I tend to get overly reflective during this part of the year. Blame it on New Years Resolutions, the calendar switching to another year to do this or that. Either way, I like to spend my time in January inside: both my home & myself. I used to feel guilty when the hibernation mode would switch on, but now I remember to value and embrace this time spent learning.
I’ve been working hard this month. I’ve challenged my body to do a program I thought I couldn’t hack. I’ve committed, not missing one workout or routine. On Thursday, I will have one month in with the Insanity program, and I’m still loving it. I’ve even begun to care less about seeing the results, as I can feel them now. In my legs. My arms. My overall body. I am stronger and have much more energy than before.
My diet has followed suit with rich and wholesome meals. I’m still scrimping by (as it’s the end of the month), but I took the plunge and ordered Shakeology. I’m reaping the powerful results after just a few days. I even figured out a way to afford this without changing my budget too much. How’s that for a win?
Last night I spent some time making cards. It’s been quite a while since I’ve worked with my hands. I have a few projects on the docket but none too overwhelming: some valentines, a wedding book for a friend, a postcard project. I also want to paint my word for the year (which I will eventually announce). I’m slowly trying to get back into a creative mode of living. It feels good when I am fully in it.
Right now I spend too much time watching crappy TV. Being sick doesn’t help that. I don’t watch much – perhaps 30 minutes to an hour a day. But it’s still time I want to spend otherwise. I have many good books to read (I tackled Junot Diaz’s “This is How You Lose Her” last week – read it!) and these projects. I guess I tend to get lonely doing these things, even with music, and somehow TV fills that empty space. I realize how depressing that sounds, but I don’t mean it quite like it. It’s more that I get to interact with people by watching their lives, even if they’re fictitious. Nevertheless, I think I can still do this by reading books & gabbing on the phone with those I love.
So my short-term goals are quite simple: read more, watch less. Create more, slack less. Live with a more open spirit and mind. If only they were so easily accomplishable as they are to write.
How are you filling the lulls of January?
That’s fabulous you’ve kept up with Insanity so well!
I can’t get enough of books right now. I need them constantly in my hands, in my purse, at least close by me. This is not to say that I don’t still find time to watch far too much TV. Oof.
Kacy, what are you reading?
I’ve been making wine, raising kids, rearranging furniture, quitting smoking, and missing Rose.
Jay! I miss you, too. It’s good to hear from you. I just emailed Jenny yesterday asking when we could get together. We should make it a group thing.
I’m so glad you’ve been keeping up with the Insanity and loving it, plus the shakeology! I seriously love that stuff and when I was doing Insanity full time I could definitely feel the effect it had on recovery from the workouts. Such awesome news Rose!
And I hear you on more reading less watching. I think that will be my goal for February. I have too many books that need to be read.
I just read a wonderful book called “The Age of Miracles” by Karen Thomson Walker. I also just started “Don’t Let’s Go To The Dog’s Tonight,” which I’ve been meaning to read since 2003!
Like Katie, I’ve been reading lots of books (at once)! I’m in the middle of one that I think you would love – it’s called “Quiet”. Maybe we can set up a book exchange/coffee date in Oakland?