my year of experiments gone wrong

Ah yes. My (and I quote) "brilliant idea for a birthday gift to myself". My year of experiments. The idea being that I would start a new habit or practice every month and practice it daily until the next month, at which point it would hopefully be integrated into my life.

The current month's experiment is to drink a glass of water, first thing every morning. That practice lasted, oh, exactly two days. Then it progressed to where I'd make myself a glass in the morning (I say make because the way I make water palatable is to use 1/3 sparkling mineral water, a squirt of lemon or lime juice, and 2/3 tap water), but it would sit on my desk until lunchtime, at which point I'd stare at it mournfully and take a few sips. Now, I don't even need to make myself a glass in the morning, because yesterday's glass is usually still sitting on my desk, waiting for me to finally take a sip.

Ok, so the Shiva Nata month went well. But, at this point, my idea is not seeming so very brilliant. In fact, it is more frustrating than anything. Who knew that a little glass of water could cause such angst.

Maybe that's the problem. It seems like such an easy thing to drink a glass of water in the morning. And yet I can't get myself to do it. What's that phrase? A mountain from a molehill? Apparently this is my molehill.

So, that's where I am with my current experiment. If you're looking for me, you can probably find me at my desk, staring balefully at my molehill.

If you decided to join in, I hope your experiments are going much better.

Comments

[Josiane]

I wouldn't say your experiment has gone wrong; as Havi says, it's all useful information. Now to figure out what is the useful bit of information in there for you...

[elizabeth --]

yeah, it hasn't really gone wrong exactly. that's just the title that came to mind. ;) it is interesting that i can't figure out what in all of this is important to note, but i'm sure it'll come to me eventually.

[anne]

I can't imagine NOT drinking a huge glass of water when I wake up. Course I use a CPAP machine, have a dryness disease, and can't really drink much else. I drink water by the gallon.
HA!

Anne

[steph]

Wow, do I have sympathy with that kind of experience! "It should be easy. I just have to do it (whatever "it" is). So why am I not just doing it? What's making this hard?"

I get so frustrated with myself in those situations sometimes. Fertile ground for me to learn/practice patience, kindness, and curiosity, for sure!

As you said in comments above, eventually you'll figure out what piece is making it hard for you. And if you're anything like me, whatever it is will seem so obvious once you see it. :)

[elizabeth --]

@Steph: True. Good opportunities to practice patience, kindness, and curiosity. (And yes, I figured it out and it did seem obvious. ;)

@Anne: That's a lot of water!

[Caroline]

You know, it doesn't sound like anything really went wrong. There are just some things that don't fit...no matter how hard you may try. As the Reiki creed starts..."just for today I will..." And so let it go. You tried, but I don't see failure, but instead learning.

Peace.

[Rose]

I finished my month of ShivaNata too... and forgot to pick a new habit.. and haven't done ShivaNata since - whoops!

However, one thing I have found is doing things the other way around. I managed ten days without eating chocolate [as a tennage student during exams, that's a feat!] just because I said "well, ill go for 7 days and see how many more I go until i feel like stopping." - perhaps you could start wiht baby stpes - have a glass of water one morning a week and see if it affects you. Then up to two days - or two glasses on the same day. Then some days off?

Hope it improves!

[Jessica]

It's so interesting that what seems easy to some of us is so hard to others! I'm like Anne - can't imagine not drinking water every morning and it's so healthy too. But there are things (lots and lots of things) that I should be doing that I can't seem to get myself to do that are easy peasy pie for everyone else. I like what Steph said - maybe you can find what it is about this that is making it so hard and learn from it. And maybe I can figure out why I'm not getting my accounting records in order . . .

[elizabeth --]

@Caroline: Good point. Maybe it doesn't fit.

@Rose: You could pick Shiva Nata again! ;) Really liking your idea. I could totally drink a glass of water on Monday mornings. Yes, good plan.

@Jessica: I know! I have done so many things that seem easy to me and other people can't believe I stuck to them. And vice versa. I hope you figure out your accounting.

[jenG]

Hello, hello!

I think the most splendid part of your year of experiments is the trying, if not the adopting. Do try not to be too hard on yourself.

I do drink an awful lot of water, but certain conditions make it easier. For example, when I have the "right" water bottle at the office, I drink 2-3 liters a day. When I forget that bottle, nothing can get me to drink as much--I hate filling up a glass at work. I don't know why. ;) I don't drink as much when I'm at home on the weekends--I guess the structure of office work helps me?

It was an opaque bottle with a straw that actually instilled the habit (also in an office). Maybe you could experiment with different containers to see if one fits better?