Yesterday was my 29th birthday!!!
I decided that I wanted to be more mindful going into this last year of my twenties. I have a habit of recognizing that I need to do things to better myself and saying what it is I need to do but my follow through track record isn't the greatest. :/
If there is any one point of growth for me this year, it would be to do what I say I'm going to do, follow through with the plans I make, stop making excuses, basically take action, where I have only made lists and plans. I'm hoping that being open about this will make me be more accountable. Yes I'm still going to make a list, but it's going to be public and detailed, so I have high hopes :)
I decided that I wanted to be more mindful going into this last year of my twenties. I have a habit of recognizing that I need to do things to better myself and saying what it is I need to do but my follow through track record isn't the greatest. :/
If there is any one point of growth for me this year, it would be to do what I say I'm going to do, follow through with the plans I make, stop making excuses, basically take action, where I have only made lists and plans. I'm hoping that being open about this will make me be more accountable. Yes I'm still going to make a list, but it's going to be public and detailed, so I have high hopes :)
So here is my list of 29 things to do now that I am 29! (in no particular order)
1. Read: Now, I bet your wondering why this is here since I mentioned that I read FanFiction very, very frequently. Well, that is true, but I also have an extensive library both with physical books, Kindle books, and audiobooks. I had planned to work through those libraries as soon as I had time (one of those infinite summer/winter vacation goals) but it never happened. I need to make it happen! The audiobooks are easy enough if I combine them with exercise and/or diamond painting. I just need to actually do it!
2. Exercise: I know, I know, this one is cliche but its true for me! Moving to remote work back in March and remaining for the rest of the school year going into summer means not a lot of activity for me. Yes, in theory I should have had more time to be active, but I haven't. Probably telling myself that I don't have time because my son takes up so much of my time. But as I learned a few weeks ago when we went on a walk together (him in his stroller), he enjoyed it and even asked me to keep walking! (talk about motivating)
3. SAVE YOUR WORK WHEN WRITING BLOG POST! I just had the worst experience...I had been working on this list for 3 hours, I was on number 11 when my computer decided to log me out of Weebly and left me with only the first two things written. My worst nightmare come true. I apologize now if the entries are not as good as they were originally. Another idea would be to write the complete list in Microsoft Word and then copy and paste it here, at least Word would have saved it. Well, that is a lesson I needed to learn if I'm going to keep up with blogging consistently. I wish I hit save :(
4. Journal/Blog Writing: I’m a writer at heart so writing through my emotions has always been a thing for me. Occasionally, I will pick up a journal and write consistently before stopping because it’s hard to keep up with the “diary like” writing as my life gets busier. I started this blog years ago, but I stopped writing for some reason. I am determined to write consistently, and I will make it happen. The first step is to set aside time to write. The second step is to plan out what I want to write and when.
5. Scheduling: The past few months during COVID, I was working remotely, finishing up graduate school and student teaching, and entertaining my 2 and ½ year old son, I needed to create and follow a schedule to make sure I got everything done. Once I finished, I relished in the break, the relaxation, but I didn’t accomplish much. I can’t deny that following a schedule allows me to get more done. I need to get on track in more ways than one. Even if it is just simply planning what one thing I want to accomplish the next day.
6. Projects/Activities: I LOVE Pinterest and constantly save new ideas for activities and projects to do with my son and some double as practice for when I become a teacher. However, executing these projects and activities has not been consistent. I’m a good planner but I need to start taking action.
7. Disney+: When the world was graced with Disney+, I was so excited thinking about all that I would watch; some things for the first time in years, some recent favorites, and find some new obsessions. I’m sad to say I’ve been quite a let down being so busy with school and everything I haven’t given Disney+ the attention it deserves. I need to fix that because there are old movies and shows and new movies and shows that I should be watching.
8. Lists: Regarding things to watch on Disney+ and Netflix, blog posts ideas, food to eat, exercises to do, and things to accomplish, lists are very important and useful! I’m a writer, I always have paper and post-its around so it shouldn’t be a problem.
