In December, I was looking at patterns that work for me, and those that don’t (or lack of patterns, actually). In other words, I was trying to find a way to consistency in what I do. Replacement of willpower — as I found myself again and again facing the fact that I set out with an intention, and didn’t follow through. This blog would be one of such cases, actually. I started it with the sole idea of “I want to write more”, and I didn’t write more. I started it after not being able to come up with a clear plan or goal in mind, I just wanted to give myself some space where I could write. There are other examples too, which I won’t bore you with. The usual things, maybe not too important or not too big, the things that I wanted to do, and didn’t. That didn’t stick.

And yet, there are other things, where I’m good at. Or different settings that enable that consistency. I was quite haughty about the concept of 30-day challenge. Like, I’m not that person who resorts to these measures, I’m better than that. Yeah, I’m not. Actually, I tried 30 (or insert-your-number) day challenges a lot of times, when I was feeling as a beginner in something. As soon as I was past that newbie feeling, I thought that I should be able to do better than that. Not exercise, or meditate, or not eat sugar, or (insert your usual suspects here) for the sake of numbers and putting checks in boxes.

You know what? Looking back, I figured out two things:

One. 30-day challenges, even with corny printouts and physically crossing out the days, they work. Yes, they can be crutches, but also, they are simple, visual, and kinda-dorky-kinda-fun. In November-December, I did this pushup challenge, and I was quite happy with my results. I did it just for fun, because I thought it would be interesting to do — and it was.

Two. Don’t try and do everything at the same time. This is a simple thing that, hopefully, everybody knows. Pick one thing to focus on, and do it. Not five things, even when you have fifty things on your list of habits to build or challenges to take.

For this year, as usual, I’m not doing any New Year resolutions, but I’m going to try monthly challenges for myself. Swapping pressure (resolutions) for fun (challenges). On the last day of the month, I’m going to think of a challenge to do the next month, and I’m going to do it for the whole month. On the months that have 31 days, I might take the last day off, or do 31 days. In February, sorry, it’s going to be 28 days.

If you’re interested, for January I have two things, one that I want to do and one that I don’t want to do:
– Write with a pen and paper every day. Nothing specific, just a scribbling type of activity that has the value in the process itself rather than in the result. I don’t even have an aim in mind, will see where it gets me.
– Don’t drink coffee. I’m not a big coffee drinker anyway, I’m focused on tea. So this shouldn’t be difficult, I only need to remember when I have an option to get a coffee — not to do it.