I’ll be honest, after my first Challenge in November 2015, I felt like I’d been mixed up in a blender along with lots of sweaty yoga pants and towels. On November 30th, 2015, I didn’t think I’d ever do another Challenge because, geez, it’s hard for so many reasons!

I’ll admit, I’m an introvert by nature. I’m happy to show up, do my thing, and then go home.  Social situations like the end of challenge potluck we had that year are overwhelming for me sometimes. So as we got into October 2016 and the buzz began about November’s challenge, I had firmly decided that I wouldn’t be participating.

But then, as is often the case in life, something unexpected happened. A photo of my dog taken during the 2015 Challenge was used for the November 2016 Challenge. Dexter was the ‘I’m down, dog’ dog in the newsletter and on posters in the studio (ok, I was in the photo too). Suddenly thrust into the glow of the Modo Yoga Hamilton spotlight, people recognized me and started talking to me at the studios, and I was gently? nudged into having conversations with people I wouldn’t have talked to before due to my introverted-ness.

My plan to never do another challenge went out the window when I signed up to be part of a group of people doing a common activity with a common focus. It gave me the opening to chat with others as we compared notes on fitting in classes and how to survive 30 days of laundry (sweaty laundry is the real challenge if you want to know the truth!). So I successfully completed my 30-Day Challenge, which, for me was attending 30 classes. For others, it was increasing their overall attendance, or trying each type of class at least once; and when we got to the end, I went willingly to the end of challenge party and I chatted and laughed and felt invigorated.

The funny thing is, I only brought Dexter that day as a means of diverting attention from me in the photo. I don’t know if, when Amy decided to use that photo, she had any idea of the change in direction she would send me in.

Now I look forward to the next class and the next event, and yes, the next 30-Day Challenge…. with my friends.

(Originally published October 4, 2017)