JessOfAllTrades Builds

[JessOfAllTrades]

JessOfAllTrades Builds

 

I believe the last time I was here was before the school year started (or had just started). So here I am, end of November and past the first marking period, and I feel like I'm still just getting started getting into the swing of work. This school year has been rough, to put it simply. I am holding up okay, but I know I need to do better if I am going to get through all of this nonsense with my physical and mental health intact. And truth be told I'm tired of being tired and sick all the time, because it leaves me with little energy or creative thought to work on the areas of my life outside of work. And I am not just my work. 

 

Some basic information for people who may not know me - I'm a 31 year old school counselor who struggles with depression and ADHD. I'm planning a wedding, which is stressful but pretty cool, and I eventually want to get my professional counseling license and use my gaming interests for the greater good. I host a pub quiz once a week for fun (but do get paid, which is nice). Exercise-wise I've tried a little bit of everything and generally find weightlifting to be my favorite thing, but even that is situational, as is my general joy in activities. 

 

Right now I have a lot of big goals, but need to do some building in order to have the resources and capacity to work on those goals. So that's the focus this challenge - small stuff, but important stuff needed to get to those bigger goals. And each goal will have a reward because I am a simple creature driven by want and desire of stuff/experiences/things.

 

Goals:

1) Re-Building/Rehabilitating The Body

 

So these past few months have been incredibly light in the gym-going department. I was struggling to get into a routine that worked for me, so I kinda just stopped. Despite the fact that my partner got a gym membership we haven't been very good at holding each other accountable. So right now I'm going back to just focusing on me, and finding something that works and helps my body feel less like a train wreck. I can't take classes at this time, but there's a lot I can do at home while I use my gym time to explore options and potentially work towards aerial silks (there's one of my bigger goals).

 

Daily:

- Stretching/Mobility/Flexibility work

Super important to be flexible and able to move if you wanna do aerial silk work. And, you know, good for life. So I'm going to do this everyday. My pre-challenge assignment is to find a stretching routine I like and can accomplish first thing in the morning when I wake up. My alarm goes off at 5 but I generally do not get moving till 5:15, so let's use those 15 minutes.

 

Weekly:

- Get to the gym

Seriously, I'm paying for this membership. I need to go. For now the goal is to get there weekly, but more often would be preferred.

 

Reward: Aerial Silks Intro Classes (80% or higher on dailys, 70% on weeklys)

Every time I consider signing up I balk at the cost and time commitment (most places that offer the classes are a bit of a drive for me). If I can meet my daily and weekly goal here I will sign up.

 

2) Building Fueling Habits

 

Ah food. My weakness, my one true love, we have such a complicated relationship. I have this tendency to do really well for a week or two and then I let it go and get discouraged. At least I've managed to work off some of the fluff I gained over the summer? I still would like to get rid of more fluff, and in general I'd like to fuel my body in a way that helps me, instead of binging on crap and letting my emotional health serve as my excuse. Not to mention I'm getting to the age where I need to be a little kinder to my body because I no longer have an iron stomach. So while there is a LOT to do here, let's focus on some basics:

 

Daily:

- Track your food

- Eating veggies

- Packing lunch (work days only)

I do well with food tracking, generally, and I need to do better with getting at least one serving of veggies in. And I have to bring lunch to work, because when I forget lunch I either don't eat (and am thus super hangry) or I go out and make bad food choices. 

 

Weekly:

- Cook a meal

Yup. Just one. More ideally, but again, building small steps.

 

Reward: ??? (80% or higher on dailys, 70% on weeklys)

Um. I'm not sure actually. Maybe I'll think of some fun baking implement like canoli shapers or something like that)

 

3) Building in Self-Care Routines

 

I know I need to do this self-care thang. The Mighty had this fantastic article  on self-care and how it isn't always about treating ourselves, but rather sometimes it sucks and it means being a responsible adult and taking care of our shit. And that's really hard when dealing with the malaise that comes with depression. So this goal is going to be about creating routines that will help me, even if I don't want to do it sometimes. 

