2022- Daily Dozen....

 Every year, usually in January, I make some sort of plan for the year.  

In 2017 and 2018 I had a long list of goals that covered various areas of my life.  I wanted to achieve them during the year.  I also had myself a vision statement in 2018.  I didn't quite meet all these goals, but I made progress on all of them.  In 2019 and 2020, I decided to have a "word" of the year.  Then, run everything through the filter of my word.  You can read more about that here. 

2020 was tough for everyone and I decided that my lofty 'goals' were well thought out and perhaps "SMART" (read more about SMART goals here) were too much for me. In 2021, I changed tack a bit and decided that I wanted to work on developing some healthy habits that would help me reach some of those long term goals that I had hoped to achieve.  

After watching a Clutterbug Video I decided to use a "Daily Dozen".  In a nutshell, you list 12 things you want to do daily, and plan to do them everyday.  The great thing about this, is that you don't have to start on 1 January.  You can start any time and as you are trying to develop long lasting habits, you should never really 'stop'.  Once you feel a particular habit is well cemented in your daily routine, you can choose to change the point and add a different point to your dozen or you can leave it in the list while focusing on a different point that you might not be doing so well with.  I didn't share my daily dozen here at AGT in 2021.  I'm not sure why.  

At the end of 2021, I decided that 'a dozen' was too many things.  I realised that the only real reason for having 12 things on my list is for the sake of alliteration and I didn't need to do that. Calm down people, it's okay. So, while it's still called my daily dozen, I don't have a dozen 'habits' on my list.  It's okay, really it is. 

One of the keys to feeling some success with the Daily Dozen is to keep some things on your list that you already do daily. You can latch your new habit to an established habit to help you develop the new habit quicker. Check out this video from How to ADHD, if you want more info about this.

Here's my Daily (not a) "Dozen", in case you are interested. 

1. Read my bible and pray.

2. Drink Water (at least 1.8L).

3. Eat two serves of Fruit.

4. Exercise/ Stretch.

5. List three things I'm grateful for. 

I realise I don't even have 6 things then it could be a half dozen.  You could technically make Bible reading and Prayer different points. 

The Exercise/Stretch point means that I have to, at the very least, stretch, every single day, no matter what. I try to include more vigorous exercise each day as well, but when you have chronic pain you have to give yourself grace. 

I'm maintaining a gratitude journal.  While I'm not quite managing to list three items in the journal everyday, I am acknowledging three things everyday, before I go to bed. I say them to myself.  5 days is the maximum number of days I have gone without writing in my journal.  If this is the case, I reflect on the past 5 days and include several items to my gratitude list. I use prompts to help me think outside the box a bit when I'm considering what I'm grateful for. 

Not my actual light swith! ;)

My Daily (not a) "Dozen" is posted in my bedroom - right next to the light switch.  Just before I turn the light out each night, I read my daily dozen and tick off which ones I have managed to do that day.  Most days, I can tick off all the things.  Some days, I haven't had enough water (and I know it, because I have a headache!) or I only ate one piece of fruit.  Some days, I realise I haven't stretched since morning, so I do a few quickies before getting into bed.  

My Daily (not a) Dozen has really helped me this year to focus on small steps and remember to start fresh each day.  I have always had a goal of drinking a minimum quantity of water and for several years, I have read my Bible and prayed daily.  These are not so hard to "check off".  It means that whenever I read my list, I still feel a sense of achievement even if I can't tick off everything. 

What habits would you include on your Daily Dozen? Would a Dozen be too many for you too? Let me know in the comments. 

Next time, some snippets from my gratitude journal. :)

I appreciate you! 

This Year I... (a list)

This Year I have reached my goals!
Here's a run down of what I have achieved and what I'm planning for next year.

This Year I …

• lost 6.5 kg! 
• met the best version of myself.
• developed a habit of regular Bible reading and memorisation.
• gave up soft drink.
• found an exercise program that actually works for me! 
• planned meals and started cooking again.
• learned new card making techniques.
• relaxed.
• FINALLY moved my craft room - I need to set it up better and add a few things here and there, but I can create in there and it's wonderful. 
• updated my wardrobe.
• moved forward.
• taught new subjects and survived.
• stood up for myself.
• adapted to new situations.
• supported other people. 
• rested.
• set goals and achieved them. 
• connected with my family.
• shared my story with my church... I needed to do that and I can't believe I hadn't done that before. 
• made new friends. 

