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After five years as a bank teller and about a decade in customer service, I've left my job to explore new possibilities. I'll have to put some effort into being frugal in order to make the budget work. Aside from that, I want to make good use of my time. I want to get my apartment and my things clean and organized. I want to get outside every day in this lovely spring weather. I want to maintain my habit of getting up in the morning and of being accustomed to spending most of the day on my feet. To this end, I have a number of specific goals. I'm going to treat this similarly to a six-week challenge, except the duration will be the duration of my unemployment. Firstly, as it relates to diet. My challenge goals have been inching me closer and closer to a 'primal' diet. I have never achieved a perfect record on any of these goals, but my high degree of success has translated into an overall habit shift and a gradual change in my cravings and desires. For the duration of my unemployment, I shall adhere to the following dietary standards every day, excepting occasional moderate lapses for social situations (such as going on a date with my hubby): 1) I shall consume no wheat or fast food whatsoever. 2) I shall consume no sweetened food or drink of greater than fifty calories. 3) Every meal shall be accompanied by a vegetable (or an avocado or a banana). Secondly, as it relates to fitness. My current master quest is to work my way toward being able to do a pull-up, and I've been focusing on a lot of inverted rows the past six weeks. I also recently bought myself a pair of 'zero drop' running shoes and I'm working on acclimating myself to the more primal stride. However, I've had some problems this year with my right hip. I had a mild case of bursitis that mostly went away, but sometimes becomes slightly irritating again. I want to inch my distance back up to where it was last year, but I'm having to go quite slowly. For the duration of my unemployment, I will: 1) Engage in strength building exercise at least three days a week, focusing primarily on upper-body strength 2) Go for a walk or a jog six days a week 3) Spend at least six hours a day on my feet, preferably eight. Bonus points for ten. Thirdly, as it relates to my hobbies and to-dos. I've got a great long to-do list. There's tons of cleaning and organizing to do. I want to call around to all my service providers (car insurance, internet, etc) and make sure I'm getting the right deals. I need to explore health insurance options and what to do about my 401k. I want to do a bit of gardening. My car (and my hubby's car) needs work. One of the jobs I applied to is an outdoor job and I'll need or want certain gear, such as prescription sunglasses. I don't want to spend a ton of money before I get the job, but I want to be prepared to snap up my purchases and go in the event that I do get that job. I'm also participating in Camp Nanowrimo this month, and I'd love to get out my art supplies and mess around with that old stuff for a while. Basically, I want to stay busy and make the most of this opportunity of time. So: 1) I will get up by 7am (okay, 7:20 after I hit the snooze a couple times) six days a week. 2) I will not engage in video games, facebook, or other pacifying distractions until after noon. 3) I will track and share my progress to stay motivated. Fourthly, as it relates to mental health. I believe the exercise, fresh air, and general busyness will go a long way to keeping me from getting too cooped up or demoralized. Additionally I will, 1) Remember to appreciate and pay time and attention to my hubby when he is home 2) Meditate or engage in other mentally soothing activities such as soaking in the bath 3) Keep in touch with friends and family, and play with my pets (birds) 4) Allow myself opportunities to spend time outside the house, even if it does entail spending a little money This is an awfully big list, but then, it's been a long time since I had time off like this. I have no idea how long this will last. It might be just a couple weeks, or it might be a couple months, or more. Let the games begin!