 

Daily:

- Morning Routine

- Night Routine

- Reading before bed (instead of interneting - Work nights only)

I am guilty of sometimes just falling into bed without doing simple things like cleaning my makeup off. Also, I've missed my evening skin routine the past two days. Routine is good, and even though my nights can be unpredictable, I need to take the time to do some simple things. And I need to cut down on my screen time. 

 

Weekly:

- Skin/Hair pampering (masks, or other more in-depth treatments I don't use daily)

- Take care of nails (cutting, shaping, polishing)

Winter is coming and that shit is harsh on my skin and hair. Also, my nails aren't in great shape since I keep forgetting to paint them (only thing that keeps me from biting them). I got a wedding in less than a year and I want to look and feel my best.

 

Reward: Bullet Journal supplies for 2018 (80% or higher on dailys, 70% on weeklys)

I have supplies to make do for now, but new stuff for a new year is an awesome incentive.

 

4) Building stepping stones to a better life

Gotta make some progress towards my bigger life goals. There's a lot of little stuff that needs to get done, so let's get to work. The big areas right now are making my living space bearable (cleaning is one of my weaknesses), getting job applications done before county-wide interviews begin (we have two levels of interviews in my state), continuing progress on the wedding stuff (we're doing good so far, but gotta keep going), and of course I need to focus somewhat on current work stuff because I am rapidly falling into compassion fatigue/general apathy and that does not look good when job searching.  

 

Daily:

- Unfuck Your Habitat mini challenge

- 30 minutes of work-related frog-eating

 

Weekly:

- Progress on job applications

- Progress on wedding planning

- Unfuck Your Habitat full challenge

 

Reward: Hair-cut/High lights (80% or higher on dailys, 70% on weeklys)

I mean, I need the haircut, but I've been debating balayage for a good year now. That shit is expensive, so if I can succeed in this challenge I will go for it.

[JessOfAllTrades]

Grading:

Made myself a fancy excel sheet tracker in my google drive. You are all free to look here. It's a little long, but I linked each goal and the grades part at the top for easier navigation. I will still post summaries here.

 

Pre-Challenge:

• Goal 1: Find a stretching routine
• Goal 2: Find suitable lunch containers (bento-esque/multi-sectioned tupperware)
• Goal 3: Define morning/night routine and get missing components
• Goal 4: Make to-do lists for job search, work, wedding, and habitat unfucking

Week 1

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

 

 

[JessOfAllTrades]

Slowly getting my goals up. I may get distracted because I have to run some errands before work tonight (off from the day job, yet stuck working the night gig unless my venue decides to cancel last minute due to it being Thanksgiving Eve), but I am planning to work in some pre-challenge goals to get done before the 26th. 

[Stronkey Kong]

Following. 

 

Good luck!

[FatboySuave]

Following! 

I used to co-host a trivia night too a few years back! That sounds like a lot of fun! I'd love to know more about how you plan to use your gaming interests for a greater good? 

[mitch_dee]

You always have such well laid out goals.  Great idea to breakdown your larger goals to the smaller steps needed.  I can't wait to see you knock these all out.

[JessOfAllTrades]

On 11/22/2017 at 8:49 PM, Vincent Van Bro said:

Following. 

 

Good luck!

 

Thank you!

 

On 11/22/2017 at 9:26 PM, Rey of Light said:

Following! 

I used to co-host a trivia night too a few years back! That sounds like a lot of fun! I'd love to know more about how you plan to use your gaming interests for a greater good? 

 

Thanks! Hosting trivia is a pretty great gig. I started doing it because I needed an outlet that didn't involve kids. As for the gaming for a greater good, I've been following counselors who use geek culture in their therapy, or use tabletop games to help teach social and problem solving skills. It seems like a neat way to utilize my interests as a gamer in my career as a counselor (just need to get my professional license first!)

 

23 hours ago, mitch_dee said:

You always have such well laid out goals.  Great idea to breakdown your larger goals to the smaller steps needed.  I can't wait to see you knock these all out.

