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May 2021 Goals
So, another big change. I was regretting my new job from basically the beginning. And I kept trying to talk myself into staying or at least staying until I got another opportunity. I hated it and actually think some really unethical stuff is going on (remind me to never work for the government or anything to do with it!). I called my old boss and asked if I could go part time (I had been doing a few hours for them still, so doing a job I hated and working around 50 hours), and I think I have 2nd job lined up. But obviously settling all of that is really the major goal and as my finances are going to take a huge cut (people don’t be dazzled by the money, don’t jump in blind, I don’t really regret this, I feel like it gave me some independence back, but still a learning experience), and I have been too detailed for my erratic personality, I’m going to make this month’s list simple. Oh, and yeah, since we also significantly into May.
I’ve gone to my parents and this weekend to my grandparents to pick up packages (don’t trust here), do laundry and/or family birthday stuff plus had a vet visit and other errands for almost every single weekend day in addition to working about 4 hours on Saturday. I have something this Saturday and Sunday too, but at least I won’t be working. I’m hoping to get a job balance that is NOT 50 hours. And hopefully no family stuff until, wait there is Memorial weekend. I was going to say the 4th. Nope. I know there are a million people in my family so birthdays are a lot, but we used to combine the ones for April and May like we did the 6 (!) in August. I was trying to find out how often people who are on their own and within driving distance see their family.
- Figure out the job, finances, and work-life balance situation.
- Pay off some debt, save, get my net worth back up!!!!!! I’m SO glad I started doing a net worth exercise this year (excluding my teeny, tiny 401k, I have so little for retirement I’d better not do anything stupid to dip into that and pay penalties; I’m just measuring debt, savings, bank accounts). I did March and April together a bit randomly (hello wake up call), stupidly thinking I’d come back up from the dip I knew I took, um, no, I’m in the red. Yeah, really need to stop with so many installment payments. Seems obvious but STOP spending, I don’t have the money right now! And clearly I didn’t earlier either.
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File state taxes. These would have cost extra that would have taken my tiny state refund away, so I didn’t file state with federal, so I’ve been procrastinating on paper filing. I’m assuming there was an extension this year, but I don’t know how long.
- Finish organizing my apartment, at least so that it’s not visibly messy. Try to get into better cleaning habits. As I’m able to get more organizing baskets and to more specifically organize, make sure I’m also streamlining my stuff.
- Sell some stuff (sell rest at apartment yard sale next month).
- Use up stuff, like beauty items (do I really need three shampoos?) and yarn.
- Finish a baby blanket as part of using up yarn (we’ve had/will have 4 babies (3 girls thus far) in the extended family, I know I have yarn for two girl blankets and a neutral, but I’d like to NOT buy yarn and use up what I’ve had if possible).
- Read and then return or giveaway all the books on my nightstand (books I own but haven’t read and may not keep).
- Start exercising more consistently.
- Work more consistently on obedience training Bjorn. Work on crate and potty training. Little goober is almost 5 months, he should be able to hold it for longer than the two or less hours he currently is!
- Try to get better a blogging, get a bit ahead.
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Start that significant private project.
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March Goals 2021
Yeah, so I know it’s halfway through March. It’s kind of a holding month for me. I really feel that I can’t do anything big until I move out, so I really need to start working on habits. A lot of things are going to be the same for last month, just simplified.
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Bjorn Stuff
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Get the rest of his health, grooming, and fun stuff
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Work on the feeding system and plan
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Really work on the potty training
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Maybe start of the command training? It’s a little early, so research
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Moving Prep
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Try to sell stuff, especially large stuff, before I leave, clear out and list fridge a week or two before, computer, etc.
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Go through Mom’s recipes and get some meal plans in place
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Plan container garden
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Health
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Start doing simple exercise and stretching
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Work on getting to bed by 9:30
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Work on my Staywell
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Work on morning and evening routine, digital limits and controls
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Website and app blockers during week and Sunday, only sat can I read blogs, social media, watch youtube
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Night time needs to be puppy time, walk time, craft time, and reading and wind down
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Career
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Private goal
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Really work on Codecademy
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Self-Improvement
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Work on lateness
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Work on no gossip, politics, complaining, cussing, exaggerating set up
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Work on Spanish
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Work on habits
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Work on training and grooming and caring for Bjorn (see above)
- Start planning for 2nd quarter
- Work on blogging, using up drafts and planning to cover a lot of April since I will be swamped
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Finances
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Financial Goals Before I Move into New Apartment
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Have all funds for Bjorn’s shots, meds, supplies, and neutering, buy rest of purchases
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Increase income streams?