9. Taylor Swift (Concerts): I am a pretty big Swiftie but I’m slacking on watching her concerts on streaming services. I went to the Reputation Tour but since it was my first-time buying tickets, I got my friend and I seats right up against the high wall (facepalm). Only problem with that was gaining a fear of heights when I had to stand up to let people by or to dance. I didn’t get to fully enjoy dancing out to my favorite songs so when the recorded concert was put on Netflix, I really wanted to watch to get the full effect. I still haven’t done this, and I need to if it is still there! Also, this year because of COVID, the Lover Fest Tour was cancelled, but she had performed in Paris. This was recorded and released on TV and Disney+ and I started to watch it, but technology issues stopped me, and I still haven’t seen it. I need to watch these if they are still available cuz I’m missing out!
10. Taylor Swift (Music): As I said, I’m a big fan…but not a complete fan. In Taylor’s earlier days I was a fair-weather fan, where I listened and sang along to her radio songs and countdown worthy videos, but I didn’t seek out her music (I wasn’t a big fan of country). When she started coming over to Pop, I started paying more attention. I absolutely LOVED 1989 and everything since then, but I feel like to be a complete fan, I need to fully listen to the first 4 albums, so that’s what I’m going to do! (Note: after looking up the track listings, apparently, I listened to her 3rd cd and enjoyed it)
11. Food: I am a member of WW (Weight Watchers) and I’ve done really well since I began. Unfortunately, COVID presented some challenges to my plans and being busy working remotely made it too easy for me to make bad food choices. I need to stop making excuses because although a lot is out of my control, I do still have control of my breakfast, lunch, snacks, and tracking my points (which I haven’t been doing). Also, I have control of how much exercise I get (which can offset some of the higher point food choices. I’ve gotta get back on track and take back control of my weight loss story.
12. Water: This one is me honestly needed to drink more water. When I was younger, I was told I was dehydrated and got permission to carry a water bottle in school. I’ve had ups and downs where I’ve drank more water, and not enough water. Research has shown the benefits of drinking water and it can only help whether with weight loss or overall health.
13. Story Writing: As I mentioned, I’m a writer, mostly Fanfiction, and I have trouble completing stories. My brain is full of ideas and so are random notebook pages and the Notes app on my phone. Where I have trouble is typing up these stories and publishing them. I keep saying that I’m going to write and publish these stories, but I keep getting in my own way. I think if I schedule a time and specific, attainable goal for each writing session, maybe I will be more successful.
14. Audible Books: As I mentioned, I have a library of Audible books that have been waiting for me to listen to. I used to think that you had to devote your full attention to audiobooks the way you do with physical books. I now know that what makes audiobooks so great is that you can listen to them while doing other things. For me, I could listen while cleaning house, while walking, while doing diamond painting, and while doing other exercise.
15. Diamond Painting: This is a recent hobby that I’ve picked up but don’t devote enough time to it. I just started a new painting and it’s the biggest one I’ve done. I need to set aside time or schedule time to work on it consistently piece by piece.
16. Harry Potter Illustrated Books: I LOVE Harry Potter (if you somehow missed that piece of information lol) so when Jim Kay decided to fully illustrate the series, I was ecstatic! I was lucky enough to get the first 2 books for Christmas, my friend and I ordered the 3rd book when it was on sale, and I’m ordering 4th book (which is my favorite book in the series). As far as reading this beautifully illustrated editions, I’ve looked through them but only read about the first chapter of the 1st book. I keep meaning to sit down and read them, but something always comes up and I still haven’t gone back to them. This is something that I’ve wanted to do and need to make time to do it.
17. Non-Disney+ Movies and Shows: I do have interests outside of Disney and Harry Potter lol. There are a handful of movies and shows that I own, that I’ve noticed on Netflix and on Hulu that I’ve been meaning to get around to watching yet haven’t. I’m never going to get to see them and they may even disappear if I don’t just watch them already. There’s no excuse here, I just need to do it.
18. Pool Exercises: My son is a water bug, so we spend a lot of our summer in the pool. When he is occupied with other family members, it’s the perfect time for me to get some exercise in. I told myself that I would go on Pinterest and find easy pool exercises that I can do with no equipment and print and laminate them to have when the time arises. I need to do this because there are so many exercises you can do in the pool when you don’t have to worry about pesky gravity.
