Every year, my family tries to schedule a day to go pumpkin picking. My family is pretty big so it can get really hard to get everyone’s schedule to line up. But this year, even though not everyone could make it, we still had a pretty decent sized crew. And it was even more special because it was my niece’s first time pumpkin picking!
Here are some fall shots I took…
I spent quite the pretty penny in the little shop that they had there, so I figured why not show you what I bought…
Treats/Goodies:
Blueberry pie
Apple Cider Donuts
Moon Pie Bites
Red Raspberry Preserves
Pumpkin Butter
Peach Apricot Cherry Jam
Apple Cider
Décor:
3 little stick figures- a pumpkin, sunflower scarecrow, and ghost
^I feel like these would be really cute in a floral arrangement.
A witch
^This can be hung up on the wall or on the door- anywhere really.
My pumpkin that I picked! I have to think about what I want to do with it this year. In the past I’ve done some fun and funky designs…
The longer I’ve waited to post, the harder I’ve felt this has been. I went through having zero ideas, to so many ideas-good and bad. And here I am, just wanting to say SOMETHING. I’m a writer, who hasn’t really written in months. Is that normal? I suppose not.
Hi all. I hope someone is still listening. This has been a long time coming, and quite frankly I was hoping to come back with some fun, fancy, well-crafted story or work of art. But it’s just not coming, so instead, I’m going to just speak my truth. Hopefully you can relate.
It’s been quite a long few months since I last posted, and yes when I look back at old posts, I have definitely written many posts similar to this. Being a creative soul is thrilling and fun, until it isn’t. Creativity isn’t always guaranteed. I haven’t posted at all this summer. There are a lot of reasons why, but the number one reason is because well…I just haven’t felt inspired or motivated to do so.
You know when your favorite YouTuber goes MIA for a while, because they just haven’t been happy with any of their content. That’s how I feel.
I hit these walls where I feel like my life is at a standstill and instead of doing something to change it, I internalize and my mind becomes a ball of anxious thoughts unable to move myself forward. A vessel just going through the motions. I have a really hard time being present in the moment. I’m constantly over thinking everything. It is the most daunting feeling. My mind gets clouded and unfortunately creativity gets pushed to the side. Which is bizarre because I know this is the time when I need it most, to pull me out of my slump.
Creativity can be an incredible outlet for stress, but sometimes I just choose to ignore the issue and let days pass me by. Filling my time within mindless tasks.
I wish I had some big revelation for myself. I wish I had some inspirational advice to share about how I’ve just been too busy living life to post, but unfortunately that is just not the case.
I have a case of the summer funk. And I honestly can’t wait for it to be fall.
The air is crisp.
The fashion is cooler.
The colors are gorgeous.
And let’s face it, there is a plethora of pumpkin.
Here’s to breaking the silence and powering through.
I’m going to end this with a quote from one of my Writer’s Corners from back in 2015. It’s amazing how the words still hold truth for me:
“Giving up on that dream [of being a writer] is not in my line of vision. It can’t be. I don’t think my brain or sanity could take it. Too many stories to tell. So when the walls start caving in and you feel like you’re going to emotionally explode, get out of your head. And get out of your own way. And just do what you do best. Write. Because writers feel things deeper than most, and when we tell those stories, someone out there in the universe is going to get it, and feel gotten. Keep fighting, keep striving, and know that there is always a safe place for the written word here on Michelle Leigh Writes. Soldier on my friends.”- Michelle Leigh Writes * Writer’s Corner * “Get out of your own way”
**While you wait for new stories…feel free to browse my Short Story CollectionHERE
I don’t even know if anyone follows me closely enough here at michelle leigh writes to know or care that I’ve been gone for quite some time. But numbers, they don’t matter much to me. I know, that the universe will place my words into the lives of the people who need it, or who can relate to it. I have faith.