 

Thank you! Here's to hoping I broke it down enough to stick to it this challenge.

[FatboySuave]

3 hours ago, JessOfAllTrades said:

As for the gaming for a greater good, I've been following counselors who use geek culture in their therapy, or use tabletop games to help teach social and problem solving skills.

 

That sounds really cool! I would totally respond well to that kind of therapy, lol

[JessOfAllTrades]

On 11/24/2017 at 11:09 AM, Rey of Light said:

 

That sounds really cool! I would totally respond well to that kind of therapy, lol

 

I totally agree! For now it's a good excuse to brush up on my DMing skills and to research.

[JessOfAllTrades]

Okay, so being over at my sister's for Thanksgiving threw me off a bit today, but I did get up and stretch. I just need to decide on an actual routine... And make a space to do it, because the apartment is a little messy. I will post my to-do lists and routines in a little bit. 

 

In more fun news, my entire wedding party has responded to my ridiculous party proposal (Partner and I did a giant packet of nerdy memes and gave them dice) and said yes! Now we just need the rest of his side to respond so we can move on updating the wedding website and start making decisions in that regard. Which, here is a running list that will go far beyond the challenge, but:

Spoiler

 

Wedding to do:

• Wedding party responses
• Photographer
• Officiant
• Hotel block
• Transportation
• Save the dates
• Dress shopping
• Bridesmaid outfits
• Invitations
• Engagement photos

 

 

Yay progress!

 

And I guess while I'm at it, here is the job to-do list:

Spoiler

 

Job application to do:

• Maryland counties I want to work for (5)
• Maryland counties Beyond (7)
• Remind current school reference you need a letter
• Apply for PA license
• Pennsylvania school districts near boarder (4 counties worth - waaaay more actual school districts)
• Northern VA counties (5)

 

 

Since applying to school districts can be somewhat daunting, I have it in priority order. Maryland and Virginia have county school district systems, while Pennsylvania would be applying to smaller, township-based school districts. 

 

And here are my routines at the moment:

Spoiler

 

Morning Routine:

• Stretch
• Wash face
• Apply sunscreen/moisturizer
• Brush/Floss
• Meditate

 

Night Routine:

• Wash face/remove makeup
• Shower
• Apply skin routine (serum, eye cream, moisturizer)
• Body moisturizer
• Braid hair
• Brush/Floss

 

Weekly:

• Hair mask/deep condition
• Face mask
• Nail care

 

 

 

So once I settle on my stretching routine and go out to get containers I will be well on my way to hopefully having a good week. 

[Heidi]

2 hours ago, JessOfAllTrades said:

Okay, so being over at my sister's for Thanksgiving threw me off a bit today, but I did get up and stretch. I just need to decide on an actual routine... And make a space to do it, because the apartment is a little messy. I will post my to-do lists and routines in a little bit. 

 

In more fun news, my entire wedding party has responded to my ridiculous party proposal (Partner and I did a giant packet of nerdy memes and gave them dice) and said yes! Now we just need the rest of his side to respond so we can move on updating the wedding website and start making decisions in that regard. Which, here is a running list that will go far beyond the challenge, but:

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Wedding to do:

• Wedding party responses
• Photographer
• Officiant
• Hotel block
• Transportation
• Save the dates
• Dress shopping
• Bridesmaid outfits
• Invitations
• Engagement photos

 

 

Yay progress!

 

And I guess while I'm at it, here is the job to-do list:

  Reveal hidden contents

 

Job application to do:

• Maryland counties I want to work for (5)
• Maryland counties Beyond (7)
• Remind current school reference you need a letter
• Apply for PA license
• Pennsylvania school districts near boarder (4 counties worth - waaaay more actual school districts)
• Northern VA counties (5)

 

 

Since applying to school districts can be somewhat daunting, I have it in priority order. Maryland and Virginia have county school district systems, while Pennsylvania would be applying to smaller, township-based school districts. 

