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! 

#2019 #awesome

Let's look at what happened here at AGT (and in my world), this year!

Crafting
We began the year with a Scrap/ Pattern Paper Challenge and created some great cards in the process. I tried out some ink dragging with embossing folders and stamping on cork.  Making this magnetic frame was really helpful (thanks Simon Hurley) for holding my most used dies.  In April and May, I took some craft supplies on vacation and had lots of fun making cards with my nieces.  This year, I invested in some card classes, background stamps, an electric die cutting machine, texture pastes and perfect pearls.  As far as craft is concerned, 2019 was one of trying lots of new things.  Check out some of my favourite cards of 2019.

This is only a few of the cards I made this year! Wow, I've been busy. 

Travel
You got some postcards from me this year.  My first road trip in a long time, took me to Biloela (a small mining town west of Rockhampton in Queensland, Australia).  My sister moved her tribe to "Bilo" in January 2019, so in April, my Mum and I headed there for a visit. We celebrated my sister's 40th birthday and my niece's 5th birthday.  It was hot. If you want to read about how I handled the long drive with my chronic illness, click here.

In August, my Mum and I took a whirlwind tour of our nation's capital, Canberra.  Now I can tick Canberra off my list of Australian state capitals that I want to visit.  It was busy and exhausting and oh, so much FUN!  Check out my postcards here.

Other Stuff
This year, I also shared some Apps, websites and Youtube channels, that I have found useful as well as some other favourite things including some flashbacks to posts from previous years. Professionally, 2019 was amazing.  I enjoyed teaching new subjects and spent more time working with different students.  I got a new job at a new school, which meant packing up 10 years worth of teaching resources and bringing them home.  I still have piles of books, posters and stationery littering my craft studio/ home office.  I enjoyed helping out at Sunday School at church too.

I lived out the word "Pause" and I truly feel this has helped me reach goals and make changes to my life style for the better and forever.  I am looking and feeling better.  I can't wait to see what 2020 brings. :D  I will be spending New Year's Eve with my family and having an early night.  

This year was good, this year was fun!  
Tomorrow is another one!  (apologies to Dr Seuss)

How was your 2019? What are your plans for New Year's Eve? 

May you all have a happy and safe New Year! 

One word Reflection Time

The end of 2019 is very near and it's time to reflect on the rollercoaster of an awesome year. First, let's talk about my One Word 365 journey.  I started the year with a 'Resolution' of Just One Word - Pause.  I had some thoughts about how this would impact my life and certain actions that would work towards Pausing in real life.
For me, the word Pause was about stopping to think before I said or did things as well as giving myself permission to stop or even move away from things if I needed to.  It was about self-control and rest.  It's important to remember that "Pause" doesn't mean quit.  "Pause" implies a brief moment of stopping with the intention to start again.

This year has been amazing!  I'm not saying there weren't times that were hard, there were certainly difficult moments and painful times.  I managed that pain and difficulty better than before. I took the time to rest when I needed to and I made decisions based on consideration and prayer.  For the most part, my relationships have been such a blessing and I feel like interactions with others have been so much more positive this year.  Maybe this was the result of a choice to stop and think before I spoke, or maybe it was the choice I made to not worry about others opinions of me.  Maybe it was a result of the fact that I was well rested (in general) so I was kinder and calmer.  What I do know is that I am happy and healthy and this year was the best in my career and my spiritual life.

Thank you for sharing my One Word Journey with me this year.  If you want to learn more about the One Word 365 movement, check this out.

More to come, before the year is out.

This Week.. Just a Quickie

This week, I went to a job interview to be a Differentiation Coach at a local Catholic school.  Yesterday, I received a call from the principal of the school telling me that they would like to offer me the role of Numeracy Coach instead. I will also have the opportunity to team teach a senior Maths class.  I'm so excited! This is the dream for me.

It's a brand new opportunity.

This week has been busy and exhausting and a huge rollercoaster ride.  Therefore, I'm taking the week off the blog.