But it has been a while- a little over a month since my last post. I‘ve been overwhelmed with a lot of things lately, and just making my family and friends my priority.
But every now and then, the creative soul in me starts to feel neglected. My writer’s hand, starts to twitch. That being said, I’ve felt this way for quite a bit, but yet every time I try to sit and write something, nothing suitable comes. It’s either too personal, or I don’t get past the first few words. Night after night has gone by and I struggle with the typical creative soul dilemma- do I write something, anything, to just have something to post. Or do I wait until it’s what I want. Wait until it’s “perfect.” But we all know how that goes.
So I’m coming to you now, with a little bit of honesty and self reflection. I’ve noticed I’ve been struggling with something for quite some time. For probably my whole life. So I thought I’d share.
I have this need to please people. To be liked, by everyone. I understand that is unrealistic, but it’s my truth. The idea of someone talking about me in a negative way causes me incredible anxiety. I’m an anxious person to begin with. I’m a sensitive personality. I take EVERYTHING to heart. I constantly question myself, I overanalyze everything I say, or do. And it is mentally, physically and emotionally exhausting. I’m not perfect, sometimes I snap at people for no good reason, sometimes I over react. Sometimes I say things without thinking. The list goes on. And it’s not intentional, it’s human.
It makes me angry that I feel like I have to fit into this box. Other people’s version of perfection. I care so much about what other people think. And because of that I think that hinders, my ability to let myself grow and become the person I know I can be, the person I want to be. It makes me question myself, why I do what I do, if I do it because I genuinely want to or because I feel like it’ll make me look or be perceived a certain way. Or something even more simpler, I won’t wear a certain thing, in fear that someone will judge it or make fun of me for it. I won’t chime into a conversation if I feel like someone will question me or judge what I have to say. I hate confrontation. The idea of someone getting hurt because of me, pains me more than when I get hurt myself. Because I know what it’s like to feel hurt and I am empathetic sometimes to a fault. I am constantly apologizing for being myself. And I just don’t feel like that’s ok. People are not perfect. I am not perfect.
I don’t necessarily know why I am this way. I guess its just the way I’m wired. But I can’t seem to shake it. And it SUCKS. Sometimes it’s too overwhelming and I criticize myself into an anxious mess.
At the root of everything, at the core, in my heart I know I have so much potential. I know I can do so much more than I am doing. I know I’m still discovering the dreams I hold deep in my heart. I know I’m a good hearted person just trying my best to get through each day. I’ve been fearful, I’ve been playing it safe. I’ve been anxious and not wanting to change. I’ve been scared to disappoint people or hurt people’s feelings. I’ve been human.
Usually I end these rants with some silver lining, some hopeful anecdote. Some kind of pep talk. But this is something I am still struggling with, I can’t undo this in a day, a month, or even a year. This is something I need to continuously work on. And I guess I’m just wondering if anyone else struggles with this too?
Do you have to be liked by everyone? How do you react to confrontation?
I can once again apologize for being MIA/inconsistent and follow it up with a whole “I’m back” spiel. But I just wouldn’t be telling the truth. I’ve been all over the place, I can’t even remember what I was doing a few weeks ago. This year is flying by and I can’t even believe we are already in April.
There are many reasons for my inconsistencies here on this blog. I always attempt to stick to a Monday/Thursday post schedule, but now I’m lucky if I get one post up a week, I get really super duper lucky if I get two up even on any random two days. That’s kind of why you’ll see a random Sunday post pop up, or a Tuesday post sneak in. Because I just so happened to have some time to do it that day. To be honest, I haven’t been writing much at all. And I just realized how much I’ve missed it.
Needless to say, I still haven’t gotten back into it. I stand in front of a classroom asking students to write and trying to inspire their creativity and yet I feel like a hypocrite because I myself feel so uninspired.
In February I hit a slump. And it pretty much lasted all through March too. The goals and ideas I had in the beginning of the year went out the window, and the promises I made to myself soon became forgotten.
