Sunday, January 11, 2009

Reading This Blog Post Will Take Unsightly Inches Off Your Hips and Thighs

Thanks for all the well wishes when I was sick. (I'm convinced it was "Pigeon Flu" due to the filthy feathered family that has burrowed it's way into my roof. Feathers are coming out of the ceiling fan, people!)

Anyway, it really meant a lot. It made me think about how when I started this blog, my biggest goal was to GET OUT OF BED and here I was, super sick, stuck in bed.

But what was cool is... I didn't have any of those weird fears, like this time spent in bed sick was going to lead back to the time where I couldn't get out of bed due to, in six months, losing my job, breaking up with my boyfriend, a death in the family, having to move back home when my Mom got sick, freaking out about finances and growing a second ass due to my affinity for eating all things Frito-Lay during my malaise.

That made me think how far I've come: to someone, who just over a year ago who literally had to make a pact with myself to get out of bed during daylight hours, and as a way to slough off the blues, forced myself to do an adventure a week would jolt me back to living life the way I knew I wanted to. (Check out any of the entries that start with "Adventure Bowl" to read those.)

Now fast forward and everything I hoped test driving a Porsche or flying on a trapeze or posing as a bride for the free cake (!) or pool crashing would do for me, has done that and 1000x more. I lost 20 pounds, I gained an awesome job... like dream job status, I ended some (bad) friendships, I made some new fierce ones, I try new things all the time, I started some great volunteer work and most of all, I don't wear pajamas 'til 3pm anymore.

This is like, a life, I could have never seen a year ago for myself.

So I am going to continue doing what I've been doing, carving out time for me to surprise myself with something that ("cheesey" alert) gives back to my soul. It's weird, but I am telling you, if you go ride a ferris wheel today, you will be smiling for week.

Giving time to yourself, doing unexpected things - you will be shocked what it can do for you.

Fears will be overcome.

You will let go of things that don't matter.

You will laugh more which will attract good, fun, caring, loving people wanting to be around you.

You will stop complaining because the happier you are the less you complain. Also, the happier you are, the more you want to stay happy. So you become solution oriented. You fix problems as they come up because you don't want them to interfere with your happiness.

You get rid of things you don't need. Possessions don't make you happy, the life you create does.

You begin to see people more clearly. That's a hard one. But it will force your hand to see who can stay and who has to go.

You start to feel if you can do this (your little adventure of the week) maybe you can do anything. When you set goals and attain them, it pushes you on with confidence to make new, bigger goals.

So, what am I saying?

I'm saying, yes, I am still going to do my weekly adventures and I'm still going to write about them. It excites me (dork-ily) BEYOND WORDS, if this can be the change in a year with me, how much more can I change? (Exciting!) But right now, the biggest way to get back to myself is to take some time for myself. Time to write other projects I want to write, time to travel and do things that I haven't had space for because I have been so busy with the blog.

I'll keep checking back here. I always read comments and I promise to respond if you guys have questions or anything. And I promise, in the future, there will be a new blog, too. It has meant so much to me that so many of you have written me to say you relate to what I went through and have been inspired by my journey. Love, love, love you.

Okay, why aren't you running out to go ride a ferris wheel right now????


This post is dedicated to BEAUTIFUL READERS. You're the ones I like best.
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71 comments:

SSP said...

there you are. was worried the evil 2008 had swallowed you whole....feel better soon!! We miss you

Krista Lou Cook said...

Hope you are feeling better soon!

Anonymous said...

I hope you feel so much better, very very soon!!

I'm sending all my LOVE and healing vibes down south for you, lovely!

LOVE
Kendra

Anonymous said...

I hope you feel better soon! I'm looking forward to your next post. I've been hooked on your blog since I found it :)

Tonya said...

i feel your pain sister, although I came down with the stomach flu, not the kind you have. In any case, so not fun. :( feel better soon.

Anonymous said...

Hey! i was wondering what happened to you, AG! Glad to know that ur still alive.. but barely i suppose. feel better soon! maybe it will be over as quickly as it came on? no? well if cooper has to pee, just hang him out the window and squeeze :P

anji said...

I know it's late but thought you might like this one... it's a for real, true facebook status of... ME... from today.

