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BUSTING BURNOUT MYTHS

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BURNOUT

Unmasking Burnout: Debunking Common Myths

Burnout is an increasingly recognized issue in our fast-paced world, but it’s also widely misunderstood.

Many people attribute burnout to simple dissatisfaction with one’s job or believe it’s solely a job-related issue.

These misconceptions can hinder effective prevention and recovery. Let’s delve into what burnout truly is, what it is not, and debunk some prevalent myths.

Understanding Burnout

Burnout is a state of chronic physical and emotional exhaustion. It is often accompanied by feelings of cynicism and detachment from work or personal life, as well as a sense of reduced accomplishment. It was first recognized in the 1970s by psychologist Herbert Freudenberger, who observed it in professions with high stress levels.

Today, burnout is considered a legitimate occupational phenomenon by the World Health Organization (WHO), which defines it specifically in the context of work. However, understanding it requires recognizing that it extends beyond just job-related issues.

Myth 1: You Don’t Like What You Do

One of the most pervasive myths is that burnout only happens because you don’t like your job. While job dissatisfaction can contribute to it, it is far from the whole story. Many people who love their jobs still experience burnout.

Passionate individuals often push themselves harder, set higher expectations, and may neglect self-care in pursuit of their goals. This is a recipe for burnout. Enjoying your work doesn’t make you immune to the pressures and stresses that cause burnout.

Myth 2: Burnout is Only Job-Related

Another common myth is that this situation is exclusively a job-related issue. While work stress is a significant factor, these feelings can also stem from other areas of life. This might include caregiving responsibilities, personal relationships, or even relentless personal pursuits.

The key elements — exhaustion, cynicism, and feelings of inefficacy—can emerge from any prolonged and intense stress, not just job-related stress.

What It Is

  1. Chronic Stress Response: Burnout is a response to prolonged stress, leading to exhaustion, cynicism, and a feeling of reduced professional efficacy. It’s the result of a constant demand on your resources without adequate time for recovery.
  2. Emotional and Physical Exhaustion: It often manifests as a deep fatigue that isn’t alleviated by rest. This exhaustion impacts both emotional and physical well-being, making it hard to find motivation or energy.
  3. Cynicism and Detachment: People experiencing burnout often become cynical about their work and feel detached from their tasks and colleagues. This can lead to a decline in performance and satisfaction. The same can be true of feelings toward family obligations.
  4. Sense of Inefficacy: It includes a sense of ineffectiveness and lack of accomplishment. Even when tasks are completed, you have a pervasive feeling that nothing is truly achieved.

What It Is Not

  1. Simple Dislike for Work: Disliking your job can cause stress, but burnout is a deeper, more chronic issue. It that goes beyond simple dissatisfaction. It’s an erosion of the soul caused by an imbalance between demands and resources.
  2. A Sign of Weakness: Experiencing burnout doesn’t mean you are weak or incapable. It’s a signal that the environment you’re in, or the way you’re managing stress, is unsustainable. It’s a call to reassess and adjust, not a reflection of personal failure.
  3. A Professional Issue: Burnout isn’t confined to the workplace. Stay-at-home parents, caregivers, students, and anyone facing continuous stress without adequate support can experience burnout.

Addressing Burnout

To effectively combat burnout, it’s crucial to:

  1. Recognize the Signs Early: Understanding the symptoms—chronic fatigue, detachment, and feelings of inefficacy—can help in seeking help sooner.
  2. Promote Work-Life Balance: Ensuring adequate rest, engaging in hobbies, and spending time with loved ones can help mitigate burnout.
  3. Seek Support: Professional help, whether from a mental health professional or a supportive network, can provide strategies and relief.
  4. Prioritize Self-Care: Regular exercise, healthy eating, and mindfulness practices are vital in maintaining overall well-being and resilience against burnout.

Burnout is a complex, multifaceted issue that cannot be reduced to simple dislike for a job or confined to the workplace alone. By debunking these myths and understanding the true nature of it. We can better address it and foster healthier, more sustainable environments both at work and at home.

What Can I Do About It?