Next Year I plan to:

• set up my craft room, workspace, reading nook and fitness space, 
• find a name for my new multi-purpose space that doesn't sound like it's part of a school. 
• spend more time with my friends.
• find ways to serve my church more and follow through. 
• apply for new jobs.
• have fun. 
• create every week. 
• exercise every week.
• eat good food.
• lose weight.
• be the best version of myself by taking care of myself. 

That's that then

See you in the New Year!

The Patterned Paper Challenge: Part 2

A few months ago I decided I needed to use up my Paper Pattern stash.  Two weeks ago, I showed you a few cards using patterned paper.  Today, I have more for you. 

Angled Card Fronts always look so clever to me.  You really don't have to do anything much different, just stick your panel on crooked.  I do that even when I don't want to!  If you mat your panel and use the white space to add to your sentiment or for extra embellishment, you can come up with something quite special.  Check out these cards using angled card fronts.  

The sentiments are from 

My Favorite Things: Kind Thanks stamp set

"Hello" die is from 

Catherine Pooler Designs

Sentiment stamp is from the

 For Everything stamp set by Catherine Pooler. 

There are some simple ways to make your patterned paper cards look like so much more than just paper stuck on card.  On these cards, I used an ink blending tool to add colour around the edge of these cards which gives the paper more depth. Looks fancy, right?  I stacked several die cut words which I coloured using the same ink blending technique.  I love these cards and they are perfect for a gift set I am putting together for a friend.  

The Sweet die and inks were all from Catherine Pooler Designs which was part 

of the Celebrate Friends Stamp of Approval Collection, not currently available. 

Ink Colors: Party Dress (pink), Flirty Fuchsia (purple) and Tiara (yellow) 

which are all part of the Life of the Party collection.

I used the same technique on this card! 

The sentiment "painted thanks" was created by Neat and Tangled for

one of  Catherine Pooler's Stamp of Approval Collections and is available 

for purchase if you click the link.

This card uses the paper tearing technique.  Check out this video (skip to 12:20) to see how you can control which edges have the white torn part and to see the card that inspired my card.  Shout out to Desiree from Include a Thank You for inspiring me.  

The sentiment is from Lawn Fawn Chit Chat stamp set 

and I used the co-ordinating die to cut it out. 

Here are a few more that I have made in the last few weeks.  

I still have a big pile of patterned paper on my craft table, so I daresay there are even more coming before the year's end.  I really need to get cracking on some Christmas cards! 

Happy crafting!  See you next week! 

November Goals Check-in

Today we have lots of reasons to celebrate! 

During my vacation in September, I worked hard at cutting out foods that I don't need and don't really want (but often eat for emotional reasons). I cleaned up my eating.  

These foods include: 

chocolate, 

ice cream

iced bun loaf 

cake (I don't even like cake, why do I eat it?) 

cheesecake! (I love cheesecake)

I only drink tea and water. I drink a lot of water.  I eat 3 meals a day and any snacks are fruit or an occasional cracker biscuit.  When it comes to meals, I attempt to keep it to vegetables, salad, red or white meat, some bread and (because I can't live without it) cheese.  

In five weeks, I have lost 4kgs.  I am over the moon!  I know that it's a bit faster than what can be maintained, but I feel like I'm really making lifestyle changes that will last.  

In addition to changing my food choices, I have been exercising 5 days a week!  I'm still doing it, too!  Good for me! I finally came up with a plan that is realistic and therefore, achievable and I'm sticking with it!  

Last time we checked in with my goals I told you that I felt like I have turned a corner and some sort of switch has been flicked inside me.  There are a few events/ activities and a few resources I used that found the switch and got me to the corner.  However, I still needed to take the step and flick the switch. It amazes me how some words or a single event can affect so much change.  

Let me tell you what happened.

I did some reading.  Sounds simple.  I read my Bible and I completed a couple of Bible reading plans about weight loss.  One of them was the 7 Cycles to Biblical Weight Loss (available here) and the other one was on a blog.  They helped me to put "eating" and my perspectives on food into a different context.  I have had been on a long journey with weight loss, dieting, not dieting, healthy eating and self esteem linked to body image.  For a huge chunk of that journey, I did not even consider that these issues belong to God.  My body belongs to God and it's my job to care for it.

