[Sovalis]

  

Hi Friends,

 

The holidays have been unusually lovely in their simplicity. Unexpectedly, my parents weren’t able to join us, which has resulted in Dave and I keeping the quiet ourselves. This interlude has been so restful and soothing. I am looking to maintain this calm centredness after January 2nd, which is when Dave leaves again for his next work trip. He will be gone six weeks so I will be using my challenge to dial in on my goals and responsibilities for that time. 

 

Framework for the Year:

I have been setting some goals for 2023. Today I wrote up my Level 10 Life spread in my journal. I have never done that before and I think it will be interesting to compare notes this time next year. My areas were: Health (And Fitness), Spirituality, Home, Finances, Resilience, Lagom, Personal Development, and Creativity. 

 

For Health and Fitness, I want to walk 2,023,000 steps this year. That works out to 5543 a day. Over is fine, of course. I also want to continue to work on eating 2-3 healthy meals a day with a minimum of snacks and sweets, and drinking 3 of my 28 oz water tumblers a day. I do much better at these things when Dave is away, so hopefully I can get my feet under me solidly during this challenge. 

 

For Spirituality I am spending time in reflection every day. Right now I am using the Guardians of the Night Tarot to help prompt reflection and I like that and will keep it up. I am also journalling as I feel called to do which I will also maintain. I am not locking myself into the Morning Pages right now. Writing here and in my book is enough. As the weather gets better I want to invest in gardening as a spiritual practice, but that is months away from this deep freeze. 

 

For Home I am focused on tidiness, organization, and decoration. We did so much work to make the house lovely for the holidays that I want to keep that going and fine tune more things. This might include picking paint colours for the bedroom and even getting it painted. Might be easier to do that while Dave is away, although it may not be this particular trip. 

 

For Finances I am focused on debt repayment and starting a little bit of savings. I need to talk to Dave about this and get some goals hammered out that he agrees with, even if that is just scheduled AARs when he gets home between trips to review where we are at. We have been focused on clearing debt quite strongly for the past year and we need to continue with that, for sure. I think I want a chart so we can see if our efforts are paying off in a visual way. 

 

For Creativity, I want to continue my Photo A Day project on Facebook (I think this is year seven or eight), work on drawing and painting, painting minis, even baking. Anything that invites play. I also want to finish writing Tilly’s story this year, ideally before NaNo so that I can start a new project then. I also want to play some video games when they release: I am waiting on Coral Island and Fae Farm for the Switch. 

 

Personal Development includes keeping up with the NF Forums, reading, doing my game prep, and working on Skillshare classes. 

 

Lagom, my word of the year, means “just enough”, and I am using it here to reflect on my sense of balance, contentedness, and mental health. 

 

And my final category, Resilience, is literally adulting and managing alone while Dave is away because he’s going to be gone something like 7 or 8 months of the next year over various assignments. Am I getting the garbage to the curb? Picking up dog meds? Eating real food? Doing Laundry? Keeping the kitchen clean? I do pretty well with most things (I’d give myself a solid B, maybe a B+) but I know there’s room for improvement.  

 

 

Challenge Specifics (Daily):

Walking: 5,543 steps a day minimum. 

Water: 3x Tumblers.

Food: 2-3 balanced meals a day, plus *no* fast food for January. 

Fun: One thing a day, or more if the adulting is done.

Adulting: One thing a day *in addition* to the dishes being done. 

 

I think that is it for now? I am really looking forward to continuing my adventures. 

Thanks for being here. ❤️ 

[Salinger]

Hello Sov

 

Wow, this is GREAT!!! I absolutely love your 2023 goals, really articulate and lovely. 

 

The challenge specific stuff looks perfect to begin with. 

 

Thank YOU for being here also  xx

[Tanktimus the Encourager]

Following!

[Rhovaniel]

Sounds like it was just the holiday season you needed! Following of course  

[Everstorm]

Here for it!

[Elastigirl]

Cheering you on!