We will be talking more about this over the next few posts! Learn to recognize it early, avoid or combat it, and if you are already knee deep, how to overcome it. Stay tuned!

laylo yoga and wellness

Isn’t it time to leave burnout behind and lead a life that makes YOU a priority? Consider rebooting your mind and body with one of our wellness retreats! Designed specifically to immerse you in an environment that takes you out of your daily grind, you will be able to focus on crafting your life in a way that honors your family and career while carving out time to pursue interests that excite you so you can feel balanced, fulfilled, and calm. Get on the info list so you know what is happening, when, and where!

P.S. Let’s be besties!! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest, and join the LAYLO Shala to get the latest news and insider goodies 😍

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5 LIFE LESSONS I LEARNED FROM MY HAIR

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Life Lessons

My hair is living its own life – I’m just sort of along for the ride

And it’s always ready to school me in it’s latest life lessons.

Most of you know I started my professional life as a hairdresser, but really, my hair obsession started far earlier than that.

It started in 1973. I had always had bangs, thanks to my mother’s method of using TAPE (!) to create a “straight” line to cut my bangs. Except that I had some pretty wicked cowlicks in the front and the bangs were never straight.

I decided to let my bangs grow out, to which my mom replied with relief “yes, that is probably best.”

There I was, 7 years old and my hair was calling the shots

Flash forward a few years. 1979. I had my own money – hello babysitting – and paid for my own haircuts. I had a place that I actually liked but my mom had a coupon for a new place and talked me into going there instead.

Immediately the stylist said I should get the “Dorothy Hamill” haircut aka a wedge. I was not into it, I told her I was not into it, I even told her my father did not want me to have short hair (which was the truth).

She said okay.

Then turned me away from the mirror and proceeded to cut – you guessed it – a perfect wedge.

My school picture that year has me looking like I want to kill someone. And I did. That hairdresser.

Jump ahead another few years.

I’m in Beauty School to become a hairdresser.

That’s right – I’m now a hairdresser. In the 80’s.

Perms. Mousse. White Rain hairspray. The whole nine baby.

I had a solid decade of perm.

Then I wanted to color it too.

It was too much for my poor strands so I had to choose.

Color won out. It was the 90’s now. Perms were kind of passe. Warm reddish brown was the new me.

Life Lessons - 80's perm

Enter the phase of trying to just figure it out

After all, two young kids, an active lifestyle, and limited time and funds were the order of the day.

My life has continued to evolve and so has my hair.

I still love style products. I wear it relatively short in spite of what my dad thinks. And believe it or not, I actually like my hair (most of the time).

It all works because I realized my hair is WISE! It was doing more than just sitting on my head, causing me grief. My hair was teaching me some life lessons and I just needed to sit up and take notice.

Lesson 1: Don’t fight it!

Back in the 70’s when the whole bangs situation was rearing up (literally!) my hair was clearly saying “Hey, this is who I am. You can try to do something that doesn’t work but I will assert myself!”

There are parts of you that you quite possibly ignore, thinking they are a little too wild, a little too out there. The more you try to force yourself into a straight line, the more those parts will have to assert themselves.

If you just let it go and let it be what it is going to be, it will likely settle in after a bit and be just fine. You just have to get over the awkward grow-out phase.

We are all growing and changing. Sometimes trying out something new seems weird or out of your wheelhouse initially until you figure out the nuances that suit you.

Lesson 2: Trust your gut

That Dorothy Hamill haircut was the worst! So. Not. Me.

And I had paid for it!

I had someone that was right for me, that knew and understood my hair. But with just a little pressure – and a desire to please my mom – I ignored my gut, went to someone I didn’t want to go to even though it was my own money and paid not just with my money but my dignity as well.

I have had this lesson taught to me repeatedly. I think I was about 38 before it sunk in.

Do what works for you, not for someone else. They don’t have to live with the consequences and you do.

When I first started on my yoga journey I hated it! Eventually, though I figured out what yoga meant to me, focused on that, and then fell in love with it!

Lesson 3: Be who you really are

I loved my crazy 80’s perm. For awhile. My hair, however, eventually objected. “One more perm and I will frizz you!!”

