A New Year - a New Me?

I'll right, I'll admit it, I've been really terrible about blogging. I know, I know. Not that many people read it. Whilst out tonight with a certain fabulous local blogger, slam poet, writer, actor and all round sexy gal, She said "hey you haven't blogged in a while". Duh. Correct. hmm maybe I should. I guess what happened is life -- I got so busy casting my September show, rehearsing it, producing a BYOV Fringe venue, moving on to ADing for GCTC/NAC on Vimy, taking a vacay then getting back to work where it's been super busy that I had no time to breathe.

I am remedying that and I had thought I would change my focus a wee bit - I will still talk about theatre but I am toying with changing the name and focus of the blog - not sure yet. I found myself at a crossroads of sorts this last half of 2010 going into 2011. I still love doing theatre - and am pursuing more professional avenues and training especially for Directing, but I've found somethings that have pulled my focus - YOGA and a journey towards Minimalism and Mindfulness.

In terms of Yoga I was on a great path - I had been practicing Yoga on and off very sporatically since 1997, but had finally this year go up to practicing up to 3 times a week and making progress in my flexibility, breath and focus. The one major problem I've come across in the last few months trying to focus on a steady practice and ensuring I also practice at home (and I know I've hit a practice when my body ACHES to do a downward facing dogs, or Happy Baby, and I sigh in contentment doing one), i have developed major feet issues - not from the Yoga, just from...who knows. Trying to work through it so I can commit to a deepening practice - I find i want to strive to be a better person practicing yoga, and I can't stop smiling after yoga. As I do it more and more I am extremely happy and positive. That is a good thing.

This in turn has lead to thoughts and starting to put into practice a small form of Minimalism. In the last few months I felt the weight of all the "stuff" we have, making me feel like I was drowning in a sea of consumerism. I loathed it, I loved it, I had to get rid of it. (sounds like Barb in Swimming in the Shallows doesn't it?). So by some fate one morning I was talking about this weight to a friend of mine and he said, have you read about Minimalism and admitted he and his spouse were practicing it. I hadn't but through him found these amazing blogs - www.missminimalist.com and www.zenhabit.com - now I know this is going to be a long long process, but once I started culling my kitchen , and I have a long long way to go , I felt happier - gleeful even. And with that comes the wonderful thought "I don't need all this STUFF", so if I am in a store I think "Do I need that?" The answer is usually "No" and in fact I rarely go in a store now (except for groceries, and wine of course!)...so it opens a whole world of SAVING MONEY BIG TIME! I always find I have money in the bank these days because I don't spend it as much. In terms of the Minimalism start - The key is not to get overwhelmed and go room by room, slowly knowing that it is a long process. I took YEARS to get "stuff" it will take a while to get rid of it. Last week the Diabetes Foundation came by and picked up 5 boxes of "stuff". it was Good riddens to good rubbish that will help someone else. I got more. I got a bunch of stuff I want to sell by the way.......or give away....interested?

Along with Yoga and Minimalism comes Mindfulness. I made a "resolution" this year that I am trying to really be aware of what a say - it too will be a long process, but I am working on it through baby steps. Just really thinking before I speak, especially if what I will say might hurt or speak badly of someone, trying to be in the Present - even though it's tough and I may only realize I am a few minutes of every day. Again, this will take time. The Yoga helps!

All this to say - I think this year is going to be different. I am still going to do the theatre projects, but right now my focus is on cleaning house - literally and figuratively. I am sure I will stumble along the - I am going to Toronto in Feb for a Directing Workshop, and have to shop for a Dress for the wedding of the year. But other then that, here is to a clean and mindful 2011. Come along for the ride - I'd love to have ya on board with me.