[WolfDreamer]

Here to follow and support you. The older I get the more I begin to appreciate simplicity. My return to poetry (especially the words of poets David Whyte and the late John O'donohue) has helped that.

I look forward to seeing how your challenge goes.

[Sovalis]

Hi Friends!

 

Yesterday I had my first ‘perfect’ day in December where I checked off all of the to-do’s on my tracker. I was so proud! I even conquered the walking I have been avoiding! So in the interest of building momentum I got up today and walked again before work. I managed 22 minutes of my ideal 30 before I needed to get ready for work, but I can jump on the treadmill and get more done after I get home. Today is my last shift before my winter holidays. I will return to work January 3rd. I am having some concerns about not being around for that many days in row with the snow removal issues but I guess I will just have to watch the weather and come shovel if we get more snow. 

 

I have not, as of yet, started the map. I will post here and then settle into the pencil sketch while I am at work. I would like to have the pencil sketch done by end of shift today, which is fine as I have ~4 hours and I think it should only take me an hour or so. If I get into a groove I will continue on and go as far as I can. Still can’t pin down all my resistance to starting this project. It’s so strange.

 

A clarifying rule for this challenge: Fast food is anything other than soup or sandwiches and coffee from Jack’s. Muffins count as fast food. This leaves me a bit of grace if I don’t come up with a lunch for some reason because the soup and sandwiches are always healthy and pre-portioned. That said, I am only giving myself that as an option once a week. I need to be good about cooking at home. I want to be bringing coffee from home, but I am allowed to get coffee from Jack’s in the interest of mental health as seeing those ladies helps me be less lonely when Dave is gone. Nic and Bryon will be home while Dave is away, so I won’t be completely isolated, but the rest of my social circle moved away last summer which makes me value my morning coffee shop chat quite a bit. 

 

I think that it’s it for now! Hope you are all winning today!

Thanks for being here! ❤️ 

 

 

 

[MaeradCase]

29 minutes ago, Sovalis said:

Hi Friends!

 

Yesterday I had my first ‘perfect’ day in December where I checked off all of the to-do’s on my tracker. I was so proud! I even conquered the walking I have been avoiding! So in the interest of building momentum I got up today and walked again before work. I managed 22 minutes of my ideal 30 before I needed to get ready for work, but I can jump on the treadmill and get more done after I get home. Today is my last shift before my winter holidays. I will return to work January 3rd. I am having some concerns about not being around for that many days in row with the snow removal issues but I guess I will just have to watch the weather and come shovel if we get more snow. 

Ooh! I think it's awesome you did as much as you could fit time-wise! Do you think splitting into smaller portions might reduce resistance?

 

29 minutes ago, Sovalis said:

I have not, as of yet, started the map. I will post here and then settle into the pencil sketch while I am at work. I would like to have the pencil sketch done by end of shift today, which is fine as I have ~4 hours and I think it should only take me an hour or so. If I get into a groove I will continue on and go as far as I can. Still can’t pin down all my resistance to starting this project. It’s so strange.

I have a drawing I want colored calling my name, but I'm presently postponing. Super relatable. 😅

 

29 minutes ago, Sovalis said:

I want to be bringing coffee from home, but I am allowed to get coffee from Jack’s in the interest of mental health as seeing those ladies helps me be less lonely when Dave is gone. Nic and Bryon will be home while Dave is away, so I won’t be completely isolated, but the rest of my social circle moved away last summer which makes me value my morning coffee shop chat quite a bit. 

This and the pre-portioned lunches are good reasons to justify the occasional visit. Socializing with good people is a great boost to the enjoyment of life. 😃

[Everstorm]

2 hours ago, Sovalis said:

Yesterday I had my first ‘perfect’ day in December where I checked off all of the to-do’s on my tracker. I

Winnings! 🥳

 

2 hours ago, Sovalis said:

So in the interest of building momentum I got up today and walked again before work

Good call!

