*Since my family first got an NES, I’ve had a controller in my hands. Exploring new worlds, meeting new characters and experiencing stories… in some ways, I’ve just connected better with the world through games. However, it’s also very important to me to be present in my life, to improve myself, to go out and MEET the people I’ve connected with online and to expand my knowledge. I spend hours in games; how do I level myself up?

In this weekly series, I’ll chronicle how I’ve improved my “stats” with completely arbitrary scoring.*

+1 Intelligence – How did I make myself a little smarter? What did I learn?
Yesterday, I took a webinar on hypnotherapy

+2 Charisma – How was I less awkward or more beautiful?
I don’t like being photographed. Rarely do I like the way I look on camera, but Ryan and I went to Coney Island today for an engagement shoot and I felt pretty good. The preview shots our photog shared are beautiful. I can’t wait to see the rest!

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{{{CONGRATULATIONS ALISON & RYAN!!!))) It took an #engagementsession (and 45 years) for Daniel Nydick Photography to visit Coney Island for the first time. Talk about a win-win? I met Alison last year when I was street shooting in the #eastvillage . I asked her if I could take a photo of her. It's funny how a little friendly interaction with a random stranger can lead to connections being made, and ultimately capturing beautiful memories like these! . . . #wedding #weddings #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #justmarried #newlymarried #brideandgroom #weddinginspiration #weddingphotographyideas #shesaidyes #beautifulwedding #coneyisland #junebugweddings #heputaringonit #hejustasked #heproposed #lovemyring #theknotproposals #fearlessphotographerscom #njweddingphotographer #paweddingphotographer #nyweddingphotographer #njwedding #rocknrollbride #offbeatbride #lunapark #lunaparknyc #madewithmagmod

A post shared by Daniel Nydick Weddings (@danielnydick) on Sep 24, 2018 at 8:05am PDT

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{{{CONGRATULATIONS ALISON & RYAN!!!))) It took an #engagementsession (and 45 years) for me to visit Coney Island for the first time. Talk about a win-win?  I met Alison last year when I was street shooting in the lower east side. I asked her if I could take a photo of her. It's funny how a little friendly interaction with a random stranger can lead to connections being made, and ultimately capturing beautiful memories like these! . . . #wedding #weddings #weddingphotography #weddingphotographer #justmarried #newlymarried #brideandgroom #weddinginspiration #weddingphotographyideas #pinball #shesaidyes #coneyislandpinballmuseum #coneyisland #junebugweddings #heputaringonit #hejustasked #heproposed #lovemyring #theknotproposals #offbeatbride #rocknrollbride #fearlessphotographerscom #njweddingphotographer #paweddingphotographer #nyweddingphotographer #njwedding #rocknrollbride #offbeatbride #lunapark #lunaparknyc #madewithmagmod

A post shared by Daniel Nydick Weddings (@danielnydick) on Sep 24, 2018 at 12:25pm PDT

+3 Strength – New workouts, breakthroughs, challenges.
With things getting stale at the gym, I started taking things outside – talking walk breaks at work, opting to walk 2-3 subway stops instead of taking the train, and signing up for the Beat the Blerch virtual race.

-3 Defense – Where did I consciously avoid or deflect negative energy?
I didn’t. I caved to stress and let myself get overwhelmed. I took Saturday to chill, play games and just breathe.

+3 Luck – Something good that happened this week.
New beers for Freak Week, avoided sweets at work, and got a gel manicure for crazy cheap!

-5 Wealth – How did I save towards my goals?
What a shit week for finances. First, FedEx lost my package of $300 worth of outfits for my engagement shoot, then my debit card was compromised for over $260 at Walmart.com… where I have NEVER shopped. Luckily, in both cases, things are getting resolved. But still. Ugh.

How did YOU level up this week?

*Since my family first got an NES, I’ve had a controller in my hands. Exploring new worlds, meeting new characters and experiencing stories… in some ways, I’ve just connected better with the world through games. However, it’s also very important to me to be present in my life, to improve myself, to go out and MEET the people I’ve connected with online and to expand my knowledge. I spend hours in games; how do I level myself up?

In this weekly series, I’ll chronicle how I’ve improved my “stats” with completely arbitrary scoring.*

-2 Intelligence – How did I make myself a little smarter? What did I learn?
I had a pretty lazy week getting over a cold. There wasn’t a lot of motivation to seek out anything new other than OJ and broth.

+2 Charisma – How was I less awkward or more beautiful?
My eyeliner was ON POINT all week. Loving this Kat Von D tattoo eyeliner so much!

