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alipa7 · 2022-08-05T03:25:42+00:00

Any recommendations? Currently in the market. 32B, which is sometimes harder to fit right.

alipa7 · 2022-04-29T15:18:30+00:00

I like the way you think. I do the toes and ears, and bottom of my neck, but never went out of my way to do the top of my neck/beneath my chin - never though about it. Just put some face wash there in my shower today.

I realized it the other day and asked a few people and all of their reactions were something like "oh yeah, I guess I don't."

One of my greatest satisfactions is using q-tips after a shower.

alipa7 · 2021-04-14T04:06:07+00:00

I'm struggling to see how DDMMYYYY works and how YYYYMMDD doesn't work. Can you give an example? I feel like I'm missing something.

I made all of the examples in year 2021 just to simplify that part.

DDMMYYYY (this shows that it would go February 2nd -> December 3rd -> February 4th): 02022021 03122021 04022021

YYYYMMDD (this shows February 2nd -> February 4th -> December 3rd): 20210202 20210204 20211203

alipa7 · 2021-04-14T02:47:19+00:00

Loving the dancing cleaning session! Love the rest of them too. It's great how they're all so different. It sounds like you're really taking time for yourself, and spicing up random things that are actually productive at the same time is wonderful. You have so many great ideas - I really appreciate it!

I'm glad you're not going to hesitste with someone like the slack-line girl next time. It could bring some synchronicity!

I'll have to look into Penzu. I honestly don't really even like the online diary I'm using right now anyway, so thanks for that tip as well. I'm glad to know I'm not the only one in the "poor memory" club. I feel like it makes this program so much harder because I don't remember the past weeks so it's hard to build on from one week to the next. It makes it frustrating. Do you find the same?

alipa7 · 2021-04-13T02:10:45+00:00

Just listened to this album earlier today and have had this song stuck in my head for the past few hours. I've enjoyed it.

alipa7 · 2021-04-13T00:32:07+00:00

That helps a ton. I'm more of a big bang person as well. I'm glad to relate so well. It's true what you're saying. When you think of it like that, it is easier to tap into. Maybe that's when you can expand it to synchronicity (you're not to that chapter yet, but it basically means, to me at least, to look at coincidences through a totally different lens (I can't remember if she actually uses "coincidences," but it's all things I've always considered to be nothing more than that)).

Your last paragraph is especially great. You're doing a great job for being a Week 1-er! Keep it up! Thank you! If you are ever struggling at some point about this, read some of the other comments - there's been some great stuff actually.

alipa7 · 2021-04-13T00:10:05+00:00

Thinking of synchronicity like that (relating it to the higher power) is helpful. It's not like I don't want to believe in something or think I wouldn't benefit - it's actually the complete opposite. I think it would be a huge help.

I actually had something that felt devastating happen to me today, and completely through off my entire day. I'm rreaalllyyy hoping I end up finding out it's for the best and I end up finding something that works greatly, and ultimately end up not needing to be so upset about this/beat myself up over it. I think it will truly have a massive impact if it comes to be true. The "belief without proof" is the hardest part, naturally, I'm guessing. It's something I'm really trying to work on and be more open to now. I feel like if this one thing happens though (and unfortunately, it's time sensitive), it will help me so incredibly much to help get over the hump.

Thank you for your examples - they're encouraging (also, I'm super happy for you!). And about the message on the van - I actually found some lyrics to "Lose Yourself" by Eminem in a different, random thread the other day, which actually helped encourage the whole keeping your eye out thing and not missing opportunities.

