Failing the DHG Challenge, or Did I? by Debra H. Goldstein

I’m disappointed. I failed the DHG Challenge.

In my October 11, 2019 blog post, I wrote: “I’m making a conscious decision to stop and announce, “Not me, anymore.” I’m going to go back to making time for myself – whether exercising, reading, or hanging out on the couch, I’m taking back a few hours for myself. Will you join me?”

Later in the blog, I asked people to comment or write what they planned to do and how they were doing on the challenge. Initially, the response was positive. Most people were going to make more time for reading. One said exercise and a few can best be described as making time to veg. Did they succeed? I don’t know because very few wrote again after their first or second responses. What I do know is how I succeeded.

I failed in that I only exercised twice, read four books and didn’t hang out that much on my couch

(maybe I did succeed at that one when I was home). What I did do was more PR than I want to think about for Two Bites Too Many during its launch weeks; visited my sister, nieces, and new grandniece in California when I added a few days to attending the Kensington cozy cons in Redondo Beach and San Diego; hosted the entire family for the weekend when we blessed my newest grandchild in temple; spent a week in Dallas at Bouchercon; sadly said good-bye to a younger friend who died unexpectedly; held other friends close having been reminded of how valuable my friend “sisters” are; and joined friends at the Biltmore estate to see what the house looked like lit for Christmas (a bucket list item). All in all, I was a very busy lady.

And you know what, I may have failed some aspects of the DHG Challenge, but I lived every moment of the past two months and realized the importance of sometimes sacrificing “me time.” I also understood that there were times I needed to make for myself – and I did. That balance for me is the key to mental and physical health.

So, maybe I did pass the DHG Challenge.

The DHG Challenge by Debra H. Goldstein

The DHG Challenge by Debra H. Goldstein

I’m worried about my friends and family. Lately, even though I’ve been hearing many wonderful things like births of children and grandchildren, awards, new books, obtaining an agent, or winning a little on the lottery, I’ve also been learning about friends getting hurt, sick, or dying. Maybe it’s my age, but I don’t think that’s the only reason I’m so much more attuned to the “news.”

I think it is a conscious decision to step back from the “chatter.” Whether one is into reported news, which constantly juggles breaking political or environmental stories against touching human interest pieces, or is simply trying to balance all the things necessary in life from grocery shopping, taking kids to school, working, or doing whatever else one does, one is bombarded by noise and responsibilities.

The intense level of things happening makes it easy to get lost in the mundane. It’s hard to pause and take a breath – to smell the flowers, laugh at a joke, or curl up with a good book. Our computers, voice driven machines, and other technological devices supposedly make our lives easier, but we often seem more overwrought and rushed.

What to do about it?

I’m making a conscious decision to stop and announce, “Not me, anymore.” I’m going to go back to making time for myself – whether exercising, reading, or hanging out on the couch, I’m taking back a few hours for myself. Will you join me?

We’ll call it The DHG Challenge. Our motto will be “Time for Me.” It doesn’t have to be a lot of time, but it must be something personal to you.

There will be a guest blogger in my November slot, but I’ll report how The DHG Challenge goes on December 13^th. In the meantime, go out, enjoy, and then e-mail how you make time for yourself at DHG@DebraHGoldstein.com. 

I’m going to take the time to read book.  What are you going to do?