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Sell some more stuff, furniture, fridge, comforter, etc.
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Pay off debt
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Build up checking account balance
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Buy exercises items
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Work on Saving enough for laser, dermatologist, orthodontist
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Have all apartment fees ready in account by end of the month
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Build back all savings
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Buy printer
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Buy security system
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Have almost everything I need for my house and some money towards purchasing groceries, toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies, particularly low waste items
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Beauty
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Research what is open in terms of facials
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Get back on track with skincare
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Work on body care and sunscreen reapplication
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Work on pedicure habit
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Crafts
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finish Mom’s gift
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Finish niece #2 blanket
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Finish niece #1 gifts (Frog and Toad and maybe Francis)
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Work on 3 more family baby blankets
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February 2021 Goals
Set Up for the Month
- Get into an apartment, call that one place every single weekday and Saturday!!!!!!!!! The apartment I want doesn’t have a wait or call back list (ugh!). I’ve not got a lot of great options plus would prefer to stay in one place for years until I can seriously upgrade or have a better opportunity elsewhere.
- Set up easily maintained habits.
- Get a weekend job.
- Once in the apartment look for a better paying job, preferably with fewer hours.
- Finish setting up digital limits and controls.
- Set up news controls/limits.
- Memory journal setup.
- Digital clear out.
Health
- Parsley health (change to when I’m in my own place for privacy purposes).
- Therapy.
- Sugar and dairy fast (maybe next month/in my own place do elimination diet, sugar controls. If I have to keep restarting this all the time to have any control over my sugar consumption, if that is what it takes, I will do that.
- Start doing simple exercise and stretching, get a Fitbit or something.
- Work on getting to bed by 9:30 (if in my own place even earlier, I’d like to get up at 5:30).
- Work on morning and evening routine, digital limits and controls.
Career
- Remind to be taught more AP.
- Private goal #1.
- Private Goal #2.
- Set up tech learning plan.
Self-Improvement
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Continue to work on lateness.
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Work on no gossip, politics, complaining, cussing, exaggerating set up.
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Work on Spanish.
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Work on habits.
Finances
- Increase income streams.
- Pay off debt.
- Build up checking to remain at certain amount.
- Buy CodeAcademy pro.
- Buy exercises classes and materials, one event, Kindle (if it goes on sale), and Fitbit.
- Save enough for laser, dermatologist, orthodontist.
- I need one month’s rent, pet deposit, pet purchase money, and security deposit.
- Build up savings and emergency to at least a certain amount.
- Increase all savings.
- Buy certain significant purchases.
- Pet supplies.
- Have almost everything I need for my house and some money towards purchasing groceries, toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies.
Learn to Live
- Schedule one thing.
Beauty
- Research what is open in terms of facials.
- Get back on track with skincare.
- Work on body care and sunscreen reapplication.
Crafts
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Make Valentine Decorations.
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finish Mom’s gift.
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Finish Georgie’s gift.
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Finish Harper’s gifts (Frog and Toad and maybe Francis).
Study Subjects
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Build habits, work into to-do list.
Reading
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12 book library limit!!!!! Don’t order any until I’m on my last book from the first batch!!!!!!
- Work on my reading journal and my reading log. Try to make more of an effort to take notes.
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Possibly buy a Kindle. I’m definitely leaning toward getting a Kindle, but I want to buy on sale, which means I may have to wait until Prime day, we shall see.
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February Reading specifics:
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Read some study subjects books
- Finish
- The Idiot, or at least make considerable process
- Looking for Transwonderland: Travels in Nigeria
- Hemingway Didn’t Say That
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Overcoming Unwanted Thoughts
- Antifragile
- Your Move
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How I Did on My January 2021 Goals
I feel like I’m in a holding period, waiting to get into an apartment, but I’m using that as an excuse, it will be harder to do things, but there is plenty I could work on. I also think I set my expectations too high.
To set up for the month
Transfer old computer programs and docs and such to new computerVision Board Pinterestand journal (actually not going to be too different from last year honestly)- Set up digital limits and controls
Fill out the beginning of the Artist of Life Workbook- Bullet Journal Setup.
- Digital clear out (after computer transfer), especially phone, email and Evernote. Partial, I cleared out my phone after backing up the photos.