I had often remembered the Bible verse about the Christian's body as a temple of God when I talked about my choice not to smoke, drink alcohol or use recreational drugs.  I never thought about that verse in the context of food.  This shift in my mind and my heart, has results in a new way of thinking about my body.  This new way of thinking about my body has changed how I eat and how I think about food.

The women who contribute to these blogs explain it very well and I don't want to try and go deeper into it and mess it up.  Please check these links below.

Equipping Godly Women
Grace Filled Plate

I will probably talk more about my eating and my new perspective in the future.  However, for now I'm going to leave it at this.

I haven't lost 30kg (again), had surgery, changed religion, started an extreme workout or an eating regime and I didn't go to a fat farm or counselling.  I am just thinking differently about my body, food, eating, exercising and my health.  That's all I'm saying.

Until Next Week....

Goal Check In for October...

When we last "checked in" with the goals, I told you that I was struggling with everything. School was super busy (you know the cape thing) and I was dragging myself toward the 2 week semester break.  I was even eating ice cream again! I resolved to use my holidays to get back on track.  I didn't travel or leave the house unless I had to, so it was nice to just 'reset'.  

I went to a birthday party for a one year old little girl, met up with a couple of friends and I went to the city to see my specialist.  In between all of that, I slept and made cards and just chilled out.  I also did some great decluttering - like therapeutic levels of decluttering - and watched quite a few youtube.com videos. I will tell you more about that another time. 

Back to the goals... Let's Review

1. Prioritise my Evening Routine.

2. Eliminate Soft Drink from my diet.

3. Complete a Bible Activity and Pray Everyday.

4. Stretch- Daily

These were 4 specific actions that I wanted to work on to eventually reach my overarching goal (one which I think will be ongoing). 

In 2018 I will be the healthiest and happiest version of myself by making good choices for my body, my soul, my mind and my relationships. I will do my best with what I have and be grateful for abundant blessings. 

To be perfectly honest.  I think that I have not been the healthiest version of myself this year.  I would say that a huge chunk of this year I have been quite unhappy.  I have been really tired.  Medication changes and huge changes in my workplace have made it difficult to be the happiest and healthiest version of myself.  Hence, the struggle! 

Over the two week 'vacation' I reviewed my routines and worked on developing new ones which I have practiced and I'm working on them.  This includes my evening and bedtime routine.  It's on the right track.  One day, I might be able to tell you that I've got it down! 

I'm stretching everyday!  I use  the CocoLime Fitness YouTube Channel and choose one of the stretch videos OR I do some basic stretches on my own in between activities.  Click here to see what I have written about this channel before.  Sometimes, at work, a quick stretch for my shoulders and neck are exactly what I need. On the upside, my recent visit to the physio showed that my stretching is really helping my joints and my muscle strength.  FINALLY! Something is working! 

I feel like I have turned a corner. Some kind of switch has been flicked inside my head, inside my body, inside my heart. I will tell you more about that another day.  I might not be the happiest and healthiest version of myself yet... but I finally feel like I'm on the way!  

Hang in there... Keep going! 

Going Mental: Learn about Mental Health

October is Mental Health Awareness Month.  It's an important issue for us to talk to about.

I have already shared a little of my Mental Health Journey (I have depression and several members of my family have mental health issues) so  I want to discuss Mental Health in a broader sense.  I won't be able to touch on everything, but I will point you in the direction of more information if you want it.  Please stay tuned!

Let's focus for a moment.

Mental Health is a person's condition with regard to their psychological and emotional well-being (from Oxford Dictionary).  You could have good mental health and you can have a mental illness or mental health difficulty.  Everyone in their lifetime will be affected by mental illness.  If they don't have a mental heath problem, they will know or love someone who does.

Good Mental Health is about living life, coping with stress, working or studying, being involved in the community and having good emotional and social wellbeing.  It doesn't mean that you are never sad or angry.  It means that you can manage your emotions.  It doesn't mean that everything is perfect.  It means that you can handle it when things don't go right (I took this from the Headspace Mental Health Webpage).