I guess you can say that’s normal right? We often leave our resolutions in the dust of the January’s left over glitter.
But this felt different.
It felt like I was just constantly going through the motions of what I had to do. Then I got hit with a period of time where I was sick on an off for weeks. First I was treated for a sinus infection. Then after a bunch of back and forth between my doctor and urgent care, I was finally treated for the flu (as a precaution) and strep throat. To say I was done was an understatement. I was taking so many different medications and constantly feeling like I wasn’t present, feeling like my chest was so heavy and like I couldn’t breathe right. I stayed in bed for most of my days. I was even sick for my 27th Birthday. Super fun. Side Note: My mom did make me a kick ass chicken and waffles dinner though, which I was happy I at least got to taste a little. On top of it all, mother nature decided to rain on my pity parade and grace me with her presence.
So I was a mess. I was emotional, I was sick, I didn’t feel well physically or mentally. And because of all of that my anxiety was in full force, I felt like I was going insane. I just didn’t feel like myself for weeks. I really felt like I was spiraling into this weird depression, where I felt like there was something really wrong with me. Soon enough I started to come out of it and even though I’m not 100% out of my funk, I can safely say I feel 100% better than I did a few weeks ago. It’s so crazy the things that your mind can put you through. I was so frustrated at how I was feeling, because I knew the rationality was that I was sick and on medication and dealing with lady problems (lol) and I knew it was just the combination that was making me feel funky. My brain kept telling me not to make such a big deal of it all. People get sick, you’ll be better in a week. But my anxiety turned it into so much more.
I recently had off of work so I tried to cram a bunch of things into my week. Including meeting up with a few friends. And out of all the ladies that I spoke with, we all were feeling the same way. Stressed, anxious, unlike ourselves. And it got me thinking…you are never alone in what you feel. There is always someone who has felt or is feeling what you have/are feeling.
When you deal with anxiety, you become this prisoner in your own mind. As my friend put it, you start to live in your head. And although the mind is a beautiful, powerful thing, it can also be something that can literally break you down and tear you apart because it’s so powerful.
So that brings me to my next point. Seasonal depression is a thing.
Seasonal Depressionis also known as –Seasonal affective disorder– A mood disorder characterized by depression that occurs at the same time every year.
*Usually self-diagnosable *Symptoms include: fatigue, depression, hopelessness, and social withdrawal. *People may experience: –Mood: anxiety, apathy, general discontent, loneliness, loss of interest, mood swings, or sadness –Sleep: excess sleepiness, insomnia, or sleep deprivation –Whole body: appetite changes or fatigue –Behavioral: irritability or social isolation –Also common: depression, lack of concentration, or weight gain
And when it comes to the Winter season (especially in New York) you can gather how many people may be experiencing this. It stays cold and dark out longer, there’s less opportunities to go out and experience sunlight. Often people stay in doors to avoid the cold temperatures or the snow. You know the snow that falls in March and April when it should be Spring. And your social life becomes sullen. Your left with isolation at times and if you deal with anxiety- your worry sets in and you begin to drown in your racing thoughts. Not to mention that NY whether is so unpredictable that you could be thinking Spring is right around the corner, wearing light jackets and then it snows and you need a winter coat again in a day. That’s enough to put anyone’s body in shock and confusion. Not to mention that the flu season this year has been atrocious. EVERYONE has been getting sick. Gosh, I really thought I was going to escape it, I usually have a strong immune system. But in general my anxiety has peeked these past few months and I imagine that left me a little more susceptible. Never the less, I am slowly, but surely coming out of my funk, and I am finally starting to feel like myself again, and it is time I try to manage my time wisely.
So I won’t make any promises here. I am actually going to just say now that the Monday/Thursday schedule is on hold for now. I will try my best to at least post once a week. I just have a lot going on with weddings, and showers, and family and work and I realize I can’t always be perfect at doing it all at once. And that’s okay. We all could benefit from giving ourselves a little grace at times. At the end of the day, you can only try your best.
