I may have something you don’t, though. Blog archives.

When I do something that I’m proud of having accomplished, especially related to being shy/HSP/introverted, I usually write about it and post it here, with the hope that you will read it and get something out of it. Preferably inspiration, but whatever.

You’ve Done Eeeeeeeeeeet!

Once you’ve accomplished something, unless it’s HUGE, it doesn’t stick in the forefront of your mind. It slips further and further back until it’s almost not there. And this can be a great motivator, this wanting to move on to the next great thing of yours, but when your’e feeling low, it’s a problem.

I’ve got an easy way to look back and see what I’ve done, which is good, because when I was writing that post, I didn’t remember everything. I had completely forgotten that I rode a horse after refusing for 20-odd years. I forgot about contract negotiation and the taxi driver too. annoying git

Anyway, if I can forget these things after having done them and then written about them, I can only imagine what non-blogcentric folks manage to forget, especially in a time of the I-can’ts.

Twofer

Truthfully this is a two birds, one stone kind of deal. When you write about something, you create a story, one you can tell when you’re first getting to know people (or later) and it’s already there for you to draw upon. Second, you’ve got a record for when you get hit by the I-can’ts.

• Obviously, you can journal, in a notebook or on your computer, or
• You can write notes on FB, or
• You can start a blog, public or private, or
• You can write on 750words.com, or
• You can email yourself, using the subject line to create a smart folder for organizing, or…

You are awesome, I am sure of it. You’ve also done more than you can think of right now. I’m sure of that too. Keep track of your stories. They tell us who you are, but they tell you who you are too. Usually when you need it most.

How do you remember what you’ve accomplished?

Want to receive small comfort zone stretches and resource recommendations every couple of weeks? Sign up for Inching Along and I’ll send you one small (possibly even fun) challenge that you can easily accomplish plus other nuggets that I find.

You know, you can get updates by email or RSS. Yay, updates!

In the comments:

We’re being open here, sharing and saying things we don’t always say out loud. What helps: Sharing your stories and Ideas. Cheering and telling what works/worked for you. What hurts: shoulds, harshness, and such. (I used to teach first grade, I can’t help it.)

I know right now it feels like you can’t… Like you don’t have the whatever-it-takes to do what you need to do next. But you do. I know you do. Remember when:

you went to that first conference and didn’t know a soul? You met people, got irritated and started this blog.

you walked up to perfect strangers in a grocery store parking lot and asked them what they were doing and that’s how you saw just how beautiful moonlight and pollution can really be?

you drove from Dallas to New York City and back, alone?

you sold all your stuff and got a one way ticket to Chihuahua, only knowing that you intended to head farther south?

you got back on a horse after twenty-some years?

you got your PADI open water certification even though you were fairly well convinced you were going to quit breathing and die?

you climbed a volcano and rode a toboggan back down?

you created a program to help people become a bit more social in ways that work for them? Then you put it out there for them to accept or reject?

you zip lined across a river canyon hundreds of feet above ground? oddly enough, didn’t write about that one, maybe some day

you asked people to share their stories of being shy and introverted so that we can hear that it’s not just us, whenever we want?

you rode atop a float in Carnaval in Rio despite a stupid number of (or number of stupid, it could go either way) obstacles?

you told people no and had them rewrite contracts?

you went back to school to get your PhD, knowing full well that it will take another ten years, give or take a year? this one actually starts in a week or so

you created a membership community where shy/introverted/highly sensitive people have a space to share and learn about themselves and each other? You put you tiny sweet idea out there because we needed that space.

you learned how to hula hoop and navigate the city bus system?

you stood your ground with a taxi driver who seemed to think he could take advantage of you?

you hosted a Twitter Party and even had fun?

You did all of those things and at the time, they felt scary and your brain was screaming at you that it wasn’t safe. You did them anyway, because you knew it was safe enough and what you wanted was more important than the screaming.

What you want is still more important that the brain-screaming. And you can do this too. Whatever it is. What’s your first tiny step? Start there.

Love,
Me

Dear People Who Aren’t Me,

That quite a list up there isn’t it? Enough to make you feel a bit funny about your own list, maybe? Here’s the thing, I made a commitment to myself to try things that scared me. I took my risks. You’ve got yours and you’ve had your successes too. They are certainly different, but no less powerful.

