If you’ve ever joined me during one of my challenges before, I rarely take a break during a holiday. Life is full of holidays and special occasions and if you are trying to figure out what works for you and what doesn’t, what better way than to test yourself during a festive occasion.
Week 5 would have been July 3rd to the July 9th. Which encompasses America’s Independence Day. And honestly if you know anything about me then you know I married a boater. And 4th of July is synonymous with boating in my world.
And boating is a great way to slow down and reflect on these first 4 weeks and what they mean.
I realized in particular during Week 3: Down Shift, that this was one of the hardest things to maintain. While I may have retired from checking my phone first thing in the am and at night (for now), that didn’t quite quiet the mean mommy in me like I would have hoped. Or the sometime overly bitter wife.
I was telling a close friend of mine during this time that I felt like I had an addiction to being busy, of over-committing which then follows up with guilt for not being truly present during the times I need to be. All of this giving, then negative self talk breeds a slow, burning stress volcano with concern that one day I’ll pull an early Brittney Spears, shave my head and explode. And that won’t get you to 100 years old.
So this upcoming week’s challenge break is honestly just me taking an opportunity to Down Shift for all of next week. It’s a way to take in all of God’s glory on the water. To Move Naturally while paddle boarding or trekking off marina grounds to explore. To be a fully present mom which IS one of my life’s Purpose. And to only eat until I’m 80% full (so I have room for ice cream with sprinkles). Plus food always tastes better when it’s cooked on your boat and enjoyed with friends and new dock-mates. Mindful eating at it’s best.
To give you a heads up Week 5 is Plant Slant. Call it vegetarian, vegan or plant-based eating. It’s focusing more on items grown IN the earth, not the ones that graze ON it. But we’ll focus on that next week.
In the meantime, what activities or destinations do you gravitate toward during the 4th? Will you put the first Power 4 into practice? How?
Catch some pics of me Down Shifting next week on my Facebook page here. If you see me on my boat, stop by and say hi!
Hugs, Kim
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