Angela is laughing at her self. Like, seriously? Who forgets to get dressed when going to work? Oh yea, ME. Am I blonde again? Or just stupid?

(I had forgot to put my bra on and didn't realise until 45 minutes later, when I was at work.)

P.S. Thank GOD for that breast reduction 10 years ago, hahaha!

Anonymous said...

Feel better, can't wait for more funny! :)

Anonymous said...

I just nominated you for a Bloggie. This is my favorite blog and I just wanted to thank you for making me laugh.

Annie M.

Anonymous said...

Happy 2009!

Feel better soon

Anonymous said...

Get well soon honey!

Michelle said...

Awwww girlie i hope you feel better very fast because i miss you lots!!

Yes, its all about me today!!! :O)

Love ya!

Simplicity said...

I just gave you an Honest Scrap award...check out my January 7th post!

adventure grrl said...

Thanks for all your sweet "get well" comments. I can't believe I'm still sick! On the bright side, those five pounds gained over Christmas -GONE! Thank you, Super Flu!

Anonymous said...

Poke! Poke! Poke!

I hope you're feeling better and back to writing soon!

Anonymous said...

Get Well Lickty Split. Eagerly awaiting for you to write again. Understand wanting it to be anyonoums. It's a way to be free.

hebba said...

Great post. Congrats on how far you've come, and looking forward to seeing how far you go.

Anonymous said...

Good for you, for making the choice to get up and take back your life. Congrats on being successful and good luck in the future. Your writing is beautiful and has made me really think about some things. Keep on, keeping on.

Amanda said...

Awww - I just found your blog and now you won't be writing in it. I've really enjoyed what I've read and have embarked on a similar project of my own - the 101 in 1001 list. Hope you are feeling better.

ac said...

have a great break! I don't know how you're going to let people know where your new blog is, but if there's anyway to include me, please let me know too! all the best!

Ms. Amanda Grace said...

I hope you start to get on the road to recovery love!

Also, if you ever get time (I know that's a funny one) I nominated you for an award :)

Anonymous said...

enjoy your break and congrats on all the hard work you did to turn things around for yourself. just thought you shoudl know that i took a tap dancing class inspired by your adventure bowl - and it was a blast! so thanks for that. all the best.

jae said...

I hope I can come with you on your journey. I don't comment much but sometimes the things you say really make me stop and think and then act. I really like that. Have a great break and get refreshed. Take care!! :) ~j

Laura G said...

I want to come to the new blog with you!! You have inspired me to do "adventure" things myself! I dont have a bowl but that's just symantics. Enjoy your well deserved rest. I hope I can continue to read you in the future.

Anonymous said...

Good luck on your trip. Keep up the adventures. You inspire me!

Anonymous said...

Hey AG! dont leave for too long, please?

i dont have a blog of my own, i found yours through self.com so i hope that u somehow find a "secret" way of telling me where ur new blog will be located. i dont know how long i can do without! hehe. i was getting sad when i was reading through and thought that that might of been ur last blog. but thank goodness it isnt!

good luck on those projects and all the good commotion going on. im sending good energy ur way!

XOXO Twinkle

adventure grrl said...

Hi Ladies, You all warm and fill up my heart with how much you love the blog and want to keep reading it.

You can email me at 100daysinbed@gmail.com if you want me to have your email to send you an update about the new blog - just tell me what "handle" you use here so I know who you are. :) xoxoxo

Jill said...

Sorry to hear that that you have to take your blog anonymous. Hope you'll let us know where you go. I love reading about your adventures.

It's one of the bad things about blogging that if you tell anyone about your blog, you have to assume that everyone you know will read it eventually. I made it a rule for myself that I wouldn't write anything on my blog that would bother me if any of the following people read it: my mother, my step-mother, and my boss's boss (my boss is too cool to be a good gauge.). They might not like what they read, but it's OK with me if they read it. As far as I know, none of the three actually read my blog, but whatever is there could get around. It sucks, because sometimes I really want to rant or tell embarrassing stories about various people in my life, but I know it would end up hurting feelings, so I don't do it.

Unknown said...

Hi I've been reading your post forever now. Found you at self.com don't want to lose you. Thanks

Unknown said...