This Pin sums it up fairly well.  

Mental Illness or Mental Health issues can be minor or major.  They can be short-term or long-term and can have a lasting impact on your relationships, work, finances and physical health.  In fact, your mental health can have a huge impact on these other aspects of life in the short-term and long-term.

If you are over the age of 30 you will probably remember a time when Mental Health/ Illness was only discussed in hushed tones and never admitted to openly in a public setting.  There was a great stigma attached to mental illness.

Some people over the age of 40 might remember the idea of stress leave being a bit of a joke.  People who had "stress" were just 'weak' and needed to just get on with it.  Pick themselves up and move on.  Anxiety, Depression and Stress were unheard-of and when they became to the forefront of public knowledge you might remember they were pooh-poohed as exaggerated and not quite real.

If you are over 50, you will probably remember a time when mental illness was an extreme situation.  When the only public concept of mental illness was of someone being admitted to a mental institution for treatment.  Medication, electric shock, straight jackets, padded rooms and other things we don't like to think about were considered "therapy".  Everyone else had to just deal with it. 

I'm glad we have come a long way from those days.  However, I know that about 80% of our population still has many misconceptions about mental health and mental illness.  Mental Health is a complex issue and while there might be misdiagnosed and unnecessarily medicated people out there, many people who claim to have a mental illness actually have one.  Mental Illness comes in many shapes and sizes, it can be mild or severe.  Mental Health is different for everyone and what works for some may not work for others.  There is lots of research and there will be more, I'm sure.

If you want more information about Mental Health and tips for staying Mentally Healthy, check out these links.
5 ways to Stay Mentally Healthy (powerofpositivity.com)
Mental Health Month Events (Australia)
15 things to give up and heaps of Infographics about maintaining your Mental Health (theWHOot.com)

If you have a mental illness or you know someone who does and you are looking for help, check out these links (all Australian services)
Headspace is an organisation focusing on the Mental Health of young people. You can talk to someone or just explore the site and get the information you need.
Beyond Blue focuses on depression and anxiety. The link will take you to the Get Help page, but you can explore the site for more information too.
Lifeline phone numbers for crisis support, resources or to donate to the cause.


Don't Judge. Be Kind to everyone, including yourself.
Until Next Time..

7 things you need to know about travelling with Chronic Pain

I planned on writing a list of travel tips for Chronic Pain sufferers.  As a woman with Chronic Pain, I think I have a unique perspective of this issue.  These days, before writing a blog post, I tend to do some research (And by "research", I mean a "Pinterest Search") after which, I found lots of pins that linked to lots of articles about the mighty people who have chronic illness and travel the world.  Some of them are linked below.  If you think some of the items on this list seem a bit obvious to you, that's okay.  It might be worth sharing this with someone who plans to travel with someone who has a chronic illness so they know what you do. 

1. It's worth the extra money!

Chronic Illness comes with Chronic Complications and they don't take a vacation just because you do. Yes, a 4 star hotel is a bit more costly, but it's worth it to sleep in a comfortable bed and have a bathroom that is steps from said bed. Yes, taxi's might cost more than the bus or a leisurely walk to explore the town.  However, if that walk exhausts the chronically ill to the point that they can't enjoy the restaurant, museum or tourist attraction, pay the extra cash for the taxi.  There are a lot of things that you could save money on, but don't scrimp on the first day if it means the next three days will be spent in bed. 

2. Plan for your Illness

You will get tired.  You will need to take your medication.  You will need to stay hydrated and eat nutritious food.  It's worth carrying the extra bag with water bottles and a bag of nuts or fruit.  It's important to have all your medications with you (even the 'just in case' ones) and prescriptions for them.  Plan for time to rest.  Plan for the pain or other problems that might arise from a long plane or car trip.  Do your research before you go and use this to help you plan a great experience. Check in with your Medical Team during the planning stages and take their advice on board.  Check out these tips from Probe Around the Globe. 

3. It's okay to be sick/ sore/ ask for help

This is true and important all the time but especially when you are travelling.  Accept the special assistance offered at the airport, let your friends carry your extra bag, get the lift instead of the stairs, sit or lay on the ground if you can't wait until you get to a bed. Accept that this is what you NEED and remember that this is supposed to be a great experience for you too.  Don't be afraid to take care of yourself and let someone know if you need help. Check out these tips from Pins and Procrastination. 

