Every Day for Thirty Days

One of the things I have been doing lately that has given me so much energy and makes me feel so motivated is running a 30 Day Challenge Group on facebook. (The group's blog is here). I started it for myself -- I just wanted to accomplish one goal, every day, for thirty days. I did it for a month by myself, and then other people commented that they wanted to do that too. So I opened up the next month as an open facebook group, and was stunned by the participation. So far we've done 2 30 day challenges, and one "mini" 17 day challenge, and have just started day 2 of the next monthly challenge. 

People pick goals like - drinking water, crocheting every day, 20 minutes of exercise, writing in a journal, editing their book, doing yoga, hula hooping, drinking a green smoothie, or working towards their career or business. As founder of the group, I think it's my role to help people be successful, and the easiest way is to assess the goals themselves. So I go through and ask people questions to help make the goals realistic, measurable, and that they don't load so many on themselves that they'll get overwhelmed. Throughout the month we post every day, celebrating our victories, bemoaning when our plans get derailed, asking for help in creating Plan B's so we can stay successful.

Running this group, and watching as people post their accomplishments, and especially how the benefits keep rippling out and out - it's been the highlight of most of my days for the last few months.

There's something about this - this group of people, some who know each other, some don't - who are doing one little thing every day to make themselves better. It's motivating, but there's more to it than that. They hold me accountable for my own goals. It's energizing - it's positive - and I really, really, really like doing it.

This group has helped shape how my days have been spent, here, in my little house in the big park. I have been making a green smoothie every morning for breakfast for my husband and I, tracking my food, going for hikes and walks almost every day, and through that, exploring where I live. I have always had a hard time doing things by myself, and now that I have moved further from most of my family, I had to make sure I *made* myself explore, or I would end up inside and unhappy. Going on hikes, so I could post a picture in the 30 Day Group has been a big part of how much I have loved living here. I have been walking and exploring new parts of the neighborhood all the time. The yards overflow with lemon, orange, and loquat trees. There are so many people, dogs, and even folks riding around on horseback. There are squirrels, coyotes, lizards, deer, and snakes. 

I feel adventurous. I feel successful. I feel stronger and prouder. I feel warm and fuzzy and nurture-y about my house, watering the plants, dusting the table. 

It's a good day to live in a little house in the big park. It's sunny outside, I have the 4th Game of Thrones on my audible app, and a new neighborhood to explore.

the oaks

Yesterday a few residents came and asked for a Smokey Bear comic that the interpretive rangers pass out to kids -- so I got husband to bring me some, and I took a hike up through The Oaks to deliver them. I got the chance to explore a side of the neighborhood I haven't spent any time in --  and I was stunned. It's so beautiful up here. Amazing, huge, expensive houses - a neighborhood I would never be able to afford to live in, if it weren't for our caretaker status. The best thing about rich and fancy houses is that they don't skimp on the landscaping. Also - this neighborhood is all hilly, so lots of the houses have had very creative layouts to accommodate that. My eyes aren't big enough to drink in all of this. I love hiking through the park, but I might like hiking through the neighborhood even more...

up on the ridge

Sister-in-Law came up for a visit! We went on a drive through the park so she could see everything -- stopped and walked up to the Old Zoo. We are sad. We are stuck in cages. 

Afterwards we went on a real hike -- parked up near the observatory, and hiked down a ridge down to where the batcave is in Bronson canyon, then back up and over to the car. It was not an easy experience for me -- I felt paralyzed going downhill on these little, rocky footpaths with cliffs falling on either side of me. There were multiple times that I fell or slid down on my butt. My husband and SIL are like mountain goats and did the whole thing easily. It was discouraging for me. I cried. 

But I haven't been able to stop thinking about it -- there was one point up on the ridge where we saw three coyotes. The land was beautiful. And after I got over feeling angry and embarrassed and ashamed for falling apart, I was able to think about how neat it was that I accomplished it, even if it was hard. I'd like to go back. 

My SIL took these photos - and I love them. The hike was hard. It tapped into something deep, this fear of being weak -- and I wasn't proud of how I handled it. But I love these photos and the whole thing was evidence of how much impact outdoor recreation can have.

mt. hollywood at night

Husband and I did a super intense hike up to the top of Mt. Hollywood -- we took the West Trail up to where it meets the road above the observatory  then up to the top of Mt. Hollywood. We then RAN down the entire thing, to our front door. It was about 1 hour, 40 minutes. I have never worked so hard in my life. I got home and my legs were doing that weird twitchy thing. I am going to be so sore.

I really loved running downhill, I have to say. It was a little terrifying -- not being able to see everything...and the ground is really packed, with a little sand on the top so some spots are slippery. But there were some points where I was running, and breathing in the deep dark chaparral smell - and I felt like I could do it forever.

There were other parts where it just hurt and I wanted to die. But you know. I'll try to remember the do-it-forever part.

plantlife!

Another nature hike -- there is SO MUCH TO SEE in every step. I think what we have here is... sugar bush, lilac, wild sumac, and wild cucumber.

gooseberry and wild cucumber

Had the best day today. Invited naturalist friend of mine up and she took my mom, dad and I on a "hundred inch hike." We went up to one of the little foot paths in the canyon below the observatory, and took the new plant ID books that she bought me, and I learned me some plant stuff!

This picture has.. (left to right, top to bottom) fuchsia gooseberry, sugarbush, lilac, and wild cucumber. 

Then my dad wandered off and we found him a little while later.....

Then BBQ and sitting around the firepit in the backyard. Deeeeeelightful.

neon pink

Had a hard time getting myself up and motivated today. Honestly the only thing that got me out of the house was getting to wear my neon pink shirt. I went for a jog through the Los Feliz estate area, and then up the West Observatory Trail and back down the East OBS trail. Reminds me of the meme going around.. "I totally regret that workout, said no one ever."

east obs trail

Today's hike. Up the East OBS trail. Can't believe I have this in my backyard.

obs