November Updates & December Intentions.

[November Update]

Sell things on Craiglist. I listed and sold several items. I sold everything I listed (except for a playmat that ended up as a donation on accident). I did find a few more things (old DSLR, some newborn cloth diapers, a nursing tank) that probably won’t sell locally, so I’ll need to list them on Amazon or something.

Reduce visible clutter. Yes! We got rid of a big load of stuff (The cleaning lady in our building actually took it because her daughter works for a domestic violence shelter. Which means we did not have to even put it in our car. WIN WIN.). Clutter is a constant battle. As I look around our living space right now, somehow clutter creeps back in ALL THE DAMN TIME. WHY. I’m trying to be more strict about the one-in one-out rule and did some ruthless decluttering. More about that later this month!

Practice mindful breathing daily. Most days. A lot of days it was before I went to bed, which still counts, right? Actually, more days it was while I nursing Theo. I just tried to breathe deeply and focus on being here. I even would repeat that in my head “I am here. I am in this present moment.” It sounds a little woo woo, but it helped me to really FEEL present. And at the rate time is flying by, I need to do more of this.

Read a few pages of Everyday Blessings daily. I totally did not do this. I listened to two audiobooks and started a new TV series with Mike instead of reading. I did read it a few nights and enjoyed it, but it’s just not as funny and alluring as Yes Please.

Create a physical space where I can use my phone and only use it there. Nope nope and nope. (Well, some days I tried,  and many days I turned off my phone, but nope.)

Spend 20 minutes a day playing with Gabe. Again, I was sort of bad about keeping actual track of things last month. For whatever reason, it was an off-kilter month and instead of being obsessive about my goals, I kind of…forgot to track them. I did write this on my to do list almost every day (which means it got done!)

[December Intentions]

Work out every single day. I joined Sarah‘s accountability group for working out (run a mile or do 30 minutes of weight training, yoga, or aerobics) every day from Thanksgiving till New Year.  I find I do best if I plan out what I’ll do each day kind of like a meal plan – then I have one less choice to make and the only choice is WHERE I fit it into my day. Unfortunately, it seems like running is going to happen less often since it’s getting dark long before Mike comes home. Weekends are for running*!
It’s been 10 days in a row of working out and it’s been great! I never seem to make myself exercise daily, so this goal is perfect for me. (Except right now I’m sick and just want to lie on the couch. Of course.)

*when it’s not snowing or icy because no. Just no.

Make an advent bucket list – we did this last year and it was fun! One thing I really want to do is make cookies for all the other apartments on our floor. I have a lot of memories of taking bread my mom baked to the neighbors on our street as a kid – rolling our red wagon filled with foil-wrapped packages down the road in the cold – and I’d love to start that kind of tradition with Gabe.

Blog 6 times. I feel like this kind of goal sounds weirdly narcissistic. Like, oh! You are all just HOPING I blog more often and now I shall give you want you want! Not at all – I just love this creative outlet and want to make time to do more of it. I miss writing.

SURVIVE – Gifts, website launches, and many holiday parties. Also, babysitter is a college girl, so possibly less availability. We’re also starting the month with not sleep and lots of sickies. This all collides together to mean: THINGS ARE ROUGH. Let’s just survive. Lots of simple meals and using things I cooked this summer and stuck in the freezer. Shortcuts, ahoy!