I started 2021 with a lot of goals of projects, knowing that at least a few would fall by the wayside. That’s part of my process. I like to take on more projects than I can possibly handle to see which ones actually stick.
I did a January report already if you are interested in that sort of nerdiness. Now it is time to take a look at what happened with my goals and projects in the second month of 2021:
Quitting Soda: I abstained from soda until February 25. Then on February 26, I could not do it anymore. God, I missed soda. And god, have you noticed that there’s a pandemic? And as I write this, my daughter is STILL distance learning. Our district has not bothered to set a return date. It seems like everyone else has gone back. Am I whining? Maybe a little. But sometimes, when surviving a pandemic and endless distance learning, a woman just needs some goddamn soda. Even if it is caffeine-free.
Blog Every Weekday: Done! Sometimes it takes a real effort to carve out the time for blogging, but I’m always glad when I do.
Finish the Room Novel I Started November 2020: I finished the first round of revisions last week! I’m very happy with how this book is shaping up. When will I be done revising? No freaking clue. Today I am going to start reading the latest draft and figure out my next steps. Wish me luck!
Learn French: J’aime apprendre le francais. I practiced French on Duolingo every day in February! Waouh!
Tap dance: I didn’t tap dance. At all. Maybe March is my month!
Roller skate: Pippa broke her nose in late January and could not roller skate. So there was no way I was going to roller skate. That would just be cruel.
Play the piano: Didn’t happen. I love playing the piano but it’s just not as necessary to my happiness as writing, walking and crafting.
Post on Instagram Daily: I forgot to post one day. Oops.
Walk An Average of 12,000 Steps in 2021: My February daily average was 11,932 which was EXCELLENT because I tripped and tweaked my ankle on February 5. My ankle actually recovered pretty quickly. My 2021 average is now 12,403 – a little lower than it was at the end of January, but I’ll take it.
Do A Weekly Tarot Reading: Did this. Still loving it. I love doing it on Sunday mornings.
Read 100 Books For Myself: I read nine books for myself in February. Well, I read/listened to eight books by myself and the ninth book was Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows, which I read to Pippa. However, Deathly Hallows counts because it is something I would have read on my own.
Do 25 “Big” Craft Projects: I finished three more punch needle projects, all for the 100 Days Project.
Try 100 New Recipes: I tried sixteen new recipes in February! I really ought to write a roundup of my favorite recipes this year…
Go Down 100 Slides: Well, with Pippa’s broken nose, playgrounds were off limits. I can hopefully whiz down a slide soon!
50 Different Places: I went to nine “different” places. There were some new-to-me places, including: a tiny public garden that I passed while dropping off Valentine treats at friends’ homes; the art studio where Pippa recently started lessons; and a ton of furniture stores (I was on a chair hunt). Then I revisited some old favorites, including the aquarium, that we were not allowed to visit thanks to the pandemic.
French Braid My Hair 100 Times: I did this exactly zero times. But I really want to learn! I just have to get over how awkward I feel trying to French braid my hair and do it already.
Exercise: I stretched every day but one in February. I started listening to audiobooks while stretching to maximize the enjoyment factor. I only did strength training three times. I fell out of the habit after hurting my ankle. Time to get back into this habit! Also, I only did cardio three times. Again #ankle. I keep testing my ankle every few days and although walking is fine, cardio just feels a bit too intense. Soon! I don’t want to reinjure myself.
Meditation: Using the Calm App, I meditated 26 times in February.
Journaling: I journaled 26 times in February.
Noom: I’m still using the Noom app and loving it more and more every day. I read the Noom articles 26 days in February. I’m starting to see a theme…
Activity Book: I worked on my next activity book on one day, the day after I finished my second draft of my room mom novel. I will not seriously dive into that book until I send my room mom novel to an editor. Or my kids go to school full time. Whichever happens first!
Geography: I studied Geography every day! I’m getting a better handle on the Oceanic nations.
Podcasting: I recorded two new episodes in February! I’m back! It feels so good to be podcasting!
Gardening: I ordered another raised bed. The kids and I watered and weeded the vegetables and herbs we had already planted. March will be big. We’ll start planting veggies for summer!
Decluttering: I made HUGE headway here. There was a huge toy disaster in the guest bedroom. The kids helped me clean that up AND voluntarily got rid of several bags of toys. Then I whipped most of our kitchen cupboards back into shape. I still have one big cupboard to conquer, and the junk drawer, but the kitchen feels so much better. It’s easy to find spices! And snacks! And everything!
Photo Albums: I did nothing. Nutter butter. I feel like I’m be able to tackle this after I finish decluttering.
Monthly Family Photo: We got a really shitty family photo when we visited Jurassic Quest but hey, it counts!
Newsletter: Another month without sending my newsletter. Oh well. I’m doing my best, folks. #pandemic
Balloon Animals: I keep forgetting to do this. Once I get started, I know it will be hilarious.
The biggest change in February was I succumbed to the siren call of soda. But I’m not going to beat myself up for that. Soda is my vice. As far as vices go, it’s not that terrible. Maybe one day I’ll quit soda for good. Maybe not. I’ll figure it out!