“It’s about time you do a 30 day challenge of your own,” I say to my husband not long ago. “And I have the perfect one for you.” He looks at me with skepticism and a little fear. “A no news challenge! No news for 30 days. What do you think?” My husband is a news junkie….
While my husband has been settling into his media fast, I’ve been working on a small 30 day challenge of my own. I’m calling it a love challenge. Rather, a “be patient and kind to your spouse at all times challenge.” I’ve been married for a little over 9 years. It’s a happy and loving marriage, and…
Happy 2017 everyone! I’m excited about new year and have big plans, but before I launch into my January challenge, I thought I’d take a look back at the 30 day challenges of 2016. It’s always good to take stock of the the previous year so that we can understand where we faltered, where we thrived and what…
A few weeks ago, I told my husband that I didn’t want him to get me anything for Christmas. He said no. I told him I’d return whatever he got me. He called me bah humbug. Then I said that in January, we’d be taking on a no shopping challenge. He rolled his eyes. In the end, I…
This is a no shopping challenge update. To read part 1, of the challenge, click here. Day 1. I accidentally shatter my Chemex glass coffee maker. I have to buy a new one, I think to myself. There’s no way I’ll survive a month without it. An hour later I watch my husband improvise with filters and an oversized water bottle. My…
Last month, my husband committed to a 30 day no news challenge where he would not read, watch or listen to any news. Below is a transcript of several audio interviews I conducted with him following his 30 day media fast, which he successfully completed on January 14, 2017. Insights from the no news challenge Why was the consumption…
Last week, several people sent me this story about a British woman, Michlle McGagh, who bought nothing for an entire year. By her estimates, she saved $23,000. She wrote: “Although I had no debt, my bank statements (when I bothered to look at them) were littered with unnecessary spending. When I did brace myself and look at my statements…
From January 29th to February 4th, according to my time tracking application, I spent 2 hours and 24 minutes on Scrivener, the app I’m using to write my book. This is very problematic, I thought to myself. If I have any shot at meeting my deadline, I need to spend 2 hours per day writing, not 2 hours per week. Unfortunately, the minutes…
I’ve taken on a number of challenges over the past three years that have remained untouched. Sewing, running, Italian and 15 minute planks, to name a few. But most of them, I’m happy to report, I either revisit regularly (guitar, YouTube videos, clutter, gluten free eating, no complaining) or have become part of everyday life (cold showers, meditation, writing,…
My challenge for this month is to wake up at 5am to write. 5am is extreme, but it’s peaceful. My mind is fresh and rested and I can work on my book (I’m writing a book about 30 day challenges) without interruption. No kids, no buzzing cellphone, no noise. The time allows me to be…