While I liked the kinky curl that defined the era, that wasn’t my hair’s true nature. My real hair was a bit wavy in places, straight here and there, soft and even glossy.

I didn’t need all that frenetic energy. It was not me. Not for my hair and not for my personality. I am not one of those party and stay out late kind of people. I am asleep by 10p (okay really 9:30p…).

Trying to be something I am not just left me frizzy around the edges! While I loved aspects of it for other people, I needed to focus on what worked best for me.

Lesson 4: But also be whom you aspire to be

After giving up the perm I did give in to some color.

Nothing way off base. Just a little more warmth to liven things up a bit.

Still me, just a little bit fancied up.

We all aspire to be a certain way – a little nicer/kinder, more open and friendly, or whatever.

“Acting as if” isn’t about being a fake, it’s more about taking what you’ve got and just pushing to the next level, to be the person you want to be.

Lesson 5: A little control is good; too much just makes you brittle

Hairspray is kinda my first and longest love. Back in the day, it was all about shellacking the hell out of your hair.

It could not move.

It also flaked, made your hair dry and dull and definitely uninviting.

These days I still like some control – hello Kenra 25

But it’s soft, doesn’t build up, and lets my hair still feel like hair.

Life is the same way. Too much control and things may appear to be “perfect” but really your life is stiff and brittle, not organic and flexible.

You want freedom within your framework. Structure yes, but not rigidity. The ability to go with the flow is a lot healthier for you in the end.

Ahhh…now my attraction to yoga makes sense! The very heart of yoga allows you to find structure, learning to accept yourself as you are now and as you wish to be. Life lessons GALORE!

Life lessons are all around you

Yes, even in something as seemingly inconsequential as your hair (shh – don’t let my hair know I said that!)

You just have to look at things from a little bit of a different perspective. Find that space for yourself, that grace for yourself, and carve out the time to act on it.

laylo yoga and wellness

P.S. Let’s be besties!! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest, and join the LAYLO Shala to get the latest news and insider goodies 😍

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WHY SLOW FLOW IS MY WAY TO GO

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slow flow

There are so many ways to practice and enjoy yoga. Knowing what you like and wish to get out of it is key to creating a practice that you not only love but will continue to do.

That’s why slow flow is totally my jam – as a student and as a teacher!

What is slow flow? It is a Vinyasa style, but rather than going breath to movement on every posture or even most postures, you spend a little more time on holds. That usually translates to 3-5 breaths on more than 50% of the postures.

This is why I love it:

Time to master a posture your way

While it is true that we are basically constructed the same way, we each deal with many little nuances, deviations, injuries, and even limb lengths. Some of us might be working through a shoulder injury. Perhaps you have wide-set hips. Maybe you are a little knock-kneed or bowl-legged. Maybe you are tall – but do you have long legs and a short torso or short legs but a long torso?

Pretty quickly you can see how these structural differences affect your everyday life. Well, your yoga practice is no different.

The challenge I have with a fast-paced Vinyasa practice is that there is not a lot of time to figure out how to get into/out of or adapt a posture for your unique circumstances. The amount of time needed to move my short legs is going to be less than my longer-legged friends.

If I have a hip issue (which, as many of you know, I do) then half-moon is going to need some adaptation to get my hip to rotate.

The problem is, if we are just zipping through the class, we don’t get much opportunity to make those adaptations, try some different variants, or even do something else altogether that still keeps us in the flow.

The result tends to be unhealthy compromises in form, frustration with awkward positions or being left behind, and just plain feeling blah about the whole thing.

On the flip side, if we are taking 3-5 breaths in numerous postures, you have time to tweak it to fit your body or even just do something else that fits into the flow. To me, this means you have a chance to make the session your own.

Slow flow lets you get into your props

I am a big believer in using your props!

BLOCKS bring the ground closer to you.

STRAPS make your arms longer.

BOLSTERS allow you to feel supported.

These additional pieces of equipment are huge in keeping you safe while you expand your practice. One of the big reasons why people say they can’t do yoga is that they aren’t flexible enough.

That is why you use props! They give you the support you need to accomplish a posture without sacrificing your form. Props allow you the opportunity to begin to increase your flexibility, mobility, and strength while keeping you safe.

