Hello from Milwaukee!

Milwaukee is one of the many cities I’ve never been to before. I didn’t know what to expect, so I didn’t expect very much.

I got here early on Friday morning after a long night of bootcamping, meetup-ing and video-ing in Chicago w/Mr. Impossible. On 3 hours of sleep, I rolled into Milwaukee off the very short flight (15 minutes in the air) and waited for my co-host, Berni Xiong, to pick me up.

The airport was minimal. Old, worn-down carpet freckled with bright colors like a city bus seat in need of replacement. No free internet. No coffee shops downstairs.

“Great,” I judged to myself. “This is going to be a filler city…“

I was expecting depressed, dilapidated buildings begging to be demolished, the long winter darkening people’s dispositions.

I wasn’t looking forward to what I was sure would be spotty wifi in the couple of Starbucks nearby the hotel, which I was sure would be the only sprinkles of culture and modernity…

Even so, I encouraged myself to do what I’ve been trying to carve out time for in each city: explore.

Then Berni rolled in, the ball of joy and exuberance that she is, and instantly brought me into her world. She enveloped me in her arms of hospitality and made me feel like family.

She proceeded to tell me how much she loved Milwaukee, and why. I listened openly, half-believing, half-feeling like I was being sold on a time share…

I think she could sense my trepidation, so we started exploring the city together.

We went out for brunch at a lovely boutique hotel that had really great food (and didn’t break my opportunity piggy bank). Then, we drove around in an informal tour of the city.

I was surprised by my reaction to the city. It was the opposite of what I thought it would be.

I was floored by the beautiful architecture; bells tolling from the towering steeples turned green with age. A history behind the exposed brick that breathes and beats still now. Winks of art where the streets meet the river front, only glance-worthy by car.

I couldn’t wait to get to the hotel, drop off my bag, and keep exploring…

As I got out on foot, the city took my breath away. Not only was the city itself charming, inviting and interesting, the people welcomed me like I belonged there.

I walked around like the tourist that I am, marveling with face upturned to see the beauty of the antique architecture, mouth agape and eyes wide in wonder…

I jumped on the Green Line bus and took it up Water to Bradley to discover the hipster areas of town (which always have the healthiest food and best coffee shops).

I wandered into random stores and ended up discovering a great healthy market called Beans & Barley.

Thanks to Berni, I discovered the amazing (and delicious) Alterra Coffee. Oh my gosh. These baristas know how to make an Americano.

I was taken into Screaming Tuna and AJ Bombers (2 restaurants) like a regular by their respective owners, Cristian and Joe. I even got to write my twitter handle on the wall at AJ Bombers!

And most of all, people were so interested in helping, in creating change, and bringing hope to others. There is a strong sense of community here.

In fact, the reason I came to Milwaukee at all (it wasn’t on my original tour) was my new friend, Jason Mueller. I’ve been in contact with Jason for the last year or so, and he reached out to me when I was looking for cities in the beginning of mapping out my tour. Because of his willingness to explore the idea of bringing 30×30 to Milwaukee, we had one of the most successful bootcamps and Movement Meetups yet.

When Jason first asked me if I’d ever consider MKE as a stop, I hesitantly agreed. I have to admit: I expected nothing like this.

I was proved utterly wrong by my preconceptions of what this “little Midwestern city” would have to offer. In fact, I am seriously thinking of coming back for an extended visit.

All because I allowed myself to explore and let go of my preconceptions…

I think exploration is key for adopting new habits and experiencing life in general. Exploration allows us to fully experience every part of our life.

When I was struggling, I tried to either escape or deny. When I instead explored the ways I could deal and choose to experience my emotions that I had previously avoided dealing with, my world changed. Most importantly, I started exploring the idea that I could change my thoughts. I could create happiness.

So what I want to encourage you to do and help you with today is to explore.

What exploration means:

Dictionary.com defines exploration as “the investigation of unknown regions.”

In terms of physical space, we can grasp that idea pretty easily. I explored Milwaukee in that I went out and walked around.

I want to introduce you to this idea as a way to investigate further than your current perceptions of life.

Today, we’re looking past your pain and struggle and exploring the idea that you can live a completely different life.

A lot of people ask me how I went from such a dark place to such a bubbly, enthusiastic one. I’ll start by saying it wasn’t a short process. It took some time and diligence.

My success ultimately came down to my commitment to put aside my life sentence of clinical depression in favor of the possibility that I could create my own happiness.

I chose not to let my struggle define me anymore, and to instead make myself anew with possibility.

This doesn’t have to be some ethereal process. In fact, I want to go over the very doable steps that you can take starting today.

Ready to explore? Sure you are. ;) Let’s open up your perceptions and, hopefully, your life…

Allow yourself to wonder

To explore is to open your mind. It’s extremely tough to explore if you’re not open to new experiences.

The first step to exploration is to allow yourself to wonder.

Think back to when you were a kid and you would experience everything for the first time. Try taking that same idea and applying it to your everyday experience.

Look at your life and open up your kid eyes. Imagine all the possibilities that you may have been closed off to before…

Instead of processing a hurtful event by sinking and dwelling in it, instead allow yourself to wonder about what you might learn from this experience.

Explore the idea that you don’t have to react by sinking; you can instead choose to rise above, learn and react in a way that will help you grow and move on.

Allow yourself to wonder past the norm. What works for other people may not for you. Go beyond the everyday answers and start exploring all the possibilities.

Wonder about all the different ways you could open up your life to happiness. Getting outside, joining a group, starting a workout regimen, getting creative, and the thousands of other possibilities…

Let go of judgment

Remove judgment from this experience by simply acknowledging it when it comes up, and then move past it.

Your inner critic may try to tell you that this is a worthless practice… but that same inner critic is the one who wants you to stay in this place of pain and struggle.

What you thought this experience might be could turn out to be entirely wrong. It could have been that same inner critic trying to veer you away from healing. It could be your projections onto the situation from whatever history you may have.

Leave them behind and wonder on.

What sticks?

As you wonder and explore the possibilities of having a different experience, pay attention to which ones stick with you.

What is most interesting to you? What possibilities would you like to explore further? Which ones would you want to take action on?

Keep a small journal or start a note in your phone that serves to catch all these ideas that light that fire inside you.

For me, some of these possibilities have been acting from a place of love, starting my own business, creating 30-Day Challenges, and this the entire 30×30 Project.

My best ideas have come from exploring possibilities through wonder.

Action

Everything we just went over is useless without execution. This is the step that will change your life.

Those notes you’ve taken? Choose the one that speaks to you above all the others. This one excites and even thrills you.

What do you need to do to make that a reality?

Map it out, each step at a time.

Today, you will take that first step. Commit to it right now. No excuses.

You have everything you need in you right now to change your life for good.

Realize that pain and struggle does not have to be your way of life. You can choose to explore and create happiness.

So now it’s your turn. Are you going to explore with me?

In the comments below:

Tell the SIO community what you’re exploring, and the action you’re taking TODAY.

Let’s pump each other up with action today, my friends. Together, let’s explore the idea that today can change the rest of our lives.

Happy exploring.

With hope and fire,

Amy

P.S. Instead of listing out all the deets for the upcoming 30×30 Project events, I’ll direct you to click this link where you can see the list and map of all the cities in order and the details for the bootcamps and meetups. Dallas, Nashville and Atlanta this week!

P.P.S. If you’d rather see all the details in your inbox, be sure to sign up for The 30×30 Project email list on this page.