But as I said before, I do miss writing, so I’m hoping to make it more of a priority for me.
One day, I hope to be a mom, and I thought about what I would want to say to my own daughter. The advice I would give her. Here it is…
March 19, 2018
Dear Sweet Girl,
I know life isn’t always going to be easy for you. I know jobs will be hard to find and boys will break your heart. And people you are close to will disappoint you at times. Myself included, sadly. No one is perfect.
If you are anything like me, I know insecurity will find you and you will have to fight to see the silver lining in every bad day. I know you will question your faith in times of pain and grief. And wonder what your true purpose is.
I know you may fight your anxiety everyday like I do and I also know that you can and you will win.
My hope is that you never have to deal with any of these hardships. That you are forever cast with a smile on your face. But living in this world, I know that is unfortunately an unrealistic notion. There will be bad days. There will be sad days.
I know that you will be so loved by so many, that you will feel like you have to always be good and “perfect.” To always say/do the right thing. Your self awareness and self consciousness will be both a weakness and a strength for you. But your heart is so big.
Just breathe my girl and you will get through it all-one foot at a time. One day at a time. Because you are a force to be reckoned with. You are your own heroine. The star of your own sold out show. You can be anything you want to be.
Never let anyone tell you different or try to dull the sparkle that surrounds your very soul. And please… never stop dreaming.
Hallmark series When Calls the Heartis such a wholesome gem. I fell in love with it last year when I binge watched it and got caught up before the return of it’s 4th Season.
Now it’s in it’s 5th season, and I unfortunately no longer get the Hallmark channel. And I miss it so much! Not only do I miss the fun seasonal movie themes but I miss this Sunday night series terribly! I try to keep up with it through social media, but it’s just not the same.
I haven’t found a free, reliable way to watch online either. 😦
All I know is there was a Christmas Special which I missed, and then the first 3 episodes have aired. Last season we left off with Jack proposing to Elizabeth who obviously said yes! But then he had to leave to go fight in a war. Leaving us #Hearties heartbroken.
So Erin Krakow’s Elizabeth Thatcher was left waiting for quite a long time. Waiting in worry.
Daniel Lissing who plays the role of Constable Jack Thornton, was absent from many of the ending episodes of the 4th season. And from what I’ve learned online, he wasn’t in the first few episodes of the 5th season either. [However it did appear he was home for Christmas briefly]. I hated not having our favorite smouldering Mountie at Elizabeth’s side.
Needless to say he returned in this past Sunday’s episode and their reunion was so sweet and charming, as usual. Thank you to the sweet soul on instagram who uploaded clips!
“I’m home.”
Jack and Elizabeth have FINALLY set a date for their wedding, maid of honors and best men have been picked and Rosemary is clearly already in planning mode.
It’s so sweet to see how happy Jack is to start his life with Elizabeth. He even created a rough blueprint for their future home, and took her to the land he bought for them. 5 bedrooms! He’s planning on growing their family that’s for sure! #LoveScene? 😉 They even had a sweet candle lit dance with a music box he bought while on his travels through the Northern Territories.
“There are so many rooms!”- Elizabeth
“Family is going to grow, right?”- Jack
“Apparently by a lot.”- Elizabeth *Of course Elizabeth has her shy eyes on.*
“I want to put a big dining room right here.”- Jack
“How big?”- Elizabeth
“Well big enough to fit all of the Thornton Clan.”- Jack
So cute! I can’t take it. He’s so excited!