They meet you where you are and support you in getting where you want to go.

However, if we are moving in a fast-paced environment you will not have much time to get your props out and use them.

So what tends to happen is that form begins to get compromised and the potential for injury goes up. Not to mention a general lack of progress in the areas of flexibility and mobility!

This is especially challenging if you are new(er) to yoga and trying to make some gains in these areas. While it is true that you can practice this at home, realistically, many people attend classes and don’t always spend a lot of time practicing outside the class environment, especially when they are new!

Give yourself a crack at the toughest part of yoga – your mind!

This may just be a “me” thing, but the hardest part of a yoga practice/class is not the physical asanas. It’s the mental act of slowing, calming, and quieting the mind.

We are in a constant state of doing, especially in the U.S. Being, allowing ourselves to slow down, learning to see our thoughts and realize that they come and go, this is actually tough stuff for many of us.

Meditation is a great place to practice the art of simply being. Yoga is a moving meditation. If you let it, it can help you find a balance between movement – doing – and being. Yoga lets you practice observing thoughts and understanding that you are not your thoughts.

“I cannot possibly hold this position another second” but then you do. “My balance sucks” except there you are, standing on one leg and NOT falling over (at least not right away!).

Our minds are telling us crap basically all. day. long. Yoga helps us practice the art of seeing the crap and letting it go so we can get down to the reality of that moment.

As a teacher, I can accommodate more levels with slow flow

I teach in multi-level environments. I don’t really even like to say “levels” because, to me, yoga is all one level with many variations. But for the sake of this article, I will use the word levels since we have an understanding of what that looks like.

Let’s say I ask everyone to move into a Forward Fold. Some people may wish to take Rag Doll so they feel more support for their back. Others may do a Half-Way Lift to accommodate their flexibility. Still others may go into a Headstand if that is part of their practice.

If we are moving at a quick pace, there will not be time for some of those variations, or even time for me to suggest some of the variations.

In a situation where people with different backgrounds are coming into the same class, slowing down let’s me allow them to practice in the way they want to.

At the end of the day, your practice is your own. As a teacher, I am providing a map but the students are taking the journey.

All approaches are welcome!

In conclusion, I want to be clear on one thing: this is why I love slow flow. Others may have different reasons for loving it. Still others may dislike this kind of practice.

And it’s all good.

The thing I continue to marvel at about yoga is that it really is for everyone. The way you choose to practice is up to you. Perhaps you like even longer holds. Maybe going at a fast pace, one breath to each movement is your first love. You may like to focus on strength. Or a specific series of postures.

There are just as many ways to practice as there are people.

You do you, BooBoo!

laylo yoga and wellness

P.S. Let’s be besties!! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest, and join the LAYLO Shala to get the latest news and insider goodies 😍

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VINO AND VINYASA: THAT’S A WRAP!

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VINO AND VINYASA

Vino & Vinyasa January 2024 is in the books!

What an incredible event! We had a very full group – all ages, abilities, and approaches.

Above all else, though, was an amazing feeling of fun and community.

Let me break down the day for you (and be sure to join the Shala or the V&V interest list so you can join in the next one!)

10:30a and we are off and running!

It was a BEAUTIFUL day, especially considering it is January. Even in SoCal the weather can be cold and rainy – in fact it rained all week in the run up to the event. By Saturday though, the weather was a balmy 78 and sunny!

Our team arrived at 9:30a to set up and get ready for the arrival of our guests. We gave everyone a little time to check in, find their spot, and get the lay of the land. The Cheval Winery is set in the hills of Escondido, CA and provided a (mostly) peaceful and serene atmosphere. We were able to tune out the lovely sound of the saw next door with the power of yoga focus!

As we kicked off the event, I wanted to assure everyone that this was their time, their practice, and to be sure to use any options and variations they wanted and that I would also provide some along the way. We were there to work at our on level, in our own way, and have some fun.

Once we got going, I was delighted to see many people doing just that – taking the options they wanted and smiling along the way.

Once we got rolling on our balance flow, it was time to kick things up a notch or two and break out the (plastic) wine glasses!

