So remember last month when I set all kinds of ambitious goals for January’s theme of complete? Remember I said I wanted to edit my book, start a newsletter, update the photos in my living room, and update the decor in my daughter’s playroom?
Yeah. Me, too. I think the high of the freshness and possibility of the new year had kicked in and I was feeling extra motivated. Then, you know, the high wore off and I shit the bed on all of the goals. Well, three of them. I opted out of doing the newsletter for now because I just don’t have the energy right now to take on a new project. So quitting technically isn’t failing.
That’s what I’m telling myself, anyway.
As far as the book, I did write the summary and started combining bits and pieces and scraps into one cohesive story (sort of), and I’ve written some new content. So it’s both a pass and a fail on this one.
With the photos and the decor, I know what I want to do. And there’s no reason except my own laziness that I haven’t done it. I mean, lack of funds isn’t helping but it’s mostly due to my own lack of motivation. So that’s a huge fail.
You know what I did manage to complete? Seven books, 3 seasons of Rescue Me, 1 season of SouthLAnd, some laundry, our February budget, and going to approximately 2934073 doctor appointments (not to mention scheduling a shit ton more). And I managed to stick to my new blogging schedule.
So I didn’t totally suck at life during January but I didn’t succeed either. Neutral will have to do at this point.
But now it’s February. A new month, a new theme–create. Since I can’t handle failing for another month, I decided that I’d limit myself to only three things to create and absolutely none of them will involve arts and crafts. I need to do stuff that will not intimidate me nor make me cry at the thought of doing them. That said, here’s what I’m creating in February:
- My 40 x 40 list. I’ve wanted to do one of these for awhile and I’m finally doing it. Well, truth be told, since Steph is gracious enough to give us the themes in advance, I knew this was something I wanted to do this month and I’ve already completed this one. If you guys are interested, I’ll be happy to share what I put on it.
- My “already done” list. When I was researching what others put on their age related bucket lists, I realized how fortunate I’ve been thus far in my life and how much I’ve actually done. In a way to not feel so pathetic regarding the current state of my affairs, I think it’ll be helpful to look at how much I’ve done. If you guys are interested, I can share that list, too.
- A recipe binder. Technically, I already have one of these but it desperately needs an overhaul, including removing recipes we’ll never try and adding ones we love. I’ve been having trouble with Pinterest (where I get the bulk of my recipes) crashing as well as finding dead links and I don’t want to keep having these problems. So back to the old school paper method we go.
If time and motivation permit, as well as permission from my husband, I’ll start editing the short stories my husband writes for our daughter because I want to have them put in a printed book (he has a blog where he writes them now). If anyone can draw and wants to help with some illustrations, I’d love to talk to you. I can’t draw for shit.
So that’s what my month looks like. How about you guys? What are you creating in February?
That’s the thing about January. She is a sneaky bitch, let me tell you! She makes you think you are Leo in the Titanic. Like you are king of the world and can take on anything. And then at the end of the month you are left listening to Rose babble as you freeze to death in the ocean on a piece of board. Dramatic much? Haha!
I am a little nervous with my goals for this month. I always put anything creative on the back burner and I have a feeling I am not going to get a lot done but we shall see. At least I had ambition?
I would love to see your 40 x 40. After I turned 30 I started my list and I only have like 25 things on it so far. I need some inspiration or ideas to finish it so I can start working towards them.
Nadine recently posted…Complete and Create
January is an asshole. So full of promise and then…nothing but snow and cold weather. Fuck you, January.
I’m not very creative either. I mean, I have tons of ideas in my head but they wind up looking like shit in the actual implementation process. Craft stores freaks me out.
I think I’ll share my list in the next week or two.
love your honesty! and this is the second time today–the second time ever–i’ve heard the phrase “shit the bed” hehe!
ellesees recently posted…My Quick Skin Care Routine (Morning and Night)
It’s a great description. And so accurate for what I did in January.
Love that your husbands writing short stories for your daughter ! Priceless! And you can edit. #teamwork. Would your daughter be interested in illustrating the stories? That would be awesome, I think.
Goddess speed with all of your goals!
Love, SMD ‘s Momma
I love the idea of her drawing pictures for the story and she and I discussed it and that’s what we’ll be doing! Thanks for the suggestion!
I did both a 40×40 and a reverse bucket list, both were so much fun. It is hard to think of 40 damn things though, why couldn’t we be 20 again with the brain of a 40 year old!?!
Kelli recently posted…Books, Clothes, and Buses Oh My!
If we were 20 and had our almost 40 year old knowledge, we’d be unstoppable!!!
updating my recipe box was the best thing. i ditched recipes that i had (but never made) and only kept the ones that were hits. i went back to old school as well – 4×5 recipe cards and found an old cigar box my dad had from the 70s to store them in. if that’s not old school, then i don’t know what is.
kathy @ real talk recently posted…making the most of my work fuck-off time
You and some other people keep winding up in spam jail. I don’t understand why!!!