However, in sneak peeks for future episodes. It appears that the wedding planning doesn’t exactly go so smoothly. With a fire in the church, I imagine that will set things back. And a few moments of pain inflicted in Jack’s eyes, hints that we may get a bit into what he suffered through during the war. There seems to be a potential post traumatic stress disorder story on the horizon. If you ask me that is so realistic and makes total sense. Jack is very quiet in his emotions, very laid back. Never likes to make a fuss. Even when he and Elizabeth had their breaks in their relationship he was never overly dramatic about their confrontations. Sure he’s well skilled in the grand gestures, but he’s worked on them for 5 years, at the beginning of their courtship boy did he stumble over his feet.
Jack is so grateful to come home to the love of his life, but he’s throwing himself into planning their wedding and their future life together without taking a break. It’s all going to come crashing down on him. And I sense from what I’ve seen so far, that Elizabeth knows that. She’s asked him several times to “Take a breath,” to “rest and relax because he must be exhausted.” She also has been asking him about the war and what it was like, to which he often deflects saying it “was what is was, and it’s over now.”
“I’ve waited so long for this.”-Elizabeth
“It’s good to be home.”-Jack
“Now we can go back to where we were.”
“No.”- Jack
“No?”-Elizabeth
“I don’t wanna be engaged.”-Jack
“What?”-Elizabeth
“”I wanna get married. Build a house. Start a family.”
“Okay. Catch your breath.”-Elizabeth
“I don’t need to. The thought of coming home to you, and having you there everyday, it energizes me. It got me through some rough times.”
I just love them. They are so sweet together and he really loves and respects her so much. I get all giddy just thinking about all the sweet little moments they’ve had together over the seasons- playful banter, disagreements, kisses, all the small looks and smiles. Even when they talk about each other with other people they’ve said such sweet things. In fact this past Sunday in a chat with a younger man- Jesse who is courting Clara (Abigail’s daughter in law whom came to live in Hope Valley after her husband was killed in the mine accident along with Abigail’s husband) asked for some advice. Jack responded that he knows he’s smart enough to know how lucky he is. When Jesse inquires if he and Elizabeth ever broke up, Jack answers that there were times when they put things on hold. He and Elizabeth took some time getting back to each other but they did in the end. Jack further explains that if Jesse and Clara are meant to be they will find their way. It was so sweet to see how he is now in this position to give a younger man advice. Many times he would seek his own advice about Elizabeth from sources like Lee, Bill Avery, and Abigail. He and Elizabeth have come a long way and have really grown together. The list is endless, I could go on all day. In fact I’ve been re-watching seasons on Netflix just to get my WCTH fix. I miss it so much! Lol.
It’s so crazy that they are at this point in their relationship, I mean from their early scenes together, it’s beautiful to see them now so in love. It seems like time flew by. I mean granted I binged on Netflix, I’m sure those who watched live feel like it’s been an eternity. But in many ways I too feel like it’s taken them quite long to get engaged and now married. I mean Jack was courting Elizabeth for quite a while, and Rosemary and Lee even got married in season 3, before our favorite Hope Valley couple Elizabeth and Jack. Lee and Rosemary are super cute though too! I love how he is so patient with her and all her craziness! Lol.
Although Rosemary came into Hope Valley at the end of Season 1 hoping to win Jack back (Plot Twist she and Jack used to be engaged!) It’s so crazy to see how much has changed, Rosemary and Elizabeth used to be each other’s competition, and now they are the best of friends. And so are Lee and Jack! Lee didn’t come in until the beginning of Season 2 and the two wed in Season 3! So it’s been a bit of a fast track for the Coulters.
So mind you, you can imagine how anxious we #Hearties have been to see Elizabeth and Jack finally on their way to tying the knot. IN TWO WEEKS! Gosh it’s going to kill me not to watch it! It’s such a big season for them! And I am very passionate when it comes to television and my ships! After all he’s had the damn ring since like what Season 1 or 2, I think! It’s been a long, beautiful journey and I really miss watching it live!
I guess I’ll have to stick it out and wait until Season 5 is on Netflix. 😦
In the meantime I wanted to chat about the things that make this show so charming. And a lot of that has to do with the fact that it’s set in a small town. I love small towns, and quaint little cafes, church and shops. I love the simplicity of their life, (not to mention that they have such a comradery in hope and faith throughout the town).