Filled with water – because we didn’t want to risk and wine spills – we set about doing a few postures like king dancer, warrior III, and boat all with our glasses in hand. Lots of “cheers”, hand offs, and laughter along the way.

Time for some goodies!

We finished up our first flow with some partner stretches and then dove into some delicious munchies including vegan options, courtesy of Dena David, and of course some wine tasting.

Relax, wander, and ponder

We wanted to be sure to allow time to explore the property, journal if wanted (everyone got a journal in their gift bag), and just relax into the day.

vino and vinyasa ponies

Restorative yoga with meditation and sound bath to round out the day

Continuing the vibe into the afternoon, we concluded the retreat with restorative yoga, extended meditation to let go of overthinking, and a sound bath. Special thanks to my assistant for the day Nicole Martinez, for giving everyone the calming lavender scent experience!

Vino and Vinyasa comes to a close – for today

We had so much fun! Everyone was really lovely and open to trying new things, making new friends and new memories.

While it was a wrap for the day, lots of ideas and learnings to sift through to begin planning the next event!

Don’t miss out! Join the LAYLO Shala or sign up for the info waitlist for the retreat you are interested in attending.

Have an idea for a retreat you’d like to attend? Let us know!

laylo yoga and wellness

P.S. Let’s be besties!! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest, and join the LAYLO Shala to get the latest news and insider goodies 😍

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YOGA OPTIONS AND VARIATIONS

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options and variations

Options and variations are not dirty words, I promise!

Sometimes it feels like the attitude is push, push push. “Feel the burn” (remember that little gem?!).

Most forms of movement, including yoga, have many ways they can be performed but for some reason, there is a lot of pressure to go big or go home.

But there is a lot more to it than that.

You doing you, for you

Ultimately, most of us want to make fitness, health, and wellness a part of our lives for the rest of our lives. Sure, we may have short-term goals: lose 10 pounds for that upcoming reunion, carve out some abs for your vacation, or even train for a specific event.

Goals like these are a great way to keep you motivated – we humans like to have something to work toward!

Underlying all that is the way we feel when we move our bodies. Yoga in particular, as a moving meditation, is a way of using our bodies and minds together for our enhanced health.

The benefits of yoga are many: improved flexibility, mobility, and strength, better balance, and support for stress and anxiety. For some it takes on a spiritual undertone as well.

But what happens when you are all psyched up to get into yoga and reap all those benefits and the class you go to has movements you do not like, are uncomfortable performing, and it seems like there are no alternatives?

Variations

The good news is that there are other things you can do – lots of them! Some teachers make a point of including variations of postures to make sure you have something that works for you.

A variation is simply an alternate way to do something. Like the image of the planks above. Maybe you do them on your hands and toes. Or forearms and toes. Maybe your knees are down. All these versions of planks are valid and can be considered viable. Sometimes you may need to change up a transition to get in or out of them but that is all part of the variation adventure!

The tricky part may be that you are in a class where those variations are not taught or even mentioned. Or, far worse, mentioned but in a way that makes you feel “less than” if you take them.

You can approach your teacher after class and ask for some other ways of doing the postures in question. Most teachers are happy to give you some ideas on how else to move through an asana.

And for those that tend to look down their nose at your wish for another way to do something? Go to a different teacher! Yes, yoga teachers should be all love and light, but they are also human. As such, they follow the bell curve just like any other group of people. Some are amazing, some, well, not so much. Or maybe they are amazing for someone else, just not for you.

Options

Similar to variations, options give you something else to do other than the exact posture being shown. The primary difference between an option and a variation is that variations are basically the same movement, done differently. Options, on the other hand, are things you can do in place of the movement being performed.

Using our plank example, you may choose to put table in place of plank. While similar in nature to a plank – you are on all fours – the workload is different. If plank is problematic for you because of a back issue, table may work since there is little stress on the back.

Different but equal

The biggest takeaway here is that your practice is yours alone. Each one of us have little differences in our bodies that make some postures difficult to get into. You may have injuries to work with. Maybe you’re just tired today!

Each day you need to assess how you are feeling and what will work best for you. One day you may be ready for plankapalooza! Then the next day you are secretly hoping for an hour-long savasana.

