So, as some of you may or may not know, (I'm sure more of you know than not, I talk about it all the time!) I am pretty heavily pregnant (seriously, he's heavy! Its like carrying a cinder block around!). 36 weeks today, to be exact. I'm on partial bed rest and can't work anymore so I am so bored and I've been pouring through my reading material, the internet, and racking my brain for new posts and content for the sub. I figure I may as well use my time wisely! :-)

So this is my idea: each week we'll institute a little challenge for us all to try for the week. I'll try and keep them general so married, LTR, or single, everyone who wants to can participate. Then, at the end of the week, we can all discuss what went well, what went bad, and what we learned in general. You can keep it to yourself, you can tell a trusted friend, or you can tell your SO what you're doing, doesn't matter. The more ladies who participate, the more fun it will be! (And if no one participates, I'll be deeply offended - kidding!) I'll try and update every 7 days, although they tell me the baby may come early... in which case I'm sure y'all understand or perhaps I can have another fellow EC continue this for me in my absence.

Week One

Say it Sweetly!

Week One's challenge is to only say sweet, positive things to your SO.

  • No nagging, bitching, mean sarcasm, passive aggressiveness, aggressive aggressiveness, eye rolling, huffing, sighing, clearing of the throat pointedly, etc.

  • Instead we will make loving, uplifting, positive, sweet comments and conversations.

  • If you can't think of a nice way to say something, then STFU until you can think of a nice way to say it.

  • Before everything else, we will put the intimacy of our marriage first, speaking only to build our husbands up, flirt with them, help them (and not "help" in the shrew way).

    Remember, a happy man is a man that runs home to be with his wife, one that can't stop thinking about his wife, one that won't leave or jeopardize his relationship with his wife!

    Some things to remember!

  • Communicate what you actually are feeling, don't just default to angry. Be vulnerable! If your husband has been coming home late from work, don't nag or whine. Tell him, "I've missed you so much these last few days! You've been working so hard!" If you feel as though he isn't pulling his weight in household chores or you need extra help (like me!) say, "I've been feeling overwhelmed. I need your help." Let's say it together: bring your captain your problem, not your solution! Very good!

  • No one ever died from STFU. If you're feeling bitchy or mean or rude or irrational, just be quiet! Or call a friend and vent to her. Don't take it out on your man.

  • Ask yourself daily: "Is this the hill I want to die on?" I live by this mantra.

    Single gals! You can participate too! Instead of focusing on being this way to your SO, you can participate by trying this with other people in your life. Have a room mate? How about someone you work in close proximity to at work? Or a few people at work? Mother? Father? Or just try it with everyone in your life, although it may be easier if you focus on one particular person.

    I think we can all realize if you focus on one particular man in your life, he may get the wrong signals from you or others may. Perhaps it would be safer to pick a female in your life! The first person I would pick if I were single is the night nurse I work with 5 nights a week. She and I work closely together and work can be stressful and we aren't always our best selves (although we are friends, but sometimes you snap at each other, or are short with each other).

So this is the challenge. If you have questions/comments, please feel free to post them and we can work out other kinks in the system as we find them. This is an RPW challenge, not a Sadie Challenge. But I, Sadie, challenge you! Are you woman enough to not nag, bitch, or shrew for a whole week?!

Its 3:30 in the afternoon where I am so the day is half over, so to be fair to everyone in different time zones, we'll give our updates next week on the 12th. Let's get to improving ourselves, our relationships, and our lives.

~Sadie