March Review / April Things

THEMES FOR 2012
CREATE....................MEDITATE....................MOVE....................MAINTAIN

March flew by just about as quickly as February did. I'm still acclimatising to my new job. They say the job isn't the person, but so many other things have to change when your job changes, that I feel like I've changed in some ways.
So how did I do for my March Things To Do?:

* Complete a small baby project. (CREATE)
At some point I decided that this goal also involved getting out all of my craft patterns and cataloguing them (the baby ones anyway) before I could even start a project, so I got a bit behind! But I did start the Sunlight Baby Tube Scarf and am nearly halfway thorough it.
.... Part Done!

* Finish body of Tomten Baby Jacket. (CREATE)
I got this out and worked on it once, but I'm not feeling very enthused by it at the moment. It's too big to fit a small baby, so there's really no urgency to it. I'm really not fussed at all that I didn't get this done.
.... Try Harder Next Time ....

* Write in my Happiness Diary every night. (MEDITATE)
I remembered to do this nearly every night. It only takes a few seconds to write down 3 good things that happened during the day, but it really helps to re-set my mind to a more positive, relaxed state before bedtime.
.... Done!

* Walk at lunch time, twice a week. (MOVE)
Hm, well. I think I managed to do this twice in all. Things kept getting in the way. (The more realistic among us might call them excuses!) Finally though, at the very end of the month, I bought the sneakers that I thought I needed, I bought the little bag to carry my ipod and inhaler in that I thought I needed, I'm more prepared to take the me-time that I know I needed, so I'm feeling very positive that I can do this next month.
.... Try Harder Next Time ....

* Repair and/or alter all clothes that need it. (MAINTAIN)
I got out all of my clothes from the repair pile (not to mention a couple that needed repairing/altering that I was still wearing!) and tried them all on. I made notes about what repairs and/or alterations needed doing with each one. That was a bit of a job in itself. I didn't actually start doing anything to them yet - I'm feeling a bit sewing machine-averse at the moment - but it's on my list for the Easter 4-day weekend.
.... Part Done!


April is my favourite month! It's not too hot or too cold. The Comedy Festival is on and the city is at its most crazy and exciting. Most of my friends have their birthdays in April/early May, so everyone's happy and excited.
Now for April's Things:

* Make a pair of baby booties. (CREATE)
* Try out my Hama Beads kit. (CREATE)
* Try a new relaxation app every week. (MEDITATE)
* Do my toning workout twice a week. (MOVE)
* Make my home desk more drawing-inducive.(MAINTAIN)

February Review / March Things

THEMES FOR 2012
CREATE....................MEDITATE....................MOVE....................MAINTAIN

February I was in recovery mode. Not much got done! The changes were subtle and hardly noticeable. But I can feel more coming up on the horizon.
So how did I do for my February Things To Do?:

* Finish the 2nd Top Secret Project. (CREATE)
This involved weaving in a huge number of ends, and I hate weaving in ends with a passion! I'm over half-way through that step now, so it won't be long to go. I'll definitely get this project finished by the deadline.
.... Part Done!

* Collate potential baby projects and start one. (CREATE)
It took quite a few nights in front of the TV, but I finally went through all my craft pattern books, booklets, pamphlets and sheets; and compiled a list of projects. I'm currently in the process of transcribing that list onto my Listography page so I can access it from either home or work. I have quite a few yarns that would be suitable, so I just need to match one up with a project and start it.
.... Part Done!

* Continue to meditate every weekday. (MEDITATE)
I continued my experimentation with meditation apps and podcasts. There are so many free resources out there - it's great! I didn't manage to meditate every single day. Probably about twice a week. I need to find a way of encouraging myself to do it more often, without it seeming like it's becoming a chore. I think I'm doing pretty well, though.
.... Part Done!

* Do exercise of choice once every 3 days. (MOVE)
I'm slowly building up to that one. My new job is still taking up the vast majority of my energy. But slowly, slowly, I'm clawing that energy back. Once that energy is divided up between exercise, craft and all my other interests, there isn't much to go around! I just need to be patient and let it all happen in its own time.
.... Try Harder Next Time ....

* Find previously cancelled projects and throw away/recycle them. (MAINTAIN)
I bit the bullet a couple of weeks ago, got into that craft room and just did it! I cancelled 6 projects, recycling the materials for most of them, and simply just chucking one in the bin as it just couldn't be redeemed. One - a sewn bag with a crocheted insert panel - I had forgotten how nice it was (kudos to me!), so I'm keeping it. Two, I want to finish in the long term, but not soon, so perhaps I need to create a new category for them? Either way, this Thing was done!
.... Done!

I love autumn! It's my favourite season!