See you next week. ;)

#oneword365 update

This will be a quick one!

I'm here to update you on my one word resolution for 2019. My word is "Pause". If you want to read more about my One Word 365 journey, click here.  Today, I want to talk briefly about the fourth point of my 'action plan' to live my word, Pause this year, it's Breathe First.

I used to think that intentional or controlled breathing was a load of proverbial rubbish.  The idea that by simply stopping to breathe and focusing on your breathing could positively affect your state of mind, help manage pain or change your overall health seemed a bit ridiculous to me.  In fact, whenever I tried controlled breathing, I often struggled to then ignore my breathing and relax.  Of course that was a result of my overwhelming anxiety rather than anything else.

This year, I have learned how to breathe better and I am noticing a difference in my physical health.  Of course the "breathing" is usually in conjunction with stretching or other exercises. I have to admit that this breathing thing actually works.  It doesn't cure the plague.  It can help you feel better in the moment.  It helps me feel better.

Check out resources for more information on controlled and intentional breathing, meditation with breathing and the health benefits of focusing on your breath from time to time.

I'm on school holidays and having a wonderful time.  I'm doing well.

See you Next Week.

We Interrupt This Program...

Sorry I am so late this weekend.  I was so sick this week, I actually took a day off school!  I spent two days in bed and the last few days laying down with ice or heat packs on my neck and back.  Therefore, I haven't been able to pull together the second part of my Canberra Postcards Post.  I will continue with our regular program next week, but for now I wanted to share some memes that helped me survive this week.

By the way, my "ONE WORD" for this year is "BREATHE" which really helped me manage this week.  I just had to keep reminding myself that my only job was to breathe.  Anyway, back to the fun part.

I feel ya! 

See you next week! 

A Quick "One Word" Update

This is a quick on today, because I'm trying to get organised for a Canberra getaway this weekend!  We are going for 4 days and we will be busy.  Apparently, we will also be COLD!  I will tell you more about that in a few weeks.  For today, let's talk about my One Word journey.

If you want to learn more about the "One Word 365" movement you can click here.  If you want to read more about my One Word 365 journey, click here.  My word for this year is PAUSE.

The Pause thing... is working really well for me!  I am loving the time I get to spend reading my Bible and praying.  I am generally more positive, encouraging and kind when I'm speaking.  I was never really nasty or mean when I spoke, but I'm more encouraging and I feel more positive.

When making choices around what to eat, I have been trying out different times and different foods that help me to make good choices.  Recently, I set a notification on my phone for 8:35am everyday to remind me to eat a piece of fruit.  I know I will have a better day if I eat a piece of fruit at this time.  I won't get hungry until lunch time, so I don't get cranky or distracted in class.  It is a great boost and I start out making good choices so I tend to continue that throughout the day.  The notification  says "banana" or "apple" or "orange" so the decision is made for me.  I don't have to think about it.  Nice.  Eating the piece of fruit, forces me to pause for a few minutes in my morning and just breathe... and eat. :) This piece of fruit isn't my breakfast, by the way, it's my morning snack.  I eat breakfast at 5:30am, so if I don't eat before school starts, I am Hangry by lunch time.  

My deliberate rest breaks and regular exercise (almost everyday) is starting to pay off.  I feel better and stronger.  People are noticing that I look healthier.  My doctor and my physio are noticing improvements in my strength and endurance.  I need less pain medication to manage a normal day.  

I've realised that the most important part of this "One Word" thing, is forgiveness and persistence.  I sometimes have bad days.  I say stupid things because I forget to pause, or I make bad choices because I don't stop to think about it.  The important step is to not give up. Instead, acknowledge the mistake, determine to do better next time and set up strategies to make success a little easier.

What strategies do you use to maximise your exercise or 'me' time?  What strategies help you to make healthy food choices? I love to read comments, so please let me know!

That's that then...
See you next week!