HAHAHA on the old school recipe box! I actually got one of those for my bridal shower 11 years ago. I have like 6 recipes in it. I want to use it more but in a binder, I can put those protective sheets over the paper so when something inevitably spills, I can still see the words. I’m actually looking forward to this project because I can do it in an afternoon while catching up on some DVR’d shows. I love a good multitasking afternoon!
I hope everybody is ok — a ton of doctor’s appointments is never good. Everyone in my house has been to the doctor one or twice in the past two weeks and it’s been awful. Just a bad cold but it’s turned into ear infections, sinus infections, etc. Plus my baby is going to have to have a minor surgery and it’s stressing me out!
Sarah @ Beauty School Dropout recently posted…I hate my winter capsule wardrobe
My daughter had her adnoids removed when she was about 3. I was a wreck the whole time so I completely understand. One good thing about them getting removed, though–we haven’t had an ear infection since! It’s been lovely.
We’ll find out in March if everything is okay. That’ll be the final diagnostic appointment. I am DREADING it (all the appointments have been for me, minus the standard well child visit and twice a year dental exam) but at least I’ll finally know.
Shit happens. Or doesn’t. Neutral seems a good way to go for your January.
I’m working on my 40×40 to share in March when I turn 38. I’d love to see yours in hopes of stealing a few. LOLOL I’m struggling on some smaller things to do. They can’t all be 1. Go to Paris, you know?
SMD @ Life According to Steph recently posted…Choose Your Own Adventure – January Linkup & February Goals
That’s where I’ve gotten stuck. The big things were easy. The small ones, not so much. I squeaked it out, though. I’ll share my list next week.
People tend to get overzealous with the January goals. No worries cut yourself some slack. February looks like a good list of goals. I totally would love to see the 40×40 and the already done lists.
Kerry recently posted…My Dream Is…
7 books is pretty awesome in itself to me! Good luck on your goals this month.
Bri @ My Life As recently posted…Before You Start Anything, Learn How To Finish It
January is so hard, isn’t it? I start off with so many goals, so optimistic for the new year, but since it’s still cold and generally gray outside I feel very lethargic and all I want to do is curl up on the couch and drink coffee and eat all the things! February is looking much better!
Julia recently posted…Confession Session
hahaha quitting isnt failing. love it. and i think surviving and not sucking at life is better than nothing 😉 pretty sure you read more books than me, i have been so lazy. YES i want to see your already done list – i definitely get caught up sometimes in thinking i havent done things and when i went back and did my ‘yearly recaps’ before the blog it blew my mind about how much i had actually done, so i think it is such a great idea and yes i want to see your list, and then 40×40 too. i love old school paper for recipes, i want to get something like a binder or a box or something because i never use the computer when i am cooking, i want a piece of paper in front of me!
kristen recently posted…January Results / February Goals
I’m still working on creating recipes. This February “create” thing was what inspired my current recipe challenge to begin with.
Speaking of, I tried a recipe binder once and failed so hard at it that I had to start posting recipes on my blog in order to document them lol.
I need a recipe binder. I have recipes all over the dang place.
Amber recently posted…Things That Annoy Me Thursday: Kids Growing Up
I think your Jan sounded productive! Can’t do one thing, got another thing done. How awesome that your husband writes short stories for your daughter. Writing runs in the family! Does he make her the star of his stories? Great idea to make a book! Can’t wait to read your “already done” list. It’s always good to be positive and be happy of our accomplishments.
lisacng @ expandng.com recently posted…5 random things
Hahaha the shows on the ‘what i did list,’ I cracked up. That’s so me too. I may not have finished a productive goal, but I finished every season of Chuck, that should count for something…
I use evernote for recipes, it’s worked well. That way, I don’t have to worry about pinterest failures! Good luck this month!
Its a pass to have written anything re your book so no failures there! Go girl!
Kay R. recently posted…Another week has gone!
I am so happy you are link up with me and both of the Stephs! I think your goal accomplishments for January were good. I know I get sucked into TV a lot and especially books. I look forward to reading about your February goals. I would love to know more on your bucketlist and the 40X40 list. What is that?
Ashley Servis recently posted…Does High School Prep You for College?
The 40 x 40 is 40 things I want to do before I turn 40. I’m actually posting that list tomorrow!
I love these monthly themed challenges you guys do!
Dead Pinterest links are the WORST! Such a tease. I try to print out the recipes we’ve tried once we know we like them and will make them again. Having a paper binder is nice… sometimes looking at a recipe off of your phone or computer can be a pain in the ass.
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