I always thought January was a long month, but this January, this one right here, is the most January January that has Januaried in a long time.
How did this week go? I took my mental health day and went shopping with the family. I have an ARC book to read, Here I Am, by E.M. Schenker, so I will be reviewing that over the next few days.
Progress is being made on my writing projects. I'm actively working on Chapters 3 and 4 of the Music We Make. I also have a flash fiction project for the boys for Valentine's Day, and I'm excited to be part of a group writing project.
After getting off my meds, I am almost back to 100%, and while I still have a little residual cough, I am finally feeling stronger after almost three months.
I also went back to basics this week—mini blogs on IG, getting back into the OA Readers and starting to use the journal my husband got me for Christmas. I did not do one daily; it is not part of the current plan. Speaking of planning, this morning, I was reminded that not planning is a plan to fail. I also got an eye-twitching reaction to two other phrases this week—think positively and fake it till you make it.
So, what does one do with phrases that make your eye twitch while saying I am fine in my Ross voice, knowing damn well I am not fine nor am I okay. I will be OK, but it will take some time because I decided to focus not on the day oneself but the day 3452-day self. I have decided that the only thing better than 10 years of sobriety is 20. So, what is the plan to get there?
Simplicity and prioritization. It was scary to see how quickly I was thrown back to who I was, and I don't like that person anyway, so my number one priority is to keep working toward the person I want to be while working toward the career I want. To get the career I want, I must prioritize writing. I have to write something every day. Then to do. I have appointments to make and forms to fill out, and I must ensure that my daughter gets there at work, which is a priority because I have to fund the dream. It can cost anywhere from $1000-$5000 to publish a book.
Now, I also have mom and wife stuff that I have to do. I have appointments to make and things to fill out, and I must ensure that my daughter gets the care she needs.
My planner has been getting filled out, meals have been getting planned (cooked and eaten too), and I decided that I no longer want to focus on the to do list aspect of life, I want a tada list. What is a tada list? It is a moment at the end of the day where I stop, and I look at what I did get done that day. Did my actions match my priorities for that day? It's a satisfying feeling to see the tasks I've completed align with my goals.
Oh, actions—another key phrase from this week. I have spent a lot of time figuring out my intentions and what I want to do, but sometimes, the follow-through or the action can get lost in the sauce. To be honest, what this January has taught me is that I lost the plot. It's crucial to take a step back and reflect on our actions and intentions.
The plot is coming back to me. I realize it is not at the bottom of a bottle, it is not in an Amazon order, and it is not in any other vice I may have.
So, January will finally come to a close this week (THANK GOD!). I am utilizing February as a blank slate. My 2025 will officially start on February 1st, but not in the way that you think. While yes I am planning, I am doing it in a way that allows me to pivot as needed.
I am keeping things simple. I am budgeting a month in advance and prioritizing paying the bills as they come. I am scheduling writing time, meal planning and cooking at home, and cleaning. Today, I am cleaning out my dish cabinets and baking. I am also trying a new pork chop recipe. I am setting things up for the week and making sure. Then, of course, I plan the week and write the tada list for today.
Wednesday, we weigh and tape, and then we set the intentions and action plan for the next two weeks.
Let's see how this new, simplistic way of doing things works. I am back at We Weigh and Tape Wednesday—the basics work!
Till Next Time-
Audie
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