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Amber Erickson: Denver Content Marketing Strategist & Freelance Health and Lifestyle Writer

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How To Overcome Routine & Change Your Life

by Amber Erickson

change-your-life, doing something scary - gokartingAt some point in life, we all find ourselves just chugging along. Following the routine and just going with it. We like this routine because it’s predictable, it’s safe and it’s comfortable. Routine gives the illusion of being in control.

Routine is helpful in this crazy world and does help keep some of us sane, but what if there is a downside to this safe, comfortable pattern of events? What if we are sacrificing our own potential by taking the safe path? What if this routine is keeping you from truly being happy?

Whoa.

Let that sink in for a minute, then think about the last time you did something scary or uncomfortable. It doesn’t have to be a big, life-changing thing, but when was the last time you stepped outside your comfort zone, did something out of character or took a risk?

Do Something Uncomfortable to Change Your Life

There is a book or process or whatever that challenges people to do something everyday that scares them. While this seems generic and maybe even a little strange, it has some serious merit. Doing something scary can change your life.

Routine leads to autopilot and monotony. Doing something scary creates excitement, laughter and a new perspective.

Changing your behavior and actions can change the way you feel or perceive something.  Trying something new and scary has the potential to open up a whole new world of possibilities.

  • Overcome fear
  • Boost confidence
  • Produce feel-good hormones
  • Create excitement and heightened energy
  • Promote connection if doing it with someone else
  • Challenge your preconceived ideas of what you’re capable of
  • Become more comfortable feeling uncomfortable

Creating any change in life can be slightly uncomfortable. It’s learning to become ok with this discomfort and work through it that real insight, growth and change can happen. What is the saying: Insanity is doing the same thing over and over expecting a different result. The way to bust through this is to shake things up, bust through those patterns and see what’s possible. Learning to find comfort in discomfort can change the way you perceive life, the way you approach challenge, stress or change and the quality of your relationships.

Here’s the caveat – this doesn’t have to be revolutionary. You don’t have to jump off a cliff (unless you want to), but really, truly think about where your life is a bit stagnant and see how you could step outside your comfort zone and change your life. Here are a couple ideas:

  • overcome your fear of asking your boss for a raise
  • conquer your fear of spiders (or snakes)
  • if someone asks you to do something and it scares you, say yes and actually do it (nothing illegal or super dangerous please)
  • take a class, try to learn a new instrument or start a new project that intimidates you
  • try a new recipe or buy an ingredient that you have no idea how to use
  • let someone else order for you at a restaurant
  • play in the mud, go sledding or catch frogs like you were a kid again
  • tell a friend or loved one what’s really on your mind (honesty can be really challenging)
  • tell your spouse what you need from them (physically, emotionally, spiritually, etc.)
  • think about what your oldest friends would say when asked the one thing you’d never do – then do it
  • if you work out, use heavier weights, or more incline or longer time – see what you’re really capable of
  • develop a bucket list of sorts of things that scare you but you’d like to try and consult that list every once and a while and do them (think skydiving, taking a solo international trip, getting a promotion, quitting your job, moving to a new area, etc)

I am not afraid of discomfort (generally) and have made many big changes in my life, so I can speak to this topic on a personal level. The times I am most happy and spirited and enthusiastic is when I’m doing new, challenging things. It’s exhilarating and frankly, kind of addicting. Not that you need a huge rush every time, but the feeling you get from being in that slightly uncomfortable zone is special. It’s easy to get into a rut in life, just working away, doing the things you should be doing and letting each day pass by uneventfully. Those days are so forgettable and aren’t really contributing to your growth and transformation.

Some of the things that have made the biggest impact on my happiness and general feeling toward life were moving to Colorado, learning to mountain bike, teaching yoga, quitting my old job, starting freelance writing, participating in new activities around town and trying new things. These are the times when I laugh, I smile and not a worried thought or preoccupation exists – it’s like the time of true contentment, happiness and presence.