4. Choose your Travel Buddy Wisely

We often don't tell people what we are really feeling. I get it.  Choose travel companions who understand your illness (or make sure they understand it before you leave). Make plans together and schedule time for you to rest.  Make sure your companion has important information about your medications, sleep aids and the best ways they can help you if you fall to pieces (AKA need help). Frugal First Class Travel has some very helpful information (from a medical practitioner) about medications and medical info you should have with you when you travel. 

5. Start Small

When planning to travel, make sure you know what you can handle.  Everyone's body has limits.  Know your limits.  Try a day trip and see what happens to your body.  Try an overnight trip that's closer to home.  Take a 3 hour flight and stay for a few days before you plan a long haul flight.  Learn from the experience.  Caravan Sonnet has some great tips about Cruising with a chronic condition. 

6. Stay Flexible

Things may not go according to plan.  Things will probably not go according to plan. Be prepared for it and let it go. Check out Travel to Recovery for advice from a woman who has travelled internationally with Fibromyalgia.  

7. Have Fun

Travel should be fun and educational! Relax and remember that the goal is for you to have a great time.  If that means being in bed at 8:30pm, so be it.  Enjoy what you can, but don't push yourself.  


Happy Travels

World Card Making Day 2018!

Did you even know this was a thing?
Me neither.  At least, not until last year when my Aunty hooked me up.  ;) Thanks, Aunty Crafty (see what I did there?).

World Card Making Day is the first Saturday in October, every year.  Who knew? Lots of stamp and crafting companies have big sales to celebrate! The card makers of the world, unite (let me say, they are often found in groups, so uniting isn't a great stretch for them, ha) and celebrate the joy of paper crafting.  I would add, that these people celebrate every time they get mail, so they're really good at it! Everyone in the world can send a handmade card in October.  It doesn't have to be as gorgeous as mine (stop, I'm blushing) you can knock something up with markers and construction paper.  It's the thought that counts.

It's not news to the regulars around here that I make cards.  I fit into all of those card maker stereotypes.  I also love crafting at home, in the quiet and sometimes I celebrate when there isn't even any mail.  However, I have to admit, I love sharing my insane love of paper and ink and pretty things with others who understand me. I also love introducing people to the craft and teaching them all about it.  That could just be the teacher in me who loves to boss people around.  Lol.

Anyway, you didn't come here to hear me rant about how much I love the smell of freshly trimmed cardstock in the morning.  Oh, how I love it.  You want to see some cards... right?

My First Shaker Card

I will admit that I practiced this before I did the real thing. Nope, I'm not going to show you the disaster that preceded this triumph.  This was high pressure, as I wanted it to be just right and (of course) things didn't go exactly to plan.  However, I'm very pleased with myself.  I used Lawn Fawn's Year Two stamp set for the sentiment and the Dare2BArtzy Soccer stamp set for the "1".  I performed a bit of stamp surgery... it's okay I used anaesthetic... to cut the number away from the hashtag.  It fits back together perfectly and I have used it in both forms since making this card and it's all fine.  Chill.

The background is a patterned paper I bought about a decade ago (no, I don't know the name of the paper pack or where I bought it). The shaker elements were an assortment of sequins from various places that I just had in my stash.  Most of them were from my local discount variety store.  For the acetate part of the shaker, I used an old overhead transparency.  My mum brought home a big pack of about 200 from her work, instead of throwing them in the bin.  I have enough acetate to keep me busy for a LONG time.

Here is the coolest thing about this card... and proof that you really can just use what you have at home.  See those big silver discs in the shaker... those are from a shirt I bought a few years ago, and when they started falling off, I realised I could use them on my cards as embellishments.  So, I saved them.  Then, I started cutting more off the shirt.  It was ruined anyway.   No one will ever know.  Except you and me.  But you're not gonna tell.