One Word Resolution Update

In case you haven't heard, I jumped on the bandwagon of #oneword365 this year.  That means this year, instead of a list of New Year's Resolutions and failing miserably, or only accomplishing some of them, I chose one word.  That's right, just one word which helps me make decisions and motivates actions.  You can read more about my 1word365 journey here.  You read about the movement here.


My word is "Pause" and I have to say, I'm killing it!  The whole point of my word is to make sure I take the time I need before I act or speak.  I stop, with the purpose of starting again and doing it well.  I rest when I need to.  I exercise when I need to - which helps me manage my chronic pain so makes it easier to face the world - and I stop when I need to, so I can think about my next move, my next word and where it will take me.

This year, I have faced some challenges, as we all do, however; I have also had a great year.  By the time you read this, we will be drawing close to the middle of 2019 and I have to say it's one of my best year's ever.  I feel calm.  I feel in control of my actions (and when I don't feel in control, I am self aware enough to know it and I implement strategies for handling myself).  This one word, has had a huge impact.

The power of the pause is quite incredible.  Sometimes, a pause is only a moment or two, at other times it's a day or more.  Regardless of how long the pause is, the purpose is usually the same: it's a chance to ask yourself a question or two.  The first of which is, "How do I feel about this?", "Do I really want or need to ….?" The dot dot dot changes almost every time.  Sometimes I ask myself if I'm really hungry or if I really want the consequences of eating that piece of cake (or insert other unhealthy food).    I ask myself if I really want to say 'that'.  I ask myself if IT'S really worth it.  The IT changes too.  The Pause is totally worth my time and effort because it usually means that in the long run I avoid more effort or disappointment or frustration.

I had planned on sharing ways to 'be creative' with your one word.  Having images or words that represent your word and keeping them in front of you, can help you to actually use it.  I don't use that.  Surprisingly.  I wish I could.  So, today I decided to share the fact that it is really working for me.  My one word has made a difference in my work life, my health, my relationships and even in my finances.  It's so worth it.

Enjoy my Friends

Travelling with Chronic Pain: Tips for Road Trips

Last week, I took a road trip with my mother.  Driving 6 hours to visit family was quite a challenge, but it wasn't impossible.  Over the past decade or so, I haven't travelled more than an hour or so in a car or bus.  I did hop a train to Sydney and I did fly a few times.  However, road trips were something I just wasn't prepared to do. There was a time, when more than an hour in the car was simply impossible.  Don't get me wrong, a 6 hour drive was not exactly easy, but I managed.  In fact, I managed quite well.

Here is how I did it.

1. Be Prepared:

I would give everyone this advice regardless of their health status because it's good advice.  As a person who lives with chronic pain, I am always prepared for the worst.  I carry pain medication with me all the time (most of the time) and I don't go anywhere overnight without an icepack.  If you are going to survive a long drive; you need to be prepared and plan ahead.

2. Plan Rest Stops

Know that you will need to rest regularly.  If you can only cope with an hour in the car, then you need to plan rest stops hourly.  I could manage an hour and a half to two hours. So, we planned accordingly. We also identified extra places we could stop, just in case.

3. Stretch

Make sure that "rest" includes stretching as well as a toilet break and a cup of tea.  Focus on your problem areas and repeat those stretches as often as you can.  It is so worth it.

4. Pillows are your Friend

Make sure you maintain good posture.  Use pillows and lumbar supports if you need to and use them well.  This is probably the most important thing you can do.  All the stops and stretches in the world won't do you any good if your posture is poor.  We all know poor posture is a contributing factor to neck and back pain.  While we have pain for other reasons, we don't need to make things worse with poor posture.  The best advice my physio gave me was so simple - use the head rest.  Make sure your head is in contact with it and tuck your chin in.  It kept me in check.  I also used pillows to support my elbows and a lumbar support behind my back.  This made such a difference!

5. Communicate!

We all know that the best thing about road trips is sharing the experience with someone.  My mum had to do all the driving and she was anxious to get to where we were going.  It was important for me to let her know when I needed a break.  It was also important for me to tell her if I wasn't ready to get back into the car. There were a few times when a short stretch and a sandwich wasn't enough of a break.  I needed to go for a walk up the street and back.