Hope you get well soon. I love reading your blog so hope you can find a way to let me know where to find you again. All the best!

Juliet Colors said...

I hope you feel better and have a refreshing break from the world of blogging. I really admire your spirit and your writing. I hope to read you again before too long. :-)

Anonymous said...

You've really inspired me and feel sure many others! I've enjoyed reading your blog. Hope to be included in your future adventures!

Anonymous said...

Really, really, really enjoyed reading your blog and hope all goes well with you and yours in the future!

Carolyn said...

Awww. Here's hoping you come back soon!!!

Peggy Sue said...

I've enjoyed your blog so much; I hope you'll consider letting me know where you end up. In any case, keep on keeping on, and I wish you the best of everything .....

Tonya said...

good luck with everything! I hope I get invited to your new blog! I'm really glad all this has helped you so much!

it's not a gravy train said...

I am sad to see you go, but please keep me posted on your new sight. You have inspired my friends and I to start an adventure bowl and we have had the best time ever doing it! xoxo.

Lisa said...

I hear you about the anonymous blog. I have an automatic signature at the bottom of my email telling people to check out my blog. The theory was that I only email people I know, and they were constantly saying "I want to read your blog, what is the address," so it was easy just to send them an email.

Well. I sent an email to my son's middle school, because he is having issues, as many 8th grade boys will, and my signature went with it ... and EVERYONE in the school, teacher, principal, vice principal, etc. read it. I have struggled with this school for years, I have three children and it's just been a pain in the butt. So, when I would get frustrated, years of banging my head against the wall turns into phrases like "There are some teachers I would like to run through the Cuisinart," or, one particular entry where I was so infuriated with my son I said that when he ran up to my car and smashed against the window, that my first absolute incredible desire was to throw him on the pavement and pound his head against it. I then went on to say that of course I would never do such a thing, but I actually FELT as though I could in that moment.

Well. According to the principal, it is their legal obligation to report students that they feel might be threatened by their parents. (This was all just to shut me up and make me stop demanding that my child receive some attention, of course, but still).

Anyway. The thought of my own words being used against me -- the thought that my venting mechanism was being turned against me, has stilled my blogging voice.

An anonymous site sounds like a plan!

Anonymous said...

Please don't disappear for ever. Reading your blog is always inspiring and often very wise, not to say funny too. Sorry I haven't commented before.

C.

Unknown said...

Although I am sad to not be able to look forward to your blog, which is superfrantastic, I think you are wise to be making the moves you are.
My opinion to those here and yourself is that blogging is, of course,risky. If you make the choice to air out things about yourself on the wide world of the net there is a certain level risk involved that someone you know, somehow will find out. It stinks as that may censor you a bit which is not the reason you may have begun blogging...but to not heed that risk could cost you in the end and you need to be prepared for that. Information is too easy to get these days and nothing on the net is safe.
That being said, I look forward to seeing you somewhere again and sharing in your adventures should you choose to continue to do so.
All the best to you lady,
Stasai

gengie said...

I've read your blog for a while but never commented; I know theres some buzz word for people like me :) I just wanted to tell you how much I've enjoyed the blog and I want to keep reading!

Thanks for letting us peep in on your life, now anonymously.

G

gabersgamma said...

Ihope that you will let me know when you are blogging again. I have very much enjoyed your posts, but understand why you need a change. Just so you know, I DID ride a ferris wheel in your honor a while back !!

Anonymous said...

Hey I met you self.com forums and have been hooked on your blog ever since...please msg me on Self when you move to your new "home"...your blogs get me thru the work week!

self.com screen name:lacey720


PS: I am glad to see you are doing better =)

Anonymous said...

Hi gurl,
do let me know your new blog address @riyaray@gmail.com

---Rhea

Kat said...

Oh gosh, you really are doing it, aren't you? Moving I mean... This is enough to make me de-lurk. I need your witty blog, you are so inspiring!

Congratulations on your great progress, and I honestly do understand that you want to remain more anonymous. Please, if you see fit, let me know where you are going.

I will miss you dearly.

Kat in Sweden

wildfluffysheep said...

GUTTTED
just this very moment discovered you blog, was blown away by your last post only discover you're moving on!!

i wish you all the best with your regrouping and relaxing and all that jazz. just wanted to let you know you've touched one more life.

and if when you do get sorted and decide you want one more fan then voila i am there

goodluck

Charmaine said...