[Rhovaniel]

A completed to-do list is so satisfying!! 👌 

 

 

Glad you're giving yourself grace with things like coffee. If it's something that boosts your mental wellbeing, it's a good call 😁 

[Gemma]

Coffee chat sounds lovely!

 

I love looking at graphic depictions of my debt reduction progress - it's a little bonus dopamine hit every month  

[Salinger]

HEY!!!! how are you today? xx

[Mistr]

Lovely goals for the new year!

 

Nice that you have already had a day of hitting all your targets. That is proof that you can do this.  

 

Debt reduction is one of my goals for this year too. I have been hiding my head in the sand on this and need to face it.

[Sovalis]

On 12/27/2022 at 1:49 PM, MaeradCase said:

Ooh! I think it's awesome you did as much as you could fit time-wise! Do you think splitting into smaller portions might reduce resistance?

Hi Maerad! I don't know, but it's a theory to test. I think the bigger part of it is not letting perfect be the enemy of the good. I get so hellbent on 30 minutes that I forget that 22 is better than zero. Definitely need to work on that mindset shift. 

On 12/27/2022 at 1:49 PM, MaeradCase said:

I have a drawing I want colored calling my name, but I'm presently postponing. Super relatable. 😅

Solidarity!

On 12/27/2022 at 1:49 PM, MaeradCase said:

This and the pre-portioned lunches are good reasons to justify the occasional visit. Socializing with good people is a great boost to the enjoyment of life. 😃

Truth! 

 

13 hours ago, Gemma said:

Coffee chat sounds lovely!

 

I love looking at graphic depictions of my debt reduction progress - it's a little bonus dopamine hit every month  

How do you style yours? Spreadsheet? Pie chart? Scratch and sniff stickers?

 

11 hours ago, Salinger said:

HEY!!!! how are you today? xx

I'm okay! I'll update below! 💜

 

9 hours ago, Mistr said:

Lovely goals for the new year!

 

Nice that you have already had a day of hitting all your targets. That is proof that you can do this. /cdn-cgi/mirage/e7b063bab9ddc0e9b8a27fb692b4324c1333f2513d741b5ac03dfa9ba4a59a17/1280/cdn-cgi/mirage/e7b063bab9ddc0e9b8a27fb692b4324c1333f2513d741b5ac03dfa9ba4a59a17/1280/https://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/uploads/emoticons/default_cool.png 

I like that proof. It really helps my brain. 

9 hours ago, Mistr said:

Debt reduction is one of my goals for this year too. I have been hiding my head in the sand on this and need to face it.

We were really head in sand until a few challenges ago when I did a deep dive. That was eye opening. We have been doing quite well since then though, I think? We need to check in again. Good luck with your examinations. I hope everything is in better shape than you're expecting. 

 

Hi Everyone! 

 

Today was my first day of holidays and it was weird. I just couldn't shake feeling like I should be at work. I ended up spending the morning drinking coffee and scrolling my phone, which wasn't ideal. In the afternoon I played a bit of Mario Kart with Dave, we went out and checked on Nic's cats, and I did some painting on a set of crystal scatter terrain I've been working on. 

 

 

Then I did my walk. Today is Day 4 of consecutive walks. That feels pretty good. This is apparently my third complete day in December according to my tracker. I'm happy to see those patterns forming up. 

 

 

I haven't touched the map today. That's tomorrow Me's problem. Almost time for bed. The procrastinator is me. 😬

 

Hope you all have the most restful sleeps when next you rest. Thanks for being here. ❤️

[Everstorm]

8 hours ago, Sovalis said:

and I did some painting on a set of crystal scatter terrain I've been working on. 

🤩  Is that a reflective paint, or did you choose different colors for each facet to create that illusion?  It looks fantastic!

[Salinger]

Hey Sov, looks brilliant. 