And last but not least I LOVE the FASHION.
Fashion in the 1910’s were all about the long skirts, and the corsets. The lace, pastel colors, and dainty earrings. The hair was also in a league of it’s own with simple updo’s with a twist or long soft curls. In the first season, Elizabeth dressed a bit more showy, with large hats and flashy dresses, after all she hailed from Hamilton where she lived a wealthy city life. But soon she embraced the more simplistic nature of Hope Valley and toned things down a bit. She found herself, she found her home.
But for a character like Abigail Stanton played by the lovely Lori Loughlin, she had a bit of the reverse happen. When we first meet her she is all about simple undo’s and no makeup. Beautiful no matter what, but soon Abigail starts to find herself again, she starts to find hope too and realizes she still has so much living to still do despite suffering so much loss when the coal mine tragedy struck taking her husband and son from her. She starts to let her hair down again, and begins entertaining some gentleman callers who obviously couldn’t help but fall for her. All while being a café owner and town mayor. Total Girl Boss.
Simplicity at it’s best…
Abigail Stanton…
I just love it all. Rosemary spices things up with her red crimson wardrobe as only she could! #Theatrics
Today I would like to talk about the February Slump. I know you know what I’m referring to.
You know that point in the new year where you start to slack off on all the goals you set out to accomplish this year.
I knew this time would come. January was a month of making changes, and making lists, and plans for a better future. Putting things into motion and action.
Then once February came, I started noticing myself slacking. Going to bed late, not reading/writing everyday. My daily goals getting distracted by life and the day to day.
Overall, January was pretty great for me. I felt like I was forming a routine, and working out consistently, taking my vitamins, drinking a lot of water, carving out a day within the week to work on each of my big goals for the year. [SEE HERE by reading my- January 2018 Update]
But came February and a few late nights, family functions, and busy times and I started slacking. My goal was not to get angry with myself when this happened but to pick myself back up and hop back onto the routine I’ve started to create, improving it and crafting it as I go along. And that’s what I’m hoping to do this week. Thankfully I am on winter break and I can strive to plan things a little better. However, why is it that it’s only Monday and I already feel like the week is over. There’s so much I want to do, clean, research, make time to see friends and family. You know what they say, there’s never enough time in a day.
I just need to get myself back on track and learn to balance my time to include my dreams, my goals, and my inspirations with my family and my friends, work, (tv shows, because #TVJunkie) and a social life.
Balance is key. And that is what I need to build on in order for all of this to work. Life is a balancing act. Summers become Winters. Christmas becomes Easter in the blink of an eye. And before you know it, the goals you set out to accomplish in that year, are rolled over into the next.
This year I want that to change. I want inspiration, change, and determination to run through my veins. Change? Michelle, you want change? What? You hate change. No you don’t, your just scared of it.
Change is a scary word. But not all change is bad. And I think I’m starting to realize that in order for my dreams to come true I’m going to have to let change in. I want to take action. Take control over my life. There are things I always put on hold, things I just don’t force myself to do, habits that come and go. I let life lead me, rather than the other way around. And then I mentally scold myself for not accomplishing my goals.
So…this year I’ve started to implement the necessary changes I need to do in order to reach my goals. Granted, it’s a slow climb. I’m definitely a work in progress, and I’ve definitely had my days/weeks where I’ve slacked off. The important thing is to acknowledge the slump and work towards moving past it. I know I shouldn’t beat myself up over it, because that’s not going to help me. And I can’t go back in time and change it. Getting down over it and scolding myself will only make me feel bad which in turn will hinder my motivation starting a vicious cycle and I don’t want that. So time to focus, time to revamp, time to balance.
How are those new year resolutions coming this January?