Having options and variations in your arsenal will allow you to adapt to where you are mentally and physically every time you get on your mat. Which in turn will help you maintain your yoga habit. And that my friends is how you make fitness, health, and wellness a part of your life for the rest of your life.

It’s time to get away from ideas about advanced yoga or beginner yoga, progressions and regressions, and other terminology that puts a box around movement. Health is health, and we need to do all we can to enhance it!

Want to see some of these movement patterns in action? Check out my series on Instagram!

laylo yoga and wellness

P.S. Let’s be besties!! Follow us on Instagram, Facebook, YouTube, and Pinterest, and join the LAYLO Shala to get the latest news and insider goodies 😍

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52 MICRO ADVENTURES FOR THE NEW YEAR

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adventure

Adventure is the name of the 2024 game – at least for me.

I believe in setting intentions and choosing a word or two for the year rather than resolutions. It’s about bringing a mindset into everything I do. Resolutions tend to go by the wayside come February. When I want to make changes in how I live my life, I start with attitude!

Enter “Adventure”!

I’m not going to lie – I am a planner. A reserved planner at that. And yet…I still love a good adventure. After all, think about the stories you retell most. Don’t they often have a measure of unpredictability to them? Things went crazy or you let yourself go with the flow? Some of my biggest life changes started with some significant risks involved and still turned out to be the best thing I could have done.

I am committed to bringing that sense of adventure to my life in big and small ways this year. The biggest difference between adventure and adversity is attitude! Not that I want to run headlong into bad situations and try to call it adventure.

I want to shift my “oh no, what now?” reactions to “oh, this is interesting!”. I feel like the best way to practice that is to put myself in the way of adventure.

And of course, bring you along!

Micro Adventure Lab

I’ve put together a curated list of Micro Adventures – plus a few bigger things – to ease into the mindset shift. Many of these adventures are free or low cost with a few splurges included. Some can be completed in one weekend and others are designed to carry forward through a few weeks or even become a habit.

The idea is to go a bit outside your norms. For example, the first adventure on the list is to explore a local park. That means check out a park you have never been to before, not the same one you walk your dog at 3 times a week. In a nutshell, discover something new!

The 52 Micro Adventure list

1.      Explore a Local Park:
Take a leisurely stroll through a nearby park, focusing on appreciating the natural surroundings.

2.      Photography Challenge:
Capture a series of 10 photos that highlight the beauty of your everyday surroundings.
3.      Volunteer at a Community Garden:
Spend a day planting, weeding, and connecting with local community members.
4.      Try a New Recipe:
Experiment with a cuisine you’ve never attempted before, and share the results with friends or family.

5.      Book Club Adventure:
Join a local book club or start one with friends, and commit to reading one book a month.
6.      Yoga Retreat at Home:
Dedicate a weekend to practicing yoga and mindfulness, using online resources or attending local classes.
7.      Outdoor Movie Night:
Arrange a backyard movie night with friends, complete with blankets, popcorn, and a classic film.
8.      Art Class or Workshop:
Sign up for a local art class or workshop to discover and develop your artistic talents.
9.      Day of Pampering:
Treat yourself to a spa day at home, complete with DIY face masks, bath salts, and relaxation.
10.     Local History Exploration:
Visit a nearby museum or historical site to learn more about the heritage of your community.
11.     Learn a Musical Instrument:
Pick up a budget-friendly instrument and commit to learning a few songs over the next month.
12.     Creative Writing Challenge:
Write a short story or poem and share it with a writing group or online platform.

13.     Beach Day Getaway:
Spend a day at the beach, soaking up the sun and enjoying the calming sound of the waves.
14.     Hiking Adventure:
Explore a local trail or nature reserve, aiming to complete a new hike each month.
15.     DIY Home Decor Project:
Refresh your living space by taking on a small DIY home decor project.


