I’ve been doing yoga for about two years now. And last week, I started my first 35-Day Challenge — one yoga class a day for 35 days. Pretty straightforward. The studio I go to (Yoga Santosha – highly recommend!!) holds these challenges every few months, but I’ve always had an excuse not to: “I’m too busy,” “I don’t think I have what it takes,” etc.
But then I thought, that’s ridiculous. Of course I have time. We make time for what’s important – everything else falls into place. Don’t believe me? I dare you to try it. I received an email a week before the challenge started from the owner of the studio. He told us participants to expect to face challenges, both mental and physical, over the course of the 35 days. He told us to take it easy on ourselves and to not expect perfection. Fair warning.
I’m only on Day 8 now, but I’m already finding it much more mentally challenging than physically. Yoga is very much about cultivating a sense of non-attachment. When you’re in a posture, the idea is to focus completely on the moment, on forgetting about the past and the future. Yoga means working to become completely at peace with yourself, right now.
But man, do thoughts just love to pop up. And it’s gotten me thinking about attachment in general. I’m extremely detail oriented and a perfectionist – comes with my trade. And as such, I have a tough time deciding when a project is done. Anyone else had the experience of hovering over the “Send” button for several minutes before finally being able to let it go? Some of you may laugh, but I know others will know exactly what I’m talking about!
It’s important to be passionate enough about your work that you want to make sure you get it just right, that you’ve given it everything you’ve got. But then you need to let it go. Surrender control. And surrendering control is perhaps the hardest thing of all.
My goal within the greater goal of the 35-Day Challenge is to get back to myself. To be at peace with who I am and let go of the thoughts and ideas that don’t serve me positively. So what challenge have you been resisting? What are you having trouble “Sending” and letting go of?
Namaste, friends 🙂
Freelancing to Freedom 
This all works for considering personal relationships, too, Rach. Great thoughts! I won’t wish you luck with the challenge, because I know you will make it through the 35 days!
By: islandeditions on November 21, 2011
at 1:49 pm
Thanks for your support, as always, Sue!
By: faultlessfinish on November 21, 2011
at 2:04 pm
Oh my goodness, I am so happy that someone else has trouble hitting the ‘send’ button.
By: Chelsea W on November 21, 2011
at 3:08 pm
Haha, I’ve had this problem since Uni…
By: faultlessfinish on November 21, 2011
at 4:07 pm
I have to hand it to you. With six paragraphs of content, I could probably go on for a long time!
Basically, confidence in your work will kill the “send button” hesitation. That takes time to build.
Going back to be yourself? Always be yourself, that’s the only way we enjoy ourselves.
There, just a few pieces. I’ll leave the rest of the thoughts out. 🙂
By: Ivan on November 21, 2011
at 6:33 pm
Thanks for your thoughts, Ivan. And you’re very right – confidence is key.
By: faultlessfinish on November 21, 2011
at 6:41 pm
I have the exact same problem! I wish there was a pre-send button that you could press, and then the email wouldn’t send for a few minutes. I always seem to remember things AFTER the email has been sent. Great post!
By: carrie m on November 22, 2011
at 2:22 pm
Haha if there were a pre-send button I would never end up sending anything, ever! Thanks Carrie 🙂
By: faultlessfinish on November 22, 2011
at 3:23 pm
I don’t hesitate to send, but my mind is never quiet with how things could be better, and can’t let go of thoughts that don’t serve me well. I justify it as being aware, anticipatory, and considering the perspectives of others, but really, I can’t shut that mind up! This has always been my biggest challenge with yoga. I suspect 35 days in a row will help you in that way. Have fun.
By: Rose on November 23, 2011
at 2:10 am
Thanks Rose! I really hope so. In the end, we need to remember we aren’t perfect. I tell myself this, but I don’t truly internalize it, and therefore end up always criticizing myself. As my yoga teacher says, we need to show ourselves the same compassion we do others!
By: faultlessfinish on November 23, 2011
at 3:30 pm
[…] Freelancing to Freedom: Hovering Over “Send” […]
By: Weekly Roundup of Interesting Articles and Blogsites « Books: Publishing, Reading, Writing on November 28, 2011
at 1:19 pm