Jumpstart Your Yummy Life!
July 2009
by Angelique Devost
I am amazed by the number of people who, during the past few months, have told me that play is an area of their life that is starved for attention. Some have indicated that lack of play is a greater contributor to the dissatisfaction they feel with their life than relationship or money issues.
At some point along our journey to adulthood, we seem to lose touch with a part of ourselves that is vital to our overall sense of health and wellbeing. Being playful deepens our connection with others and helps us feel alive and youthful, regardless of how old we are. It also helps us handle the more difficult times that are a natural part of life with grace.
Last week, Morella and I did something really fun! We created a 3-day business planning retreat for ourselves to set goals for the coming year. We laughed, danced, did yoga, meditated, brainstormed, sunbathed, ate healthy food…you get the picture. One of the goals we set for ourselves was to have fun. Because we want our goals to be measurable so that we can periodically assess how we are doing, we scheduled at least one fun thing to do each month.
Here’s my list:
- August: have the ladies on my street over for a girl party
- September: learn to drive a stick shift GRACEFULLY (I already know how to drive one badly :)
- October: take a hot air balloon ride during peak foliage (this is a major stretch for me because of my fear of heights)
- November: begin taking piano lessons
- December: find and begin a program that will help me become fluent in Spanish
- January: go snowshoeing with new friends
- February: learn to ski
- March: take dance lessons
- April: take an art class
- May: go to Montreal for my birthday (can you believe I’ve never been to Montreal?)
- June: attend a full moon fire ceremony
- July: learn to sail
Doing this exercise has got me feeling more excited about my life than I have felt in some time! I can’t wait to do these new things! This enthusiasm is spilling over into the other areas of my life and helping me to be more focused and productive.
What are the things that you have always wanted to do but have told yourself you don’t have enough time for? Try jumpstarting your yummy life by not only writing these things down, but putting them on your calendar. Enjoy the energized feeling you will have when you have something fun to look forward to month after month. C’mon, it’ll be fun!