Don't forget to tell me where you land too.

Unknown said...

Please let me know where to find your new blog.
Susan

Anonymous said...

you go girl, that's what it's all about, doing what you think is best for yourself and your family. Hope I get to continue to support you, and how awesome it is for you to support me. Even when you don't even realize how much your supporting me.

Take Care Friend...

Loopy Loo said...

I just found this blog only to discover it's finished and gone :( Is there any way you'd send me the address of your new blog as I found this so interesting and I'd really like to keep up with your goings on!

Loo

Simplicity said...

I hope I get to hear about your landing pad! Yours was one of the first blogs I ever followed...

Laura G said...

Hi Wanted to leave another conmment in case you started the new blog and forgot to notify me. Pleeeaase take me with you? I love reading what you have to say, you're such an inspiration.

Laura G said...
This comment has been removed by the author.
bitt said...

oh my gosh i am so sad that happened to you. i've dealt with depression and the last thing you need is gossip and crap like that. start over fresh.

Lucy said...

Sooooooo missing you.

Anonymous said...

Along with a million other people I'm sure, I reallyyyy miss your blog. It's still on my favorites, even though it's over :( If you ever start a new blog be sure to notify everyone! Cheers!

Anonymous said...

I started at the begining of the blog and came to the last entry only to find that it was the last entry! Thank you so much for sharing your stories. This is my first comment on this blog. Take care and I look forward to the new blog!

Suz said...

Wow! I haven't checked in here for a long time...and look at all I've missed. Best wishes to you. Hope to find you again out there in the blogging world. :)

Angie said...

wow... i really haven't read in a while... i didn't realize how long it was since the last time i read!

Anonymous said...

I found your blog through My Crazy Sexy Life. I read it all in two days. Very inspiring! I might even go to the gym today- imagine that.

A Living Diary said...

I just found your blog and even though I haven't read it all it is very interesting. Please direct me to you new blog if its not to late:)

Riya said...

i am going through a bad phase of life. and today i decided..i have to rise over all this sadness and get the spirit for life back again and when i looked for inspiration , the first thing that came to my mind was your blog. You are such an inspiring woman!
Thanks for you being you
Hugs
Riya

p.S : let me know ur new blog address @riyaray@gmail.com , if you dont mind

Michelle said...

Hi there,

Have you resurfaced yet? If so, can you email me your new blog at mkovach10@fastmail.fm?

I hope you are doing well and look forward to reading about your exploits again! :)

Thanks!

The running yogi said...

Hey there! I don't know if you still check this or not anymore. I reread your posts and was more inspired than ever. I was a regular reader for about a year and then kind of went away for a while. But I'm back and would love to know how you are!

Anonymous said...

The bedsupermarket have a fantastic range of beds daily price checked for you!

ninsche said...

I really miss your blog as an inspiration to get moving things forward...

Would really love to know where you're posting now :)

Love,
nina

Anonymous said...

Ok Now!! We all have been waiting for a year now for your new blog!!! why would you like to take away from us the wonderful daily 10 min read which would give us a reason to smile and feel great about the day. C'mon, show some mercy ,woman! ;)

hugs,
Rhea
finedu83@gmail.com

RebeccaFlys said...

Hi,
I get it. I so so SO get it. It's so wierd to be proud of a journey you needed to take privately while posting to the whole wide world...

Gotcha,
RebeccaFlys.blogspot.com

The Caretaker said...

Hope month two of 2010 is continuing to go well for you. Interesting blog, it seems as though I came in at the end of it, too bad for me.
Be Well,
Jeffrey Dallas Moore

Nikki said...

Hi! I am brand new to this blog but after reading a few posts, I would really like to be included when you make the site move. Your story is inspiring & as someone who also had a bit of a breakdown (a tiny one, comparatively) which led her to change her entire life & go out adventuring, AND as someone who also keeps a gratitude journal, I'm relating like crazy to what you've written! Thank you for being so brave & honest, deciding to do whatever it takes to be fully truthful here.
n

CSC said...

She's baaaaack! YAY! Happy to hear from you :) Hope all continues to be well!