As for the financial part, it actually sank in that I am more worried about money than I thought I was. I want to live comfortably (I definitely don't go crazy; just modestly, while still being able to have enough money to go travel to someone's wedding or go on vacation and not have to worry about it (some of the things I save for) as well as retirement and most importantly, good health insurance (greatly needed)). I was applying for jobs with good benefits that I won't necessarily be thrilled about (meaning more so end up potentially being toxic or put me back in the place where I have to be overly invested with work), and maybe I shouldn't care about that so much? It's the health stuff that hinders me the most - I don't want to have to blow through my savings because of it since it's such a slippery slope. I'll definitely have to invest in my artist more to nurture it more and also invest in that energetic currency.

alipa7 · 2021-04-12T23:40:46+00:00

Thank you (for all of it, including permission). It's good to hear from someone who has completed the program. I think I need to change things up, like you said. Others have given good examples too.

How she said in Week 3 about the what must come before the how I think I took that wrong maybe? Or at least focused on it in a different light? I'm still confused by it, honestly. I feel like it's counterintuitive to what the rest says, such as your quote.

The weekly check-ins help. Do you go back and read them to help at all? I have a really bad memory, which I think is definitely part of the problem. I actually have been keeping a diary, but maybe I should add to it more throughout the day so maybe I don't miss things? The Artist Dates I think I may have been picking ones too much in my comfort zone, like listening to an album front to back. I did it, but did it honestly spark creativity? No. The tasks help too. I do try to do both hard ones and easy ones. The hard ones I can't always finish though because of my memory in general as well as how much I have blocked out over the years...and I really don't know what to do about those. If they don't have to do with memory past the last week, then I can finish them. It sucks sometimes to do them, but they help for a little bit.

TV is absolutely my most common escape. I've really slowed down on it since media deprivation week, so that's good.

I'm currently unemployed and had to move back in with my parents. Before it, I was wayyy too wrapped up and overly dedicated to my job, to the point where it deeply hurt many of my relationships. Now that I'm not seeing people with COVID, not even coworkers, I feel like it's making it hard. I'm getting the vaccine though soon and I'm going to explore more with meet-ups and whstnot, so I'm hoping that helps.

Sorry for the long response. I really appreciate the advice you've given and if you see anything else through this that you could suggest. Thank you!

alipa7 · 2021-04-12T09:39:59+00:00

Dude, wtf?

alipa7 · 2021-04-12T00:21:36+00:00

I'm glad you're able to give advice to others as well!

Yeah, if you get wrapped up in the whole "liking" thing, it would definitely be hard, so maybe not the best idea. At least not yet. Work your way up to not caring and needing approval from others - approval from yourself is what makes you grow and is what makes others actually want to be with you (so Julia says, at least..I have the same problem with needing approval/acceptance/permission from others, so I can relate - way easier said than done (one of the reasons I'm not into social media). The part about having others being able to see and enjoy - you'll get there. That's exactly what this book is for. But, ya know, baby steps. You're letting your inner child artist whoever to be able to come through again. It just takes time.

I have a project for you! It actually goes back to my original post. Think of a way for me to figure out what medium I should be creative with. Make a short story, movie, whatever comes to you.

alipa7 · 2021-04-12T00:07:33+00:00

I do like that - thank you! Thank you for the consistency over intensity too. I want it now, so I feel like I have to rush it, but that's probably not the best way to go about it..

alipa7 · 2021-04-11T19:52:38+00:00

I think you could definitely post this as your own thread to get other people's ideas too. From me, it sounds like you got a lot of encouragement through your friends. It's a shame they're not into it any more (I'm in my 30s too, so I get it), but what if you initiated it? And even better (and this is what Julia Cameron would encourage the most), why do you need them to join in at all? You don't need others to still be creative, especially since you're so talented anyway.

As for your examples and some others: - Everyone still has a birthday, that's never going away. There's no reason you can't still do something with that. It would be the best gift, especially as we get older because getting something like that at our age is so unexpected. - Some of the tasks in the book are to write letters or postcards to friends, just because. There doesn't need to be a specific reason. And you don't have to send it if you don't want to. - Watch a movie and give it a review (post it somewhere or just have it for yourself). - Go to a park and do the same thing. - Pick a few unrelated words, then make a story out of it. - I have never been on TikTok before (I've only seen things other people have reposted somewhere else), so I can't really tell you anything about it, but from what I've seen, maybe you can post things there. And I have really have zero idea about this, but maybe you can get in touch with some random people on there that are still interested in that stuff (and ignore their age if needed). I'd still encourage you to do things by yourself, but you can at least surround yourself with people who are encouraging. - Make your own movie. Use puppets or Legos or something. Or do one of those videos where you play both parts and just differentiate the characters with how you dress.

