In Real Life. 30 days of it.  This isn’t just a challenge, it’s a test to change your life. Starting now. This minute. This second.

For the love of Pickles, what’s happening to us?!  When did life become so tied up with everything? “I’m too busy to do that!” When did this become the prevailing thought when approached to trying new things? Or getting our health on? Or home making meals? Or joining a fun new group?

If I said, “Your life depends on it,” would you start living In Real Life instead of just being an avatar on social media? Recent statistics, according to the CDC, are a staggering wake-up call. We are in the 21st century and have our own lack of health and wellness to blame for most of the “preventable” diseases. The following is a report of the top 15 reasons for death as reported in the U.S in 2014 according to CDC website.

‘The 15 leading causes of death in 2014 were: 1. Diseases of heart (heart disease) 2. Malignant neoplasms (cancer) 3. Chronic lower respiratory diseases 4. Accidents (unintentional injuries) 5. Cerebrovascular diseases (stroke) 6. Alzheimer’s disease 7. Diabetes mellitus (diabetes) 8. Influenza and pneumonia 9. Nephritis, nephrotic syndrome and nephrosis (kidney disease) 10. Intentional self-harm (suicide) 11. Septicemia 12. Chronic liver disease and cirrhosis 13. Essential hypertension and hypertensive renal disease (hypertension) 14. Parkinson’s disease 15. Pneumonitis due to solids and liquids’

Sorry, the above report isn’t sugar coated. It shouldn’t be. This kind of information makes me ask why are we killing ourselves? Many items are these list are “preventable”. We have the option (within our means and our own immediate environments, of course) to make our health and wellness our goal. Taking a serious inventory in our own personal self is the first test in life we, myself included, have got to change right now. Stop worrying about everyone else and let it fall into place after you care for yourself. Feel the butterfly hatch from the cocoon.

Here is your 30-day challenge, to be taken in any order, Social Media Hiatus is a Must! (Get off your phones already):

1.Plan healthy meals for the month. 2. Join a new fitness class. 3. Make all of your dinners (or lunch/breakfast) from scratch. 4. Write 10 thank you cards. 5. Take a relaxing bubble bath. 6. Join someone for a long walk. 7. Take your camera out for an adventure.8. Make a catalog of your favorite songs. 8. Hiatus from Social Media. 9. Close your eyes, pick out a map point, and go site seeing. 10. Walk someone’s pet. 11. Call up a friend you haven’t talked to in a while. 12. Start to read a biography or meaningful book. 13. Write some poetry. 14. Go to a local sports game. 15.Hiatus from Social Media. 16. Movie night with friends. 17.Start a daily journal for reflection. 18. Help plan an event or join a new group.
19. Start a food drive or clothing drive. 20. Downsize your belongings. 21. Visit a nursing home or pet shelter. 22. Hiatus from Social Media 23. Organize a room. 24. Rehab a piece of decor or furniture. 25. Paint on canvas. 26. Start a garden. 27. Plan a picnic. 28. Visit a museum. 29.Plan a new 30-day goal list of things you’ve always wanted to do.
30.Reflect on your 30-days of In Real Life.

Changing how we look at life and acting on our ambitions starts with living your life to the fullest until your cup bubbles over and floods you in your pants.

Be adventurous with your wild self.

~Thank you for reading~