50% of the time I'm always right.
...these statistics might be skewed.
Told you so.
That’s what I said to myself last week as I lay in bed wired on Hawaiian time after having just landed back in LA. It was nearly midnight which is 3 hours past my regular bedtime and I had a moment to reflect. Every vacation I have ever taken as an adult has filled my tank to the brim. Our tropical excursion was no exception. It was relaxed and comfortable and perfect because I had zero expectations going in.
This may sound obvious but seeing with new eyes will sometimes require SEEING NEW THINGS.
Travel is like a warm bath for the mind.
You are out of your routine, for better or for worse, and you are enveloped in newness. People, smells, sights, sounds, roads, foods, language, weather, etc. Travel opens the creative centers of the brain and will provide perspective in ways we don’t expect.
Some of us are better at scheduling travel than others. For instance, I could be better. I come from a long line of workaholics and convincing me to step back from hustle culture is a feat. Let the record show that every single time I do step back, I thrive in the moment and more so when I return. It hurts to type this out loud. lol.
The more I learn about generational trauma (and I’m nowhere near an expert), it’s obvious to me that it’s alive and (un)well. My challenge is to acknowledge what I’m getting out of my workaholic relationship(s) and simultaneously, what I’m losing.
Most of the time,
I choose the upside. I CHOOSE IT. You will benefit from conditioning yourself to choose your highest good. Practice this skill by taking small opportunities to reenforce the habit. Park farther away from the market because you have healthy strong legs and it’s not that much trouble to walk another 20 ft., get up early to workout so it’s done before you can “excuse it away”, choose clean food and think about the amount of sunshine and photosynthesis involved in the creation of this one nourishing meal, forfeit lower frequency friend groups for folks that love to see you succeed and inspire you to be and do more.
*note: that last one is not easy but life will be better when you clean house - trust me.
The last 3 months,
I had to choose “small sh*t tasks” in order to reach the finish line with my children’s book. The to-do list was not exciting and my worrisome self was busy forecasting all sorts of disasters (WHICH NEVER CAME TO FRUITION, MIND YOU!).
Clearly I survived and completed said tasks because the book is out. Laying in bed the other night, reflecting on my hard work, and relishing the high of our sweet vacation; I was pleased.
The high points come faster when you’re conditioned to stack the boring yet necessary habits required to pass GO and collect $200.
I have a friend who is a bad ass. The “work hard play harder” type. She told me she schedules her next vacation while she is on her current one. I said “I could never”…she explained it not only inspires her to go home and buckle down but it’s planting the reward while she is in a state of receiving. She can get excited and stay excited about what’s coming. That’s a handy trick. IYKYK.
Real talk: the life you’re living is at least 50% related (more like 90%) to how you feel about the big things; your job, your family, your children, your partner, your friends, yourself, your worthiness. Carefully select what deserves your time and energy. Like this quote from Mark Manson that said:
“All relationships require work. Good relationships get better with work. Bad relationships need constant work just to stay the same.”
The relationship to self and the relationship to habits fall in one of those two categories as well. So 50% of the time you’re always right or is it 100% of the time you get what you expect.
Maybe it’s both, and.
OKAYILOVEYOUBYEEE,
xx
Nic.
ps. Classes this week:
* Tuesday (today) QUICKIE YOGA 12-12:30pm pst. $10. All levels yoga...this is a feel good, mobility based sesh…you might sweat a little but overall it’s just a great break in the day. This class has always been $10 as it began as a community class. If you need financial assistance with any of my classes, just ask - we'll make it work. Sign up here.
* Friday YOGA FLOW 6:30-7:05am pst. $20. This is part of my March Fit program but open for anyone to drop in. We will start with breath work, incorporate CARS and build from there. It's only 35 minutes and a great way to show your body some love and attention. Sign up here.
* Saturday FULL BODY STRENGTH 7:30-8am pst. $20. This is part of my March Fit program but open for anyone to drop in. The group energy is excellent and we begin with CARs, strength train and sweat it out with friends. Bring a glute loop/resistance band, lighter and heavier weights. Sign up here.
* Saturday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW 9-10am, 10:15-11:15am. *NOTE* These classes will be held in the lobby due to soundproofing!!
In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.
* Sunday KINSTRETCH 9-10am pst. $20. Highly specialized joint specific training. Everyone is welcome. This is the WD-40 and veggies of your movement practice or the “flossing of your joints”. We do the CARS routine and strength train your joints all in 60 minutes. Sign up here.
* Sunday AVIATOR NATION YOGA FLOW. 11:30am-12:30pm. *NOTE* time change for this week only!! This will be in the yoga room, as usual. In person, in Santa Monica. Come on out. Sign up here.
pps. My appreciation runneth over. Thank you sooooo much for purchasing YOLKED, writing incredibly kind (and funny) reviews, and for sharing it with your schools and loved ones. I hope it made you smile. The hardcover is the prettiest in my opinion. If you’re still in the market, buy it here and please leave us a 5 star review!!