Miscellaneous

Checking in

a look at my planner, i'm trying to keep track of every thing. all the things.

a look at my planner, i'm trying to keep track of every thing. all the things.

Monday was a set back this week. After a draining Sunday that had us behind on housework, I didn't get my morning routine of making the bed, putting away the clean dishes, plus washing the dirty dishes that I normally do during the week. Then we had a Prenatal class at the hospital and didn't get home till after 9:30pm; and we were exhausted and emotionally drained.

So, I tried to get things back on track Tuesday. The morning went well enough except I had a total A.D.D. morning and ended up almost 20 minutes late to work. Pregnancy brain is weird. I actually got all my tasks and chores done and had a really productive evening. I even baked some cookies just because.

Today, I woke up late. However, I got all my morning chores done, lunches made, and dinner started in the crockpot. I did not have time to meditate or journal this morning. That really bummed me out but I'm hoping I'll have time to get those things in sometime later today. I'm not SUPER hopeful, just a little hopeful. The morning is really the only time I have just to myself, so we'll see if I can break away this evening for some reflection.

GETTING READY FOR BABY

PHASE #1:

  • Get organized. Nope.
  • Clean out the crib space. I have done nothing for this project yet. FML.

Real Talk: Prioritizing Me

First, before I get into the meat of the post, I want to explain what this is all about. I decided I wanted to have a day each week that I could do a stream of consciousness, real talk, brain dump kind of post. I may not post every week, but I am going to strive to post every week. Anyway, that's what this is, just so you know.

This week has had an unplanned theme to it, putting myself first. I don't mean in a negative or necessarily selfish way, but just spending some time on me and myself. The start of the new year is usually a time of self-reflection for most, and I am no exception. I've been reflecting on 2016 and thinking about what's to come in the year ahead. I've been thinking about what is really important to me and what I can let fall by the wayside so I don't get too stressed out.

Tuesday I had an extra day off work and I had a mostly me day. Aside from having to get a new battery put in our car and that causing me to mildly fall apart when it started to interfere with my plans for the day (thankfully, my wonderful mom was able to come pick me up and help me out till the car was ready), I was able to spend some time on me. I had made a hair appointment and I let myself just get lost in the process and zone out as someone spent their attention and talents on me. Later, I got my eyebrows done, and again I mentally let myself just let go as I got pampered. I was even able to buy some very expensive beauty products because of a really nice gift my father-in-law gave me for Christmas.

Wednesday, I decided I am done wasting my mornings. My usual morning routine, as of late, has been: get up; get the coffee going; make Mr. LL's lunch and coffee; putting away the clean dishes; washing the dirty dishes; sitting down with my coffee and the iPad and just vegging out with either YouTube or a book till around 8am; get ready for work/make my own lunch/deal with the pets, etc.; out the door around 8:30am. I decided that instead of just vegging out, I want to use that time to do a 10 minute Headspace meditation and to journal. I started a pregnancy journal way back, but haven't been keeping up with very well. So, that's what I did yesterday morning (I actually started meditating again on Tuesday). This morning, however, Mr. LL and I fell back asleep and woke up late which put me a bit behind schedule. Still, I made the conscious decision that I would still take the time and mediate, journal and NOT rush as I got ready. If I ended up being a few minutes late to work, it wouldn't be the end of the world (it is a slow week). I actually still got to work within the range of "on time" that my boss allows (as long as we are in before 9:20am, it's ok). This just proved to me that I can allow myself and my schedule to focus on me and my needs and the world will not fall down.

With the Lazy Baby on the way, I really want to spend the last few months of life without baby focusing on me and what I need/want/desire/feel. I know that once this little girl is here, she's going to become my world and I will more than likely push all those things to the side. So while I can, I want to take care of me as much as possible.

2017 Goals and Theme

This year, more than goals, I am setting a "theme" for myself and 2017. Some people do similar things where they have "one word" they choose that they want to have as a mantra or focus in the upcoming year. For me, I want to embrace change and not fear it. The unknown leaves me feeling very apprehensive, but as we get ready to become first time parents we are having to brace ourselves for a whole new world of unknowns. I want to remember to just stop, take a deep breath, and embrace life and its changes as they come.


I do still have some goals I'd like to work on this year, of course.

  1. Have a healthy baby via a healthy delivery. A lot of this is just out my control, but I can hope for it and do what I am able to help this become a reality.
  2. Figure out our taxes. Because I did pretty ok with my freelance work this past year, our taxes just got a whole lot more complicated.
  3. Get a (damn) grill. Repeat offender from last year's list.
  4. Continue to grow LV Book Design. I'd really like to grow my freelance business this year.
  5. BECOME. A. BUDGET. BOSS. Also a repeat offender, but with a new member of the family on her way, this is a MUST.

Do you have any goals for 2017? What about a theme or word for the year ahead?