Shopping, Streamlined

See those purple pumps from Zara on my Instagram feed? They’re among the last few ‘recreational’ purchases I’ve made before embarking on this 30-day spending halt of sorts. Adding to that is an iPhone case I ordered that’s on its way, along with an iPad Mini case from Etsy.

Why am I doing this?

Out of sheer curiosity—really, that’s it. Well, and I thought it would be a nice addition to my 30-day personal sadhana for my yoga 200-hour RYT certification.

I’d like to see if I can resist online shopping (and anything-shopping) for the next 30 days, or possibly, more. Honestly, I’m not too worried. I truly feel and believe that I have everything that I need :)

That said, here are some other items on my ‘want’ list that would have to wait:

1) Doc Martens

Because I was cash-strapped in my early teens—when grunge and DMs paired with floral baby doll dresses became all the rage—I never got to own them. Now that they seem to be back in fashion and I live in commuter-friendly NYC, I’m curious how they’d fare as winter boots and everyday city footwear. I want these very tall boots (model 1B60), but isn’t the above style cute too?

2) A Roomba?

But then we already own a fabulous Dyson DC35 Digital Slim cordless vac that perfectly picks up pet hair and whatnot. So if we do eventually get a Roomba, that would be a serious (home) treat. 

So wow, that’s all I can think about for now! As long as I don’t go on Zara’s website or step into a Lululemon store, I think I’ll be fine! :)

Here’s a mantra I’d like to share. It’s actually a note I wrote to myself/typed into my phone a long time ago. I’m not sure if it’s verbatim or if it’s actually a quote from someone else (although I am pretty convinced I came up with it). Anyhow, it works:

"I have everything that I need. And if I need more, it will become available to me."

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 3

Purple Heels

I’m not buying anything unnecessary for 30 days… These sky-high purple heels from #Zara made the cut before I started :D #30daychallenge #personalsadhana


Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 3

Yoga pants are the new jeans

I so agree: Yoga pants are the new jeans :) #lululemon #wunderunder #weekendwear http://t.co/TGqYQdpP

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 2

New Moon, New Blog (Repost)

As part of my 200-hour Registered Yoga Teacher certification, I am embarking on a 30-day personal “sadhana”—or practice.

According to bluesage-sanctuary.com:

A sadhana can be any one of a number of rituals that you personally feel drawn to and are comfortable committing to on a daily basis. Sadhana, known in yoga as the “Path to Self-Realization,” is time taken each day (usually in the morning) to meditate, practice asana (yogic postures) and/or mantra. However, a personal daily sadhana needs not adhere to only these activities. Even a simple contemplative or meditative walk each day can be a sadhana ritual. 

It’s ideal to start one’s personal sadhana on a day that is quite meaningful: that could be the start of the month, a significant personal day, or the start of a New Moon (hence, why I chose today). 

In my original blog, NyMinuteNow.com, I did a 30-day Blog Challenge every year from 2009 to 2011. I didn’t do it in 2012 because of a hectic work schedule. Work is still pretty busy these days, but having studied and embraced yoga for three months straight, what better way to jump back into the blogging game AND fulfill one of the last few requirements towards being able to apply for the certificate than starting a 30-day Blog Challenge once again.

And this time, I’m doing it here on Tumblr, as a spin-off of my home blog! [And I'm reposting everything here on Ny Minute Now as well ;)]

I’m curious to see what the features here are and how the interface works; hoping the new space will inspire me to stick to the plan.

Blogging for 30 days straight is only one part of my personal sadhana. I also plan on doing the following:

1) At least 10 minutes of meditation daily and doing Nadi Shodhana or alternate-nostril breathing—a ‘cleansing’ and ‘purifying’ pranayama or breath.

2) Wait for it…

30 days of NOT BUYING ANYTHING!!! 

Bet ya didn’t see that coming, did you?:)

Of course the essentials such as food, groceries, and basic necessities do not. I am talking about my Zara-online-shopping habit and buying random things.

I still have to fill out the personal sadhana form from one of my teachers at Sonic Yoga here in New York (the sheet should include a personal intention and other aspects). Will most likely talk about it in further detail as I go along.

For now, here goes: I hope the next 30 days of blogging, meditating, and not-buying-anything prove to be meaningful and fulfilling!

Cheers!

Mariel Jimenez | 30-day Blog Challenge 2013 | Day 1

New Moon, New Blog

Hi, friends!

I'm testing out Ny Minute Now over at Tumblr: http://nyminutenow.tumblr.com, check it out if you like :)

Just curious what the interface and blogging experience over there would be like, and—drum roll, please—I'm doing a 30-day Blog Challenge this year!

Some of you may have noticed that I didn't do one in 2012. It was a hectic time at work and my job these days still involves a full and busy workweek. But I'm finally embarking on a 30-day Blog Challenge once again as part of my 30-day personal sadhana, or "practice," which is a requirement to complete my 200-hour RYT certification...and then I can officially call myself a yoga teacher(!). Although of course, the yoga journey doesn't end there.

For more on this year's Challenge and personal sadhana, check out my new Tumblr page! (Note: I am still testing out templates and tinkering with the settings so expect some tweaks.)

Oh, and tonight is a new moon, which is one of the suggested times when one can start a personal sadhana.