A Series of Observations

Hello all! Hard to believe that a month ago I posted my “Glow-Ups and Being ‘That Girl’” post. In case you missed it, you can check that out here.

Today we’re going to review my progress, and see what changes might need to be made. From each category, here is the progress I’ve made so far…the things I haven’t accomplished yet I left out, check out my other post for the full list!

Health & Wellness

1. Minimum 10,000 steps a day Minimum 8,000-10,000 steps a day
   • This one has been both easy and challenging to accomplish. Walking is relaxing for me and the easiest form of movement but I work a desk job in a very small office, so walking around the office doesn’t add up a lot of steps and means I have to be quite intentional with my movement. I’ve changed the goal to a realistic range of 8,000-10,000 steps, that way I don’t get too hard on myself if I didn’t hit the bigger goal, but if I meet or surpass the 10,000, I’m happy! I usually track my steps via my apple watch or phone, and I’m even becoming and ankle weight and dumbbell wearing girlie while I walk for the extra stregnth training.
2. Narrow down supplements to only essential things
   • I love simple and effective routines, so here is what I’m taking for supplements now.
     • Vitamin D
     • B12-Methyl Factors
     • Ashwagandha
     • Akasha Superfoods Sea Moss (ok maybe this one isn’t essential, but it’s the last one I have that I’m testing out so we’ll see)
     • Vitamin C (when I need it)
     • Magnesium (when I need it, though I might add it back on a regular basis)
3. Prioritize sleep
   • I love to sleep, so this isn’t hard for me to want to do, but it all comes down to routines, which I’ll talk about later.
4. Try new recipes, and recreate ones I love from restaurants
   • I love to cook, and here are some recipes I’ve tried recently!
     • Raspberry Lemon Loaf (the link to the recipe I used isn’t posted anymore)
     • Lemon Butter Creamy Orzo with Kale, garlic and breadcrumbs
     • Seared Scallops with cauliflower risotto, topped with roasted brussel sprouts and bacon. I made this dairy free, and adjusted or added what I needed because I was copying a recipe I got at a restaurant.
5. Daily stretching
   • I stretch every morning as my cup of tea cools down. I have a very quick, maybe 15 minute routine that helps me to prepare for my day! I’m going to start stretching at the end of my day too just because I’m not as flexible as I used to be when I was dancing more frequently and I don’t wanna lose it!
6. Hydration and the sun are keys to my happiness, get as much as I can!
   • It’s summer, so I feel like I’m winning major points on this one! I can’t enjoy the sun as much as I want due to my laser hair treatments, but my last appointment for the summer is this week and then I will be enjoying that extra vitamin d.
   • Hydration can be more difficult, because some times it seems like no matter how much you drink, it’s never enough this time of year. I use my Owala water bottle that I love, and when I need a boost I use these electrolyte tablets and sometimes make a yummy “mocktail” just to get more fluids in. The recipe I use for my current favorite is this: kombucha, splash of orange juice or any other juice you’d like, and topped with a can of seltzer water. Easy peasy!
7. Meditate or word vomit journal more
   • I’ve added meditating to my morning routine, and trying to add it into my evening routine. So far I’m just getting the hang of it, but it has definitely made me feel more calm and less mentally jumbled throughout the day.
8. Continue using affirmations
   • I’ve found this great artist Kinder Records on Spotify that has meditation and affirmations mixed in one. I listen to it whenever I need some inspiration or some mental quiet, usually while I do my makeup in the morning or even during a shower.
9. Express more gratitude and finding the good in all situations
   • Easier said than done, but I’ve been working on this for a while. Start the day good and the good keeps going in my opinion! Slowing down to appreciate every moment makes it easy to see all the good things around me.
10. Compliment people more
    • I’m not a shy person, so this isn’t hard for me either. When I see something I like, I point it out! You can usually see how happy it makes someone to notice something about them.
11. Limit screen time, continue regular social media breaks
    • Sometimes I genuinely need to brain rot to some TikTok, but I’ve done my best to limit screen time in the evenings, and I disable my phone during the weekend besides basic use. I’ve found that I really don’t miss anything important, and care less if I do. Social media is an interesting thing and I really enjoy being plugged in less.
12. Caffeine and alcohol free
    • Alcohol free is no problem for me, and caffeine is usually no problem too! Occasionally I let myself have full caffeine, but usually I order everything decaf. I’ve been doing this long enough to know that I generally feel as though I have more energy with less crashes and less anxiety, as well as decreased skin issues.
13. Massage and acupuncture 1x/month
    • Another easy one for me. I have my massages scheduled and ready to go and refuse to miss one. Acupuncture I do every month as well, but as much as I enjoy it, I don’t have specific problems I’m currently focused on, so I think I’m going to take a break from it and save some money.
14. Maintain hair with regular salon visits
    • I’m currently growing out my hair, so I go every 3-4 months for a trim and restyle and I usually do a special service with some fun treatments attached. I have an appointment scheduled for next week that I’m looking forward to! Whether or not I chop my hair again…TBD.
15. Continue laser hair treatments
    • Every 5 weeks like clockwork!

