It is the end of month one, ENERGY month. Here's the roundup of it went:
**Instead of ...cleaning up...organizing...doing data entry...watching tv...doing laundry, LIE DOWN and try to nap.** I did this a few times. Twice I napped and once I just lay down for a while. In general, the Shorty has slept better so I've been able to sleep through the night as well and my need for napping has been less. An off shoot of this was the decision to watch much less television. While home on maternity leave I got used to DVRing a bunch of shows so I'd have something to do while the little one slept or nursed, but that habit continued. I don't need it and don't want it anymore, so it has gone away.
**Always have a good book to read**
This has been a resounding success. I've read four books and am most of the way through another. What I've read: THE ISLAND, SUPER RICH, A DISCOVERY OF WITCHES, POSER and am almost done with MOMMA ZEN. I do so love getting lost in a good story, so three of the books provided that. The other two have been food for thought, so to speak.
**Go to bed when you are tired, no matter what time it is**
This is hard, but not for the reasons I initially thought. It just takes time to do stuff at night. Get organized, get the Shorty's lunch together, have dinner, talk with the Hubs, return emails, calls etc. Some nights I've turned in 15 minutes early, but again, with the better night's sleep, I don't feel as though I need to go to bed earlier.
**Get out of the house every day**
This has also been a success. Nicer weather helps to facilitate, so did a week in Florida. Just this week on Monday we went to a play space from 10-11 and then for a walk up to the library at 2, and back by way of having a snack at the local coffee shop. Nicer weather is just the best.
**On the subject of eating:
Return to a low sugar diet
Return to eating minimal processed foods
Take time to get something healthy - walk all the way past the pantry to the refrigerator
Drink enough water and start the day with a glass of warm water**
My diet is lower sugar, but not no sugar as it was in the past. I've worked hard to drink more water and often succeed. I've tried to plan a good balance of vegetarian and non-vegetarian meals and have leftovers for lunch - I love a substantial lunch and sandwiches have never been my favorite. I would say I'm more aware of the choices I'm making which is good.
**On the topic of exercise:
Walk instead of drive
Go to the gym when I can
Go to a yoga class every week
Fit in a few days a week of home yoga practice**
I have walked places when I can. The gym continues to be a challenge. There's one day of the week and one day of the weekend when I know I can go. Once the weather is good enough to be out on the days I'm home, I won't care as much. I have found a yoga class and have gone several times on the weeks we are home. One big realization was that the time I have free is after Ella goes to bed. I'm trying to incorporate yoga and meditation into my daily life and that's the time it is apt to have to happen. So we'll see if I can do it.
**Act like I have more energy**
There were definitely moments that I needed to do this and tried.
Overall, this month was as much about consciousness raising as anything. I've taken to adopting mantras on various occasions. The one in the title was today's, in reaction to what I read in Momma Zen and it was the focus of my meditation at lunch. I feel as though I have become an observer of myself and am frequently present enough to be aware of what I'm saying and how I could choose another path.
So that's that. Up next, Putting My Own Oxygen Mask On First.
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