Monday

Yesterday I got up early and went for a 40 minute walk. Outside. It was 8 degrees. Sadly, this is just the start of the brutal Chicago winter ahead.

As part of my desire and goal to get more active this year, I put on the wool socks and got outside and I wasn't sorry. Sure, I couldn't feel my face or thighs at times, but today was the first day in a long time that I was excited about the day ahead of me. Getting out and moving in nature helped along with avoiding the use of my phone or searching social media for the first 30 minutes+ of the morning. Little changes add up! 

After my walk, breakfast and a hot shower I set out to pamper myself a bit. Self care is not a shower alone, after all. I treated myself to a manicure and pedicure and was planning on calling it a day right afterwards,  out of an imagined sense of obligation to return home and take care of the "household".  Instead, I bought myself lunch, saw a movie and treated myself to two new pairs of ridiculous shoes. 

I felt refreshed physically, mentally and emotionally and actually energetic for once. If you're reading this, this is your reminder to take the time for you. Whether it's a walk, spending time in silence pampering or treating yourself to some type of outing - just do it. I snapped the photo below on my walk and felt lucky to be a part of the sun's big day. 

Books!

 

So, I will have no problem finding 12 books to read throughout the year seeing as my own bedroom has supplied me with these 7 which I have either not start or not yet completed. Anyone else here just collect books? 

New Year

 

Last night my husband suggested a date night out at a local steakhouse. Tired and feeling lazy I replied, "But I have chicken here to make for dinner". What was I thinking? Here's everything I wanted, my husband taking initiative to plan a date night out, an actual date night, and I'm turning it down to make chicken? 

I quickly saw the error of my ways and hopped in the shower, got dressed - in a dress - and showed up! Part of life is getting dressed and showing up, and I did just that. Cheers!

Get up.
Dress up.
Show up.

Never give up.

Happy New Year!

Happy New Year!

Did I mention I enjoy making lists?

Check out my latest find.

Can't wait to use it, starting today.

The List

So here it is. My list of 12 things to do 12 times (or more) over the next 12 months. Anything sound fun or interesting to you? Any goals that you're setting for yourself? 

1) Books
Read twelve books before 12/31/22 (new or existing in my current library).

2) Adventures!
2021 felt overwhelming with responsibilities (real or imagined) and a lot of sacrifices of my free time were made. I am looking forward to 12 new, solo adventures! Whether it's a day at a museum, a weekend Jeep adventure or a silent yoga retreat with a friend, I know my adventures await! 

3) Date Nights
Similar to #2 above, 2021 took a toll on my love life. I didn't feel like I had the energy to plan or focus on time for myself, much less time for my husband and I to reconnect. Planning a simple date night seemed overwhelming towards the end of the year and hence, it was sacrificed. I miss our fun nights out and plan to resurrect date nights - big or small!

4) Physical Self Care/Pampering
Yep. I'm investing in physical self care. You know, spa days. Massages. Facials. Whatever it is, I'm doing it this year. 

5) Creative Outlet
I used to draw and draw well. I even craft, color, paint, and enjoy making things. I don't recall the last time I made anything besides dinner. Lets get back to fun! Whether its coloring a page in an adult coloring book, taking photos, drawing something from scratch, signing up for a new class/activity - time to get back to my artistic roots.

6) Girls!
I need time with my friends. We all do. My friends are available, again I have just felt too overwhelmed to spend the energy planning anything. Time to get back to the fun times! Go for a walk? Sure! Catch up over brunch? You got it. 

7) The Ninja 
This one just might kill me. I received a Ninja Foodi for Christmas of 2020 (yes, 2020!) and have been too intimidated to use it! Perhaps this year I can make 12 new dishes using it! Hey, it's a start!

8) Gratitude and Kindness
So this might be a hard goal to measure but I find myself getting mired down in my own complaints and negativity. I used to be a super positive person but feel like that dastards have torn me down over time and sadly, I've allowed for it. Perhaps 12 positive/feel good posts? Compliment 12 people? List twelve things I'm grateful for each month? In some way, I will honor and practice being grateful and kind.

9) Movies
Because this blog has morphed over time, you'll see there is a header page labeled "AFI Top 100" (go check it out!). I will dedicate this year to watching at least 12 more movies from the list.

10) Exercise
I miss it. I used to do it 6 times a week. I used to run. Injury and post injury depression that followed caused me to give up for most of 2021. It's time to get moving again. And while I cannot return to 9+ mile runs, I can walk. I can ride. I can hike. I will embrace what I can do. So, starting small - I'll dedicate each month to at least 12 workouts or some sort. Anything counts.

11) Learn
I'm a big fan of taking classes so I'm tasking myself to learn 12 new things. Online course for work? Language app for fun? Jeep mechanics? Anything's game!

12) Blog! 
Maintain this blog. Post at least 12 times per month about my list of 12's over the next 12 months!

12 x 12 x 12 in 2022

It's December 30th and I'm already gearing up for the new year. I understand that many might be cautious about getting excited for the new year given our current Covid state of affairs, but I'm ready and hope you take this journey with me. 2021 was not a real treat for me, so I am happy to celebrate the sloughing off of the old and looking forward to making improvements in the new year ahead. 

In ramping up for 2022, I realized I like lists. I like to make them. I like to organize and highlight them. Most of all, I enjoy scratching things off of them. And just like that, I thought I could easily make a list of twelve themes, with twelve tasks to tackle over the next year. So here I am, revamping my blog which is something I thoroughly enjoy, and bringing you my "to do" lists for 2022.

Stay tuned, more to come!

Day 366

20 years ago today, I lost my Dad. I was in my mid twenties then and the quote below, which my father stated often, held true. Coming across it today makes me giggle as I'm pretty sure he sent it my way just to remind me. if even just in hindsight, that he indeed was far smarter than I ever gave him credit for. While I don't think his genius was ever a question in my mind, I'm sure his "cool points" waned often. As I work to help raise two stepdaughters today, I'm sure he is laughing where ever he's at as I now realize I won't be smart or cool until they're probably in their 30's. Late 20's if I'm lucky. I miss you Dad.