For nine years, I ran a series of monthly challenges for a group on Habitica, the site I used for To-Do lists, self-improvement, and generally as a fun way to stay on track with life. The first challenge was posted in May 2014, and the final challenge in February of 2023.
My philosophy has not changed–
“The present moment is the perfect time to embrace life, build optimism, connect with your body, weave a stronger social web, and live the fullest and most fulfilling life you can create. I am challenging myself because I will not let chronic pain define the tenor of my life. I choose to focus on building my resilience: mind, heart, body and soul. Join me in finding the very best in every moment–wherever life leads you. Dare to live a juicy, vibrant, vivid life!”
–but after a whole bunch of drama on the platform, I took the time to re-assess if this is the way I want to spend my energy right now, and it turns out that I’m ready to move on into new adventures! 2023 is also the dawning of a new age in our home–my kid is now a young teen, and we’re beginning a journey into homeschooling/unschooling.
So, I hope that current Habitica users can make use of the original content here to post their own versions of these challenges for themselves and others. I hope that non-users can read through and borrow some ideas for their own crafting of a life worth living. And may this page serve as a joyful monument to a near-decade of my life spent in uplifting fellow spoonies and people needing support in the Living Vividly guild.
The first year’s challenge topics were:
- Vision
- The Body in Motion
- Taste
- A Strong Social Web
- Learning New Facts
- Defining Your Goals
- Hearing
- The Body at Rest
- Gratitude
- Love and Connection
- Humor
Year two:
- Scent
- Wildlife
- Exploration
- Social Media
- Path to the Future
- Curiosity
- Feelings
- Body Positivity
- Touch
- Play!
- Learning a Skill
- Community Trash Cleanup
Year Three:
- Embracing Earth
- Air and Inspiration
- Water and Caring
- Fire that Drives
- Money Matters
- Book Club
- The Written Word
- The Body in Motion II
- Eye of the Storm
- Romancing Morpheus
- Quest Companions
- A Daring Heart
Year Four:
- Play!
- Cultivating Friendships
- Routine Maintenance
- An Eye For Beauty
- A Quest For Questions
- Old Business
- Crafting
- Gratitude
- Focused Attention
- Love’s Foundations
- Something New
- Path To The Future II
Year Five:
- Asking For Help
- Connecting Spirit
- Embracing Your Senses: Taste
- The Art of Good Boundaries
- The Language of the Heart
- Cultivating Compassion
- Embracing Your Senses: Hearing
- Gratitude
- Money Matters 2
- The Power of Friendship
- Laughter
- Embracing Your Senses: Vision
Year Six:
- The Body In Motion III
- Listening and Communication
- A Generous Spirit
- Complete A Project
- Future Self-Care
- Study Up!
- The Body at Rest
- Replace an Old Habit
- Moderate Pleasures
- Cultivating Friendships II
- Kindness Matters
Year Seven:
- Quest Companions
- Building Your Skills
- Exploring Emotions, Part 1
- Exploring Emotions, Part 2
- Body Positivity
- Battling Burnout
- Building a Foundation for Sleep
- Prep for Success
- Allies in Growth
- Novelty & Frivolity
- Restorative Beauty
- Do A Body Good
Year Eight:
- Community for Caregivers
- Old Business
- Path to the Future III
- Need to Be Proud
- Self-Advocacy
- Child’s Play
- Book Club
- Laugh About It
- Embracing the Senses: Taste
- Curiouser and Curiouser
- Eye of the Storm
- Giving From Abundance
Year Nine:
- The Power of Positive Surprise
- Veggie Jamboree
- The Power of Friendship
- Embracing the Senses: Vision
- Always Good Enough
- What You Value
- A Generous Spirit
- The Body in Motion IV
- The Body at Rest