February Update: 25 Things I want to Do in 2013

My February Status on the goals and objectives I set for myself for 2013:   (Updates in blue!)

1. Run a 5k
2. Take a Tropical Holiday:         Planning anniversary trip to Kauai in July
3. Hike to Lake Annette and camp
4. Go Kayaking
5. Lose 50lbs:      Down 18lbs since beginning of year, so 32lbs to go!
6. Get 10,000 fans on Self Care Girl:     4290 fans, so 5710 to go
7. Simplify everything I can:      I have been actively cleaning out cupboards and reducing.   I think this is a good start to simplifying- removing the unnecessary, so the necessary can speak.
8. Make a Sourdough starter and bake our bread, instead of buy:         My excuse is that I have not been able to find ORGANIC grapes to make the starter.   Looking for alternative recipe.
9. Continue to maintain Debt Free lifestyle (Focus on mortgage pay down):    We have been looking at homes and considering a move which would impact our pay down.   I have to weigh having a nice, new home with retiring early. 
10. Grow an herb garden
11. Go Sailing
12. Sew something
13. Use my Art Supplies
14. Begin writing book
15. Be the most amazing Matron of Honor EVER:         Have committed to spending one weekend a month focused on the bride
16. Go at least 4 times to see Jake's band play
17. Remove the Mercury from my mouth:           Dental appt March 13.
18. Switch to healthier household cleaners:          Using a lot of white vinegar lately and swapped out my laundry and dish soaps with healthier brands.   Next step is to just toss out all those evil, unhealthy products lurking in my broom closet.
19. Read 12 Books (1 per month):  Almost complete with The Best Exotic Marigold Hotel and re-reading the book Switch (How to Change when Change is Difficult)

 

20. Replace my old furniture:  New bedroom set, ottoman and sofa.

      

             

21. Remodel the Rental Property:             Contractor starts Monday, Feb 11, will be complete and ready for renting on March 1.
22. Re-read Decision Modeling Text Book:         Started this week.   Was actually asked to sit in on a meeting where this method would benefit.  So motivated to read more.
23. Eat Better - Learn more about (and incorporate) more Raw and Fermented foods:  Have increased sour kraut and more pickled vegetables.    
24. Take Weekend Away with My Sister
25. Unplug on Sundays:  So far so good!

5 Ways to Adopt a "Snail's Pace"

One objective of simplifying your life is to free up time and energy so you can focus these on more important things. Simplifying does not necessarily equate to slowing down your life.  Slowing down is something that must be done as consciously as weeding out the unnecessary stuff. 

Here are 5 Good Suggestions to help you slow down:

1) Sit down for meals.    I too am guilty of occasionally eating over the sink-or worse - in the light cast by an open refrigerator door.   This not good for your soul.    Scarfing down food is NOT good for your body.   Take a slower approach.  Set the table.  Chew your food.  Enjoy the flavors.

2) Modify your Morning Routine so you aren't rushing out the door.   Get up 15 minutes earlier and just sit with a hot beverage and your happy thoughts.   Organize as much of the daily preparations as you can the night before- clothes, lunch, breakfast etc.

3) Drive the Speed Limit.   You'll get better gas mileage and you will be least likely to have an accident.   Make zen-like focus your habit when you are in the car.   There is no more important place to be fully present!  Give yourself plenty of time to get there.   If by chance you are late...make a courtesy call your solution; not speed!

4) Take Breaks.   You should not sit at your desk for longer than an hour at a time.   Set your calendar to send you notices each hour to take a break.   Use this time to stretch, use the bathroom, refill your beverage, take a little walk, or simply refocus your eyes.

5) Leave yourself sticky note reminders to slow down.   A few key places to stick these:  on your steering wheel; in a calendar notice (so it pops up on your computer screen); on the bathroom mirror; on the fridge

Let Me Eat Cake

This brilliant picture is by Kelli Nina Perkins.  http://ephemeralalchemy.blogspot.com/2011/07/let-me-eat-cake.html

Woke up early this morning, first day of 2013.

I made myself a cup of coffee and reached into the fridge for a slice of leftover Egg Nog & Rum Bundt cake.  (Breakfast of Champions...)

"Hold it!" My annoying, meddling, do-gooder side interrupted as I sunk my teeth into the cake.
"What?!" I mumbled back...mouth full...innocent...but clearly, BUSTED!
 "Its the first day of a new year!" Do-gooder exclaimed in disbelief
"Uh-huh" I chewed a little and gulped...so guilty. 
"So...how is this year going to be different from every other year?"
I stopped chewing..stared at the cake...and I realized the truth of the matter "It's not."

I fully expect that this year will be exactly like every other year since I cognitively started tracking my years, and change, and bad habits.

