It’s almost unfair that February is the second month of the year. Just when you think you’re kind of on top of your goals and doing well, along comes February with its 28 days flying by, throwing you all off track. Ugh.
HABITS
My habit-of-focus for February was to write for 15 minutes every day.
I did not do this.
I wasn’t far into the month before all the reasons I’ve struggled to do this in the past reintroduced themselves. Part of it is simply remembering, and finding the time- especially since I’m not willing to sacrifice going to bed before midnight (January’s habit) in order to get my writing time in. But there are also many other parts: not knowing what to write, struggling to get into something that is already half written, not knowing how to end something or edit something that already exists, a continual debate about what counts as this writing time (I’m always trying to negotiate with myself!), and quite frankly, making this a priority when so many other commitments are also calling my name.
I did manage to do well with January’s habit- going to bed by midnight. And when I fell off the wagon for a few days about three weeks in, it was immediately evident to me how important that habit had become. I was SO. TIRED. So I course corrected real fast.
GOALS
- I’m still journaling every night! This consistent habit is just so satisfying, and so helpful in sorting through your life and getting things out of your mind. I highly recommend it!
- I’m actively working towards relaunching my Grad School Uncovered Series. I have a couple interviews set up, and a few emails out in the ether I’m hoping to receive responses to.
- I mentioned the UBC Gender and Sexuality MOOC in my last monthly update- I’m now finished the course! This is the first time I ever actually finished an entire self-directed online course that wasn’t for credit. Go me!
- I’m still waiting to hear back from the master’s program I applied to, and I can’t even begin to count the number of times I have impatiently logged in to check my application status.
- I haven’t been the best at following my TC10K training plan, but I’ve been trying to fit runs in wherever I can. With so many other physical activity things in my calendar it can be hard, and pre-soccer practice runs have become my new thing.
- I read another four books, meaning I’m still ahead of schedule on my #52in52 goal. I’m realizing that reading non-fiction books typically take longer than novels, because I don’t get as drawn in, and so don’t end up reading as often. If anyone has a suggestion to alleviate this, I’m all ears!
- I volunteered as a Monopoly banker at the Canadian Cancer Society’s Monopoly Affair event, and I had the BEST time. I loved the idea behind the event from the minute I heard about it, the people at my game board were fantastic, and the organization was great to work with. I fully intend on being back next year.
- Adventuring and new things were on the agenda in February! I went indoor mini-putting at a somewhat sketchy place, visited Russell’s book store for the first time (it’s amazing), and spent a fair bit of time playing in the snow. That’s right. Victoria got snow! Snowmen and snowballs and sledding galore.
INTENTION
For most of January and the first half of February, I didn’t watch Netflix. At all. It was kind of nice. Then I started watching One Day at a Time (which, don’t get me wrong, is a great show), and I remembered how easily I fall into Netflix binges. While watching one episode may have been intention, binging never is. This is never intentional.
I also find it hard to feel as though I’m spending my time intentionally when so much so much of it is already scheduled. While that scheduling is intentional, it leaves little time to spend on the other things I want to get done, and when those things aren’t getting done, it can feel like I’m not spending my time intentionally, even if I am!
LOOKING AHEAD
What’s the plan for March?
- Habit: Get out of bed by 8 a.m. (on weekdays). I need to pull back on my snooze button habit, and I’d also like to start getting to work a little earlier. I have visions of becoming a morning person, but I’m not holding my breath on that one!
- I had originally wanted to re-launch ‘Grad School Uncovered’ in March, but I didn’t get far enough in my February preparations to feel comfortable with that. I have several interviews scheduled over the next few weeks, so I’m hoping to write those stories and have a launch ready for April.
- I did NOT succeed in keeping up with my online course in February (like, I haven’t done anything…), despite my intention. A great deal of my time in March will be spent catching up on content, and working on the course’s TWO projects. I’m super excited about one of them, and can’t wait to share what I’m hoping to create
- A carry-over from February: Ever since I joined Shinerama, I’ve remained involved with the Cystic Fibrosis Canada community. I haven’t yet connected since I’ve arrived in Victoria, but I’d like to do that this month.
- I’m doing a bit of travelling at the end of the month, heading to Phoenix to spend some time in the sun, and time with my parents. I’ll then be heading to Ontario for a friend’s wedding, and to visit the old stomping grounds in Kingston.
- I have three projects I’m currently working with/for CACUSS (how did that happen??!!), and I’m hoping to move them all much closer to completion before the end of the month. These often get the short end of the stick, but I want them to get some attention this month.
- The pictures hanging out on the floor of my apartment (there are so many!) will be hanging on the walls of my apartment by the end of the month, I promise!!
