(Please to welcome Allie. I adore her. She inspires me. She’s here at my begging request.)
If you ask me what I want for my upcoming 40th birthday, I probably would respond by telling you everything I don’t want:
To be diagnosed with, and eventually die from, ovarian cancer like my mom when she was in her forties
To start feeling, being, thinking, looking like a 40 year old (whatever that means!)
To get a colonoscopy
This started me thinking about what else I could do without in my new decade:
Toxic friendships
Anxiety
Complaining
Fear
Stress
And thus, a birthday dream was born.
I decided that in the 40 days leading up to my 40th birthday, I would chose just one thing per day, and do less of it.
I thought it would be nothing more then a fun experiment, and just coming up with 40 things to do less of, proved a harder task then it seemed.
But slowly, I built a list, and each day I posted a picture to Instagram with my intention of “less” for the day.
Whatever the word, it stayed with me like a bestie or a retriever though out my day.
Day one was less complaining (because let’s just start at the top!) and I managed to hold it together even though it was the 756th snow day for my twin 5 year-olds, I couldn’t get to the gym and my husband was leaving on a four-day business trip.
Each time I wanted to completely freak out and yell expletives (less swearing was day eight), it came back to me and slapped me in the head.
Gently but firmly.
I was giving myself permission not to do something, to change my mindset…and I loved it.
On day six my assignment was to worry less.
You know what? I discovered I worry a lot less then I thought I did. Bonus!
Day 10 was less comparing so I went though the day thinking about only what I would do and no one else. What a concept!
Each day that has gone by has been a gift, one I have given to myself but a gift I could have been using for the past 39 years!
It’s everything Carla was talking about when choosing quality over quantity.
By spending less time judging (day 11), over thinking (day14), fearing (day 17), multi-tasking (day 21) and second guessing (day 22) I’ve spent more time understanding, relaxing, hoping, focusing and enjoying.
So, what do I want for my 40th birthday?
I already gave it to myself.
Allie is happiest when sweating or writing.
She’s a competitive athlete on Oiselle Team VoleĂ© and has represented Team USA in duathlon competition. When she’s not running, swimming or biking she’s writing her health and fitness blog VITA – Train for Life. The blog discusses training and racing with the goal of motivation, inspiration and hilarity. Allie also writes for RunHaven.com and Fitbie.com when she’s not chasing her twin 5 year-old boys around at her home. The two things Allie values more then training and writing are sleep and food. There’s never enough time for all of it!
Follow her:
Twitter: @vitatrain4life
Instagram: vitatrain4life
Allie says
March 27, 2015 at 4:15 amI cannot tell you how happy it makes me to have my words in your space! Thank you so much Carla! xo
Carla says
March 27, 2015 at 4:52 amOH THE HONOR IS ALL ALL MINE MINE. I loved you from afar for so long and then I…delurked myself 🙂
Runner Girl says
March 27, 2015 at 4:33 amThis is such a great idea!
I am at the age where all my friends have buckets list and the lists have lists and it is all too much.
This is what’s important.
Allie says
March 27, 2015 at 11:13 amYES – it’s all too much so why not take some away?
Kristina Walters @ Kris On Fitness says
March 27, 2015 at 4:38 amAs I’ve said before, I love this idea! I wished that I had done that because turning 40 was hard for me. Allie, as always you inspire me!! Thanks for having her Carla!
Healthy Mama says
March 27, 2015 at 4:41 amI turn fifty in a month and have been panicked about it.
Not about the age but the undone stuff.
There are no accidents. I was meant to see this today.
You are fantastic, Allie.
Allie says
March 27, 2015 at 11:14 amI’m so glad and I couldn’t agree more about their being “no accidents.” Thank you!
Sc says
March 27, 2015 at 4:45 amMust do this!!! I am turning 30 in July so perhaps I’ll do a week leading up to the 3-0 mark…thanks for sharing. My favorite of those you mentioned, stop comparing 🙂
Nettie says
March 27, 2015 at 4:48 amThank you for sharing Allie’s post, Carla.
I lost my mom to cancer, too, and can find the fear as I age debilitating.
This struck home with me.