It was a great trip and I got through it. There was some pain the day after we arrived and I needed to organise some time for resting (more resting), but it was manageable because I was smart.  I didn't push through and ignore my body.

So, listen to your body.  Take the time to take care of yourself.  PAUSE (see what I did there?) it's not a race. Relax.  Enjoy the ride.

Until Next Time,

Pause IRL- (living the word)

I have been living my "One Word Resolution" for almost 3 months.  Admittedly, practicing the PAUSE has certainly helped, I'm not sure that it's making the impact that I hoped it would.  Perhaps, I need to be more patient with myself. 

The One World movement is all about choosing a word that will guide everything you do.  Your everyday actions should begin to change and this will impact every area of your life.  I have to admit: there are some days, when I forget to Pause and I make choices that I later regret. The important thing in all this, is that I am not giving up.  I have paused to reflect, but I haven't stopped.  That's vital when you are trying to make lasting changes.  No one is perfect, so you have to give yourself a break.  

Here are some ways that I am living my one word... PAUSE 

1. Reading God's Word everyday 

Removing myself from the "world" and spending real time reading the Bible is just one way that I Pause.  Reading the Bible and applying it to current situations or making connections to my past experiences helps me to learn so much.  I used to struggle with daily Bible reading.  Now this habit is finally developed, the time I spend reading my Bible is really making an impact on my attitude, my actions, my choices, my words and my relationships.

2. Meditating and Real Rest

The chronic pain in my neck and back gets a bit much for me and the best way to 'reset' (sort of) is to lie down.  That's right, laying flat on my back, right where I am.  There was a time when I would take meetings on the floor, call parents and answer questions from my colleagues, there were even times when I would talk to students while I was lying on the floor.  Now, I don't do that.  I lie down in the middle of the day if I need to, but I don't talk to anyone.  I just lie there.  No phone calls, no games, no work, no reading.  I just lie down.  Giving my spine and surrounding muscles a rest is important but so is giving my mind a rest.  My work is not just hard on my body, it can be even harder on my mind and mental health.  

3. Meal Planning/ Grocery Shopping/ Meal Prep

I have been meal planning before I go grocery shopping and prepping meals ahead of time.  On the days when I am not working, I cook in bulk.  Last week, I made three different chicken dishes and served them out into containers so I could freeze them.  When I take the time to PAUSE and plan my meals, it makes it so much easier to make good choices about food.  I plan meals and shop when I'm satisfied (not hungry) and I have time to carefully think about how balanced my diet is panning out to be.  I don't have to stick to it religiously, but it makes those choices so much easier.  

4.  Breathe First

Conversations are the most difficult activities for me, especially when it comes to pausing.  The pace is sometimes I little too quick for me to keep up which means that I sometimes say things without thinking.  While having conversations this year, my "pause" strategy is simple.  I just have to breathe before I speak.  Once I have taken a breath, if it really needs to be said, I can say it.  Often, if it didn't need to be said, the conversation has moved on anyway. I don't do this all the time. Maybe I need to do it more.  Maybe,  I don't.  

That's that...

for now. 

Why Pause?

I sort of explained why I chose the word "PAUSE" when I introduced it to you in January.  Today, I want to go deeper.

What does the word "pause" mean to me?

When I read or hear the word, I see those two parallel lines that we use as a symbol on remote controls and electronics - the pause button.  Wouldn't it be the best thing ever if we could all press the pause button when we needed a moment to ourselves? Note to self: great novelty gift for Christmas.

Source

One of the other great things about the word, "Pause" is that it's a VERB. It's something that I am going to do.  The BFF has chosen a word this week and her word is "abide".  She said, "I'm a do-er" and I need to be specific about what I'm going to do.