Hope all is good today x

[MaeradCase]

9 hours ago, Sovalis said:

Hi Maerad! I don't know, but it's a theory to test. I think the bigger part of it is not letting perfect be the enemy of the good. I get so hellbent on 30 minutes that I forget that 22 is better than zero. Definitely need to work on that mindset shift. 

I believe in you! You can do it! I'll try to keep it in practice, too! 😃 (I tend to feel bad about not getting three sets of body weight exercises, but there are days that just is too much, so having the bar at one set allows for bad days to still include exercise)

 

9 hours ago, Sovalis said:

Scratch and sniff stickers?

😂

 

9 hours ago, Sovalis said:

Today was my first day of holidays and it was weird. I just couldn't shake feeling like I should be at work. I ended up spending the morning drinking coffee and scrolling my phone, which wasn't ideal. In the afternoon I played a bit of Mario Kart with Dave, we went out and checked on Nic's cats, and I did some painting on a set of crystal scatter terrain I've been working on. 

 

/cdn-cgi/mirage/dc3e4b2824672aab4ea7a7676ab602051b68e77e304e001fb5471f737a019c43/1280/cdn-cgi/mirage/dc3e4b2824672aab4ea7a7676ab602051b68e77e304e001fb5471f737a019c43/1280/https://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/uploads/monthly_2022_12/20221228_125505.thumb.jpg.cfe9a03aaa3cc7e64e05d1e5eb4fe7a6.jpg

I think that's totally relatable, so don't be too hard on yourself about it. But I hope you find the willpower to set forth on your cool map project. 😃 

Btw, I like the scatter terrain. Crystalline goblin cave vibes.

 

9 hours ago, Sovalis said:

Then I did my walk. Today is Day 4 of consecutive walks. That feels pretty good. This is apparently my third complete day in December according to my tracker. I'm happy to see those patterns forming up. 

 

/cdn-cgi/mirage/dc3e4b2824672aab4ea7a7676ab602051b68e77e304e001fb5471f737a019c43/1280/cdn-cgi/mirage/dc3e4b2824672aab4ea7a7676ab602051b68e77e304e001fb5471f737a019c43/1280/https://rebellion.nerdfitness.com/uploads/monthly_2022_12/20221228_211837.thumb.jpg.2f94099af87109005b89e6a2ed6e02da.jpg

Great job with the consecutive days! And oh my gosh that tracker makes beautiful patterns!!! 😍

Also nice way to keep track of your pulls.  It looks very organized.

[Gemma]

10 hours ago, Sovalis said:

 

How do you style yours? Spreadsheet? Pie chart? Scratch and sniff stickers?

 

I'm a simple girl and I tend to keep up with analog things but not digital ones, so I just draw a line graph in my BuJo every year. Top line is what would be accomplished making minimum payments, bottom is with $X extra/month paid. I get fresh happies every time the chunk I can color in gets biggered.

 

 

 

The crystal terrain pieces are fabulous! 

[Sovalis]

7 hours ago, Everstorm said:

🤩  Is that a reflective paint, or did you choose different colors for each facet to create that illusion?  It looks fantastic!

Hi Ever! It is polychrome paint. I very well could have painted them facet by facet, but I hadn't used these paints yet and wanted to practice my airbrushing, so I went this way. Dave has been printing so many things this past month, the airbrush feels like the quickest way to tackle some of the mountain of painting that is building up. Particularly for the scatter terrain that doesn't need to be super detailed. 

 

6 hours ago, Salinger said:

Hey Sov, looks brilliant. 
Hope all is good today x

Thanks, Sal! ❤️ 

 

6 hours ago, MaeradCase said:

I believe in you! You can do it! I'll try to keep it in practice, too! 😃 (I tend to feel bad about not getting three sets of body weight exercises, but there are days that just is too much, so having the bar at one set allows for bad days to still include exercise)

😂

I think that's totally relatable, so don't be too hard on yourself about it. But I hope you find the willpower to set forth on your cool map project. 😃 

Btw, I like the scatter terrain. Crystalline goblin cave vibes.