 

And here are my routines at the moment:

  Hide contents

 

Morning Routine:

• Stretch
• Wash face
• Apply sunscreen/moisturizer
• Brush/Floss
• Meditate

 

Night Routine:

• Wash face/remove makeup
• Shower
• Apply skin routine (serum, eye cream, moisturizer)
• Body moisturizer
• Braid hair
• Brush/Floss

 

Weekly:

• Hair mask/deep condition
• Face mask
• Nail care

 

 

 

So once I settle on my stretching routine and go out to get containers I will be well on my way to hopefully having a good week. 

I love the goals you have -- very actionable and centering.

Good luck, @JessOfAllTrades! I'll be popping in on occasion to cheer you on.

[Heidi]

By the way, which UfYH mini are you doing?

My favorite is the Five Things. I used to make myself do this every hour by setting the annoying little hourly chime on my digital watch (ok, i'm totally showing how long ago i started trying to be a Reasonable Person, but it worked!).

 

Love and peace,

h

[JessOfAllTrades]

6 hours ago, Heidi said:

I love the goals you have -- very actionable and centering.

Good luck, @JessOfAllTrades! I'll be popping in on occasion to cheer you on.

 

Thank you! Glad to have you!

 

6 hours ago, Heidi said:

By the way, which UfYH mini are you doing?

My favorite is the Five Things. I used to make myself do this every hour by setting the annoying little hourly chime on my digital watch (ok, i'm totally showing how long ago i started trying to be a Reasonable Person, but it worked!).

 

Love and peace,

h

 

Today was actually one part from the weekend challenge, because I've realized the minis are... Very mini. I think the Five Things one is excellent for repetition and I can see myself using that one a lot on week nights.

[JessOfAllTrades]

Nothing says going back to work after a break like already being aggravated? At least today was a pretty good day challenge-wise. Didn't track my food, but otherwise did pretty well on my dailies. 

[JessOfAllTrades]

Alright, so while day 1 went well, some things didn't go so well for day 2. I managed to get some things done, but definitely did not complete all of my dailies.

 

Work was rough. We had the county crisis team in due to a staff member passing away, and as a member of that team and the school-based student support person I did a whole lot of organization and facilitating. After the team left I was immediately called in for a risk assessment on a student and it all just left me feeling emotionally drained. So I'm trying not to beat myself up too much, because a lot of good happened yesterday, and the fact that I managed to get some of my dailies done, plus was able to pick them all back up this morning, counts for something. I'll get into the swing of things as time goes on. Basically last night I went to bed at 8:20 without reading, doing my night time routine, or doing school work. I was that worn out. That isn't the norm, so I'm going to just keep on moving.

 

But hey, tracked my food and only just barely went over my calorie goal. And sugar was waaaaay down which is pretty rad.

 

I've been updating the excel sheet as I go, but I will try to post a mid-week check here on the forums.

[alannamoonlight]

Your organization of your goals and your documentation is really inspiring! I relate to the "just get there!" feeling in terms of the gym; I have about the same goal for this challenge. It's amazing how much grown-up life can eclipse the gym and make it feel like another errand...

[FatboySuave]

4 hours ago, JessOfAllTrades said:

So I'm trying not to beat myself up too much

 

This right here! I find it really hard to do myself, but so important.

[JessOfAllTrades]

6 hours ago, alannamoonlight said:

Your organization of your goals and your documentation is really inspiring! I relate to the "just get there!" feeling in terms of the gym; I have about the same goal for this challenge. It's amazing how much grown-up life can eclipse the gym and make it feel like another errand...

 

Much agreed! I know it isn’t actually an errand, but man does it feel like it sometimes. 

 

5 hours ago, Rey of Light said:

 

This right here! I find it really hard to do myself, but so important.

 

Beating myself up is definitely the title (or at least subtitle) of my autobiography. The few good things that did happen I have playing on repeat in my brain, but so far it hasn’t stopped the gloom parade.

 

And here I am trying to eat my 30 minutes of work-related frog-ness. It is painful, but I am trying. Paused my timer to come update the thread.