One good example is mountain biking – it’s so hard. Physically it’s working through a lack of oxygen, fatigued muscles, and then climbing another hill and then having the technical skill to navigate rocks or roots. Most of the time on the bike is uncomfortable in one way or another. I always push through (often with lots of verbal support) and after the ride, I’m on top of the world. I exceeded my past abilities, maybe didn’t fall for once or made it up a big hill – these things push the bounds of what I think are possible and open up new possibilities. If I can do that hill, why can’t I do this bigger, scarier one? And if I can climb hills, maybe I can do this or that or another thing I’m afraid of. We never know just how strong, smart, confident, or whatever we are until we’ve been challenged.

Routine leads us to not be present. Getting outside your comfort zone and doing scary things promote being present, being alert and feeling alive. When it’s put that way, what’s stopping you?

{Note: The photo is my sister sitting in her kart before a karting race. It was terrifying – these things go crazy fast – but so much fun}

Filed Under: Blog, Careers, Creativity, Exercise, Food, Holistic Health, Home, Mindfulness, Relationships, Travel, Yoga

Save Your Sanity With These Simple (& Cheap) Self-Care Ideas

by Amber Erickson

self-care-bathThe concept of self-care is pretty simple: the things you do to take care of yourself. Easy enough, right?!

Unfortunately, most of us don’t really take care of ourselves to the extent we need to live happy, healthy, vibrant lives. We focus on taking care of family, working, sleeping, eating and maybe fitting in a workout or sparse social life. What we fail to realize is that taking time to nurture all of our needs is the only way to feel whole and complete and prevent dis-ease. These needs include physical, emotional, spiritual, social, environmental, intellectual, etc.

Self-care is often talked about in two circles – mothers and health care providers. These two groups seem separate but have many of the same characteristics. They are so busy providing, nurturing and giving that they have nothing left for themselves. But then not giving to themselves starts a downward spiral of guilt, fatigue, exhaustion and then eventual breakdown or burnout. Parents need adult interaction. They need time away. Nurses need to take lunch breaks. They need relaxing days off. While the topic of self-care lends itself nicely to women who try to do too much, it’s absolutely applicable to men as well. The stress of trying to be the breadwinner and the unrealistic cultural ideal of what a good husband/father/man is can create unnecessary pressure to do more and be more.

Regardless of your lot in life, this all sums down to one simple idea: We all need to take care of ourselves. Period. If you want to be healthy and happy, you have to take care of yourself every day, not just when things go wrong.

If you’ve never thought much about taking care of all sides of yourself, here is a simple list of ideas to get started. Remember that self-care doesn’t have to be expensive or extravagant. Sure, an exotic vacation every year does help to relax, unwind and rejuvenate, but the effects are short-lived. The day-to-day self-care is what really helps you be more patient, more present and more calm everyday. While it’s common to think self-care time takes away from family or work time, think of it this way: Self-care allows you to be a better mom/partner/employee/etc. Taking care of yourself means you have more to give others.

If you still need help getting there mentally, think of it as an investment. Each time you take care of yourself, you’re making a positive contribution to your sanity, your household, your workplace and your community. Giving all the time only leads to resentment, frustration, anger, short-tempers and hostility. Which do you choose?

So what now? What does self-care look like and how can you get started?

Here are just a few ideas. Self-care is a personal process – you need to find what soothes, satisfies and restores your spirit.

  • Exercise
  • Take a class (yoga, pilates, zumba, etc.)
  • Eat Right
  • Try something new (that’s fun) – bonus for bringing your significant other or friend along
  • Laugh
  • Play
  • Maintain good hygiene
  • Meditate
  • Practice yoga or other movement therapy
  • Take walks (bonus for bringing your furry friend with)
  • Spend time outdoors
  • Read (for fun)
  • Draw, paint or use your creativity
  • Get a massage
  • Go out on a date (without your kids)
  • Take a vacation (even something simple close to home)
  • Knit, sew or make things
  • Prioritize personal development
  • Practice relaxation techniques (guided imagery, visualization, progressive relaxation, breathing, etc.)
  • Consult an expert (psychotherapy, marriage counseling, yoga therapist, life coach, personal trainer, etc.)
  • Reduce screen time (put down the phone and step away from the TV)
  • Make a lunch or coffee date with friends (positive, loving friends only – no negativity and gossiping)
  • Take a bath

As you can see, the options are quite diverse, cover a variety of price points and are of varying length or commitment. The goal is to do some self-care every. single. day. Your health, happiness, sanity and life satisfaction will thank you.

