How spaces on a bingo Challenge created space for a sense of self
A Midpractical Modern Monthly Challenge :: #EmbodimentBingo :: January 2023
Read on if…
- You have been feeling out of sync with yourself and not sure how to reset
- You donāt know what embodiment is or why itās important to prioritize it
- You are afraid of committing to a single wellness practice because hot yoga wasnāt for you.
- You are ready to press āplayā on your journey to finding space for yourself again.
Embodiment…what’s that? And why did you do a challenge around it?
In December, I attended a networking event where I was introduced to the fabulous Abby Riley, alignment coach and expert on embodiment and meditation.
We connected after our event and I shared more about how I wanted to do a challenge focused on resetting and regaining my grounding as we entered the new year. She shared that she was thinking about doing a bingo card challenge focused on embodiment.
Whatās embodiment you ask? Great question. I had heard the word before but it wasnāt until Abby explained what it is and why itās important that I began to grasp the concept. And once I understood what it was all about, the January #EmbodimentBingo collaboration challenge was born!
What is Embodiment from Alignment Mentor Abby Riley
Embodiment is the physical and mental state that appears from choosing to make space in our lives for the feelings and ideas that are seeking to emerge within us with ease, surrender, and grace. These qualities are the same for us all in one way or another; happiness, love, joy, freedom, abundance etc.
Now, not to drop what, to some, may seem like a complicated definition and leave it at that, let me explain a little bit more.
By dictionary definition, we can embody ideas, feelings, and qualities. Embodiment is a byproduct of the qualities of what is invisible becoming visible in your actions and life.
Letās use peace as an example. Peace is invisible but walking down the street in the dark without feeling anxiety, being unfazed by someone not using their turn signal, and finding presence in moments of uncertainty are all embodying peace “She then embodied peace in her life”
We can embody love, compassion, forgiveness, presence, vitality, joy and even lesser desirable qualities like resentment and hatred etc.
However, for the purpose of personal growth and this challenge, we work with the higher vibrational qualities in practice to begin to create new neuropathways and habits. When we do this, we are slowly beginning to shift our mindsets and the qualities & outcomes of what enters our lives. Where our attention goes, energy flows.
When we consciously focus on making time and creating intentional practices to learn to embody these qualities, they naturally begin to shift our mindsets and appear in our lives. This process can begin with small actionable practices like those on the bingo card, and can continue to grow with you as you begin to find what works for and resonates with you.
If you are curious about the ways of embodiment and building a personally aligned practice, or feel excited but some what overwhelmed (we have all been there, ha!), I recommend finding a trusted coach that can simplify the process and hold the space for you.
If you’d like to learn more about coaching and what it’s involved, feel free to connect with me on instagram or send me a message.
Embodiment Bingo Challenge Scale
To help you decide if the embodiment bingo challenge is right for you, here’s a brief overview of how much money, time, and effort this challenge may take and how functional or fun it is. Yours may look different because this is a highly customizable challenge and should be adapted in a way that will help you find your sense of self!
Also, if the bingo card feels a little too daunting at the moment, you can check out this list and pick one thing to start with!
The Challenge: The Embodiment Bingo Card
Once we knew what the challenge would be, Abby got to work creating a challenging but doable embodiment bingo card, filled with a variety of activities that would help achieve that inner peace and sense of self.
I will make space for inner peace through different practices of embodiment and
self-awareness
#MonthlyChallenge
The goal was to spend the month of January doing daily activities focused on embodiment. If you were feeling movement one day, you could dance it out for 10 minutes. Feeling a little more zen? Try a yoga class. The card has a variety of prompts to help you explore what works best for you to gain a better sense of self.
5 spaces in a row and you get to celebrate with a B-I-N-G-O!
Actual footage of me playing bingo š
Challenge Outcome
Did I get a bingo?
In fact, I got several bingos because I completed the whole card! I was encouraged by all of the people who were playing along and bingo-ing all the way to the end of the month.