Miraculously, over the past few decades, I have managed to improve more than decline...just maybe not always in ways that I envisioned.

This year will not be any different.    I will struggle with my diet and won't want to exercise.  My metabolism will continue to slow as I age.   I will continue to struggle with my weight.    I will incorporate some very good things and I will eliminate some bad things too.   I will try.   I will have set -backs.  I will have successes. I will try again. 

When it is all said and done...I will still -occasionally- want cake. 

One thing is for certain:   I really don't want 2013 to be all about whether or not I should have my cake and eat it too.  (Of course I should!)

Take Good Care!
Self Care Girl

Things I want to do in the 2013

Here is my to-do list of 25 Things I want to accomplish in the new year. 

Research shows we are 80% more likely to reach our goals if we write them down.   Research also shows that we are more successful if we focus on one clear goal at a time. (I will have to keep this in mind). 

I will provide monthly status on my progress...

1. Run a 5k
2. Take a Tropical Holiday
3. Hike to Lake Annette and camp
4. Go Kayaking
5. Lose 50lbs
6. Get 10,000 fans on Self Care Girl
7. Simplify everything I can
8. Make a Sourdough starter and bake our bread, instead of buy
9. Continue to maintain Debt Free lifestyle (Focus on mortgage pay down)
10. Grow an herb garden
11. Go Sailing
12. Sew something
13. Use my Art Supplies
14. Begin writing book
15. Be the most amazing Matron of Honor EVER
16. Go at least 4 times to see Jake's band play
17. Remove the Mercury from my mouth
18. Switch to healthier household cleaners
19. Read 12 Books (1 per month)
20. Replace my old furniture.
21. Remodel the Rental Property
22. Re-read Decision Modeling Text Book
23. Eat Better - Learn more about (and incorporate) more Raw and Fermented foods
24. Take Weekend Away with My Sister
25. Unplug on Sundays

31 Days of 'Elf Care, Tip #15 & 16: Giving & Receiving

Tip #15:  Giving....as in giving away some of the stuff that is cluttering up your spaces and your life is a great thing to do this time of year.  Start by clearing a drawer or cupboard and see if you don't feel heaps lighter immediately.

• Think about first removing duplicates.  How many can openers, pairs of scissors, nail clippers, tweezers, rain coats, etc...do you really need?   Sometimes having one of an item is best.  Having one of an item, and a specific location for that item increases its value to you and the likelihood of not losing it.
• Remove any item that you haven't worn or used in a year.
• If at all possible leave empty spaces - an empty area of a drawer or an empty shelf conveys openness to receive, it is also aesthetically pleasing.
• GIVE away your excess stuff to friends, family and charity.
• After the holiday...repeat!  Don't bring anything new into your home without removing something else.

Tip #16: Receiving....as in receiving things gracefully

• Say thank you.
• If it is beautiful, say so.
• If it is something you always wanted, say so.
• If it is not beautiful-or not something you ever wanted- say thank you and add how happy you feel that the giver thought of you.
• If it is too much, accept it graciously if received in public, speak to the giver privately afterward if you are concerned.   
• If you have received a gift and don't have one to reciprocate, say thank you.  Do not make an apology or excuse for not having a gift, or a promise to deliver a gift in the future.  Do not make the giver feel uncomfortable in any way.  If you want to, reciprocate at a later date. You are not obligated to do this...and please do not feel you need to match with a gift of the same  value, especially if you cannot afford it.  
• Consider always the generosity and thoughtfulness of the giver and always behave with gratitude...that is the true key to being a gracious receiver.

Take Good Care!
Self Care Girl
Holiday 'Elf Care Specialist

31 Days of 'Elf Care, Tip #14: Strive for Some Holiday Imperfection!

One of the best trees I ever had in my home was decorated heavily in low places with clusters of frosted dinosaur gingerbread cookies...as the joyful season progressed, many of the cookies lost legs and tails, or completely disappeared -extinct, but for only a trace of crumbs.

This holiday strive for fabulous memories....not perfection....just let go, and let it happen!

Take Good Care!
Self Care Girl

31 Days of 'Elf Care, Tip #13: Take Some Time To Enjoy the Holiday Preparations

Holidays take a lot of preparation.  If you are one of the holiday organizers for your family, you know how stressful this time of year is...especially because nothing else in life really stops to allow for you to engage fully in those preparations;  everything has to happen in addition to your normal routines and obligations.

Taking some time for yourself right now...a day off from work...or trade an afternoon or two of child care with a friend, so you can engage fully and enjoy those preparations-like shopping, or decorating-rather than just rushing to get the done.

Guard against trying to accomplish too much during one of these sessions.  Choose one or two tasks that can be reasonably accomplished in your allotted time frame.   These sessions are intended to be fun and rejuvenating, not stressful!

Take Good Care!
Self Care Girl