Great job with the consecutive days! And oh my gosh that tracker makes beautiful patterns!!! 😍

Also nice way to keep track of your pulls.  It looks very organized.

Hi Maerad! Your consistency is a huge inspiration to me. ❤️ The tracker making patterns actually helps me to be accountable because I really want to continue the pattern and see it appear. Unexpected benefit!   

 

4 hours ago, Gemma said:

I'm a simple girl and I tend to keep up with analog things but not digital ones, so I just draw a line graph in my BuJo every year. Top line is what would be accomplished making minimum payments, bottom is with $X extra/month paid. I get fresh happies every time the chunk I can color in gets biggered.

The crystal terrain pieces are fabulous! 

I love seeing the difference between the minimum payments and what you are putting on. That is really inspiring. Thank you for sharing! 

 

Hi Everyone!

 

It is 12:30 pm and I have been up since ~8:30. I have had a slow morning, but was done my walk by 11:11. I put my shoes on before I got up out of bed this morning and I think that did reduce my resistance to walking, so I will try that again tomorrow and carry on. Strange how little hacks like that can make such a difference! I want to get to my walks earlier in the morning so that I have that habit established before I need to leave for work in the mornings. I have only had one cup of coffee today (before my walk). It is interesting to note that I didn't feel as interested in a second cup once I was done walking. I don't want to say I am cutting down on my coffee intake as any kind of resolution because I don't consider my intake to be problematic at all, but if it saves me those extra calories every now and then, that is okay with me. My coffee drinking is mostly habitual because it is such a love language for Dave. I can function without it, I just like the ritual of a creamy, sweet beverage in the morning. 

 

I am getting close to the end of my December tracker which is pretty exciting. I set up my January tracker and can't wait to get into it. The jellyfish is an epic sticker that came in a book of stickers my Grama got me for Christmas. I knew as soon as I saw it that I wanted to start my year with it. 

 

 

I am at my desk in my office and I have everything I need to start the map. So I am doing that today. I have already walked, so there is nothing else I need to be doing. I am setting my timer for an hour. That is my minimum for today. I will check in here with a sketch update once that hour is up. 

 

And go!

Thanks for being here! ❤️ 

[Harriet]

This year is going to be awesome. The jellyfish sticker is auspicious and pleasing!

[Kishi]

11 minutes ago, Sovalis said:

I can function without it, I just like the ritual of a creamy, sweet beverage in the morning. 

 

Hey, points for ritual. I don't do cream in my tea first thing in the morning, but I do hot and sweet and, I dunno, the day just feels better with that start.

 

Also, gotta say, your checklist pattern is really striking. I legit just stopped on the way down to the reply box and stared in appreciation.

[Sovalis]

1 hour ago, Harriet said:

This year is going to be awesome. The jellyfish sticker is auspicious and pleasing!

Isn't it just? 🥰

 

1 hour ago, Kishi said:

 

Hey, points for ritual. I don't do cream in my tea first thing in the morning, but I do hot and sweet and, I dunno, the day just feels better with that start.

 

Also, gotta say, your checklist pattern is really striking. I legit just stopped on the way down to the reply box and stared in appreciation.

The day feeling better with that start is so important. And thank you! I like it a lot. 😁

 

One hour check in, as committed to! 

 

 

Sorry it's so faint, but it's 2H on Bristol Vellum; I've got to be light so I can ink over it. I'm going to keep going for a bit yet, I think. I'll post an update on a while. 

 

❤️

[Mistr]

Yay for starting your map!

 

I love the painting on your crystals and the pattern tracking in your journal. The pattern really shows how your habits have picked up over the month of December.

[Radost]

Following! Looking forward to seeing the map as you fill it in. 

 

Thank you for sharing your journal pages! I almost never do anything cool with my bujo, because I need it to be absolutely basic and totally disorganized if I'm going to reliably use it, but I love seeing how other people use theirs.