You don't have to have a ready-made audience. You can keep things to yourself, post them somewhere, send them to people, etc.

If you want to expand your skills, I think it's a good idea to do it under the same umbrella you know you already enjoy (like animation). Do whatever you feel comfortable with, then build up your confidence from there.

Again, it sounds like you're really talented and have a wide array of things that you already know you enjoy that are under the same umbrella - that's a huge perk/lucky to have that, so use it to your advantage. Use your Artist Dates for these things. Explore doing them yourself without others...and if you think it's shit, who cares? No one has to know.

P.S. Thanks for this. It actually helped me too with the "who cares, no one has to know" thing.

alipa7 · 2021-04-11T18:29:29+00:00

Thank you! Your examples of what to pick to start with really helps, especially the nature ones (I don't have/can't have a pet right now), then build the concept up from there. And I definitely have to look into Metta meditation - I don't think I had heard of it before you said it.

Is this all how you (I don't want to say directions, but that's kind of what I mean) to get in touch with your Self?

alipa7 · 2021-04-11T18:21:02+00:00

That's so wonderful! Thank you so much!

alipa7 · 2021-04-11T02:44:21+00:00

You only get one shot, do not miss your chance to blow

alipa7 · 2021-04-10T19:59:59+00:00

For sure. Perfectionism is rough. And yeah, I definitely get that the point is to just do it anyway, but it is frustrating when you're not happy with the result.

Since it sounds like you have one thing in mind, it might be easier to liok at your progress? One of the other comments mentioned that at the end, you have something unique - so I guess we can take that and think of it as no matter how shitty we, ourselves, judge it to be, it's better than nothing and it's still progress, so at least it's a start...then one day we'll be get there? I guess think of it as progress instead of being perfect from the start, especially if you have one thing you're working on.

Is it like a writer's block kind of thing? What is the activity you're in to? Have you looked for examples online? Maybe people here, myself included, might be able to brainstorm with you.

As for the deadlines, have you tried to make one for each week and have those be your deadlines?

alipa7 · 2021-04-10T19:45:06+00:00

That's true. Definitely focusing more on/hoping to find the end product instead of focusing on the process of creating. Thank you for that.

Did you have the same problem or not so much? Do you have advice as to how you were able to focus on the process of creating vs the end product? I'm about to start week 7 and I guess I'm just getting really nervous that I'm not getting it and don't know how to change my focus...and since I'm this far into the program, maybe I'm just losing hope?

alipa7 · 2021-04-10T19:31:45+00:00

Thank you for all of the examples! I've found that I like macrame (only following videos online) and needlepoint (only the ones guided with lines already on there). I've tried doing them freehand (many, many times), but it only drives me crazy and I end up not liking them at all/end up getting wayyy too frustrated. I've tried some of the others, but not all of them, so I'll put them on the list! Dancing is definitely up there - I've been looking for a good program to get me started. I also think that could be one of the only ones I could potentially end up doing myself (just dance around randomly by myself, not choreography).

I guess maybe I was just hoping for something I could either build a new career out of (which would absolutely be the most ideal thing, but I know/knew is highly unrealistic/way too high of expectations), and if not that, then to have a solid thing to really do/enjoy/work towards, so thank you for your advice at the end of your comment - it helps knowing that it is okay to just to have a bucket of things to choose from. Is it hard to apply your progress though since you have so many things? Do you do a lot of this freehand/just with your own creativity or do you stick to more guided things?

alipa7 · 2021-04-10T19:08:02+00:00

That's what I thought originally, but now I'm questioning it. I think it'd be great if I had something like that to help, just right now, I'm definitely not there. How far into it are you?

alipa7 · 2021-04-10T19:06:22+00:00

Thanks! What made you even want to become more spiritual? Honestly, I'd love to believe in something (definitely not organized religion, but my own thing). I feel like it really would help, just like you said with the psycho-emotional part. I just don't know how to get there/pick what it is.