Lifestyle & Fashion

1. Improve morning and evening routines
   • Current morning routine: try not to hit snooze a million times, wake up, stretch/meditate/read, drink tea, get ready for the day with some good music or a podcast, breakfast, head out to work.
     • What I want to add: exercise if I can, morning’s don’t usually permit this for me, but even a quick walk is good depending on the weather. I live incredibly close to where I work currently, so I also walk to work whenever I can. I’d love to be more of a morning shower/evening rinse person for my hair’s sake, but nothing hits like an evening shower.
   • Current evening routine: exercise, shower, plan ahead for the next day, dinner, relax with a show/book/creative project, evening mocktail and a small sweet treat, sleep.
     • What I want to add: stretch, journaling and/or creative time (junk journaling or drawing, something like that), more meditation.
2. Prioritize rest
   • Ideally this looks like one chill day or night a week where I have zero responsibilities and don’t have to leave the house. Where I get into the best comfy clothes, cook an incredible and comforting meal (or takeout) and speak to no one but my dog and cats. I do tend to have most evenings at home, whether or not they are relaxing is another story. Every once in a while I have to intentionally not put anything on the schedule, or cancel everything, and enjoy a day or night of nothingness.
3. Create more and prioritize hobbies
   • I do this in a lot of ways, and have so many little projects on my list that keep me busy! Most of my hobbies are creative expressions, like sewing/drawing/crafting/writing, etc. I make my life about my hobbies.
4. Romanticize my life more
   • I’m allowed to have pretty things, I’m allowed to have fun routines, I’m allowed to notice all the amazing things in my life and focus on them! I deserve to be happy with the life I create. Take the damn pictures and wear the cute outfits no matter what anyone else says.
5. Weekly preps during the weekend
   • This is simple. Update my calendars, run errands, plan out meals/social events/to do lists, anything that will make my life easier during the week.
6. Prepare the night before for the day ahead, so mornings aren’t stressful and I have what I need
   • This is also simple and kind connects to a few points I’ve already gone over. Set out clothes, pack any food or bags I need, etc., etc.
7. Sew more clothes for myself and continue to take care of the clothes I do have
   • I haven’t sewn anything from scratch recently, but my mending pile is huge and I’m always fixing holes or buttons or zippers, oh my!
8. Continue to explore my unique style and figure out what works for me, including accessorizing
   • Pinterest is my best friend for this, and also my best friend Kelly who happens to work in fashion and always answers my questions. I might have another blog post about this coming soon.
9. “Get ready” everyday so I feel put together
   • No this doesn’t always mean I’m done up everyday, some rot days are needed, but even on days where I don’t plan to put on makeup and want to stay in my pajamas, I make sure I take care of all the basic necessities and feel confident in my low-effort look.
10. Continue therapy and gain skills and confidence from my time there
    • I’m a regular at my therapists office, but she’s currently on maternity leave and then I’ll be out of the country next month, so it’ll be a while until I see her again. Until then I email her updates.

