Taking a quick scroll through LinkedIn (because I’m working on giving up or atleast cutting back my mindless Facebook and Instagram scrolling), I saw someone post about a 30 for 30 challenge. Write for 30 minutes each day for 30 days. Just before that I was reading an e-newsletter from a blog I follow (if you’re a runner, you should check out Sarah Canney). At the end of the email she mentioned that the best way to communicate with her this month was via email, since she had logged off of Instagram for December. 

Both of these things struck me. I’ve slacked off on my blogging project for two reasons. The first, that I didn’t think I had the time to write. I can burn through an entire season of Virgin River in a day, but writing is not something I can seem to find the time for. The second, that I didn’t like having to play the social media game of engageement and likes and saves and blah, blah, blah. 

But there are plenty of things I do mindlessly during the day that I could replace with 30 minutes of writing or exercise, or 10 minutes of reading or meditating. I am all for spending time doing what you enjoy. But I can enjoy one episode of a TV show instead of 2 (or 5) and take that time to do something that will bring me even more joy in exchange for a little bit of effort.

And if Sarah can run a successful blog without being on Instagram all day, I don’t see why that should keep me from writing down some thoughts and sharing them on the internet. Even if it’s only my mom and my sister reading them (heyyyy guys). 

This year has been weird and I think it’s okay to let some balls drop. I also think it’s okay to pick them back up. I was hesitant to start a blog because I couldn’t help but think of how embarrassed I would be if I quit after a month. And then when a month went by and I found myself uninspired and stopped writing, I thought, “well I guess that’s the end of that.”

Whether it’s writing, reading, meditating, running, or some other habit you’re trying to form, or maybe once had, don’t let a blip on the radar deter you. 

So what if you dropped it for a bit? Pick it back up. No one will judge you. And if they do, they suck and you don’t need them anyways. 

There’s a gentle balance in pushing yourself to do something you don’t want to, and doing what serves you. Oftentimes they overlap, and when they don’t, that’s cool too. Some days you watch a lot of Downton Abbey, other days you watch a little less Downton Abbey and also go for a run. Balance.

So, I’m going to work on picking back up my writing ball, and maybe some others. My goal is to write for at least 30 minutes a day for the next 30 days. I may share it all online, or maybe just a little.

It’s important to remember that the value of something — your thoughts, opinions, or self worth — isn’t measured by likes or views. Those things will all hold a different value to everyone, but what’s most important is the value they hold to you.

Cheers,

-Molly