We’d love to hear your successes, if you’ll share a few with us. If not, go ahead and write Future You a letter, maybe one like this or different altogether, either way, I’m sure Future You will appreciate it. *hugs*

Want to receive small comfort zone stretches and resource recommendations every couple of weeks? Sign up for Inching Along and I’ll send you one small (possibly even fun) challenge that you can easily accomplish plus other nuggets that I find.

You know, you can get updates by email or RSS. Yay, updates!

In the comments:

We’re being open here, sharing and saying things we don’t always say out loud. What helps: Sharing your stories and Ideas. Cheering and telling what works/worked for you. What hurts: shoulds, harshness, and such. (I used to teach first grade, I can’t help it.)

Welcome to One Tiny Thing Thursday, where we choose to do one lil bit of a part of the scary, instead of trying to tackle the whole overwhelm all at once. Because, starting small is usually better than not starting at all. Join us?

I have a project that I’m working on and it’s with/through another group who have specific parameters. I have a difficult time remembering their requirements because I think they’re too conservative, but unless I want to do this entirely on my own (which I don’t right now) then I have to stick to their numbers. Still, it makes me a bit pissy thinking about it, so I put off looking them up.

Ultimately, I’d like to have a self made resource for this information, one I can look at without getting my hackles raised. For today, though, my tiny thing is to look up what I need to know. At most this will take 15 minutes and then I can carry on with doing the parts that I like.

Update from last time: Releasing and forgiveness have been working well. I’m feeling ready to shift gears the way that I need to in the next couple of days.

If you want to play along, then just tell us in the comments what you’re One Tiny Thing is. And if you like, you can always come back and let us know how it went too.

Looking to stretch your comfort zone in tiny ways and pick up some resource recommendations? Sign up for Inching Along, and every other week I’ll send you one small (possibly even fun) challenge that you can easily accomplish plus other nuggets that I find.

You know, you can get updates by email or RSS. Yay, updates!

In the comments:

We’re being open here, sharing and saying things we don’t always say out loud. What helps: Sharing your stories and Ideas. Cheering and telling what works/worked for you. What hurts: shoulds, harshness, and such. (I used to teach first grade, I can’t help it.)

I plant with no real intention of harvesting. Sure, I’ll come back and gather whatever fruit has fallen from vines that sprung up near my plantings. Did diving lead to volcano boarding lead to watching the sun rise from the top of a Carnival float? Or would I have done each of those things without having done the one before.

I have no idea.

Experiment v Intention

This year has been about experimentation for me. It’s been great and I’m thrilled about my experiments. Now, I want more. I want to have a goal. Or several. I’m not ready to share them yet, though I will. They’re still tiny sweet things.

I can’t stand resolutions. I don’t make them for one simple reason. Resolutions are wishes.

• I’m going to lose weight
• I’m going to go out more
• I’m going to get a better job

How much weight are you going to lose? What’s your nutritional plan? What’s your exercise plan? What is your motivation to lose weight?

What does ‘more’ mean? Who are you going out with? What do you want to do? Why do you want to go out more?

What kinds of jobs are you looking for? Do you have the skills you need? How will you get them? Where will you look for jobs? Why do you want a better job? What are your deal-breakers?

Goooooooooaaaaaaaaal!!!!!!!

Goals are measurable:

• I’m going to lose twenty pounds by June. My first nutritional changes are swapping unsweetened herbal teas for my sodas and changing three meat based meals into vegetarian meals. My exercise plan is two to three pilates classes a week and a daily twenty minute walk at lunch. If I haven’t lost three pounds by February (unlikely) , I’ll make more nutritional changes.
• I’m going to go out with Sarah and/or Kim twice a month. I’d love to meet new people and get to know my town better, so we’ll go out to classes once a month and try a new restaurant or bar once a month.
• I’m going to get a job as a nurse. My first step is to apply to nursing schools nearby. I want to have a steady paycheck and help people. I won’t take a job in the ER, it’s too high stress.

Time to Share

Okay, I’ll let you in on one goal for next year. I want to try public speaking. I’m pretty sure that unless you’re new here, you already knew this. (Hi new people!) That’s my seed. I’ve even found my first step, going to try out a few Toastmasters events. I’ll chose  one or two to attend regularly. I’ll apply to speak at Ignite Austin, TEDxSMU, 140 Conference, and Blog World Expo.

I’ve got a license to teach Unfolding Your Life Vision and Dream Box (not out yet) from Jennifer Lee, so I’ll be putting myself in front of small groups on a monthly basis too.

What’s your goal for the upcoming year? How will you know if you’ve made it?

