In my challenge era

Only gentle challenges need apply

August isn’t normally the season of challenges and big ‘personal development’ things is it? Lots of people are on holiday, schools are out and there is a general sense of a nation with it’s collective feet up.

For me, summer is always a challenge. I have spoken before about Seasonal Affective Disorder and how, the older I get the more I find I struggle with summers in the same way that others struggle with winter. If you are the same please know you aren’t alone. It is very much a thing - as this article attests.

It is often said to be less common than winter SAD but I firmly believe there are a lot of us out there. We have just been conditioned into being quiet about it. After all, how can you complain about it being a ‘lovely sunny day’. Especially after a childhood in northern England where you were exhorted to ‘get out there and make the most of it’ at every opportunity.

Anyway, personal challenges aside, a couple of community challenges have crossed my path this week that have made me think I could approach this month in a slightly different spirit.

Normally I view August with a kind of grim determination. Eyes firmly fixed on the cooler days and fresher atmosphere of September. Trying not to wish time away but also desperate to feel cold again. I miss my duvet!

Paying Attention to Paying Attention

This post from Olivia of To Hear the Trees Speak really caught my eye. It is about taking the time to slow down this month and really notice the smaller details. It is prompt based, with a word for each day and you can dip in and out as much as you like - no pressure, no homework.

Paying attention to paying attention

One of my intentions (challenges) this month is to rest - properly rest. Not rest dressed up in a productivity overcoat. The kind of rest where I can sit and stare into space for 10 minutes and not feel guilty. Or to wake up and have coffee without having a single clue what I am going to do that day. So far I’m not doing too well with that - my brain loves a plan - even if I then ignore it totally.

But hey ho…it’s a work in progress.

I am using these word prompts in my daily journal, just as a little springboard to bring more awareness into my day. And to see where it takes me.

75 Grow

I am also joining Bad Art Every Day in her third year of running this personal behaviour development challenge. All is explained here but in essence you are encouraged to take time this month to work on some simple habits that will stand you in good stead for the rest of the year (thinking school year here rather than calendar year).

It is meant to be light hearted - not stressful in any way - but to get you gently thinking about how you spend your time and whether those activities are nourishing or draining. Think 10 minutes colouring-in vs 10 minutes scrolling. I know which one makes me feel better.

Here We (75)Grow AGAIN

Luckily I can always include 10-15 minutes of knitting as a nourishing activity - but I do need to ferret out a suitable project. At the minute mine are either very simple (slightly boring) or complicated (need too much brain space). I need one of those Goldilocks kinds of projects - not too simple, not too hard, but just right 🤣

Who am I kidding, I’ll probably end up casting on something new. Although I will challenge myself (see what I did there) to use up something from my stash rather than buying new.

🌿How are you approaching this month? 🌿

With glee? Anticipation? Or with sleeves rolled up and a grim determination to get to September. Come and join me in the comments and we can gently challenge each other this month.

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