Update on Goals II

Well, another month, so I'm going to keep checking in. Kate is probably right, and I should just pick one or two.  But, instead, I'm going to just look at it all, and remind myself that it's a process and not get down on myself.  Sooooo, here we go (and I'm sorry if this bores you... you can bloop bloop bloop down to 7 if you just want knitting).

Here is the list: 

 1, 12 and 16. Organization - in all it's decluttering; everything it it's place; reduction; recycling; stress-free glory - has not been going well. Yesterday Partner volunteered to go look for a bottle of wine in the garage because, "I don't want you to get stressed or frustrated" about what the garage looks like. He's so right and I'm really not sure what we're supposed to do about it. There are so many wonderful things down there, but damned if I can find them.

2. Stress.... I've got it and it's always festering. I truly believe that some people are naturally inclined to be either negative or positive. And, I feel that I tend towards the negative.  And I know that stress just makes that more evident. I wish I could figure out a way to be better with this, but I am a person that 90% of the time is scanning my environment to figure out what needs to be done. Frankly, it's tiring.  

Today is kind of a bad day, as I received some sad news - I have not decided if I will talk about it here at some point or not - so I think I'm more aware of that negative place as I process today's emotions.  I will say that I have found music to be so helpful as a destressor. In fact, a la Rachel, I'll share that I've been listening to Adele, Live at the Royal Albert Hall which has helped tremendously today. 

3. I am going through mail daily and there is always less paper in the house, but filing and shredding don't seem to get done.

4. I more or less do manage to get the house straightened each day, but it still feels like I'm just keeping up and not getting on top of things.  Oh well, I guess keeping up is better than falling behind.

5. Weight. Sigh. One pound in 3 months, as of 1 March. Things were looking better a week ago, but I found that pound and a few of his friends since then.  I am looking at putting together a multi month exercise plan, as I think I do better with those than playing it by ear.  Hopefully that produces positive results for next month.

6. I am sleeping 7 hours nearly every single night. I've had some bizarre @ss dreams this week, so they haven't been restful hours this week, but I think being strict about bed time is helping with all the goals.  I remember I used to get so much less sleep, but clearly at this stage in my life, I need more so I'm forcing myself to do it with positive results.  I think it's pretty much a habit at this point.

7. I had a very very successful month for knitting in March. Fortunately, one of my goals was not promising to blog more about said knitting as I'm woefully behind - lol! Here is my big knitting project of March. I am so happy with this knit and can't wait to tell you about it... hopefully Sunday??

8. Last month was a good reading month as I finally got back to a mystery series I've been enjoying for years. I found Susanna Gregory's Matthew Bartholomew series at Munro's - a frickin' awesome bookstore in Victoria! Last month I read the 13th book in the series and am currently reading the 14th. If you like 1) British novels, 2) mystery novels, 3) historical fiction, 4) a well written book with amusing dialogue exchanges, I highly recommend this series.  Set in post-Plague Cambridge (1350's), this is the first book in the series, the book I bought at Munro's:

9. Cooking and baking. This is low on my priority list until I feel I'm more on top of things. I'm okay with that and freely let it go as a goal.  I do keep trying to keep local and organic ingredients, but I'm not getting wrapped around the axle about it.

10. To be less angry. Hmm. I'm still very "Irish" in my temper. Probably being less stressed would also help. Partner and I are both working harder to communicate better and for me that is all about controlling the anger and not assigning false meaning or using my "razor-sharp tongue" in place of expressing my feelings.

11. No yoga since January. Since I have some running goals, i feel this will probably not be a priority in my life any time soon. That's okay.

13. We abhor this house. It is too small, not just for all our things stuff crap shit, but just because we're always RIGHTNEXTTOEACHOTHER. I am an introvert, as is Partner. We are happy with our quiet home together. But occasionally, we also need physical space from each other so that we can just BE and not worry about oozing into other people's space. I'd like a room in the house where I could read and not listen to video games or tv.  Or, that I didn't have to see another person moving in my peripheral vision. The only rooms in the house that you can sit in without seeing someone else is the bedrooms. I don't want to go to my bedroom to read a book in private. There is a serious initiative underway to get into our own house and stop renting this house. I want to be able to sit a garden, read a book, and have a quiet 30 minutes. I think we'll all be happier with a different place. So! Stay tuned!

14. Plans are afoot to get a trail marathon in this year. This is a big goal of mine so I feel confident that it will happen!

15. The professional article... hmmm.  Perhaps I should come up with a plan for this.  Rather like the exercise, I think my vague idea approach will not result in actual success.

17. The Buy Nothing in 2012 continues in pretty good fashion. I know that I owe a post just on this even though I think I promised it in January. I recently came back from a great business trip and was very very successful in not buying crap. I bought regional foods and sweets and I may have acquired some supplies for another hobby, but I think it's okay. And, shockingly, the no yarn buying vow remains intact. The WEBS sale was obviously a temptation, but I am very happy with what I have. If I still want DK-this or sport-this, well, guess what? Something similar will be available next year!

Alrighty, that's it for now. Sorry for some of the negativity, I guess I just have some of that today. Thanks for bearing with me.  We'll have more knitting content soon!

Comments

[Partner]

Great post. Now I know what is going on in that beautiful introverted head of yours.

[cmvs]

I think there is something very powerful in giving voice to your goals and taking the time to write them down and read them often. There is definitely power making such a declaration and it's a wonderful first step. So applause already! I hope as you go forward you'll remember to give yourself credit for every baby step along the way! Congrats!

[melissa]

let me start by saying that i think something must be in the air because practically everyone i know is struggling with some form of negativity/depression right now. so i have no advice to give in that arena, just empathy and the knowledge that you are in good company.

i think that you are making tremendous progress on your goals! seriously, if you were kicking butt on all 18 i'd have to wonder if you were a robot or cyborg or something. a lot of the goal you made are huge - and while i applaud your thinking big and bold, sometimes it takes baby steps to get to that big and bold endpoint. and you are definitely moving in the right direction, which in my opinion is all that matters.

i am terribly proud of you, not only for setting so many goals to make yourself and your life better, but for posting and discussing them publicly. you are an inspiration, thank you for your honesty and for letting us be a part of your journey.

ps - love partner's comment.

[kate]

I think you are right, that some people lean more to the negative versus the positive. Bushboy is one. It's been an interesting lesson for me, as I tend to lean the other way. I think acknowledging the lean is what's important, knowing how it can colour our views (both ways).

As you know, I do think these goals are massive! But I think it's amazing that you are willing to continue to look at the list and critically assess your progress - and I know you will get to the place you seek.

[kate]

I forgot to say, wouldn't it be weird if we were in Munro's at the same time?! I used to hang out there a lot when I lived in Victoria!!