Reformed Bag Lady

I think this blog is slowly but surely making me low-maintenance. I am almost on week #3 without fake nails. I loaned my car to my brother they other day while his was in the shop, because I knew I’d be fine without one. I don’t worry about makeup if I don’t have time. I left my debit card at a fundraiser the other night, but I’m not worried, because I know I can get by without spending J Did I mention my office stash of pop has been empty all this week? And my week without a purse? Awesome!

I honestly didn’t think my purse was related to my shoulder problems. And while I still don’t believe it initially caused the problem – not wearing it has made a big difference! I hope it’s not all in my head, but the pain in my shoulder has subsided. It still hurts at certain angles, but it seems to have improved substantially. Go figure!

Also, not having a purse rules. I feel like a guy – in a good way. They never have to schlep all their crap around (and sometimes, everyone else’s crap!). I just stick what I absolutely need (wallet, phone, keys, Chapstick) into my pockets, & away I go! A couple times I’ve found myself reaching to put something INTO my purse, but so far I haven’t run into any situations where I really missed or needed one of those oddball items I’d been carrying around. Ladies, even if you don’t carry a big bag, I highly recommend trying a week without your purse.

Shoulder: 1

Purse: 0

Baggin' the bag

I just wrapped up my second week off since beginning this blog. The week without biting my nails was one of the biggest successes yet! Not only did I last a week without breaking down & and going to the salon – I STILL haven’t been there. I may have broken the habit for good *knock on wood* I started chewing on them a few times, but I’ve been able to stop myself. My friend Marna recommended keeping a nail file with me & using that whenever I get the urge to bite my nails. I’ve been doing that and painting my nails. I’m not sure which did the trick, but it’s been two full weeks and my fingernails are intact. That’s amazing! I still miss having super-strong, always-French tipped nails, so eventually, I’ll go back to the salon. But now that I don’t NEED nails, the salon will just be a nice way to pamper myself once in a while.

My right shoulder has been giving me problems for a few months. While it’s likely due to a paddling injury, I think I may be doing other things to aggravate it. That led to this “Week Without a Purse”. We’ve all heard stories of women who’ve suffered back or neck injuries stemming from their mammoth bags. My bag is not huge, but I am guilty of carrying way too much in it. All of my makeup travels with me, all of the time. I tend to accumulate a huge paper pile of receipts, printouts, invitations, and maps. I’ve got 2 checkbooks, a wallet, a very full keyring, and a phone. Many times there’s an MP3 player & headphones, or an FM transmitter in there. And then there’s the weird stuff that travels in there… I’ve had a wire stripper in there for about a month now. I used to carry a small tape measure and a Congressional directory or a deck of cards. (No, I wasn’t on my way to “Let’s Make a Deal”) A change of shoes or a Coke Zero often finds its way into the abyss that is my bag. I patented the “bag in a bag” technique: carrying my purse and other items INSIDE a backpack or larger bag. At first, it was because I needed a way to carry my gym clothes, lunch, and purse all at once. Then, it was just because I was weird.

This week, my shoulder gets a break. This morning, I did my makeup at home. I stuck my wallet & phone in my coat pockets. And I carried my usual lunch and a change of shoes in a plastic bag. Not heavy, and most of it won’t travel back home with me.

Nail Biter

I made it until Thursday, and then I pretty much gave up. I forgot what it was like to be 14 and without a drivers’ license. I carpooled with Ben & I tried to plan ahead, but between board meetings, kayak polo, and plans with friends – it’s really difficult for me to go without driving. However, I am pretty good at carpooling. Ben & I carpooled for a couple winters when I was between cars, so I’ve got a lot of practice. Here are my biggest obstacles:

- I am impatient.
Who wants to wait for a bus and travel across the city in a 45 minute commute when it only takes 15 by car? Biking doesn’t take that much longer than driving, plus I’ll save time because I won’t have to bike on the trainer at night or go to the gym – so the impatience excuse really won’t work for biking, except…

- It is cold.
It’s freezing out in the morning. Given the choice between A) a 3.5 mi ride in 30-degree weather, or B) travelling on a heated seat with warm air blowing on your freezing fingers…what would you choose?