Health
- Parsley health
- Therapy
- Sugar and dairy fast (maybe next month/in my own place do elimination diet, sugar controls). I did a short, maybe 6 day no candy/dessert fast, but not quite what I needed. I’ve gone backwards in my habits.
- Start doing simple exercise and stretching, get a Fitbit or something
- Work on getting to bed by 9:30
- Work on morning and evening routine, digital limits and controls (I’ll have another post about this)
Career
- Remind to be taught more AP. I did but I haven’t been taught anything more, I took the day off that I was supposed learn to for snow and a rest day.
- Private step #1.
- Private step #2.
- Set up tech learning plan
Self-Improvement
Work on lateness- Work on no gossip, politics, complaining, cussing, exaggerating set up.Well, I made a little card to keep as a reminder, but I feel like I’ve done worse with gossiping and complaining.
- Work on Spanish
- Work on habits, morning, and evening routine
Finances
- Increase income streams
- Pay off some short term debt. Partial.
- Save enough for laser, dermatologist, orthodontist
- I need one month’s rent and security deposit and also a pet deposit
- Build up savings and emergency to a certain amount
- Increase all savings, esp one for car
- Have almost everything I need for my house and some money towards purchasing groceries, toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies. Partial. I could move out now and just buy a few more things and do quite well.
Learn to Live
- Schedule one thing
Beauty
- Research what is open in terms of facials
- Get back on track with skincare (probably easier to try this once in my own place)
- Work on body care and sunscreen reapplication (probably easier to try this once in my own place)
Crafts
Make snowflakes (and this should be FUN, not a MUST)- finish Mom’s gift. I made progress.
Study Subjects
- Build habits, work into to-do list
Reading
- 12 book library limit!!!!! I did well at first, but I think I need to add another step, don’t order more books until I’m done or on the last book of the ones I have.
Order some study subjects books- Finish The Idiot
- Overcoming Unwanted Thoughts
The Shadow of the Wind- Ethel Lina White mysteries
- Hemingway Didn’t Say That. I’m about 2/3 through it.
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January 2021 Goals
Better late than never, also nice to see that I feel like I’ve made some progress on these goals and this is a good reminder of things I need to work on.
To set up for the month
- Transfer old computer programs and docs and such to new computer
- Vision Board Pinterest and journal (actually not going to be too different from last year honestly)
- Set up digital limits and controls
- Fill out the beginning of the Artist of Life Workbook
- Bullet Journal Setup
- Digital clear out (after computer transfer), especially phone, email and Evernote
Health
- Parsley health
- Therapy
- Sugar and dairy fast (maybe next month/in my own place do elimination diet, sugar controls)
- Start doing simple exercise and stretching, get a Fitbit or something
- Work on getting to bed by 9:30
- Work on morning and evening routine, digital limits and controls (I’ll have another post about this)
Career
- Remind to be taught more AP
- Private step #1
- Private step #2
- Set up tech learning plan
Self-Improvement
- Work on lateness
- Work on no gossip, politics, complaining, cussing, exaggerating set up
- Work on Spanish
- Work on habits, morning, and evening routine
Finances
- Increase income streams
- Pay off some short term debt
- Save enough for laser, dermontologist, orthodontist
- I need one month’s rent and security deposit and also a pet deposit
- Build up savings and emergency to a certain amount
- Increase all savings, esp one for car
- Have almost everything I need for my house and some money towards purchasing groceries, toiletries, paper goods, and cleaning supplies
Learn to Live
- Schedule one thing
Beauty
- Research what is open in terms of facials
- Get back on track with skincare (probably easier to try this once in my own place)
- Work on body care and sunscreen reapplication (probably easier to try this once in my own place)
Crafts
- Make snowflakes (and this should be FUN, not a MUST)
- finish Mom’s gift
Study Subjects
- Build habits, work into to-do list
Reading
- 12 book library limit!!!!!
- Order some study subjects books
- Finish The Idiot
- Overcoming Unwanted Thoughts
- The Shadow of the Wind
- Ethel Lina White mysteries
- Hemingway Didn’t Say That
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#lavinewyear Lavendaire 10 Days of Growth: Days 1-4
Lavendaire (I have trouble spelling Lavender, and that follows through to Lavendaire, I keep wanting to add a’s instead of e’s) is the first Youtuber to get me motivated to just plan my life. I think it was the end of 2018? She just has such a feminine, calm aesthetic and tone which I love while so many goal sort of people are more fast-paced, loud, masculine, bold, and just too fast and too much for this little snail right here. I guess I just felt that goals felt more attainable or appealing for my personality after seeing her videos, a gentle nudge in the right direction rather than a drill-sergeant.