Surprisingly, I’m doing quite alright for this first month of the new year. Not perfect, but way better than I usually do.
By now, I probably would have given up on things and accepted that they just wouldn’t happen.
But this year, I don’t know- I just feel a little more motivated to schedule time for the things I feel are most important to me.
I talk a lot more about my planning process for this year, in this blog post- you can read more HERE
This month I’ve been trying to implement a few new things into my weekly schedule to better my life and work toward achieving my main goals for 2018.
For example…
I use my planner and then I have a yellow memo pad that I use for my daily/weekly to do lists.
So the first week of January was all about recovering from holiday stress and planning things out. I was researching a few things and getting ready to make some changes this month/this year.
January 8th-12th
Back to using apple cider vinegar.
-I’ve heard the many health benefits to having a glass of water infused with apple cider vinegar. I know you’ll read or hear mixed things. But my cousin’s a nurse and I spoke to her before starting this. She recommended Bragg’s Organic Unfiltered (with the mother)- it has a bright yellow label, that’s the purest one. I pour a glass of water, add two capfuls of the vinegar, add a splash of apple juice, mix and drink. The juice is just to soften the rough taste of the vinegar.
Start waking up earlier- 9:30 AM.
-My job has a later start so I was able to get up at like 10:30 every morning, but I wanted to start changing that and get up earlier so I can have more time to do things. I used to just wake up and get ready and have to rush out the house. I didn’t make use of my time wisely.
Work out every week day morning- Monday-Friday.
-So I’ve been wanting to work out consistently for so long. I started in the Summer and tried sticking to a 3 day routine and it worked for like 2ish weeks and then something happened to distract my schedule and I just stopped and never went back. So this time I wanted to do something that targeted the areas I want to make a change in. So I found this blogilates video and built up from there. If a workout is too long or I have to stay focused on a video, I won’t do it. So this video hits specific areas and it’s short- can’t beat that!
Make my bed every morning [I let it slide on the weekends ;)]
-This just helps tidy things up. And makes my room neater.
Remember to take my vitamins every morning, (Vitamin D3, and Iron)
-I know everyone takes different supplements, but these are the ones my doctor recommended me taking.
*Tip: Iron pills used to really hurt my stomach, so now I take slow release tablets instead and it makes all the difference.
Drink lots of water
-Try infused recipe- blogilates on YouTube has a good one that I tried recently…
I don’t mind drinking plain water, but sometimes I’ll buy some fruit to spruce it up every now and then.
January 15th-19th
I carried over all my habits from the previous week, but began adding a few new things.
Wake up at 9AM
-I want to start making the most out of my hours, so I’m slowly increasing my wake up time. Because if I do it all at once, I’m sure to hit that snooze button, and roll over.
Add to workout
– I added a bit of an extra crunch routine. Again slowly building up my work out routine, little by little. I’m not one to workout consistently so I know my body won’t be able to just jump in full throttle, and I won’t enjoy it.
Write more
-Mostly refers to my blog posts schedule- Mondays & Thursdays. But my writing time in general will grow too!
Research
-This refers to a few things-Wedding related things for my best friend’s wedding, career planning, wellness, etc.
January 22nd-26th
I carried over my habits from the prior weeks.
Go to bed earlier.
-I realized I wanted to start getting up at 8:30 AM now, so I realized I would have to go to bed by 12:30 AM in order to allow a good about of sleep. I push it til 1/1:30 here and there, because well I’m a night owl and sometimes I just can’t go to bed early. And it’s been okay for me.
Wake up at 8:30 AM
Read before bed
-I have been wanting to read more for as long as I can remember but I always find other ways to use my time. But I’m trying to incorporate it into my routine this year, even if it’s just like 10 or 15 minutes before bed. Currently I am reading, BIG MAGICby Elizabeth Gilbert.
Add to workout
-I added some stretching and my simply fit board.
