Well technically I’ve always been making monthly goals. But even more so, I just back from a vacation… vacations have a way and making me more inspired to review my habits & goals. And sometimes you need to write down your intentions and get re-acclimatized to your dreams.
Here are my August Goals & my current status as of the first full week of the month.
Drink 3L of water: I added a habit tracker (little water drops to track every water bottle of 500mL) to my planner for every day. So far I’ve gotten to 2.L a few days.
Make art daily: not hitting this one yet. The plan was to either paint, photograph, use procreate or blog. And so far all I have excuses. Will try again this week.
Forrest walks: again not there yet. My workday is a little crazy (side note: talking to my leadership about that this week to make sure I’m putting my career goals and professional brand first – and to have more space in my day to take walks in a forrest)
Daily Journaling & Mediation: 7 for 8 so far!
Read 2 books: I recently finished Verity and I’m now reading The Secret.
Share my art weekly: Promising myself that I will share a procreate piece this week!
A few days ago, I realized that it had been some time since I picked up my camera and take some creative shots. So I set up some items around my house, put on a cute outfit and cleaned up my desk to get some photography.
Sometimes I hold myself back from 1) actually taking the time to create with my camera and then 2) sharing it here on instagram. And I’m not entirely sure why. I think creativity was meant to be shared with the world. That doesn’t necessarily mean friends and family will like it or even agree with it – which is OK (I’m being taught this lesson over and over by different situations).
Also part of the creative process is taking some rest so you can come up with the crazy ideas that you plan to execute on. So picking up my camera after a few months of rest is something I need to give myself grace about.
With all that said, most times it’s the voice in our head is what’s stops us from doing the things we know will nourish our soul. So I’m sharing 5 things to quit this week which helped me get out of my creativity rut!
Staying in your comfort zone: Sometimes I think “it’s just easier to not shoot photos because then I don’t have to worry about them looking terrible”. And although this thought can be comforting, it’s actually creating more harm than good. Be consistent and be comfortable getting out of your comfort zone.
Overthinking: Ruminating, spinning, wondering why you did something a certain way or wishing all together you hadn’t done something at all. Such a terrible habit and so defeating to your self esteem. Instead, let your mind think about the thought/situation, ask yourself if it will matter in 5 years (in most cases it won’t) and then let your mind consider what was one good thing that came from the experience.
Sacrificing your own happiness/mental well being for others: This is a simple and obvious one. It takes time to realize that you don’t need to be responsible for anyone’s happiness but your own.
Being afraid of being different: If you want to wear the hoop earrings – do it. If you want to compliment someone – go for it. If you want to be off camera during a meeting while everyone is one – don’t let it stop you. This one came in waves this week but you accepting yourself/your decision is the most important thing.
Ignoring your purpose: Whenever you hear that voice in your mind saying “you should pick up your camera/paint brush or take those dance lessons or spent an hour writing” don’t ignore it!
The last few weeks have been have been strange for me in terms of direction and focus. Something must be said for following your inner knowing…because I find myself returning to thoughts I’ve always had about my purpose and my work, which to me means – that I’m still on a journey (and I just got side tracked – again lol).
Readjusting my aperture is what I call it (photographer here, and that play on words was absolutely necessary). I know that I’ll be constantly reminded of what I am meant to do so long as I’m not doing it. Kind of like you’ll keep receiving the same lessons until you finally get the message #ThankYouUniverse!
adjusting my aperture
I think it’s okay to lose your way or to get distracted because I’m a firm believer that you’ll always hear a voice and be nudged back on to your path. So I think it’s important to lean into that voice and let that nudge guide you.
This post will also serve as is a reminder to myself that I’m still in progress. (And hey if you need it – take this as your sign too).
So in the spirit of having the right mindset and getting myself to realign to my goals and reprioritize what’s going on in my life, I’m sharing 21 reminders from 2021.
Important to note: this list is evergreen – these reminders apply to ALL areas of your life. Purpose, Career, Healthy Lifestyle, Productivity, Good Habits, Social Life, Personal Projects, Building a Business…seriously I could go on!
What we need to take away is that it’s always about the journey, that we can always re-adjust our focus and that it’s totally OK to start again.
Everything we experience, will come in peaks and valleys
When you think you’ve been buried, you’ve actually been planted so get ready to bloom
Success is rarely achieved over night
The fact that you are trying, is in and of itself hard
When you need to plan something or find that you aren’t balanced – try the 3 bucket principle
You’ll never be the same woman again, so celebrate with her everyday
Breath and be grateful (every hour if necessary, which sometimes it is necessary)
Make art, it soothes the soul
Don’t put your energy into only one thing because if that one thing goes sideways you’ll feel lost
Never expect your first draft to be the best version
Balance is key
If it was that easy, everyone would be doing it.
Good things take time (instant gratification is something we need to break free of)
Enjoy your success, Learn from Failure – and remember anything can happen
Never let the internet fool you (everyone has a chapter they won’t read out lout, and some have a chapter they will never even write)
When in doubt, go for a walk in nature
Always appreciate the therapeutic power of putting pen to paper and letting everything out
Find ways to learn, especially when things seem out of your control
Pomodoro timer as a productivity hack for the win
When you fail to plan you plan to fail: Goals for the year, milestones for the quarters, activities for the months, tasks for the day
Last week I celebrated my 39th birthday! I took the day for myself and did all the important things that matter to me to me most. Outside of regular adulting/mom duties – here is how I spent the day…
I woke up, meditated & journaled.
Ran 15.6km (exactly 39 laps around a highschool race track*)
Went grocery shopping and donated it all to the food bank.
Picked up my birthday freebies at Sephora and Starbucks
Came home read a little then watch SATC
After school, the fambam sang happy birthday and the girls ate cupcakes
So thankful I was able to get out for a run on the first day of the year. Running in the colder temps is a new thing I started doing and I never want to look back.
The dreadmill is near and dear to my heart but winter running, snow, bare trees and crisp air has it’s own charm. And 👏🏽 I 👏🏽 am 👏🏽 here 👏🏽 for 👏🏽 it!
Happy 3rd birthday to my sweet Miss S. I spent some time reading the cards I wrote you in previous years and I am excited that the pile of yearly birthday cards is growing :) Had fun surprising you this morning with balloons in your room, singing happy birthday to you at 6:50am and for your reaction to your gift (that you still have to grow into). Excited to celebrate later today and this week. I love you!