I used a rounded rectangle die and a stitched circle die to make the white card panel (using Neenah Solar White cardstock).  Inks are from the one and only Catherine Pooler: It's a Girl and Party Dress.
That's that.  Yes, there is a lot to making this card.  It's so worth it, though.  I used 3M foam tape and Ranger multi-medium matte as my adhesive.
If you are interested in making a shaker card, check out these tutorials. I found them all very helpful!
Catherine Pooler makes a shaker card (10 minute video)
Another Shaker card with Catherine Pooler (7-8 minute video)
Justine Hovey's shaker card (6-7 minute video)
Kristina Werner's shaker card tips (6-7 minute video)

Phew... now for Card #2.

Baby Boy Congratulations Card!

Inspired by this pin

My Mum asked me to make a card for her to send to some friends of ours who have recently become grandparents.  So exciting! She wanted Blue for a Boy.

I used a circle punch and cut two circles.  One from blue card stock and one from blue and white wrapping paper I had in my stash.  I then held them together and cut a triangle shape from both circles using scissors.  I decided the blue and white paper looked a bit odd, so I used an ink blending tool to lightly cover the paper in "Something Borrowed" ink from Catherine Pooler.  This way the paper looks like a two tone blue pattern.  I adhered them off set so the solid blue looks like a trim on the patterned pram/buddy.  I used an embossing folder in my Cuttlebug to emboss a polka dot pattern on a white card panel that was half an inch smaller than my card base.  Then adhered my circles to my card panel and was about to adhere it to the card base when I decided it needed more.
I used the same ink and blended a border onto another white card panel that was an eighth of an inch larger than my main card panel.  I die cut the word Congratulations three times and stacked two of them on top of each other.  I ink blended the third die cut using the same ink, but made it darker at the bottom of the word so it looks Ombre.  That's what I was going for anyway. I then adhered the blended die cut on to the other stacked ones.  Then glued it onto the card under the circles.  I used white buttons for the "wheels" on the "pram".  This one was easy, but had a lot of steps.

Fuurrinally, some Kitty Cards! 

For Aunties' Day this year, I received a set of cat dies!  Puurrty! I also had some cat die cuts that good ol' Aunty Crafty gave me.  So, these were used to make some fun and (I think) gorgeous cat cards.  I used a swipe stamping technique on these cards so my dots would look like little balls of wool or at least look textured.  This technique is demonstrated by Jennifer McGuire in this video.  I was also inspired by the cards on this blog post.  Check these out! Excited much!

The beauty of these cards is that apart from the cat dies, you can use dot and circle stamps from pretty much any other stamp set you have.  You can use bakers' twine, string or yarn along with the cat dies or a stamp that looks long and twisted.  Almost any sentiment would work well, or a cat pun sentiment if you have one.  I love these cards and I will definitely be making more of these.  I would dare say they could be mass produced.  :)

It's simple enough, choose your colour scheme and go a little nuts, or keep it simple.  I stamped onto a card panel and adhered that to my card base, but you could make it an almost one layer card if you like.

Comment with pictures of your own cards for this World Card Making Day.  Remember, it's the thought that counts!

Happy Card making.  

Another Great You Tube Channel: Coco Lime Fitness

I have mentioned before, I think, that I have a condition known as Neuropathic Pain or Chronic Pain. While my condition is not the same as fibromyalgia, it has some similar symptoms.  Basically, I feel pain every minute of every day.  I manage that pain in various ways.  If you want to learn more about chronic pain you can check out these links.

What is the difference between acute and chronic pain? 
A video about pain... 
The Spoon Theory

Today, I want to share a You Tube Channel with you.  It's called Coco Lime Fitness and more specifically, I like to use the Fibro-Fit Series.  The channel belongs to an amazing woman, Suzanne, who has Fibromyalgia and wants to help other people who live with chronic illnesses including fibromyalgia, chronic fatigue and more.  She is a qualified personal trainer so she knows her stuff AND she knows (from personal experience) the real struggle of living with a chronic illness. She demonstrates exercises as well as modifications so you can adapt work outs to suit your pain and your body.

Fibro Fit has truly helped me to get up and get moving.  I can work out in my own home and know that no one is watching me.  I can control the length of my work outs by choosing a full workout or putting together a series of shorter work outs.  There are warm up videos, low impact cardio, strengthening, dance or kick boxing, stretches for cool-down or just for helping you relax.  These videos are great for those with chronic pain or just anyone who can't get to the gym, can't fit in time to run or walk or just wants to try something low key at home.  Most videos require no equipment other than a device to watch the video and a supportive pair of shoes. Some videos use house hold items such as a chair or step.  Others give you the option of using light dumbells, but you don't have to use these if you don't have them.  You can do it without weights or use two equally weighted items like cans of soup, packets of rice or even bottles of water.