^ Yes I have one of these! 😉 I will usually throw on a fun song and just swivel around for a while. And let me tell you, you will feel it!
Eat healthier
-I’ve been trying to eat more fruits and vegetables, but I don’t deprive myself either. If I want a donut, I’m going to eat it. But I definitely want to just keep striving to make healthier eating choices.
**A few of the things I have on this week’s list, I had on last week’s list and I didn’t get to implement them, so I moved them to the next week. I didn’t just forget about them. That’s what I’m trying to work on- my mindset. If I don’t get to it one week, that doesn’t mean all is lost. As a list maker, I can really put pressure on myself to finish everything, and it becomes like a stressful race to get it all done. I end up sacrificing time with family or friends or quality of what I’m doing. I know I write this super crazy lists and then mentally scold myself for not doing the 20 things on the list in two days. We cannot do that to ourselves. Write the long list, but then make a smaller, more important list. Things you really know you want to get done and work on getting those done above all else.
Schedule of important things.
-I’ve been trying to pick a day to work on each of the important goals I want to accomplish this year. And I came up with this schedule this week and am hoping to carry it over.
Monday– Bulk Blog (Write blogs for the week, post Monday blog and post to social media accounts.) Get all my supplies ready for work week- make copies, do research, etc.
Tuesday– Work on writing projects!
Wednesday– Career Planning and Research.
Thursday– (Post Thursday blog and post to social media accounts) Wedding Shower/Bachelorette Party Research for my best friend.
Friday & Saturday– Time with Friends/Family.
Sunday– Church/Family time (Sundays are usually the day I spend time with my new little baby niece! She’s just like pure sunshine! I’m so obsessed!) Self-care (grooming, mani/pedi/facial mask, etc.) Food shopping.
**Granted this schedule is tentative, it worked for the most part, but it’s not always going to work as it is written. Sometimes my pamper time will end up on a Monday, or my blog will take longer to write and need an extra day. As long as I get to stick to my M-F schedule as best I can, I try to let myself breathe on the weekends.
January 29- Feb. 2 -Current Week-Just Starting!
Continue those habits!
Write more.
-I want to write a little something everyday.
Make use of my morning free hour.
-After my workout, I usually have an hour before I have to start getting ready for work, so I usually will work on a writing project, or do some research, or in today’s case- write a blog!
Research weights/and workout videos using weights.
-I know I need to expand my workout routine and include some arm workouts.
Look into buying new workout clothes.
-Why are workout clothes so expensive???
Make plans with family and friends I haven’t seen in a while. (For the weekend)
Add to workout
-Added some more stretching time, and some push-ups on Monday.
-I want to add full crunches too.
So that’s my January 2018 so far!
I’m super happy with my progression from week to week, and I am going to try to keep pushing myself. Forcing myself to update you at the end of each month.
The only thing I wish I could do differently is not be so consumed by this schedule or these lists. I feel like I get tunnel vision and then I don’t get to be in the moment with my friends or family. I throw myself into a determined isolation. I’m hoping it’s only because it was the first month of trying to build a routine and that once I get it down I won’t feel so crazed. I don’t want to ignore the moments around me. It’s a balancing act, and that’s going to be something I know I need to work on.
I’m a romantic, I love a good love story….or even a bad one. [Shout out to From Justin to Kelly and Glitter] Lol.
And I love romantic movies, comedies, dramas/thrillers. They are all right up my alley. Add a fierce female lead and I am sure to love it! Some of my favorite actresses are Mandy Moore, Jennifer Lopez, and Katherine Heigl, and a few others, I think you’ll start to see a pattern. But it just so happens that everything these women are in, I usually love!
So I thought I’d share the trailers with you for some of my favorites. Because these movies are movies I can watch over and over and over again.
Who’s with me, ladies? 😉
There are still so many movies, I didn’t mention…I’m sure I’ll do a Part 3 and 4 (and so on) in the future!
Michelle Leigh Writes 