Friday, May 8, 2009

No room for improvement

That's right, I'm perfect as I am. Or actually, I'm learning to live with my imperfections. That's the new challenge.

I was going to write about my Disconnect challenge today, my attempt at spending less time on the Internet and, specifically less time reading blogs. Then, I read this post in The Fragrant Muse blog that made me realize how much I actually enjoy reading blogs, and that I'm meeting fabulous people and learning lots of interesting things in the blogsphere, so why stop? Of course, I want to free up some time to do other things, but I also want to stop feeling guilty for doing something that I enjoy and that it's not hurting anyone.

So that got me thinking... Lately, boyfriend and I seem to be in this self improvement race. As in: from now on, I'm going to eat more fruit and vegs, from now on, I'm going to go to bed earlier, from now on, I'm going to write/draw every day, from now on, I'm going to give up chocolate and coffee, from now on, from now on... Frankly, it's exhausting.

I'm not saying it's bad to stop and look at what you can do to improve your life from time to time, but shouldn't we also learnt to enjoy what we do? Why give up blogging if you like it so much? Why give up chocolate if it sweetens your day?

So these are some of the things I'm not giving up:
  • Blogs: If I wasn't reading blogs and writing my own, I wouldn't be going to blog camp with some amazing ladies, and that's reason enough not to stop.
  • Coffee: I enjoy my first cup of coffee in the morning No, I LOVE my first cup of coffee in the morning. Having a coffee in the office is a great excuse to talk to my co-workers, going to Starbucks after work is the perfect moment to relax with your journal or a book. Why give it up?
  • Pastries for breakfast: I should probably be more careful with what I eat, but frankly, breakfast is one of my favourite moments of the day, and I don't want to spoil it. Plus, if you are going to eat them at all, why not eat those (bad) things in the morning, so you have the whole day to burn those calories (not that I'm burning many calories sitting here in the office, but, hey, I cycle to work).
  • An untidy room: Specially if it means I'm doing something fun instead of tidying up!

What are you NOT giving up?

14 comments:

  1. Those are excellent things to NOT give up. :)

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  2. I agree with not giving up things that you love! But I have learned while living, the proverbial truth... That moderation is always key! Apply a balance to all that you do. That's one thing I always try to do.

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  3. Terminal 101 took the words right out of my mouth! Moderation. No more than 3 pots of coffee before lunch. No more than a dozen pastries before 10:00 a.m and no more than 12 hours online each day. See? Moderation!

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  4. I'm NOT giving up diet coke, or Kim Crawford Sav. Blanc. oh yeah, or running!

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  5. Wow! Are we twins that were separated at birth or something? This is EXACTLY what I've been going through. Some days it's easy for me to eat all fruits and veggies, and some days it's not. Some nights it's easy to get to bed on time, and some nights it's not. I'm learning to just go with the flow and not spend the time being so hard on myself, but spend the time doing something I enjoy instead. I'm not giving up coffee, or my venti Passion Teas, or my weekly trips to the bookstore even tho I haven't read what I bought the last time, or the red velvet cupcakes at the bookstore cafe. And life is good/!

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  6. oh i know this self-improvement thing! and that guilt thing. it's like an annoying little fly circling round my head most days.

    just today i had a moment when i stopped and thought: what if i thought less "i should" and more "i want"? rather interesting. brought about some surprising conclusions.

    and hooray to live's little pleasures anytime! :)

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  7. Yay for not giving up things we love ladies! I know T101 is right, moderation is key... and a bit of self indulgence from time to time!

    @ Amanda, good things not to give up... specially wine!


    @ Janet, spooky that we were both thinking about this. I haven't even thought about giving up my trips to the bookshop. No way!

    @ Kristina: Oh, yeah, the guilt, we spend so much time feeling guilty! No more!

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  8. Not exactly vices B!
    Now if you were on drugs or an alcoholic ...
    (you're not are you?)
    :)
    Don't give anything up! (I'm not either)

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  9. I don't think I am... depends what you consider "an unit". Unit=bottle, right?

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  10. I´m off to have my second cup of coffee!:)

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  11. Hey B- Definitely- Check out my post on April 8-"you are all invited" (sorry I have no idea how to link this...) We post on Wed. and this week´s theme is "the great outdoors" I´ll add your blog. Un beso-Jane

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  12. I'm not giving up bacon butties, that first glass of wine while I am cooking, coffee all day long and chips. Yum.

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  13. I love blogging! Never would I give it up!!

    I have a happier post for the weekend that will make you smile.

    My hubby is bicycling 250 miles this weekend after having oatmeal and fresh OJ for breakfast....

    I enjoyed a pecan braided twist and coffee! His life insurance is updated!!! So.. I hope he has fun!!! Maybe he will see your health conscious hubby there.

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  14. i like to tell myself that its the little things in life that make it extra special! those are GREAT things to not give up.

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