Of course, if you choose a noun or even an adjective like Kindness or Less, that's absolutely fine.  You might need to think about how you will live Kindness or live with Less.  How do you live Pause or live Abide? … Well, you actually do it.  You Pause!  You Abide!  If your word is a verb, it's a bit easier to know what you have to do.

The word Pause is about self-control, taking time to think and pray, giving myself permission to think before I speak or act.  The great thing about Pausing is that it allows you time and space to rest, but it doesn't give you the option to give up.  It's not over, it's just paused.  Sometimes, pausing is about waiting; about pressing the pause button on life or our plans and waiting for the right time to press play. Rachel Wojo has a 30 day reading plan about the Purposeful Pause and God's perfect timing.  You might want to check it out here.

I hope this helps you to understand why I chose the word, Pause.  I hope you have found your own word and you are beginning to live it.  What is your word and why did you choose it? What does it mean to you?

My One Word for 2019

You may have heard of it... the "one word" movement.  I have seen it around and I liked the idea.  Then, I learnt that this was established by a book that was written by a Christian.  The concept springs from one of simplicity, a "less is more" approach to goal setting.  Instead of making a long list of 'resolutions' or goals for the New Year (which we all know are rarely successful) you choose a single word.  This ONE word guides everything you do for that year.  It brings you clarity and focus. At least, that's the idea. 

According to the book, there is a process which needs to be followed.  

1. Look In: examine yourself, your life, your choices, decide what you need to change, improve, eliminate or maintain. 

2. Look Up: pray.  Ask God to reveal whatever it is you need to work on.  Ask God to reveal the right word for you. Spend some real time meditating on God's word and allow Him to speak to you.  Listen, Watch, Wait for His answer. 

3. Look Out: Write down the word God has revealed to you and Live it out. Focus on your word.  Write it on your mirror, on your fridge, in your Bible, on post-its, in your car, at your work.  Put it where you will see it.  Keep it fresh in your mind.  Tell a friend or family member your word and talk about it regularly.  Pray about how God wants you to Live your "Word".  

I went through my own process, but it did include the steps above as well. 

1. I reflected on 2018 and what I achieved, I thought about the frustrations and difficulties that I faced too.  I tried to work out what I could or should have done differently or what I wanted to do differently.  I thought the word "LESS" would be a good word for 2019.  

2. I found a four-day reading plan in the You Bible App, and read it. 

3. During my reading of the plan, I wrote down the Scripture references  and as I read each one from my Bible, I wrote down key words.  I wrote words like, focus, generosity, sacrifice, simple, forward and trust. 

3. Using some of the key words and more words that came to mind, I wrote a list of words.  It included words like; less, rest, smile, kindness, better, quiet.   

4. I prayed and put a star beside the words that were standing out to me and aligned with scripture. 

5. I slept. 

6. While reading some quotes on Pinterest I came across one that said, "Practice the pause...when you pause; pray." It became clear.  

My word this year, is PAUSE! 

There are some other goals that I have.  I want to lose some more weight.  I want to exercise regularly.  I want to be grateful.  I want to speak with positivity and encouragement instead of irritation and criticism.  Losing weight is a result of  self-control (for me anyway).  Choosing to exercise instead of flopping on the couch in front of the TV, means thinking about long term goals instead of short term feelings.  Being grateful, often involves seeing the big picture and knowing that even in the worst moment of your life, you have a great deal of wonderfulness in your life (I know it's not a real word).  Speaking positively and encouraging instead of criticising requires self control and sometimes means 'biting one's tongue.' All those things require an ability to step outside of the situation you are in, recognising your feelings, being rational and making a choice.  I don't know about you, but I can't do all that quickly.  I need a minute.  This year, I want to take the time to pause before I eat, before I yell or snap, or even speak.  Sometimes, pausing will mean, praying, being silent, exercising, napping (I love napping), moving away from someone or something, moving towards the right people.  Pausing, means getting out of the situation (if only for a second) to handle it better.  

I am excited!  

You will hear more about this over 2019.  

What would your 'one word' be? Let me know in the comments! :)