Looking to stretch your comfort zone in tiny ways and pick up some resource recommendations? Sign up for Inching Along, and every other week I’ll send you one small (possibly even fun) challenge that you can easily accomplish plus other nuggets that I find.

You know, you can get updates by email or RSS. Yay, updates!

In the comments:

We’re being open here, sharing and saying things we don’t always say out loud. What helps: Sharing your stories and Ideas. Cheering and telling what works/worked for you. What hurts: shoulds, harshness, and such. (I used to teach first grade, I can’t help it.)

Welcome to One Tiny Thing Thursday, where we choose to do one lil bit of a part of the scary, instead of trying to tackle the whole overwhelm all at once. Because, starting small is usually better than not starting at all. Join us?

It’s December. Well into December, in fact. This is the month when my day job workload doubles. And I know this, quite well. Still, things are falling through the cracks. Slipping and dropping.

Today’s tiny thing is forgiveness. I’m forgiving myself for not doing all the things I *should* be doing. And remembering that next week, I can truly begin to recenter.

Hugs to all who need/want them and I did manage to write a post, which will be up on Saturday.

Update from last time: I made it to the grocery store and now I’ve got a friend staying with me, so he has been grabbing a few things for me when he goes. A major bonus during December Overwhelm.

If you want to play along, then just tell us in the comments what you’re One Tiny Thing is. And if you like, you can always come back and let us know how it went too.

Looking to stretch your comfort zone in tiny ways and pick up some resource recommendations? Sign up for Inching Along, and every other week I’ll send you one small (possibly even fun) challenge that you can easily accomplish plus other nuggets that I find.

You know, you can get updates by email or RSS. Yay, updates!

In the comments:

We’re being open here, sharing and saying things we don’t always say out loud. What helps: Sharing your stories and Ideas. Cheering and telling what works/worked for you. What hurts: shoulds, harshness, and such. (I used to teach first grade, I can’t help it.)

Will the Circle be Unbroken

Today I was at an intimate concert from Ariana Hall with a few friends and a few new-to-me friends as well. To set the feeling as more of a group of friends than a show, we went around and introduced ourselves before the music started. I introduced myself as someone who works with creatives on stretching their comfort zones and practicing self care.

I have a tendency to introduce myself as a jewelry designer, my day job, because people know what that means. I design jewelry. They know what jewelry is, they know that people design it. Simple. I’m still working on telling people this:

I’m a comfort zone stretching social enrichment coach for creatives who want to get out more, meet people, have adventures; and believe that being shy, introverted, and highly sensitive is a blessing — if we allow it to be.

But if I don’t claim it, then I am, in fact, denying it.

Against the Grain

In this group there were yoga teachers, body workers, musicians… All people I tend to think of as having two jobs and maybe they did and maybe they didn’t, but they chose to identify in a certain way.

As the music got going I couldn’t stop thinking about how the people I surround myself with all go after their dreams. We do what we can to live our lives, the ones we claim. We may not make every possible choice to get us closer to our goals in life, but we do make every choice we can.

Can’t You Hear Me Callin’

I have one friend who comes to mind, N, he’s an author, just finishing the second draft of his novel. While I haven’t read any of this particular work, I have read his writing before. He’s got a strong voice, a talent for spinning a story and the man can research like few I’ve seen.

And, yet…

He makes light of compliments and currently considers anything less than a publishing deal to be failure. I want to bring him into this circle of determination and love. To *force* him to see how much he has done and how much he has to offer. But I can’t.

Never Give Up

As pissy as it makes me, I can’t tip back his head and feed him his own worth. I can, however, do this, I can support him in his choices and let him know how amazing he and his works are and maybe one day, he’ll get it for himself.

And I want you to know this, you are amazing. Whatever you create, share it, and when people praise you, believe them. You know what it was like getting there, you know how it all happened (maybe) and you probably even know that you’re not *quite* where you want to be yet. And still, believe them, because you need to love you as much as I do.

Today, I’d like to hear what you’re working on, what you’ve just finished, what ever it is that you can share that makes you, you. Please, share with us.

Annnnnnnnnd we stretch Two Three Four. Sign up for Inching Along and you’ll get small comfort zone stretches sent to your inbox ever other week, plus resources and other fun nuggets of info. 

You know, you can get updates by email or RSS. Yay, updates!

In the comments:

We’re being open here, sharing and saying things we don’t always say out loud. What helps: Sharing your stories and Ideas. Cheering and telling what works/worked for you. What hurts: shoulds, harshness, and such. (I used to teach first grade, I can’t help it.)