19. Wii Fit: Once upon a time I used my Wii Fit frequently and did the yoga, strength training, and aerobics that it came with. The game kept track of my time exercising and called it “fit points”. I felt so accomplished when I would finish my workout for the day, and I want to get back to that feeling. Many times I’ve made plans and promises to set out my Wii Fit Board in a spot so I can work, set out my exercise clothes the night before, and plug in and set up the Wii so that I can exercise when the inspiration strikes…but none of that has happened. I’m not sure why I keep putting it off, but that needs to change.
20. Chunking: This term comes up when giving accommodations to students with special needs so that they can complete assignments and I think it would work for me. I have this all or nothing mentality sometimes where if I can’t complete the task or a significant part of the task, I will talk myself out of doing any part. I need to look at my end goals and chunk them into smaller, attainable goals. I may even have to differentiate the goals by time (such as this small chunk will take 10 minutes, this small chunk will take 30 minutes, etc).
21. WW App: This app is full of wonderful resources that I should really take advantage of such as tracking my food, activity, and water, with searching for ingredients and recipes, helpful articles to read, and so much more. All of this is at my fingertips when I log in to the app each day and I need to start using more of what I’m paying for.
22. Exercise Videos: Watching exercise videos is something I keep saying that I’m going to do, but still haven’t. Between on Demand and YouTube, there are videos for every level of every exercise I can think of. Even being stuck at home there is literally no good reason why I’m not more active. There are also videos of differing lengths so that if I only have a small block of time, I can still get a good workout.
23. WW Aaptiv: This has been a benefit of the WW App that I have wanted to try out but have not. These are free guided fitness routines and they are separated by intensity. They are all in the 10+ minute range so I would need a chunk of time to do one. I think the time is why I talk myself out of doing playing the routines. This could be remedied by scheduling a time block that would fit the routine.
24. WW Headspace: This benefit of the WW App I have actually tried, but for some reason I never explored it beyond the basic introduction. WW Headspace is a trial of the meditation app and it has the basic introduction, and 4 sample sessions of different lengths, each based around a certain stressful time. I took a meditation class that was offered at work and it always made me feel better so I’m not sure why I haven’t taken advantage of this trial or downloaded another meditation app. I carry a lot of stress, so meditation should be a regular thing for me. I need to put this in my daily schedule.
25. WW FitOn: This benefit of the WW App came on one of the latest updates but I’m excited to try it! This is a fitness goldmine with everything you need to workout from home. It has filters so that you can search for activities by time, intensity, or by the specific activity. It even has categories for “small space”, “with kids”, “no equipment”, “at work”, and “before bed”. I cannot wait to put these activities into my schedule.
26. Yoga: I have tried to get into yoga for years! I tried going to yoga at the Fort with my mom in the summer, I tried yoga on my Wii Fit (which I loved), and I even contemplated going to Hope Yoga for an in-person class. I even have a brand-new yoga mat (since I lost my old one), but its still in the package. I know that yoga would be good for my body and my mind, so I just need to make it happen.
27. Me Time: I am guilty of desiring me time to do all these different activities that will make me happy and lower my stress levels, but it doesn’t always happen. With different day-to-day aspects of being a mom and wife, I am often too tired to do everything that I want to do. I need to fix that and make me time a priority. Along with this I need to stop breaking promises to myself. If I say I'm going to spend an hour on diamonds in the morning, I need to keep that appointment and promise. I hate breaking promises to other people so I need to treat myself the same way.
28. Housecleaning: I work in a school, so I have been home since March, but no matter how much time I spend in the house, I seem to be able to put off regular cleaning. I want to be one of those people who cleans on a schedule, one room a day, washes/folds/puts away laundry all at once, regularly sweeps and vacuums, and cleans everything else on a daily/weekly/monthly schedule.
29. Time: This has been a common trend throughout this list, me needing to make time to do the things that I want and need to do. No matter the excuse my brain comes up with, I can make time so that I accomplish my goals.