I tend to follow more of Muchelle B’s stuff more recently (again, a soft aesthetic and a way of planning that just speaks to my brain language), and I went through a lot of her videos in my new year planning (more on that when I actually am finished, January is more of my planning, restart, prep month). But I felt that I hadn’t watched much Lavendaire lately and when she had this 10 Days of Growth Challenge, I thought I’d like to do it, and it’s just so refreshing and simple. I signed up late and you still get the emails one at a time so its gently paced.
I had a lot more to-do’s and plans written out this year because I wanted to work things in while I think my goals were more in my head and similar to last year, so for day one I distilled I guess much of that down into the three life-changing goals:
- I want to get into the habit of enjoying life and making memories. So for day two I counted that I went to see Little Women. It’s kind of a big deal for me to go to the movie theater. I used to think oh, I can usually wait unless its something I KNOW I will adore, but the last year or so, I realized while I do want it to be special, I can still go a little more often for the experience (I think Star Wars and Aladdin really emphasized that, and I really wish I’d gone for Endgame, live and learn).
- I want to be healthy
- I want to be financially secure and healthy and independent
Day 3 I read 15+ pages of Whose Body the first Lord Peter Wimsey mystery. I was re-reading Narnia as a Christmas treat to myself but got a bit stuck (I’m an extreme mood reader and my January treat of rereading the Lord Peter Wimsey mysteries felt more in tune with my mood).
Day 4 is creating a vision board.
I’ve heard a lot about vision boards but I tend to resist them or want to overdo them or think I will ignore them, but I decided I could do a small Pinterest board for this year, and I could check back on it from time to time. I think maybe it would be fun to do a vision board success board of MY photos to sort of match those of my vision board that I’ve actually achieved.
The pins I chose I hope reflect: holistic health, healthy size for me, exercise, nature; a more “me” style; spending more money on experiences like travel, taking craft and art classes and seeing traveling broadway shows (already bought my Anastasia tickets, another big deal for me); getting a car and my own place; alternative income streams and working on my current career path; keeping my memories in a pretty journal; and reading well.
#lavinewyear
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April 2019 Goals
I didn’t even write out my April goals until the end of the month. Basically, I’m working to get back on track.
Since I’m reading tons (for me) I did up my reading goals
- 10+ books, aim for 6 nonfiction, work on War and Peace in Serial Reader (I need to set aside time to do this once per week, the sticking point is that I need my notebook for notes and to keep track of characters and plot), work on Classics Club (I need to revisit this list and be a bit more conscious about this goal).
- Pay off CC debt and lower CC limit (apparently that is the only way to curb my spending short of going debit-card only which seems rather archaic).
- Work on exercise and diet plans (surely I can hit on SOMETHING I am willing to keep up with).
- Get back on track with habits, goals, spending, etc.
- 2+ knitting projects and block the last two (probably should make sure blocking is included in finishing, but overall, doing well on the knitting category).
I forgot to include how my March habit chart looked.
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2nd Quarter Goals
Overall goal: Shake It Back Up! I’m slipping back into monotony and laziness and losing my drive, memory, and optimism. I marked some items with an “!” to help myself in this area. Obviously, this is edited a bit for privacy.
Wellness and Habits
- Lose 15 lbs, gain muscle, tone, and flexibility
- Return to morning, lunch, and evening routine and identify sticking points to correct
- Weekly reset (Saturday?), life admin, and monthly planning days
- Set digital limits, have better options, use site blockers
- Work on daily and weekly habits and aim for no school on weekend
- Amp up meal prep, especially breakfast
- Go outside more (work on strawberries for one thing) !
Finances and Career
- Figure out side gigs plus learn skills for more specialized gigs !
- Pay off CC and personal loan
- Live off last month’s income
- Fund emergency fund to certain point, start fun savings and car savings
- Plan career and internships
- Make min amount per month
- Purchase textbooks and set up school plan
- Spanish, graphic design, future plans, re-evaluate habits
Personal Development
- Read 25 new-to-me books including several Classics Club and 12+ nonfiction books
- Regency prep (outfit, tickets) and vacation prep
- 6 major sewing projects and finish some partially complete ones
- Work on room redesign
- Weekly adventures !