Welcome to One Tiny Thing Thursday, where we choose to do one lil bit of a part of the scary, instead of trying to tackle the whole overwhelm all at once. Because, starting small is usually better than not starting at all. Join us?

This is a back to basics week in self care. I need to reestablish most of my routines, my armature. While, long term, I need to find a way to transition back into my regular structure after traveling, right now, I need food.

I need to go to the grocery store. Today. I’ve needed groceries since Sunday, but for various reasonshaven’t made it out. So, that’s today’s tiny thing. My grocery list is in my phone and now I need to go to the grocery store. Because I *like* feeding myself nourishing meals. And I think it’s possible that I’m spending too much time at the sandwich place downstairs. I mean, I really shouldn’t know that the manager got married and the acting manager is working 17 hour shifts because of the honeymoon, should I? No, no I shouldn’t.

Update from last time: I found three Toastmasters groups to try. I put them on the schedule for this month, ahhahahahahah, and will be moving them to next month, once the day job holiday insanity has stopped. Because I am sane like that, when I catch myself, anyway.

If you want to play along, then just tell us in the comments what you’re One Tiny Thing is. And if you like, you can always come back and let us know how it went too.

Looking to stretch your comfort zone in tiny ways and pick up some resource recommendations? Sign up for Inching Along, and every other week I’ll send you one small (possibly even fun) challenge that you can easily accomplish plus other nuggets that I find.

You know, you can get updates by email or RSS. Yay, updates!

In the comments:

We’re being open here, sharing and saying things we don’t always say out loud. What helps: Sharing your stories and Ideas. Cheering and telling what works/worked for you. What hurts: shoulds, harshness, and such. (I used to teach first grade, I can’t help it.)

It’s okay to need a nap or a ‘nap’. Either one.

It’s okay to go for a walk to get away.

It’s okay to go home early.

It’s okay to take care of yourself, however that needs to happen.

*Hugs*

If you’ve got things that work for you and you want to share them, please do, but no pressure.

Want to receive small comfort zone stretches and resource recommendations every couple of weeks? Sign up for Inching Along and I’ll send you one small (possibly even fun) challenge that you can easily accomplish plus other nuggets that I find.

You know, you can get updates by email or RSS. Yay, updates!

In the comments:

We’re being open here, sharing and saying things we don’t always say out loud. What helps: Sharing your stories and Ideas. Cheering and telling what works/worked for you. What hurts: shoulds, harshness, and such. (I used to teach first grade, I can’t help it.)

I’m sharing mine here so that you can steal what you want from it and then build on it. Here we go:

• A note reminding me that I have a library card, books are available
• A one month bus pass
• A box of peppermint tea
• A gift certificate for the Mexican place down the street
• A reminder note that I have airline miles, and permission to use them
• A list of people I’d invite to a potluck and a reminder that being around people can help, depending on what’s going on
• A reminder that I have a Spotify account
• A reminder that I have a hula hoop and a park within walking distance
• A gift certificate to the grocery store
• Unscented bath salts, I can add essential oils to the tub

How about you? What do you need in order to feel taken care of?

Have you been thinking about adding a few comfort zone stretching challenges to your life? Get those plus resources and other fun nuggets of info in your inbox every other week, sign up for Inching Along today.

You know, you can get updates by email or RSS. Yay, updates!

In the comments:

We’re being open here, sharing and saying things we don’t always say out loud. What helps: Sharing your stories and Ideas. Cheering and telling what works/worked for you. What hurts: shoulds, harshness, and such. (I used to teach first grade, I can’t help it.)

Meditation is awesome. And for many people, terrifying. Not in the standing-at-the-edge-of-a-cliff way, but in the there-is-no-way-I-am-capable-of-this-way. Meditation can seem esoteric and daunting… like only monks and super-moms are capable and the super-moms are really faking it.

These thoughts seep in:

• I can’t sit still for that long.
• I don’t have that kind of focus.
• There is no way *my* brain is going to become still.

Have you been thinking about adding a few comfort zone stretching challenges to your life? Get those plus resources and other fun nuggets of info in your inbox every other week, sign up for Inching Along today.

You know, you can get updates by email or RSS. Yay, updates!

In the comments:

We’re being open here, sharing and saying things we don’t always say out loud. What helps: Sharing your stories and Ideas. Cheering and telling what works/worked for you. What hurts: shoulds, harshness, and such. (I used to teach first grade, I can’t help it.)