Now it’s your turn. How do you take care of yourself? Share your favorite self-care techniques and experiences in the comments.

Filed Under: Blog, Careers, Creativity, Environment, Exercise, Holistic Health, Home, Mindfulness, Money, Relationships, Travel, Yoga Tagged With: self-care

Forget Flowers and Chocolates: 3 Unique Valentines Day Ideas

by Amber Erickson

unique-valentines-day-ideasAre you over flowers and chocolates for Valentine’s Day? Or are you single and just tired of the hype of the day in general? You’re not alone. This year, forget the hype, forget the standards, forget the cost, forget the expectations (those brutal expectations!) and do things differently. Here are 3 unique valentines day ideas that will celebrate love, whether you’re a unit or flying solo.

Stay In For The Night

Just because it’s Valentine’s Day doesn’t mean you need to spend a lot of money on going out. This year, stay in instead.

Consider cooking a nice meal together, sharing a bottle of wine and making a special dessert. Or order in and take it easy.  Perhaps you could create a tradition of ordering Chinese or pizza on valentine’s day and celebrating your love privately. Maybe turn on some nice music, light some candles and have a “no electronics” night. Focus all your energy on each other, reflect on fun things you’ve done together in your relationship or make a plan for new things you want to try or things to work on in your relationship in the coming year.

Other ideas include arts and crafts night to make each other valentine’s cards. Rent a romantic movie, make some popcorn and spend the night in your pjs. Play board games, do a puzzle (what’s sexier than a puzzle!?) or spend the night doing other home-bound things you love. Have a bonfire outside or just snuggle. The options are there if you look for them.

Make Some Memories

Take this opportunity to do something new and special. Rather than just going out for dinner, plan something fun and different. Not that dinner is a bad option, but often you need reservations to get in and they serve a special (read expensive) menu. And is it worth it? Perhaps, but maybe that money could’ve gone elsewhere.

No idea is off-limits, but here are a few simple thoughts:

  • Ice Skating
  • Sledding
  • Take a night hike
  • Sign up for a class (think cooking, pottery, painting, dancing, yoga, etc.)
  • Go to the theatre or a concert (either movies or live, think symphony, dinner theatre, etc.)
  • Go work out or get some exercise together
  • Get a couples massage
  • Bundle up and walk around downtown hand-in-hand
  • Check groupon, living social or other deals sites for random events and activities
  • Go to a museum, aquarium or other educational institution
  • Skip dinner and go out for special desserts or drinks
  • Look for a valentine’s fundraising event for a local nonprofit (if there are any in your area)
  • Volunteer together at a nonprofit that interests both of you

Celebrate With Your Pals

Valentine’s Day is about love. That’s it and you most certainly don’t have to be in a relationship to appreciate and celebrate love. Why not celebrate with your favorite pals? Take a group outing or stay in and have a party. Make valentine’s treats and bring them to work. Or if you’re single, take another single pal out for dinner or do something fun together. Get pedicures, go for ice cream – whatever it is, make sure it’s fun and not filled with bashing on coupled-up folks. Think positively about the good in the world, the power of love and perhaps count yourselves lucky for not having any pressure on Valentine’s day this year.

Whatever you do this valentine’s day, celebrate, acknowledge and appreciate the love in your heart.

I’m interested to hear, what do you have planned for this year? Share your plans in the comments.

Filed Under: Blog, Creativity, Home, Relationships Tagged With: love, romance, valentine, valentines day

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amber@mindfullywritten.com
952-250-1739

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