- Mother’s Day gift !
- Reading journal, more in depth posts, etc. !
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1st Quarter Goals Revisited
I think that I will just focus on what I DID accomplish.
- Made much more than I did this time last year
- Read 40 books (!!!!), 8 of these are nonfiction and 2 re-reads
- Worked a side gig
- Got a temp job (one that I don’t want to quit every single day)
- Have an A (cumulative) in my three CIT classes thus far
- Signed up for two summer classes
- Finished two knitting projects
- Started workable planning and habit systems for me
- Have generally been more optimistic
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March 2019 Goals
I need to “course correct” (an excellent concept I picked up in The Slight Edge) for this month, so a lot of items are going to be copy and paste from February.
Wellness
- Get back on track with habits
- Prep meals regularly
- Start facial care routine
- Start a weekly reset habit (Sat/Sun?), get back on track with daily routines
- Double down on the health habits
- Set up tech guards, habits, and sabbaths
- Be aware of needs to be vigilante on my habits (they slip more easily in certain circumstances)
- Work on room
Financial
- Have enough to pay 1st quarter’s obligation, a little in emergency fund
- Pay off credit card bill
- Finish paying loan back
- Make a certain minimum amount
- Have a now spend/lowest spend month
- Get a temporary job
Personal Development
- Read 8-9 books, including: 4 nonfiction, 1-2 Classics Club reads, and catch up and keep up on War and Peace on Serial Reader
- 2 major knitting projects and 1-2 small ones
- 2 major sewing projects
- Begin taking mini-adventures/explorations
- Determine next Spanish steps
- Determine next graphic design steps
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February 2019 Goals: What I Accomplished
Wellness
- Build up health habits,
maintain other habits. I was especially excellent on keeping up with reading, Spanish, and school. I did start pre-packing some meals (which were healthier), and I ran out of my not-so-healthy snacks towards the end of the month, although that has nothing to do with self-control. - Lose 5+ lbs. Ahahaha . . .
- Start a weekly reset habit (Sat/Sun?), maintain daily routines
- Get hair cut
Buy cosmetic and health items- Set up tech guards, habits, and sabbaths
- Buy some of my self-help books?
Financial
- Have enough to pay Jan and Feb’s obligation
Pay March’s credit card billStart paying loan back- Work on process of living off last month’s income (minimum account balance and max credit usage). Well, I think I raised my minimum a little, but financially, I was out of control this month, which is my usual, so I really need to work on this.
Get a temporary job- Pursue other side gig options
- Put at least 1/3 of earnings towards emergency fund
File taxesand put at least 1/3 of refund towards emergency fund- Open a 2nd tiny (for now) savings account
Personal Development
Read 8-9 books, including:4 nonfiction, 1-2 Classics Club reads, and catch up and keep up on War and Peace on Serial Reader. I read 10 books, 5 fiction, 5 nonfiction.- 2 major knitting projects and 1-2 small ones. No, but I did knit as I added it to my habit chart.
- 2 major sewing projects
- Buy planner punch and fun stuff for planner
- Determine next Spanish steps
- Determine next graphic design steps
- Build up health habits,
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February 2019 Goals
I’m adjusting some of my expectations in light of January and then setting a bit higher standards where I think I can/should.
Wellness
- Build up health habits, maintain other habits
- Lose 5+ lbs
- Start a weekly reset habit (Sat/Sun?), maintain daily routines
- Get hair cut
- Buy cosmetic and health items
- Set up tech guards, habits, and sabbaths
- Buy some of my self-help books?
Financial
- Have enough to pay Jan and Feb’s obligation
- Pay March’s credit card bill
- Start paying loan back
- Work on process of living off last month’s income (minimum account balance and max credit usage)
- Get a temporary job
- Pursue other side gig options
- Put at least 1/3 of earnings towards emergency fund
- File taxes and put at least 1/3 of refund towards emergency fund
- Open a 2nd tiny (for now) savings account
Personal Development
- Read 8-9 books, including: 4 nonfiction, 1-2 Classics Club reads, and catch up and keep up on War and Peace on Serial Reader
- 2 major knitting projects and 1-2 small ones
- 2 major sewing projects
- Buy planner punch and fun stuff for planner
- Determine next Spanish steps
- Determine next graphic design steps
