Here's a recap of my personal goals for this month's December Sanity Challenge, which I shared a few weeks ago:
- I will write down three things I am thankful and grateful for every day.
- I will enjoy a dessert/sweet treat/baked good only once per day and in a small portion (1 small muffin, 2 small GF cookies, etc...)
- I will take a short 15 minute walk outside at least 2 times a week, both for letting go of stress and to encourage myself to exercise more.
- To help with our budget this month, I will not buy anything new (used or thrift store items okay) for myself. See Leo Babauta's challenge this week for my inspiration to do this for the remainder of the year... and I would actually like to pursue this in 2013 as well.
So how have I done thus far? I'm sort of embarrassed to admit not very well... The first few days were a piece of cake, easy-breezy, no problem. And then I found myself getting (once again) boggled down by stuff. Holiday stuff. Calendar stuff. Work stuff. Life stuff. Stuff... stuff... stuff.
I've eaten too many sweets. I've forgotten to be thankful. I dismissed taking a walk on multiple occasions. I bought a Roku without even THINKING about my spending challenge (I mean it literally didn't even cross my mind until I was sharing about the purchase with hubs that evening..) Ooops... And a fancy-smancy dish-drying mat that's supposed to dry quickly.. even though hubs said that it was proprietary and didn't count. I'm not exactly sure what proprietary means in this case, but we'll go with it...
But at the same time... it's a good reminder. The "stuff" can so easily get in the way. So, so very easily. The vacuum of Holidays can be so enticing, so enormous, and so easy to get swept into. So easy, that even when you purposely plan NOT too... you STILL find yourself in thick of it without a second glance.
Another goal that I've also found myself working towards is spending less time online. Less social media. Less email. Because time is precious... and the interwebs can be a time-waster and a joy-sucker.
And I need the time. Time is truly priceless.
So I'm taking a cue from Cheryl's most recent Sanity Challenge post and be more gentle towards myself. Not with cookies or chocolate, but by simply being more forgiving towards me. This challenge isn't about perfection, it's about worrying less and enjoying more.
So I'm going to watch quite a few AS MANY cheesy Christmas movies as I can (because no matter how cheesy, they still warm my heart)... listen to as many Christmas songs as I can (because I love them), and let go of the perfection...
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| sigh with happiness! |
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| already watched this twice... |
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| elf, elf, elf, how I love you! |
And really try to sneak in a few more evening walks... because I really do love them when I actually make the time to lace up my worn out sneakers.
And Elf... I might watch Elf at least 3 more times... because I laugh senselessly for two hours straight. And laughing is awesome. Way, way underrated... that laughing.
I'm not exactly sure where this photo came from (someone shared on facebook from a picture they saw on pinterest! I swear I'm not trying to steal anybody's photos!)... but it's cracking me up today...
(Hopefully this is the correct attribution!)