Allie says
March 27, 2015 at 11:14 amI know exactly how you feel! I hope this helps in some way…
Angela @ Happy Fit Mama says
March 27, 2015 at 4:54 amLove Allie and love her idea. I’m thinking I need to come up with something similar!
Tina Muir says
March 27, 2015 at 5:42 amBeautiful post! And so perfect for your blog Carla! You two are both such lovable people, who could not love this post, especially with those words allie! I wasnt sure how you were going to handle 40, but you have done it with grace…..just like you do everything else 🙂 Love it!!!
Nellie @ Brooklyn Active Mama says
March 27, 2015 at 7:02 ami am soooo happy to see this amazing collaboration here ladies 🙂 Allie, what a great project to celebrate your 40th. A lot of people *say* they want to do those things and never follow through. You did!! So proud of you.
Christine @ Love, Life, Surf says
March 27, 2015 at 7:28 amI love seeing Allie here. And this idea is brilliant. I’m totally stealing it. It’s such an amazing way to celebrate – you, life, everything.
Lisa @ RunWiki says
March 27, 2015 at 8:36 amThis is beautiful. I love how Allie approached things from the standpoint of doing “less.” I think sometimes we fear change because it’s daunting to think of adding yet another thing we have to do. Allie’s approach gives you an entirely different perspective! So awesome!
Laura @ Mommy Run Fast says
March 27, 2015 at 9:04 amI was really inspired watching Allie go through those days of less leading up to her birthday. Who doesn’t need less complaining, worrying, comparing, fear, etc? Powerful stuff!
Erin @ Erin's Inside Job says
March 27, 2015 at 9:07 amIt randomly snowed last Monday here in Chicago after it was in the 60s the week before and at first I was grumbling about how my boots weren’t waterproof, but by the end of the day I made a conscious effort to change my perspective and I was able to appreciate the beauty of the snow in the city. It’s the little things 🙂
cheryann says
March 27, 2015 at 11:15 amI was just coming up with a post on this morning’s swim about the NOTs- what I do NOT want to do/be in the remaining years of my life. Guess I should get started on this as it seems to be a “theme” right now…
P.S. You do less of the things you mentioned as you get older. The only thing I would add is WORK…I want to WORK less, and play more!
Allie says
March 27, 2015 at 2:20 pmGreat minds…
And work was absolutely on my list. I loved that day!
mimi says
March 27, 2015 at 11:20 amIt’s the best gift to self i’ve heard about. Thank you.
cheryann says
March 27, 2015 at 11:20 amP.S. your kids are adorable…I love that age!
Jamie says
March 27, 2015 at 11:28 amthank that is good guess will have to come up with my own list also for the things l need to do…
Carly @ Fine Fit Day says
March 27, 2015 at 11:45 amI am so thrilled to see Allie here!! I loved her 40 by 40 project and this is such a great conclusion to that fabulous idea. Happy weekend to both of you lovely ladies, Carla and Allie!
Natalie says
March 27, 2015 at 3:43 pmLove this! Allie’s positive outlook on life and funny sense of humor is so refreshing!
I think we can all learn from her 40 days….life is too short not to! 🙂
Jerusha says
March 27, 2015 at 3:59 pmSo much of this post speaks to me right now, especially the parts about building slowly and taking a picture of your less. I’m certainly going to do this because I really love the idea and the focus, and the growth, that it brings. Thank you for sharing this.
She Rocks Fitness says
March 28, 2015 at 7:54 amLove this…What a great day to enter into your 40’s…Thanks for this lovely guest post!
Kim says
March 28, 2015 at 2:37 pmSo fun to see Allie here!!! I loved her idea of getting ready for 40 by giving up something each day and she picked some really great things to give up!!! I need to get the list and work on at least a few of those things!!!
Tara Newman says
March 28, 2015 at 2:56 pmI love seeing Allie here! I loved following her 40 Days of Less journey and it’s great to see all she took from her experience. Way to go Allie (and Carla for having you here).
Dana says
March 28, 2015 at 6:36 pmI lived following you on this journey, Allie. It’s an inspiring idea – maybe for my 45th? Or maybe just because.