Last Month…

January 2021 was an incredible month. I always feel like the first month of the year is an incredibly hopeful, motivated, and renewed time and this January was not any different. If anything, the happenings of 2020 made January 2021 even more special for me. I rededicated myself to several things that really turned my life around.

You can view a recap of my January goals here.

A few joys last month…

— I journaled every single day. I have never been one for writing in a journal – my intense need for productivity and impatience coupled with the act of journaling was never one meant for success. (I am working on my impatience) but until we have that worked out, journaling on my computer has been an incredible experience for me. Currently, I use Notion. It’s like a digital notebook, it’s incredible.

— I completed the Bible Reading Plan for January. I made a few changes in my habits in January, one of them being to devote my mornings entirely to time with God. In contrast, to that, I have intentionally been spending less time on my phone and I have decreased my phone usage from 6-7 hours a day to roughly one hour a day. Big changes are going on over here!

— I tracked my time. After reading, You Have More Time Than You Think, I was incredibly inspired to manage my time well and tracked my time. I found out some things that were shocking to me about how I spent my time. It has really allowed me to get on track to using my time intentionally. Right now I am using the Toggl app and it is INCREDIBLE (+ it’s free!)

— I reached my fitness goals in a way I have never before. I have always been dedicated to my fitness (devoting at least an hour 5-6 days a week to my fitness) so exercising is not a foreign concept to me. However, this month, I introduced weight lifting and macro counting into my fitness routine to take it up a notch. The changes in my body have been incredible. I feel so strong and for the first time in a long time, I am seeing notable progress.

— I learned to play Brahms Sonata No. 1 on the cello. I have devoted at least an hour a week to playing my cello (which is coupled by my intentions for spending my leisure time intentionally as well).

— I talked on the phone more. I have always been that person who got irately irritated by people calling me on my cell phone (the irony being that its primary function is for phone talking). I converted the time I spent scrolling on my phone to reaching out to my family more and it has been a blessing. In more ways than I can count.

— My husband made an effort to cook for me more! This was not even prompted by me, he just decided this month that he would cook for me. We’ve found that he makes a mean steak 😉 I love to cook so I’ve never asked that of him but it was nice to have a meal made for me once a week!

Books I Read Last Month …

I plowed through some books last month and I’d do it all over again!

— A Gentleman in Moscow – an eloquently written book that will just make your heart soar. The story of a gentleman that is sentenced to living his life in a hotel and how he manages to find joys even within this confined space. A happy tear rolled down my eye as I closed out this book.

— Every Good Endeavor – just an absolutely incredible read that will change your perspective on work and how you can focus on it in a way that glorifies God. I will admit there were some concepts that went right over my head so this one will be in regular rotation over the coming years for me to digest slowly.

— The Vanishing Half – fascinating read. It was hard for me to put this one down and I finished it in a matter of days. A story of two twin Black girls who do not look Black and how their lives played out.

— You Have More Time Than You Think – calling all Enneagram 3s. Or really anybody who is wanting to focus their time and spend it well, THIS IS THE BOOK FOR YOU! I have pages and pages of notes that I’ve jotted down from reading it and it has made an incredible impact on my life (as you can see from this past month). I would recommend this over and over and over again!

This Month…

Something I want: Smart Weights – I have my eyes on these smart weights. (They are in such popular demand, it is saying the weights may not ship to me for 4 months!) Ever since I have been weight lifting, I have started to plateau with my 12-pound weights and am craving something heavier to continue to challenge myself.

Something I’m Reading:

— 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You – I’ve already digged into this one and it’s been a hard read for me. I’ve already had two sobbing sessions with my husband because of what the book covers. It’s definitely an extreme one and I believe one whose concepts should be taken with a grain of salt but all incredibly important.

— The Pillars of the Earth – I’ve seen this series on so many book recommendations lists, I knew I had to dig into it.

Something I want to do:

❤️ Have a fun Valentine’s Day Weekend with my love in VA

❤️ Celebrate National Pizza Day (February 9)

❤️ Celebrate National Dog Biscuit Day (February 23)

❤️ Watch more sunrises

❤️ Have a romantic fondue night

❤️ Go visit my family

❤️ Take a pink bath

❤️ Make Valentine’s treats for my friends (ideally macarons)

❤️ Pursue a volunteer opportunity

❤️ Watch a romantic comedy

What exciting things would you like to do this month?