- I am busy.
Sometimes waiting for a bus or taking a bike isn’t an option when I have to get across town & back quickly. There are situations when getting up early or being patient still won’t cut it.

I want to improve. I'm weak! I may try a week without driving another time. However, last week was a FAIL.

This week, I’m going a week without fake nails. For years, I bit my nails down until they hurt (gross!). About 7 years ago, I started getting fake nails, which solved the problem. I've had them ever since. However, the compulsion to chew them is still there.

For the 2nd time in 7 years, I took them off. (cue the theme from 2001: A Space Odyssey) Realistically, I won't break the chewing habit this week, but I hope to at least make an improvement. My mouth may be so full of turkey & stuffing that I won’t have room for fingers anyway!

A Week Without Driving*

“No” ruled. Guess what I did on Sunday? NOTHING. I slept in, bummed around, and then celebrated my dad’s birthday with my family. Saturday, I had nothing planned, so I went to work & caught up on some work I’d been stressing about. I’ll admit that a 7-hour shift on a weekend doesn’t sound like fun, but it was so nice & quiet at the office, I got a lot done! Bliss.

Lesson learned: Gonna try to say “no” more. I’ll always be busy, but this week I didn’t feel overwhelmed when important things came up…such as my brother-in-law’s homecoming party after a year in Iraq.

Today begins my Week Without Driving. You’ll notice I didn’t say “Week Without a Car”. I think I’ll walk more, but I’m still allowed to carpool. Also, because I’m a realist, I’m permitting myself one cheat: I’m allowed to drive to Southwest High School to meet with my Teammate. It’s 30 minutes across town by car & I have to fit it into my workday, so biking or waiting on a bus will not work for this one, and I cannot skip it. Ben carpooled with me this morning, and instead of driving to the gym, I biked on the trainer at home.

The more you "no"...

HARD! My brother-in-law returned home from Baghdad yesterday (yay!!). I went out with my fiance’s family to celebrate. His dad invited us to the symphony. I said “no”. This morning, my mom invited me to a craft show. And even though a couple of my artist friends will be showing, I said “no”. I realize this doesn’t sound difficult at all. For me, it's tough! Am I mean for saying no to the symphony? Will his dad think I don’t like it? Will my mom think I don’t have time for her? Wouldn’t I earn some points with my artist friends if I showed up?

Alas, this is the life of a neurotic.

A Week Without "Yes"

Did you ever see the movie “Yes Man” starring Jim Carrey? He’s a negative guy who says “No” to every invitation, every favor, every friend – everything. I have the opposite problem. I say yes. To everyone. Every time. It’s taken me a LONG time to get this, but saying “yes” to everyone doesn’t make me a nice person. It doesn't make people like me. It just means I’m a crazy pushover who carries guilt when she turns anyone down. And in the rare event that I do say no, I always make sure to include a long explanation to (unsuccessfully) alleviate guilt. It’s not healthy.

This month, especially, I’m feeling the pressure: from friends, from family, from my job, and from volunteering. It seems like everyone needs something now, and they’re all important. Birthdays, sweeps, fundraisers…a girl’s likely to go nuts! I am depleted of sleep, time, and money from this “yes” habit.

Instead, I’m saying no this week and giving myself a staycation, hermit-style. So sorry, loved ones, but I’m practicing my “no” this week. “No, I can’t go out tonight.” “No, I can’t handle that this week.” No, I can’t help you tonight.” “No, I can’t stay late.”

And I’ll be repeating to myself “No, you’re not a bad person for saying ‘no’.” Think I’ll start to believe it?

My fridge is naked.

Two posts in one day? Nikki, are you crazy? No - I'm just game-deprived and blogging a lot.

UPDATE: I have moved from the closet to the kitchen. I just cleaned off 2+ years of thank-you notes, birthday cards, baby & wedding announcements, congratulations cards, expired coupons, kid drawings, adult drawings (not THAT kind of adult...), and even an Easter card circa 2009. Phew!

You think hoarder emotions are tied to clothes? Try greeting cards! So, to everyone who has now vacated my refrigerator - your cards were appreciated. And thank you for the magnet back.