Education & Spirituality

1. Continue to read fiction and non-fiction
   • I try not to have more than 2 books started at once, but currently I’m reading “The Four Agreements” by Don Miguel Ruiz and “One Day” by David Nicholls. Non-fiction satisfies my curiosities about the world and need to continue to learn everyday, while non-fiction is my opportunity to escape my everyday world.
2. Continue to practice Greek, and bring that into my everyday routines
   • My Duolingo streak is over 620 days, which I’m pretty impressed by, and I do my best to respond to my dad in Greek as much as possible. I’ve even started dreaming in Greek!
3. Podcasts I’m listening to: (I listen to these on Apple Podcasts, but you can find them on Spotify too)
   • Problem Solved with Jeff Guenther, LPC
   • The Psychology of Your 20’s with Jemma Sbeg
   • Wellness Her Way with Gracie Norton
   • Finding Mr. Height The Podcast with Ali Jackson and Erica Spera
   • 9 to 5 ish by theSkimm
4. People I’m learning from:
   • Ted Talks – Various topics
   • Barbara O’Neil – Holistic education
   • Katie Steckly – Social media and content creation
   • Gracie Norton – Female wellness
   • Jeff Guenther – Therapist and mental health content creator
   • My personal therapist
5. Practice radical acceptance and get more comfortable with unknowns
   • Breathwork and self-talk are the best things for this. Sometimes I’m just more anxious than usual and it’s hard to help, so I turn to music or napping to redirect my thoughts.

Professional Life – Updates TBD

Financial

1. Continue to contribute to IRA and savings accounts
   • I contribute to my IRA every year, and my savings accounts every month.
2. Invest in myself the most
   • This includes experiences, items, services and more. I make my money for myself and currently have no one dependent on me at the moment so I am lucky.
3. Only buy items when something needs replacing, minimize unnecessary consumption
   • As a girl that loves to shop, this is hard, but I have done so good with it. Every time I’m out shopping, I stick to my list and if I find myself wanting something beyond it, I ask myself how I’ll use it, if it’s worth it, do I have something similar or better already at home, and how often I would need to replace it depending on the item.
4. Quality is always better than quantity, quality items will last longer
   • Nothing brings me more joy than finding a good quality item that I can make last for a lifetime. I intentionally seek out these better quality items whether it’s new or second-hand.

Relationships and Connection

1. No more one sided relationships of any kind
   • People that don’t respect me, don’t get access to me.
2. Continue to practice honest and open communication
   • My relationship with my boyfriend gives opportunities for this all the time, and it gives me more confidence to be honest and open with more people. Usually this involves me taking a moment to sort out my emotions, and then do the damn thing scared anyways.
3. Phone calls > texts
   • I call my mom and/or dad everyday at lunch, and facetime friends when I can.
4. Ask questions to enhance connections
   • I keep a running list in my notes of exceptionally great questions to ask. Be it professional, or personal, they’ve come in handy and really diversify conversations.
5. Say no without explanation
   • We all wanna be a little mysterious, and they don’t need to know our business anyways. If that narrative helps us hold our ground then so be it.
6. Boundaries make relationships better, not worse, don’t let people walk all over you
   • Refer to bullet 1 of this section
7. Distance myself from people who are toxic to me, not every bridge needs to be burned, but I am my own #1 priority
   • Easy, these people show themselves to me all the time, and I make sure to take note and walk away. Sometimes it warrants a conversation, other times life has a way of distancing from you anyways.
8. Remember that the length of time that you know someone does not dictate the quality of the relationship
   • A painful lesson I’ve learned a few times unfortunately.
9. Listen more than I talk when problems come up

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Well we made it to the end! Hopefully updates like this are enjoyable to read. I suppose selfishly they are for my own benefit to keep track of everything and hold myself accountable, but the thing with ideas is you never know when it’ll inspire someone else.

I’m very interested to know what people enjoy reading, and would love feedback. Likes and comments are both an indicator of what works for the blog, and helps me feel more inspired and connected to you all!

Have a great weekend 🙂