Adventures Big & Small

Photos from a recent adventure

I just started listening to Tranquility by Tuesday by Laura Vanderkam, and one of the ideas she mentioned was planning 2 adventures each week: one big and one small. As I was listening to her describe the rule, I thought about what I had planned this week and realized that I had a few adventures planned without thinking of them in that way. It really helped shift my mindset to realize that I do have some fun and novel things planned, and I'm curious to experiment with adding this to the routine, particularly as we are settling into a new city. I feel like I've plateaued a bit the last few weeks even though things are finally starting to feel settled down. I hit a point where I missed our Colorado friends and my old job, even if I feel like this move and taking time to be at home is right for us in the long run. Thinking through new adventures in this new phase of life is a way to balance some of this feeling of discomfort that always accompanies big changes.

My big adventure this week was going on a (toddler) long hike to a new spot with some new friends. The hike culminated in a stream and there was something so magical about splashing in the creek with Avi and our friends, and seeing her climb on to stumps and logs and jump off. We saw deer, hawks, woodpeckers, and lizards. There were definitely lots of hard moments of Avi not wanting to walk or being too tired, but overall I would rate it a successful adventure to explore somewhere new and see how capable she really was.

My smaller adventure this week will be to check out a book club organized by a local bookstore. Joel and I went into the store last week, and I heard the owner discussing it, so I'm looking forward to chatting books with some new people. Is anyone else drawn to the idea of two weekly adventures? If so, what are some recent adventures of yours?

Comments

Trees Like Cathedrals

This fall, I'm finding immense joy in the trees in our neighborhood. I've enjoyed fall ever since I lived in Massachusetts just after graduating college, since California fall doesn't have that quintessential fall feeling you hear about. But this year, perhaps because of how hot and ashy September was here, each sign of the season's changing feels hopeful and optimistic. When Avi and I walk in the mornings and evenings, I've spent a lot of time looking up through the leaves in the tree. One of the things I love most about my neighborhood is that it is well-shaded by enormous trees. Even though I live in a residential area near a main road, when I look up I feel as if I've traveled farther into nature away from my house . Lately, I've been thinking of trees almost as cathedrals. I look up and see the light filtering through as though it's streaming in through stained glass windows. Starting my days looking for the ...

Two November Experiments

Avi as a strawberry for Halloween. Since I'm feeling a bit more in a routine work and schedule wise, I've decided to try two experiments this month. I've been thinking about both of them for a while, and I think I have the bandwidth to try them out this month. Experiment #1: The Seven Minute Workout I struggle to get into exercise routines. It's not my highest priority, but I always do feel more energetic on the days I exercise. I've decided to do the seven minute HIIT workout everyday in November to see how it feels. It definitely gets my heart rate up without feeling too hard, and it's easy to fit in right before I shower in the morning. Although I've done this workout intermittently, I'm curious to see what it feels like to make this a daily habit. Experiment #2: Time Block Planning at Work Attempt #1 I read Deep Work by Cal Newport earlier this year, and I've also been listening to his podcast recently. In both...

What I Want to Remember (Avi at One Year)

It's hard to keep up with our forever changing, on the move girl! Her first birthday was on Monday. I want to take a moment to capture what it's like to have a one-year-old, and what Avi is like at this age. In the midst of all that is uncertain in this moment, I want to hold on to some of these memories, especially because she changes so quickly! I want to remember: Avi's first word yesterday--Mama. ❤ how she loves to drum on everything and is constantly moving. her love of all berries and the way she looks intently into your eyes when she signs "more." the way she loves to take things out of containers (like drawers, boxes, cabinets etc.). her love of the outdoors and fascination with pine cones, grass, and flowers. her laugh and smile when she is on the swing. the way she looks up to find airplanes and birds in the sky. how much she loves to read, turn pages, and point to things...

Eye to Wonder

Search This Blog