Believe it or not, we have made it through the first half of 2020! Depending on your frame of mind, it’s been complete crap or catalyst for positive change. I’m trying to look at it as the latter.
I realize that I’ve spent the last couple of months resisting some changes thinking that I’ll just hang in until things get back to normal. I failed to realize that “THIS” is in fact the new normal.
It is now my job to figure out what I want that to look like. As adults with jobs, families, friends, etc…we aren’t often afforded a built in opportunity to create significant change in our own world but the pandemic has changed that. I can decide how often I want to go out (with a mask), because I’m at home more, I have the chance to create a home that really speaks to me. I no longer need to use the excuse that I don’t have time. I can be honest and say, “I just don’t want to” (if that’s the case)!
This month’s goal list is reflective of what’s been on my mind and heart. These are areas that I really want to focus on to better MY existence.
Let’s review my goals from last month.
JUNE-in review
HOME
Pantry-clean out-NOPE
Kitchen Cabinets-plates or mugs-NOPE
Carpet Clean-Dining Room-COMPLETED–Since I got my new carpet cleaner, I plan to clean a few areas that are high traffic. This area is heading into the dining room from the kitchen. Just like the hallway, it was disgusting but is now beautiful and clean. Once I get the high traffic areas done, I will tackle the full rooms.
T-shirt drawer clean out-NOPE
CREATIVE
Photoshop Elements class-complete 4 sections-finished 1 section
Monthly Cards-COMPLETED
April/May Project Life spreads-COMPLETED
SPIRITUAL
Continue daily gratitude journaling-COMPLETED
Calm App-complete 1 activity per week-I completed 3 of 4. This was my first experience with the app and it was mixed. When I go to bed, I typically have the tv on with a timer that shuts it off. One night, I decided to use one of sleep features on the app. It was a violin music one and it was way too loud. Even when I turned it down, I found it too intrusive. I did enjoy listening to water, wind, ocean sounds a couple of times when I was doing spa masks at night before bed. I will try other sleep sounds ones as well.
I received the premium level from my health insurer for a year. I want to try to use the different features for mind calming and relaxation.
HEALTH
Exercise 15 times-8 workouts completed
FINANCIAL
Something that took up a good chunk of time that I hadn’t planned on was that I decided to look at my finances and create some financial goals. I created a budget and documented all of my debts to give me a real idea of where things stand. This was something that had been on my goal list previously but fell off because I wasn’t working it.
The start of a new year, month, quarter, week, day, etc…..can often feel like a natural starting point. Of course, you can start at anytime! The start of a new quarter as well as the final 6 months of the year felt like a good time to really challenge myself to work on my finances.
JULY GOALS
HOME
-Pantry clean out
-T-shirt drawer clean out
-Carpet Clean-guest room-the two high traffic areas in here are from the hallway leading into the room and the area by the desk.
-Clean/organize the guest room
These last two goals are very important because (1) this room also acts as my work from home office and it needs to be functional and (2) I have a friend coming from out of state who will be staying with me for a few days this month.
CREATIVE
-June Project Life spread
-Photoshop class-complete 2 sections
-Create 1 digital scrapbook page in the Project Life app. I have been feeling a strong desire to create a more traditional scrapbook page to tell stories about one particular subject or make my monthly project life stories more cohesive. One of my ideas is that I would create at least one page per month and then at the end of the year, I would have documentation of my full year and some special stories as well. Project Life has an app and I have used it in the past (2017) to create digital pages and have enjoyed it. They recently did an update to the app which reminded me of how much I like it. The app is free to use and you just pay to print pages if you want them in hand.
SPIRITUAL
-Daily gratitude journaling
-Calm app-do 2 activities per week
FITNESS/HEALTH
-Workout 15 times-last month I had been focused on walking outside and if I didn’t do that then I didn’t do anything. This month, I’m working with a new mindset which says that any movement counts-walking outside, inside, treadmill, videos, etc..It’s fascinating to me how easy it is to get something stuck in your head and and have it feel like it’s written in stone! As Ross from the tv show says, “PIVOT”!!!
FINANCIAL
Since I have new positive energy about finances, I’m going to continue on this month! I talked in the past about how this area of my life is difficult for me. I accept and welcome all positive attitude and thought I can get from working on this area of my life!
-track spending-I’m keeping track of everything I spend money on no matter how big or small (not bills, those are already accounted for). It’s always a good idea of have an idea of where your non-bill money is going. Also, I’ve read that when you write down ALL spends, you start being more thoughtful about how you spend.
I’m looking forward to the start of this month, the 3rd quarter of the year and the final half of 2020. I feel like I’ve made some good progress this year and have stalled in other places. Later this month, I’ll do a review of how the year has gone so far!
What’s on your plate? Share in the comments.