[JessOfAllTrades]

So realization while stretching this morning - Good lord my hamstrings are tight. My back leg muscles in general have always been tight (apparently this is a common soccer player development even though it has been a good 13 years since I've played on a team?), but like, I couldn't do a forward bend to save my life. So I'm considering adding some stretching at night as well and picking adding some targeted stretches. So tell me your hamstring-stretching secrets, nerds.

[FatboySuave]

Do you do any stretches after working out? I find that doing a proper cool down is super critical to helping me stay limber and for reducing soreness. A nightly stretch sounds like a really good idea!

[JessOfAllTrades]

21 hours ago, Rey of Light said:

Do you do any stretches after working out? I find that doing a proper cool down is super critical to helping me stay limber and for reducing soreness. A nightly stretch sounds like a really good idea!

 

I do! .... Ya know, when I actually work out. D: I am definitely thinking of adding the night time stretch.

 

So important lesson learned yesterday - Wednesday is no good for my dailies. And my dailies may need to shift down to most of the week-ies. 30 minutes of work-related frog eating has an awful impact on my mood when doing it daily. Especially those days where I worked my ass off in the building and need some down time. Also, when I initially wrote the challenge I was being a little too optimistic. I forgot how difficult it is to function on Wednesdays with job number two keeping me out till 11. So I am going to take Wednesdays out for most of my dailies, and perhaps set a number of to complete per week instead of just insisting I do certain tasks every single day. Some can stay as dailies (food tracking, routines, etc), but others are going to shift down. Which I will figure out based on how the rest of this week goes. 

 

Actual numbers check in to come.

[JessOfAllTrades]

1) Re-Building/Rehabilitating The Body

Spoiler

 

Daily:

- Stretching/Mobility/Flexibility work (5/7)

Weekly:

- Get to the gym (0/1)

 

 

2) Building Fueling Habits

Spoiler

 

Daily:

- Track your food (3/7)

- Eating veggies (4/7)

- Packing lunch (4/5)

Weekly:

- Cook a meal (0/1)

 

 

3) Building in Self-Care Routines

Spoiler

 

Daily:

- Morning Routine (5/7)

- Night Routine (2/7)

- Reading before bed (1/5)

Weekly:

- Skin/Hair pampering (1/1)

- Take care of nails (0/1)

 

 

4) Building stepping stones to a better life

 

Spoiler

 

Daily:

- Unfuck Your Habitat mini challenge (2/7)

- 30 minutes of work-related frog-eating (2/7)

Weekly:

- Progress on job applications (1/1)

- Progress on wedding planning (0/1)

- Unfuck Your Habitat full challenge (0/1)

 

 

 

 

[JessOfAllTrades]

Final Grades
Week 1
Goal 1	Percentage	Pass?		Goal 2	Percentage	Pass?
Stretching	100	Yes		Track Food	57	No
Gym	100	Yes		Eat Veggies	100	Yes
				Packing Lunch	80	Yes
				Cooking	100	Yes
Goal 3	Percentage	Pass?		Goal 4	Percentage	Pass?
Morning	86	Yes		Unfuck Mini	43	No
Night	43	No		30 Minutes	29	No
Reading	20	No		Job Apps	100	Yes
Pampering	100	Yes		Wedding	100	Yes
Nail Care	100	Yes		Unfuck Fll	100	Yes

 

 

Alright, so I am definitely adjusting my dailies a bit. So this may shift. Overall it wasn't a bad first week, just need to prioritize a few areas.

[JessOfAllTrades]

Emailing photographers is exhausting. 

 

This week is going poorly at work, so I front loaded a bit with gym and wedding stuff. I'm also being a little flexible with my routines (shower can be morning or night depending on my mood). I had planned to do job applications too, but I'm running low on steam tonight. And not feeling my best emotionally, which isn't helping. So I can't say how much work-related frog eating will happen since work has been so stressful. 

 

Oh well, there's still much of the week to go.

[alannamoonlight]

Oh neat "final grades" chart! I haven't popped in to NF for a while so I'm a bit behind everyone I was following along with but I like how you're keeping that record. Good on ya for the self care success!