Social Challenge: Week 1 One Small Win!

[AARPTeri]

Week 1:  What’s one small win you have had this week and one thing that’s been harder than expected?  Short answers welcome! Jump in even if you’re just getting started!

Want to join the challenge?  Here’s the URL:https://www.aarp.org/rewards/earn/socialchallenge/ 

[SandyJ15397]

Practicing mindfulness meditation 

[Boddy53]

Enjoying my daughter’s company day by day;

never taking one minute for granted 

[ShirleyG400414]

10k daily walking challenge has been fun but very challenging! I love it.

[StefonR804160]

Win: Spending time with my daughter 

[b338051c]

I also was able to spend a couple of hours with my daughter and granddaughters age 6 and 1. They all went on a week trip with her husband's family and had a great time. It was a bit difficult for me to hear. Kept fascinating from feeling gratitude that she married into a close family and feeling a loss of not having the same with her and her girls.

[StefonR804160]

Walking in the morning 🌄 

[KrisV644040]

Getting those 10,000 steps in daily!

[ThernS867738]

I was able to pay off some bills.

[judurant]

Last weekend I drove 2 hours to visit my friend in another state. Even though I did it a few months ago, I still had some anxiety about going, because I'm chronically ill. But I asked her to keep her expectations low regarding what activities I may or may not be able to do, and it worked out great! 

[CarolS115]

Walking the dog I sat down for a rest on a bench and a woman joined me. We had a nice 20 minute chat. 

[c892301w]

A neighbor saw me out walking the dog and asked if I would like to walk together. I said yes, which was a bit uncomfortable, but it was an enjoyable walk and talk.

[MOM313]

Fathers Day with the inlaws

[ShawnT411412]

I smile and I also stopped to say hello to someone I normally wouldn't. 

[SereneSeagull]

That can even make you feel good too @ShawnT411412 

[TSW7515]

The one small win is that I am doing better at my job and I am getting my bills paid off in a better way.

[SereneSeagull]

I’d say that’s a big step. Congrats, @TSW7515 

[CherylM0000]

I was invited to play cards with neighbors I've never met before. I was hesitant but accepted the invite. I'm glad I did because I had a really nice time and have two new friends. We're making plans to get together again in two weeks. 

My challenge was fear this week. I was anxious reaching out to new people fearing I wouldn't have anything to talk about. 

[TNTMOM]

Thank you for sharing your experience - glad you are building your confidence.  Well done, you!

[SereneSeagull]

That’s great, @CherylM0000 !  I think half the battle sometimes is what I call the “what-if” dance we sometimes do in our heads, conjuring up negative thoughts on something that hasn’t happened yet.  Learning to be in the moment and tossing that what-if feeling aside, and stepping out of one’s comfort zone is a fantastic way to make fun connections, as well as feel good about our own selves.  👍

[Jillcarl]

Had breakfast with a dear friend I hadn’t seen in 9 months. Such a special friend.

volunteered at this specific social event for the first. Thousands attended. Not being familiar with driving, parking there was difficult but I did it!

[SereneSeagull]

Well done! 👍

[TNTMOM]

I find it hard to overcome my own self talk "I can't remember names."  Kind of like "I can't do math."   

[SereneSeagull]

@TNTMOM  Hi, maybe try flipping it.   Take the negative or self deprecating thought process  I guess maybe it’s called, and change it to a lighter, less worrisome, burdensome feeling.  Like, “I’m going to have fun with people and be present with them, and not worry about trying to remember names as much”.

      At my gym there are probably anywhere from 25-30 people in a given class.  Some don’t come all the time, but many do, and then there will be new people as well.  It’s understandable and totally fine not to get everyone’s name.  We all talk waiting for a previous class to end.. The most important thing, and it’s palpable as a group, is being present and enjoying the moment with everyone.  Once you can lift the worry of not getting names, or negative reinforcements that might get in the way, and just be present in the situation with others, you will enjoy the social connection.  It tends to get easier.  Just be in the moment, and enjoy and let it happen.  Hang in there. 🙂

[Dawn0622]

I went to a comedy show for a group of seniors

[SereneSeagull]

That’s a fun activity to do, @Dawn0622 

[Dawn0622]

I really enjoyed it 

[TNTMOM]

I really appreciate your insights and encouragement!  Thank you.

[SereneSeagull]

👍🙂

[mahurrle]

Asked a neighbor to go out for dinner and we went and had a fabulous time.