*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?
I recommitted to reading more this year and have started Clown Girl by Monica Drake. I’m not intentionally trying to stay on brand with my reading. This book was a gift years ago and in an attempt to clear out my bookshelves, I’m starting with the books that have been sitting there unread. Follow my journey on Goodreads.

+2 Charisma – How was I less awkward or more beautiful?
With a little bravery and cash, I ordered oVertone’s Purple for Brown Hair coloring conditioner and turned my hair this lovely, yet subtle shade of purple. Dying my hair is something I’ve always wanted to do, but I’ve been too worried about ruining my curls with chemicals or bleach. I’m really pleased with the results I’ve gotten with oVertone! It was easier than I expected and the color is beautiful!

View this post on Instagram

A woman who changes her hair is about to change her life. 💜👾💅🏻 #overtone #nomakeup #nomakeupselfie #purplehair #purpleaesthetic #curlygirl #twitch #twitchstreamer #gamergirl #instagamer

A post shared by CarneyVorous TTV (@carneyvorous) on Dec 30, 2019 at 7:51am PST

+3 Strength – New workouts, breakthroughs, challenges.
So I did a crazy thing and signed up for YesFit’s How Far Will You Go Challenge which encourages me to run 2,020 miles this year. That averages out to about 5.5 miles EVERY DAY. Way more than I was doing before. I have a couple of planned Hot Chocolate 15ks this year – as a race ambassador, you can use my code ALICHC at registration for a free hat and join me in Houston or Philly. I’m also looking for some more races and potentially taking a crack at another 1/2 marathon. I’m going to need to log some MAJOR miles!

+3 Defense – Where did I consciously avoid or deflect negative energy?
I started packing. I’m still looking for the right apartment, but I know it’s coming. As soon as February I could be out of this hellish home situation filled with anxiety, anger and alcoholism and into a fresh space where I can breathe.

+2 Luck – Something good that happened this week.
Lots of luck in Pokemon Sword! During the Shiny Magikarp event, I was able to snag several shinies, some of them are 5IVs I can trade with friends!

+2 Wealth – How did I save towards my goals?
Resetting for the new year, I’ve increased my annual savings goal from $5,000 to 7,000. I’ve also increased the payments on my final student loan to be free of that debt sooner. Additionally, I’ve disconnected my credit card from ALL sites where it was saved to help me avoid impulse purchases and added a savings goal of $100/month SOLELY to cover impulse buys… like my out of control collection of tarot cards!

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.*

+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!

View this post on Instagram

{{{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

View this post on Instagram

{{{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 #weddingphotographyideas #pinball #shesaidyes #coneyislandpinballmuseum #coneyisland #junebugweddings #heputaringonit #hejustasked #heproposed #lovemyring #theknotproposals #offbeatbride #rocknrollbride #fearlessphotographerscom #njweddingphotographer #paweddingphotographer #nyweddingphotographer #njwedding #rocknrollbride #offbeatbride #lunapark #lunaparknyc #madewithmagmod #hellodvlop @hellodvlop

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?