Challenge Highlights
By now, you know I love a good challengeā¦and this was no exception. Abby put together a really diverse bingo card that got me exploring new concepts and pushed me out of my cozy little comfort zone. And if you donāt believe me, just watch this video
As one that loves to live in their cozy little safe zone does, I started my bingo card with an activity that I knew I could easily do – I started with the 5 minute silent meditation. Very little time and effort needed for this, other than ungluing myself from my phone.
After my meditation, I quickly got comfortable with being uncomfortable, knowing I had 24 spaces to go through and only the month of January to get it done. I moved on to more challenging activities – journaling and reflecting, starting a new habit, completing tasks, and cleaning out a bag (or in my case, many bags that take up space in a closet). Challenging but still not out of my comfort zone.
Then I moved on to the stuff that pushed me out of my comfort zone. Literally, in the case of having to leave my house and attend a networking event where I had to talk about and promote myself (and put a bra on, the nerve!).
I also learned some new things as well, including the Wim Hof Method. I had not heard of this before the challenge and learned that there is an actual guy named Wim Hof (whose nickname is the āIcemanā) and he has broken all sorts of world records and created a whole mindfulness practice that has tons of health benefits. I was so intrigued by it that my February challenge is inspired by itā¦(follow along on instagram to see the challenge highlights in real time!)
Overall, the variety of bingo spaces ultimately led me to create space for myself the entire month. Whether I was alone with my thoughts and intentions, sharing my space with others to listen to their stories and dreams, or broadening my space to welcome new adventures, everything that I did led me to feel a deeper sense of self worth and self love.
Your Turn – Time for your #MonthlyChallenge
If you want to take on the challenge for a whole month, a great place to start would be to use the bingo card. Feel free to tag @midpracticalmodern and @abbyriley so we can support you on your path to embodiment!
If the bingo card is a little too daunting and you want to start smaller, below are 9 ways to start your journey to finding self love. Or, if you need some guidance before you get started, send a message to Abby on instagram with the word āVisionā to receive a FREE short visioning meditation to get you started on your journey to your embodied self.
If you are looking for a coach or mentor to help with your journey, connect with embodiment mentor and spiritual alignment coach Abby Riley. She offers virtual 1-on-1 coaching & private meditation sessions to help you on your embodiment and alignment journey.
Get in touch with Abby Riley here
Ready to Start Your Embodiment Journey? Here are 9 Ways to Get reconnected with yourself and fill your proverbial cup
Here are some activities you can try as a springboard to your path of enlightenment and embodiment.
9 Ways to Find Embodiment in Your Brain, Body, & Being
- Breathwork & Meditation – The Wim Hof Method, box/square breathing, silent or guided meditation (I am a fan of the Calm app for this! Try 30 days free with this link)
- Writing – write in a journal, explore some creative writing through a poem, essay or short story, create a gratitude list, write down a list of things you acknowledge yourself for
- Movement – try a yoga class, dance it out, go for a walk, or take a class that moves your body in a new way
- Education – watch documentaries, listen to podcasts (The Mindset Mentor is a great one!), read books, or attend local or virtual speakers that focus on embodiment and self
- Seek more meaningful connections – Have a conversation and just listen, reconnect with someone you havenāt talked to in awhile, ask someone about their day or their dreams, find & befriend mentors that inspire you
- Honor yourself (Meet your needs first) – avoid procrastinating tasks that will take less than 5 mins, create healthy boundaries, leave āobligationā behind, surrender expectations, find the potential growth in leaning into the uncomfortable
- Live intentionally – create meaning in the mundane and ask yourself if your actions are working with or against what you wish to see manifest in your life.Ā
- Experiment – ask for support and experiment with new practices, follow what excites you
- Work with a trusted mentor or coach – This is a person who will hold you in a space of love & inspires your expansion in your sense of self and embodiment.
Did you enjoy this #MonthlyChallenge? I’d love to hear it! Shoot me an email at hello@midpracticalmodern.com or send me a DM on instagram!
What is the Midpractical Challenge?
It is a challenge for a set amount of time that puts extra focus and emphasis on a specific task to complete, trying something new or overcoming an obstacle. These challenges show how midpractical decisions around money, time and energy can help us not only live, but thrive, in the middle of a modern world.
See what the latest challenge is and tag @midpracticalmodern with your own challenge progress!