So, Internet! Things are not going well.
Divorce aside, the last few weeks have been crisis heavy. So much Big Bad stuff has been piling up that I’ve become slightly embarrassed to be around people. They ask you how you are, and you have to answer without hyperventilating. They ask what’s been going on and you have to come up with a response that doesn’t involve too many hospitals. They stand near you and heavy things fall on their heads.
I should note here that Hank is doing well. He’s a bright spot through all of this. Also, I’m reasonably healthy, which is excellent. (Do you hear me, universe? Super grateful for the kid and the health. Thumbs up! Please hold your lightening bolts.)
My instinct is to plan my way through difficult times, so here’s the plan. I’m going to start doing something fun every day. I just watched this brief TED talk by Matt Cutts on 30 day projects:
http://video.ted.com/assets/player/swf/EmbedPlayer.swf
So for the next thirty days, I’m going to make time for something fun every day. I started Saturday, and I hope you’ll join me.
Have you done anything fun today?
Mighty Girl 
I don’t know you beyond your cyber-presented self, but I think if I were within arms reach and it didn’t freak you out and neither of us were wearing easily-wrinkled clothes and my piercing clavical was properly padded: I would give you a {hug}.
You’re going to be okay. Promise-promise.
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Maggie – I came to your food fight with my daughters. I hope your 30 day fun challenge includes another group activity. I’d be there with bells on. What about the bubbles on the Golden Gate bridge? I’d always hoped you’d open the invitation to that.
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Hi Vanessa, how are you? With Camp Mighty and the Summit looming, I don’t have the bandwidth for another group adventure right now, but when bubbles on the bridge happens I promise to put the word out.
-M
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Im sorry you are having a rough time, but i love your positivity here! totally joining you on this project! what a good idea to boost your spirits.
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I don’t know you personally, but I just want to hug you. I know how random stranger hugs can help tremendously. Hope that your 30 days of fun makes weathering the shit storm a little easier.
I’m definitely in on the fun times these days – it’s summer break and I have no intention on working for the next 6 weeks on anything except fun.
Today? Chips, guacamole, beer and laughing for lunch with my best girlfriend.
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Apparently both Sarah and I are stranger huggers. Who knew?
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Hang in there Maggie — you can do it. My mother used to say that to me, in standard reserved New England fashion, and it took me years to recognize that strength and conviction she was backing it up with. I send you all those powerful you-can-make-it-through-tough-times vibes.
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Girllll, I am in the same boat. I felt like I wrote “So much Big Bad stuff has been piling up that I’ve become slightly embarrassed to be around people.” Seriously. I watched this video too and wasn’t sure what I wanted to do for 30 days… I TOTALLY want to do something fun for 30 days straight. Duh! Sign me up! My fun having starts today. I had a picnic/dance party on the park near my work with my mom, sister & little niece.
PS- I think you are the most divine person. Clearly, I don’t know you personally but your humor, style and ambition are such an inspiration to me. I adore you from afar(and not in a creepy way. I don’t think. HA!)
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While 2006 is my official year that can suck it, 2011 rapidly climbs the charts. If it makes you feel any better, my year thus far consists of my son’s father leaving, the kid getting a concussion, my parents disowning me, and my laundry (with all of my kids and my favorites) being stolen. The thing is, in the end, I think it’s all for the best (concussion aside). I’ve planned and enjoyed myself so much more without all the negative weighing me down. It gets so much better, my dear, so much better. Just decide that the next 30 days will not suck and they won’t. I second the person who said you might just need a lasagna delivered…if you need food, I live in SF and am a great cook (reference 2006 and my husband leaving)
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I’m sorry you’re having such a rough time. This sounds like an excellent plan. I’ve been doing something similar all summer. I’ve been a working single mom for most of my oldest son’s life, but an unexpected job loss has given me the summer off with my son out of school. Stressful and scary? Yes. But we can still have fun! And my son’s totally into it. He greets me every morning with, “What’s going to be our fun thing today, mom?” I love it. Hope you do too. Hugs and good thoughts to you.
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“My instinct is to plan my way through difficult times” – an excellent instinct, and one I need to work on honing.
My fun thing for today: biking to work in the sun with a basketful of home-baked brownies for the office. Happy-making.
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Maggie, you are one of the most inspirational people I have never met in real life. The things you have done over the years have inspired me to see the good in people and the joy in life. I get disgruntled when I hear how life is not treating you well because you are one of the good people, ya know!
I love this idea. I am home with my kids this summer as I try and figure out what I want to be when I grow up. Our fun thing this week has been playing with good ol’ Silly Putty.
My other suggestion comes from the queen herself, Oprah. Do a random act of kindness. My fav is paying for the coffee of the person behind you line. Instant karma points right there.
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I appreciate your blog, your candor, and your need to quantify in order to overcome. At 35, I am going through the most difficult time in my life. What helps: the knowledge that there is comedy in everyday circumstance; sure I’ll hyperventilate as I stroll my daughter down the street after a heartbreaking day of work, but later I can sometimes laugh at the comedy in people’s idiosyncracies. And everything that I’m going through has forced me to dig really fucking deep to realize that at my core is unbeatable strength and optimism. So there is something meaningful behind the shitkicking years of our lives. They are fit to kill, but life goes on.
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I’m with Carol who said that 2011 can suck it… I thought 2010 was bad until I met 2011… I’m trying to figure out how I can charm a better 2012 into existence.
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I agree with Miss K. Your website and writing are a part of my ongoing days of fun! Thank you.
A great idea to do this. We shun you Big Bad Stuff.
The best to you!
Snithia
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I am rooting for you.
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Great inspiration – just started following your blog. Watched the TED link, and taDah – I’ve now done 2nd day of my new 30 day. (record something every day)
Gotta love someone who can transform the negative into empowerment. Thank you.
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No stranger to some periods of hard episodes myself I can confirm the super cheesy “Time heals all wounds” is said for a reason. Things I thought I could never live through, I somehow did. It gets better. A lot of times it gets worse before it gets better (divorce) but it gets better.
One thing I did learn is that all the planning in the world has very little affect on the outcome. You have to get over any idea of control. That realization can bring a measure of peace. Easy to say, hard to do.
I wish you way more than luck.
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just as I was realizing that spending another weekend alone on my couch was doing nothing positive for my psyche or heart, I came across this latest project.
you inspire me. thanks.
and then, just like that I remembered when I was a wise 22 year old and posted a list to the fridge for my roommates to see and participate. it was called, “Justine’s List of Summer Fun.”
making a new one RIGHT NOW.
xo.
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You may possibly Insanity Workout Schedule Calendar have not really intended to do so, but I feel you’ve got were able to express the state of mind that a lot of individuals are inside. The sense of wanting to support, although not knowing how or where, is some thing a great deal of us happen to be dealing.
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Maggie, we’ve never met, but your site has been one of my bookmarks for over a decade. 🙂
It’s so amazing to watch you successfully navigate life’s tidal waves being primarily equipped with the love of your friends. Kindness begets more kindness and it’s beautiful to witness.
It’s ironic that even in your time of stress and crisis, you have still found a way to help and inspire others! Thanks for the great project post, it’s a launchpad for even more good things to come.
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