Sleep and general well-being are where it's at this challenge 💛

I'm still crashed. But Mr Harriet and I went to a couple of furniture stores to see what was available, since the move to Munich will happen at the start of February. And the architect, who doesn't usually do private residences, as part of his agreement with Mr Harriet, wants to photograph the whole place for his profile, so we need the place to be furnished before we move in. So I cannot just move in and sit on the floor for six months before buying a $15 chair from amazon. I am not allowed to buy amazon chairs. Although I suppose they can bring some of their own stuff to photograph if they don't like what I choose. So I could buy this footstool:   Anyway, I spent the last few days making digital drawings of how I might arrange my room and what furniture I might want. I like discussing colours and things with Mr Harriet. As for my room, I haven't been using my desk much in the last year. The desktop computer is gradually dying, and since I learned about the POTS I prefer not to sit up at a desk if I can help it. So I am wondering if I could have a low coffee table and armchair in my room instead. I was thinking of using a laptop/reading/knitting/digital painting either on the armchair, or maybe sitting on the floor for some of the day. We also had therapy today. Mr Harriet is coming closer to accepting that he will not have children. He was able to express regret and sadness at this. He mentioned that he does not envision his future without me, and that he is choosing me over having children. Not that he feels like he has made a final decision. He also got his stitches out. He is going to have a noticeably scar over his eye. But more concerning is that his hand still hurts a lot, two weeks later.

Now that vacation is officially [and sadly] over, it is time to buckle down again. My goals have not changed all that much, only becoming more refined. I don't want to overwhelm myself during an already overwhelming time with busy season at work, vacation and holidays, and other life goings on so I'm aiming to just be a bit more focused.   Part of this challenge isn't to go hard - it's about consistency. Yes, I want to focus on my goals, but I'd rather be consistent with them than allow life to disrupt my flow. I've included some extra Spirituality stuff since this is the time of year I feel most connected and can start looking inwards. Meditation is aimed at slowing things down. Life tends to get too hectic too fast and it feels so go-go-go. I want to live a softer, slower life. Balance between pushing hard for my goals and living softly in tune with Nature and the turning of the seasons. Reading, too, is aimed at slowing down. I've been very consistent with reading before bed every night (except on vacation, I found various times to read through the day, though). I'd like to continue that and even expand on it to read outside of my normal bed routine as a way to slow down and savor just existing. I may be existing with a good book, but I'm not running around frantic and that's a huge deal for me!   The Goals:   Workouts: Build Muscle - stay consistent with routine Monday: Legs - quad focused Tuesday: Back & Biceps w/shoulder - goal is 1 unassisted pullup by Dec 31st Wednesday: Chest & Triceps w/shoulder Thursday: Les Mills Body Pump Class or cardio (rowing, running/walking) Friday: Legs - booty, hips, hamstring focused Daily walks (M,T,W,Th,F,Sa,Su) - outside with dogs when weather allows. Cold is not an excuse to stay in - bundle up, buttercup. [We are in central Texas, something’s very wrong if it gets too cold for the dogs, especially this time of year]   Macros: Coach-led but request to eat maintenance or build to surplus for muscle gain. TBD Hit each macro within 10g of goal 30-35g fiber daily Whole foods - minimize/avoid processed foods Meal prep dinners for the Man and I. Discuss with him about meal prepping lunches as well. 128oz water [1 US gallon/~3.8L]   Reading: Read a chapter a day of any book. This is typically my nighttime routine before bed to read. Maintain this habit. Include extra reading where possible and focus on non-fiction for additional reading. I have a pile of “self-help” books I need to read sitting on my desk waiting.    Journaling: Continue my daily Witches Planner journal. Add in additional journaling as needed to assist with any mental health, non-fiction reading reflections, journal prompts, or just free-flow to release.    Meditation: Re-introduce daily meditation. Use guided or timed meditations as needed. Focus on increasing time whenever possible   Spirituality: Maintain Greet the Day, Coffee Intentions w/ gratefulness, Full/New Moon Rituals, and improve Sabbat Rituals. Each week choose a daily spiritual ritual to practice to determine if it is worth incorporating long-term or not a good fit. Continue this until life is fully magical.  Alchemy: Continue what the Man calls “Witchy Creations” by creating muscle balms and oils, skin care, and other health-focused alternative solutions as needed and to help transition from the chemical-laden commercialized products.

That does sound delightful! My oldest (6yo) LOVES cranberries. We should look into incorporating them into baked goods

I am here, supporting! I'm glad you can see the glimmers of life 💜 they may be fleeting, but they're so beautiful

I really really really love this. I'm glad you're setting boundaries with yourself. Rest is Good. May your Library Cat Naps be infinitely restorative 💜

I no longer believe I can diet, exercise, and self-improve my way out of my illness. So I've thought about how I should approach my challenges from now on.   Firstly, my goals should be things I can do even when crashed. Otherwise, I will be inconsistent and make no progress. Secondly, I should choose habits with some immediate payoff, in order to start rebuilding my belief in the connection between effort and reward. Thirdly, stress reduction and mind body practices seem to be critical to CFS management. So I’ll start at level 1 again and track:   Very short walks at least 5 times per week to reduce pain and enhance sleep and general wellbeing. Also an opportunity to listen to music. Very short meditation at least 5 times per week. A few moments of calm in which to reforge the mind body connection. Brief stretching before bed at least 5 times per week to reduce pain and make sleep more likely. Also a mind body practice.   I'll try to enjoy these activities and be mindful of how they feel. Together with kindness, gentleness, and acceptance toward myself, that’s it. I'll be doing other things, of course, but not tracking them.  

Welcome! Fetch a cup of tea from the Eternal Teapot on the woodstove and grab a book or a blanket or both. 

Greetings again, fellow West Marcher! Love this challenge, especially that tracker (Nerds gonna nerd, what can I say?)   Hear hear! I felt this.   More swords!   Here to cheer. ❤️ 

Hallo--I've seen you 'round the forum, but I don't think I've ever actually followed one of your challenges. Since books and cats are two of my favorite things, this seems an opportune time.     Hmm... I've never seriously considered pre-bed exercise. Even in small amounts like you describe. I may have to think about this for my own challenge.