16.     Plant a Garden:
Cultivate a small garden, whether it’s flowers, herbs, or vegetables, and enjoy watching it flourish.
17.     Mindfulness Meditation Challenge:
Practice mindfulness meditation for 10 minutes daily for a week, gradually extending the duration.
18.     Explore Local Farmers’ Markets:
Discover and support local farmers by visiting nearby farmers’ markets.
19.     Host a Potluck Dinner:
Organize a potluck gathering with friends, encouraging everyone to bring their favorite dish.
20.     Cultural Cuisine Night:
Cook or order food from a different culture and enjoy a themed dinner night at home.
21.     Learn a Dance Style:
Take dance lessons, either in person or online, and master the basics of a new dance style.
22.     Picnic in the Park:
Pack a picnic basket with your favorite treats and spend a relaxing afternoon in a local park.
23.     Nature Sketching:
Bring a sketchbook to a nature spot and spend time sketching the beauty around you.
24.     DIY Craft Workshop:
Attend a local craft workshop or organize a crafting day with friends.
25.     Fitness Challenge:
Set a fitness goal, like walking a certain number of steps each day, and track your progress.

26.     Museum Exploration:
Visit a museum you’ve never been to before and immerse yourself in its exhibits.
27.     Mindful Eating Experiment:
Practice mindful eating by savoring each bite and paying attention to the flavors and textures.
28.     Local Theater Night:
Attend a local theater production or watch a live performance, supporting the arts in your community.
29.     Scenic Drive Adventure:
Take a scenic drive to a nearby town or countryside and explore the sights along the way.

museum day


30.     DIY Spa Day:
Create a spa day at home, complete with DIY facial masks, bath salts, and soothing music.
31.     Learn a New Language:
Dedicate 10 minutes each day to learning a new language using language learning apps.
32.     Sunset Photography Challenge:
Capture the beauty of sunsets in different locations over the course of a month.
33.     Explore a New Coffee Shop:
Discover a new local coffee shop and treat yourself to a relaxing afternoon with a good book.
34.     Declutter and Donate:
Declutter your living space and donate items to a local charity or thrift store.
35.     Art Gallery Visit:
Spend a day exploring local art galleries and appreciating the creativity of local artists.
36.     Cooking Class:
Join a cooking class, either in person or online, to enhance your culinary skills.
37.     Creative Journaling:
Start a creative journal, incorporating art, writing, and reflections on your daily experiences.
38.     Birdwatching Adventure:
Explore a nearby nature reserve or park and observe the diverse bird species in the area.
39.     Mind-Body Connection Workshop:
Attend a workshop or class that focuses on the mind-body connection, such as yoga or tai chi.
40.     Stargazing Night:
Spend an evening stargazing, either in your backyard or at a local observatory.
41.     DIY Flower Arranging:
Purchase fresh flowers and learn the art of flower arranging to create beautiful bouquets.
42.     Visit a Farmers’ Market:
Explore a local farmers’ market, sampling fresh produce and supporting local farmers.
43.     Online Learning Adventure:
Enroll in an online course or workshop on a topic that interests you.
44.     Wine Tasting Evening:
Arrange a wine tasting evening with friends, each bringing a bottle to share and discuss.
45.     Learn a New Language:
Use an app or program to get started or sign up for a class at a local community college.

Vino & Vinyasa

46.     Local Yoga Retreat:
Book a yoga retreat in a nature-filled location, focusing on relaxation and mindfulness.
47.     Learn to Knit or Crochet:
Pick up knitting or crocheting and create a cozy scarf or blanket over the next month.
48.     Walking Meditation Challenge:
Practice walking meditation daily for a week, focusing on each step taken.
49.     Explore a New Hobby:
Find some time to dedicate to exploring a new hobby, whether it’s painting, pottery, or photography.

50.     DIY Movie Marathon:
Choose a theme and host a movie marathon night at home with friends or family.
51.     Visit a Botanical Garden:
Spend a day exploring the beauty of a local botanical garden and learning about different plant species.
52.     Hot Air Balloon Ride:
Splurge on a hot air balloon ride for a breathtaking, once-in-a-lifetime adventure.

What’s on YOUR adventure list?

I’ve included things that appeal to me, but what about you? What would you put on this list?

Even when times are tough, money is tight, and time is scarce, you can carve out some time to explore and expand your world. It’s part of what makes you well, you. Learning, experiencing and growing are all key elements to leading a fulfilling life.

laylo yoga and wellness

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