+1 Strength – New workouts, breakthroughs, challenges.
I closed all my rings but didn’t get to the gym as much as I needed.

+1 Defense – Where did I consciously avoid or deflect negative energy?
I indulged in an age old relaxation technique I haven’t practiced since grad school. It felt really nice to have some focus back and worries melted away.

– 1 Luck– Something good that happened this week.
This is probably the first week I’ve had negative luck. Wedding bullshit has begun with people backing out of commitments I already contracted, therefore costing me money and putting me in the tough position of replacing them. Cool.

+5 Wealth – How did I save towards my goals?
Booked another new Rover client! This year has seen that little side hustle REALLY take off!

How did YOU level up this week?

*Since my family first got an NES, I’ve had a controller in my hands. Exploring new worlds, meeting new characters and experiencing stories… in some ways, I’ve just connected better with the world through games. However, it’s also very important to me to be present in my life, to improve myself, to go out and MEET the people I’ve connected with online and to expand my knowledge. I spend hours in games; how do I level myself up?

In this weekly series, I’ll chronicle how I’ve improved my “stats” with completely arbitrary scoring.*

-2 Intelligence – How did I make myself a little smarter? What did I learn?
Did YOU know that the Statue of Liberty is NOT on Ellis Island?? My whole life I thought it was the same island and assumed immigrants were processed into the country in the base of the Statue of Liberty. WRONG! I took a tour of Ellis Island on Saturday and learned all about what it was really like to come over from Europe in the early 1900s.

+2 Charisma – How was I less awkward or more beautiful?
Monday after work, I treated myself to a mani/pedi with a coworker. Of course, I went for BARBIE PINK! If I’m going to do something girlie, I’m going ALL. IN. 💅🏻

+2 Strength – New workouts, breakthroughs, challenges.
I got a lot of non-traditional work outs in this week, including climbing to the crown of the Statue of Liberty! What a hike and WHAT a view!

+3 Defense – Where did I consciously avoid or deflect negative energy?
I hosted a goal-setting session with a notoriously challenging client this week. In fact, he had “fired” my team from one of his other projects while I was in my old, super stressful role. Facing him again spiked my anxiety in the worst way. But I knew my work was good. My bosses knew my work was solid. And before I kicked off my presentation, I said aloud “You guys are really going to like what we have to show you today.” Then, I presented more gracefully than I ever have. And guess what? He was SO excited about the work and the outcome. 🤜🏼💥

+3 Luck – Something good that happened this week.
I got to spend time with one of my best friends in the world. We met 21 years ago in advanced Spanish class and even though we’re far apart now, when we DO get to spend time together it’s just like the old days.

-5 Wealth – How did I save towards my goals?
Wedding stuff and visitors and stress spending…No Spend August was a huge failure. But I had a lot of awesome adventures, events and memories made.

How did YOU level up this week?

*Since my family first got an NES, I’ve had a controller in my hands. Exploring new worlds, meeting new characters and experiencing stories… in some ways, I’ve just connected better with the world through games. However, it’s also very important to me to be present in my life, to improve myself, to go out and MEET the people I’ve connected with online and to expand my knowledge. I spend hours in games; how do I level myself up?

In this weekly series, I’ll chronicle how I’ve improved my “stats” with completely arbitrary scoring.*

+2 Intelligence – How did I make myself a little smarter? What did I learn?
At work, I’ve been super focused on creating a workshop for an internal client. I’m super proud of it. Feeling super smart.

-2 Charisma – How was I less awkward or more beautiful?
I broke a nail at the gym… So now all my nails are back to looking like stumpy little things. On the bright side, it was getting hard to type with those long nails.

+2 Strength – New workouts, breakthroughs, challenges.
I’ve had a lot more energy and much less appetite since my weeks of regular gym time have become consistent.

-3 Defense – Where did I consciously avoid or deflect negative energy?
Not a good mental health week. I’ve been questioning and doubting everything. Getting married means I’m giving up on any chance of finding someone else who might be better for me. It means I have to deal with this person and all of his flaws forever…

+3 Luck – Something good that happened this week.
No one will appreciate this more than me or understand what a big deal it is, but I FINALLY got a 2nd monitor at work. No more writing decks on a tiny screen! It’s nice to have a complete workstation.

+5 Wealth – How did I save towards my goals?
I realized that the news of my raise came less than a month after I created my money manifesting wallet! That’s no coincidence.

How did YOU level up this week?