If you're looking for an easy fitness routine that will help you get moving or just to change it up from your regular routine, this is the You Tube Channel for you!

I will say again... I am not compensated for my comments here and I will not be compensated.  My opinions are my own!

Have a great week! :)

Checkin' in with the Goals

Reaching Goals requires work.  Learning requires work.  Sometimes, work is hard!

I'm just too tired for 'hard' these days.  

Instead of telling you how much I've been struggling with... everything.  I decided I am going to show you a couple of pictures. 

I need to look at these pictures and remind myself that it's okay to have bad days and bad weeks.  I like these pictures because it reminds me that setbacks are normal and real.  Anyone who tells you their success looks like the first one up there... a straight and steady movement upwards.... they are probably lying.

You can do this.  I can do this.
Let's go!

Reasons to Smile

This is a list of things that make me smile.  Sometimes entirely without reason.  :) 

Friends

Toddlers explaining how the world works
Dad's impish smirk
Pretty craft supplies
Other people smiling because of me
When a kid learns something

Babies
Taking a photo of someone
My Bestie

Cameras

Lying in bed

Silly word play

A job well done

Mint Chocolate Chip Ice cream

Shelly the cat

Happy music

Veggietales
Lasagne
Cuddles

Comfy clothes
The Sound of Music
Helping
Kindness
Quiet
Happy Memories
Nanny's Rissoles
Singing
Getting into bed with fresh sheets.  

I hope you have plenty of reasons to smile today! 

Goals and Habit Tracker

Disclaimer: I am not affiliated with the company that constructed the Loop Habit Tracker or any other Apps that I mention here.  I have not been, and will not be, compensated for my comments here.  My opinions are my own!

Let's start with a quick check in on my goals for this year.

• Prioritise my evening routine and sleep pattern: I'm still working on this one! 
• Stop drinking soft drinks: WINNING!! I have soft drink about once every couple of months for very special occasions.  I don't even miss it. :) 
  
• Complete a Bible activity and Pray everyday. WINNING! :)
• Stretch. Working on it.  I have added cardio activity to my exercise routine as it's an easy way to keep everything moving and I will hopefully lose a little bit of weight, hopefully!  

 Tracking my Goals

As well as blogging about my goals I have found it helpful to monitor my goals in other ways too.  I started using the Loop Habit Tracker app to help me keep track of how much water I was drinking and how often I was reading my Bible.  I found it helpful and started using it for other things too!  Why did I find it so helpful and Why do I keep using it?

1. It's so easy to use! You press the "+" sign to add a new habit/ goal you want to check.  You can give it a simple name or type it in the form of a question.
2. Set a goal for how often you want to follow through with the habit- twice a day, 4 times a week, weekly, etc.
3. Each time you follow through (e.g. go for a walk or exercise), open the app and hold down the check mark for the day which it highlights.  You can click back on previous days if you forget to open the app. 
4. Click on the habit or question itself to see a line graph that shows progress, a calendar with shading for weeks when you reached your goal, and information about how many perfect weeks you have had.
5. You can set reminders that will appear on your phone without opening the app.  Nice.

This graph shows the number of days each week

 that I drank at least 2L of water.

You still need to remember to use the app.  However, it's not complicated and you can choose to view the graphs and tables or easily ignore them.  This app has really helped me to stay motivated because I know when I have done the things I set goals to do.  It was also really great to have this available to show my physio when I visited recently.  He was able to see when I was exercising and we were able to discuss the data far more easily.  I like having something concrete like this.  I'm glad I found this app which is so simple to use.  I have tried other apps but found many of them were too complicated or had lots of bugs which made them frustrating to use.

At the end of the day, though, I would recommend that you find a system that works for you.  Cross out a day on a paper calendar, click an app, use a fitbit or similar (which apparently combines lots of data into one interface), move a magnet across the fridge or draw up your very own graph.  Find the system and use it.  I have found it so helpful to keeping me on track.

Happy Goal Kicking!