
I wish I could remember which friend introduced me to the concept of "Sacred Pause," because it's brilliant. This is my way of taking small steps toward more mindfulness. I suck at meditation, and I'm tired of trying to force myself to do it. I'm not great about scheduling Me Time either. It's also not the same as my regular prayer time, which is sacred in its own way. All I have to do[...]
This is so funny: I was actually thinking about pulling out my basket of chalks a few days ago and making something fun, and now I "have" to do it! If you're a long-time Nudger, you know that this Nudge has appeared in every round. It checks all the boxes: cheap, fun, creative, outside my comfort zone (I am so not a visual artist), and it 100% lifts my spirits every time. The messag[...]
My office is in our home, and it's an incredible space. Big bay window that looks out over our backyard. Mementos of past projects on the walls. A huge pine desk. And now a puppy pen in the corner. For years I've wanted to give it a makeover. I want color, I want pizzazz, I want something that represents my best self. I want it to look not just like a spare room that serves as an office,[...]
Dear Nudgers, You may recall that I allow myself to "Pass" on a Nudge four times during the year. Usually that means I have pulled something I don't feel like doing at the moment, or the timing isn't right, or whatever. I don't really have to have an excuse. I simply put the original Nudge back in the bowl and draw a new one. Today I am taking advantage of this rule by taking a Full[...]
“Oh, SURE!” That’s what I all-but-yelled when I drew this Nudge a few minutes ago. “Take a Mental Health Day.” Take a day off in one of my busiest weeks ever. I could take one of the four passes. But how ironic is that? I looked back at my notes on why I included this on The List 3.0. Here’s what I wrote: “I’ve been my own boss for over two decades. Taking a [...]
Dear Nudger, If you have followed 52Nudges for a while, you know that I love sending--and receiving--handwritten notes. So much so, that mid-pandemic, I did a whole series of "Connections" Nudges. When I started creating the 3.0 List, I considered dropping this, because, well, it's been done. But then, in September of last year, I discovered a stack of holiday cards from 2020, set a[...]
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[...]
