This is the 180 Experience

Another blog?!

I know. I thought it was kind of weird at first, too. But I have been doing a lot of thinking lately, and I decided to take on a new project, starting today. See, today marks a very important day for me...it would have been my first day back to work. I worked in a school for eight years and today is the first day of school. The only thing is, I'm not going back.

Around January 2009, after months of stressing, weighing options, making lists, and venting to anyone who would listen, I decided to take a year-long leave of absence from my job. I was feeling overwhelmed, burnt out, whatever you want to call it...I like to call it my pre-mid-life crisis. The bottom line was that I was tired and stressed and confused. The only thing I was sure about was that I needed a break. So, at 30 years old and after eight years on the job, I took one.

The summer has been great for me. I have had time to stop, breathe, and reflect on the decision. I still feel like it was the right one for me at the time, and I'm glad I made it. However, the whole "what's next?" question has yet to be answered. At first I worried about finding the next thing, making huge decisions, and getting my life in order RIGHT AWAY...because that's what I have always done. But at some point I realized that in order to feel better and stop stressing, I just needed to STOP. Stop rushing, stop worrying, stop obsessing, and just be for a while. Find time to relax, refresh, recharge, and hopefully in the process, become a stronger and healthier person.

That brings me to this blog. Sort of. I thought about the school year starting up and how it connected to my goals for the year. Most people know that the school year is 180 days long. That seems like a long time (remember being a student?), but it can actually fly by if you don't pay attention. Days and months can all blend together when you are stressed or overwhelmed or anxious or (fill in the emotional blank). I decided that this year, I am not going to count down the days like a prison sentence. I am going to look forward to each day and squeeze as much out of it as I can. I am going to wake up feeling excited about the day ahead, instead of looking forward to when it's over. So as the students are learning this year in school, I hope to learn a lot, too. About myself, my goals, the world around me, and how to be the best person I can be. I hope to try new things, resurrect some old dreams, and go on some amazing adventures.

180 also represents change. When you hear someone say, "She did a total 180!" you think about someone making a drastic shift or change or turnaround. Well, I hope to do a little bit of that this year, too. I hope to change the way I deal with stress, the way I view certain situations, and in some ways, the way I live my life. Not only do I hope to be a mentally/emotionally stronger person at the end of the year, but I also hope to improve my physical health. Let's face it...a lot of us could do better with our eating and exercise, and I am right there with you. I would love to figure out ways to get in better shape this year...and stick with it!

So that's a little bit about The 180 Experience. I am hoping to document my time here on this blog...talk about things that I have learned, share things that inspire me, and ask questions about things I am curious about. And here's where you come in. I want as many of you as possible to be a part of this experience...not only because I think you have a lot of wisdom to share, but because I think we all have room in our lives for a little 180. Is there something you hope to change or improve or learn? If so, why not join me this year? I would love to have some classmates along for the ride...

So become a follower and start participating! Comment on posts, suggest ideas for new ones, and help keep me going! This is all about being inspired and making positive changes.

But don't worry...my cynical, sarcastic side will still be over at Maggie's Octopus, so keep visiting there, too! :)