the problem with stuff

I’ve spent the past three years making a conscious effort to declutter my life. I’ve made donations, sold things on eBay and most importantly stopped buying stuff unless it was absolutely necessary. There have been things that I’ve really wanted, but did not need. It’s been difficult exercising restrain at those moments. Discipline has paid off.

It’s been a bumpy road the past few months.

There have been people who I have wanted to reach out to for support, but I haven’t. And I am starting to realize that (just like with material things) there are people I want in my life that I don’t necessarily need in my life.

too much of a good thing

January was not particularly kind to me. I struggled through the first few months of the year, trying to make sense out of the things going on around me.

I found myself logging in more miles, more time at the gym and tracking those activities online (Training Peaks).  Each week marked a new opportunity to reach another goal...more miles, more hours. At one point, I was running 40 miles a week, until my body was no longer able to stay on pace...eventually, it shut down. Now, I am dealing with the repercussions.

Two weeks ago, I stopped keeping track of my activities.  I have come to realize that during those months, exercise was the only thing that I felt like I had control over...but eventually, it chained me down instead of lifting me up...too much of a good thing can hurt you in the end.  

February 28: Willing Warmer Weather

Only 87 days until Memorial Day!

February 27: Stocked!

Thanks Amazon Prime for keeping me from getting hangry when stuck in traffic!

February 26: Covered

Finally have health insurance! 

Now I can really start mountain biking...

February 25: Weekly Wharton Fix

February 24: Restoration

...the important act of doing nothing

Last night I participated in a Restorative Yoga Class. We did six postures and a guided meditation in two hours. It was a huge change of pace from the twenty six postures we do during a ninety minute Bikram Class.

Quieting the mind...slowing down the body...embracing the stillness...is much easier said than done. 

At the end of class the instructor made an analogy. At this point I was pretty much in a relaxation coma, but this is what I took away from it...we are like lakes...on the surface, we can be calm or choppy depending on the season and the circumstances surrounding our lives at the time...but below the surface, we are calm. 

This is something I will be mindful of moving forward.

February 23: Breakfast for Dinner

February 22: Mini Ponies!

Oh hey girl, I like your pink jacket...

Today I pet a mini pony. I cannot tell you how much joy this moment brought me. I have passed mini ponies on my rides countless times. I have always wanted to pet one. Today, we stopped an hour into the ride so my friend could adjust her saddle. We started back up again and only a few minutes later, passed four mini ponies. Two were wearing jackets. The one in the purple jacket came right up to the fence and stuck her nose through the fence and let us pet her. Then she smiled and kissed my hand. It was better than I even imagined it would be. I am still on a mini pony high. I love mini ponies.

February 21: actions...

speak louder than words

February 20: Turnpike

February 19: watercolors

February 18: Saved!

February 17: Alias

February 16: getting my snow legs

February 15: hey you!

February 14: Artist Date

I'm perfectly fine with dining alone.

February 13: Pax

February 12: Sustenance

Meals in the car...another day in the glamorous life of a field researcher.

February 11: Throwback Tuesday

Fun in downtown Baltimore...Shhhhhhhhh...