So I started this blog in January 2010 to chronicle the ups and downs (but mostly ups!) of my life as one of my personal commitments to making some big changes in my life this year. So far, I’ve embarked on a number of lifestyle experiments, some big (like going natural and quitting my job) and some small, like cooking good food for myself a few times a week and drinking more water, etc. I wanted 2010 to be the year that I lived completely for me and did all the things that make me happy. I also wanted to get rid of the things that did not make me happy, which involved a massive Facebook unfriending and distancing myself from some toxic people in my life.
One thing that allowed me to follow through on these changes was that I called them experiments. Out loud and in my head. By calling my lifestyle changes “experiments,” that meant there was less perceived risk in it for me if I failed. That meant I could always go back to my “old life” if the experiment didn’t work out. It also meant that these changes didn’t have to be permanent if I didn’t want them to be. Everything seemed more flexible by calling them “lifestyle experiments” vs. OMG I have to change EVERYTHING in my life RIGHT NOW FOREVER or I’ll DIE.
See the difference?
Even though I did the “big chop” to cut off all my hair to go natural, I knew that if I didn’t like it, I could always get a weave or a relaxer down the line. Even though I quit my job to start my own consulting business, I knew that if it didn’t work out, I could always polish up my resume and go find another job. When I thought about it that way, really I had nothing to lose.
And right now I’m in the midst of a dating experiment to aid in my quest for a boyfriend. I want a relationship, and this is a great way to force myself to actively pursue that goal. The beauty of it is that you can make up whatever kind of experiments you want to improve your life in whatever way you see fit.
Other areas where you could remix your life include:
- Health
- Career
- Dating
- Marriage
- Family
- Friendships
- Community
A few great examples come from @NeoSoulAlterEgo, who recently conducted an August NeoSoul Lifestyle Experiment and shared the journey on her blog to achieve restoration in her life. She also shares the details of her blind date experiment throughout the month of September!
What are some lifestyle experiments you can test out in your own life? Are there any goals you could make progress on if you simply put more effort into them? Do you need a lifestyle experiment?
I need a Health remix. I’ve recently seen Fat, Sick and Nearly Dead and another movie called Processed People, both of which speak about our processed food supply and how it’s literally killing us. When I return from vacation, I’m thinking about either doing a juice fast or just juicing more often and replacing some meals with juices.
Read my latest blog post…It Gets Better
I just put that movie in my Netflix queue! Gonna watch it sooner than later now.
Very inspiring post. I am traveling to Tanzania, leaving behind my family, and embarking on this journey with my girlfriend. It is a geat experiment, that I am sure will have great results.
I’m on the cusp of a pretty big birthday and contemplating a couple of experiments right now.
The first one (the easy one) is to go a week without wearing makeup or doing much to my hair. I’ve done similar things in the past when I found that I was too attached weaves or acrylic nails and they went okay; the purpose is really just to learn to find myself attractive in a more natural state. Going without makeup is a biggie for me, because I almost never do it.
The other one is to go a month being totally authentic to my true wants. To not be afraid to put the secret desires of my heart into the universe. I’m realizing that by keeping my big fat wishes for myself inside they are obscured by other stuff. I’m curious to see whether putting my wishes front and centre will help them be fulfilled.
Will I ever actually conduct either of these experiments, I don’t know. But they’re what is rattling around in my brain these days.
I love both of these lifestyle experiment ideas! I hope you do at least one of them. What do you think is holding you back?
One of the things that I discovered when I went natural was how convinced I had been that straight hair was the most attractive…which made me even more committed to embracing my natural beauty.
Happy early birthday
Thank you! I think the only thing really holding me back is laziness. Here’s hoping that with a new year of life comes a little bit more self-discipline!
I just wandered back to this post after four months and thought I’d let you know that I haven’t undertaken any of the challenges that I mentioned in my comment but I am doing the 31 day reset challenge! I’m on Day 11