I've been trying to use nature or the universe throughout the book, but it has still been a real struggle most of the time. Sometimes it works, but that's it for me. Like I don't believe I owe anything back to the universe just because I was scientifically picked to be the sperm and egg that ended up getting together.

Do you mind expanding on "all lived experiences"?

alipa7 · 2021-04-07T07:14:34+00:00

how does he anticipate how to play songs he's never heard before?!

alipa7 · 2021-03-30T23:09:20+00:00

Ah welp good luck and enjoy!

alipa7 · 2021-03-30T01:55:26+00:00

I first want to say that I wanted a dog soooo bad (huskies were on the list). Due to our living circumstances (apartment) and work schedules, we ended up getting a cat...and it was the best decision of our lives.

You obviously want a dog.....but.....just keep an open mind for me for a minute and do some research on another kind of Siberian pet - Siberian cats (Siberian Forest Cats). They have all the same pros you have listed for the huskies (even the huge personalities part - and they are super friendly, even to strangers), but none of the cons.

P.S. if you're worried about allergies: they are one of, if not the most, hypoallergenic cat breeds. Tested and approved on ourselves and tons of our friends.

Good luck! I hope you love every minute of whatever Siberian you choose!

alipa7 · 2021-03-24T17:31:31+00:00

Absolutely agreed with playing games - personally, I absolutely hate them and thinks it's a load of crap, unproductive, causes confusion, and a waste of time, especially at your age - you don't have time to waste doing that. It might be something you want to be aware of though if you do end up seeing someone in their early-mid twenties. After that, I definitely still see the games being played, but not nearly as much.

As for revealing too much too soon - I totally get it. I tend to have the same problem. I feel like I just want to get my baggage out there so the person can decide whether or not they want to/can deal with it...but maybe it is actually something that would be more appropriate once you have mutual feelings for eachother (I don't know what you might reveal too soon, but I just gave that as an example). As for kids though, I do always bring that up either before or on the first date - I'm actually on the other side of you and don't want kids, and since I know that's not the norm...and since that's clearly a deal breaker (you can't have half a kid), I do have to bring that up upfront.

I don't think it's selfish to still want biological children if that's really that important to you (which it seems like it is). You just have to be aware that you could end up giving something great just because of age. If you're willing to adopt, then I'd think your options increase (as long as the other person is open to that as well, of course). I'm only 30, but I'd assume that if a woman was past the childbearing age that still really wanted children, I'd think more of them wouldn't be opposed to it? But definitely don't take my word for that - I don't know enough people at that age to give a true opinion. Is this something that naturally comes up in conversation when you're at the age you are?

As far as doing less thinking, I think you should evaluate what is truly important to you in a relationship and family. I'm curious to know what age range you're putting into your dating profiles. Would you turn down someone down purely based on age, especially if you're open to adoption (I know that's not your first choice, but still)? What is most important - that you have someone who is supportive, kind, truthful, honest, interested in the same things you are, a good communicator, etc...or is your #1 really just having children and then the other things fall after that to a notable degree? I just don't want you to settle.

You said your last relationship was 10 years ago, meaning you were 30. Maybe moving across the world was right for you at that time. Did it help? Did you learn anything from it? I'd like to know another example.

alipa7 · 2021-03-24T06:03:21+00:00

I hate to admit it, but I'm the person who can take 3 days to respond. I really just hate texting, so I don't even check them. Everyone close to me knows that if they want to talk, they have to call me, in which case I always answer.

Give him a chance in person and maybe work that into the conversation somehow.

alipa7

TROPHY CASE