Now for March's Things:

* Complete a small baby project. (CREATE)
* Finish body of Tomten Baby Jacket. (CREATE)
* Write in my Happiness Diary every night. (MEDITATE)
* Walk at lunch time, twice a week. (MOVE)
* Repair and/or alter all clothes that need it. (MAINTAIN)

January Review/February Things

THEMES FOR 2012
CREATE....................MEDITATE....................MOVE....................MAINTAIN

What an amazing month January 2012 has been! You'd think that life-changing events don't come along very often, right? Well, on the Tuesday I got married, and on the Wednesday I was offered a fantastic job. I bought a lottery ticket on the Thursday, just in case. I didn't win any money, but I think I'm doing well enough as it is!


Packing Carsten's weiner sausages on an assembly line, Tacoma, Washington
My priorities have shifted drastically in the last few weeks. All of my energy in has gone into my new job, but I've managed to do some of the Things I laid out at the start of the month:

* Finish both Top Secret projects. (CREATE)
I did certainly finish the first one, my ring cushion. The second one isn't due yet for a little while, so I'm cruising along a little bit more slowly with it. I'm pleased to report that it's nearly finished, though!
.... Part Done!

* Make list of potential baby projects. (CREATE)
I did make a list of projects from Ravelry which I posted here. I was also planning to go through my (fairly extensive) collection of craft books and pamphlets as well, but I didn't get around to it.
.... Part Done!

* Continue to meditate every day. Try 1 new recording every week. (MEDITATE)
I can't say I meditated every day; I did it whenever I remembered, which was about once every 3-4 days. I guess it's not a habit yet. But I did try a new recording every week. I found some meditation apps which allow you to choose the length of meditation and style of background music/noises, so I had fun trying them out. So this one is
.... Done!

* Play Zumba or Dance Kinect game twice a week. (MOVE)
Um, I did this once the whole month! I've really been exhausted after work every day and, though I did manage to go for a leisurely walk each weekend, this one didn't pan out.
.... Try Harder Next Time ....

* Find previously cancelled projects and throw away/recycle them. (MAINTAIN)
This was another goal I didn't get around to.
.... Try Harder Next Time ....

* Make a list of non-keep books to read. Start reading one. (MAINTAIN)
I made a list of 70 books, and I finished not one, but two! I'm now trying to decide what to do with the books: send them to the book swap at my old work, or join BookMooch or something like that??
.... Done!


Beach near Port Douglas
Things I'd Like to Do in February:

* Finish the 2nd Top Secret Project.(CREATE)
* Collate potential baby projects and start one. (CREATE)
* Continue to meditate every weekday. (MEDITATE)
* Do exercise of choice once every 3 days. (MOVE)
* Find previously cancelled projects and throw away/recycle them. (MAINTAIN)

January 2012

THEMES FOR 2012
CREATE....................MEDITATE....................MOVE....................MAINTAIN

As I mentioned in my last post, I'm reviving the concept of yearly themes. I'm resetting it. Re-doing it. Renewing it. Some people choose a single theme word for the year. For me, that's too restrictive. Others choose a set of goals to work towards. Also too restrictive - my attention wanders a lot, and I have no idea if I'll still be interested in achieving those goals in 12 months, or even 3 months. So I compromise - I choose 4 words/themes, but leave up to interpretation exactly how I live up to those.

This year is mostly similar to last year. I've made two changes. I changed 'de-clutter' to 'maintain'. Moving house last January forced me into a radical purge, so I feel this goal is mostly taken care of. This new word ... maintain ... could mean so many things (and that's just the way I like it!). Maintain a de-cluttered state, maintain a clean home, build on things I've already achieved in all areas of life. Don't lose sight of what's really important.
The other change was one of terminology. I was hesitating because I had a problem with the word 'Actions'. It sounded too cold and business-like. So I'm changing it to 'Things I'd Like To Do' or just 'Things'.

I also learned a couple of points about formulating the Things from last year's experience:

1. Don't pile on too much stuff. I only had 4 themes, but I had at least 5-6 actions to achieve each month. That's fine if some of them take 10 minutes, but if I start to feel overwhelmed, then I'll procrastinate and it won't happen. Life can and will get in the way - sickness, seasonal busyness, etc. Less is better than more. I can always add on bonus actions later.
2. Think ahead. There's no point planning a heavy exercise schedule in a month that's normally scorching hot, or going on a picnic in the middle of winter.
3. Well, this isn't really something I just learned, but it's good to remember - formulating SMART goals. So many new year's resolutions I see are too vague and therefore doomed to failure. For example: 'go to the gym more'. 'be nicer to other people.'
This post has some good advice for formulating better new year's resolutions. (No longer available.)

On to the Things for January:

* Finish both Top Secret projects. (CREATE)
* Make list of potential baby projects. (CREATE)
* Continue to meditate every day. Try 1 new recording every week. (MEDITATE)
* Play Zumba or Dance Kinect game twice a week. (MOVE)
* Find previously cancelled projects and throw away/recycle them. (MAINTAIN)
* Make a list of non-keep books to read. Start reading one. (MAINTAIN)