#stretch quest

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STRETCH QUEST, WEEK 10 [MENTAL]

For my fifth stretch quest, I decided to buy a plant from a plant store. The store, called plant, sold various succulents, ceramics, ornaments, and soils. I decided to purchase an aloe plant because of its benefits and the amount of attention that it needed.

I chose to purchase a plant for my stretch quest because I wanted to get into the habit of practicing routine. I often am inconsistent with my laundry schedule, maintaining my nails, wiping down my desk, and making my bed. Taking care of a plant would require dedication--considering the plant’s life depends on my care. This task will remind me to complete other daily tasks and perfect the art of routine.

STRETCH QUEST, WEEK 6 [CURIOSITY CONVERSATION]

For my third stretch quest, I decided to talk to my dad for the first time in five years. 

My parents divorced ten years ago and I stayed with my mom. After the divorce, my dad held the responsibility of spending time with me every Sunday. A month into this routine, he had stopped showing up at our house to pick me up. It had turned into meeting him once a year to not meeting him at all. Because of this, I resented my dad for not thinking about me. I had held this grudge until this day.

When I met to talk with my dad, it was unfamiliar. He was unable to respond to my words and only smiled and the things I said. When I embraced him, he hugged back just as tight, but there were still no words exchanged. It overwhelmed me. I felt like crying after the exchange even though he had not said anything, and yet I also felt a weight lifted from my shoulder. 

Even after meeting my dad for the first time in a while, I still am confused if I don’t know how I feel or if I’m just neglecting the reality of my emotions.

STRETCH QUEST, WEEK 4 [PROFESSIONAL]

For my second stretch quest, I decided to act on a goal that I have wished for a long time; a website. What had inhibited me from creating the website, before, was the fear of uploading failed content and my insecurity of not being creative enough for design. 

The process contained many steps. I learned how to purchase my domain (www prefix is broken), researched information about commercial fonts, created social media accounts, and edited my page design. 

The quest has taught me that I could pursue my dreams if I just played my cards. The idea of building a website always lingered in my mind but I have never initiated it until now. I imagined that it would be a frightening thing, because it was taking a leap from designing as a hobby to putting myself out there for public viewing. 

I’m not entirely happy with the concept work I have created for my brand and will continue to work at it until I am pleased.

STRETCH QUEST, WEEK 2 [MENTAL]

For my first stretch quest, I decided to conquer my fear of the water and go swimming. As a child of a Vietnamese refugee, my mom would repeat how dangerous the water was and my fear of drowning comes from the many times I have done so. 

My boyfriend and I went to the Southland leisure center and he took it upon himself to teach me how to swim. The exercise that he had me practice was to curl in a ball, hold my breath for as long as I could, and roll under the water. While I was under, I felt calm with the sound of the water surrounding me and realized that all I had to do was be a part of the water and enjoy how light my body was in it. I realized that I wasn’t truly afraid of the water. My anxiety was afraid of the water. Once I was comfortable, I was able to swim a farther distance where my legs didn’t touch the floor and a burning sensation of relaxation and relief took over.

This stretch quest made me realize that my fears have been preventing me in succeeding. I acknowledge that I have the tendency to overthink when I’m faced with challenges and my mind tells me that I’m not able to do it. My experience with swimming made me realize that what I believed was not true. I’m looking forward to see what other challenges I am able to conquer.