Life By Kristen

November in Review, December Preview

The two things I’m most proud of from November:

• Speaking my mind at a work all staff meeting about something I felt was important
• Giving myself time to relax and do nothing on a few weekends and vacation
• And a third! Working with a career coach to evaluate what my next steps might be

The two things I’m most grateful for from November:

• Family
• Supportive work colleagues that make the day better even when things aren’t going great

The lesson I learned and am carrying forward with me from November: I am not my job ( I feel like I have to remind myself of this a lot).

My intention for December: Enjoyment.

One thing I aim to do everyday in December is: thank people in my life for what they mean to me- everyone from thanking the mailman who brings a ridiculous amount of packages to our door to online friends who bring bits of joy to life.

Because I am brave, here are 2 new things I will do in December:

• Informational interviews for people who have jobs/careers that I find interesting to learn more
• It’ll happen at the end of December, but one of my closest friends, who I happen to work with, is leaving at the end of the month to undertake a new career. I feel like it’s going to take a lot of bravery for me to not breakdown when this happens, as she’s a bright spot in an often gloomy day. January is going to have a lot of adjusting for me.

The one book I definitely want to read in December is: Harry Potter #5

Something I want to experiment with in December is: Can I get up in time and dressed to get to church on Sunday mornings?

Just for fun, I will: watch as many Christmas movies as I want, even the cheesy Hallmark ones!

As an act of intentional kindness, I will: Donate food, toys, and toiletries to the various drives going on this month.

August in Review, September Preview

The two things I’m most proud of from August:

• Setting some more work boundaries
• Work night routine mashup- some nights we did chores around house, others we watched movies, or I went for walks. But we didn’t just sit around like blobs!

The two things I’m most grateful for from August:

• A few long weekends that were much needed
• Martha’s Vineyard

The lesson I learned and am carrying forward with me from August: I am my own worst critic and don’t give myself enough credit for a lot of things

My intention for September: Be honest and intentional in work, life, and self

One thing I aim to do everyday in September is: practice gratitude and prayer

Because I am brave, here are 2 new things I will do in September:

• Every month I’ve said it, but this month it will happen- send out 2 short stories
• Apply for jobs outside my comfort zone/current field

The one book I definitely want to read in September is: 4th Harry Potter!

Something I want to experiment with in September is: no clothes shopping. I’ve done it before, but then as I lost weight, I had to buy wardrobe staples. This summer I’ve taken advantage of far too many sales for no reason other than online shopping is often my boredom fighter!

Just for fun, I will: go apple picking.

As an act of intentional kindness, I will: make donations to Hurricane Harvey relief.

July in Review, August Preview

Bringing this back from last year….

The two things I’m most proud of from July:

• Making it a priority to completely be with family on weekends and not checking work emails
• Surviving my day job ( there are some days it is a struggle).

The two things I’m most grateful for from July:

• 4 day mini staycation on 4th of July weekend
• Fresh, local produce in abundance- it took a little longer than usual this year because of all the rain we had through June, but we’re definitely reaping the rewards now!

The lesson I learned and am carrying forward with me from July: I am more than my job.

My intention for August: All about me/us– what do we want for the future and how can we get there?

One thing I aim to do everyday in August is: practice gratitude, meditate, and ask myself “what did I do today that was worth my time?”

Because I am brave, here are 2 new things I will do in August:

• Try a different type of yoga at new studio
• Send out 2 short stories for review

The one book I definitely want to read in August is: The third Harry Potter book!

Something I want to experiment with in August is: My work night routine. More often than not, I come home feeling mentally/emotionally exhausted and end up a blob on the couch, sometimes not even reading, but passively on social media, watching garbage on TV. It’s a really bad habit that doesn’t help me feel better.

Just for fun, I will: go to Martha’s Vineyard– I haven’t been since I was a teenager.

As an act of intentional kindness, I will: make some treats for coworkers who are in a similar job hole as I am- solidarity and food!

June in Review, July Preview!

Thanks to Nicole for her awesome monthly review questionnaire from her weekly notes email to inspire me!

The two things I’m most proud of from June:

• Completely detaching myself from work during my vacation
• Beginning my summer blogging for newportFILM

The two things I’m most grateful for from June:

• Spending time with my aunt and grandmother in California
• My backyard- our own little backyard space to enjoy the gorgeous weather

The lesson I learned and am carrying forward with me from June: Getting away from work and life’s routines is sometimes the best medicine for all that ails you

My intention for July: Action with a side of soaking in the summer

One thing I aim to do everyday in July is: move my body!

Because I am brave, here are 2 new things I will do in July:

• Try standup paddleboarding
• Creative writing to try to get more of my own voice out there, not just the freelance stuff

The one book I definitely want to read in July is: Something light and from my own bookshelf– trying to break this habit of not being able to read the books I actually own

Something I want to experiment with in July is: How and where we buy our food. My local supermarket is failing us in so many ways

Just for fun, I will: go to the beach

As an act of intentional kindness, I will: host dinner at my house for some family and friends who I want to treat

HAPPY 4th OF JULY!

May in Review, June Preview

Thanks to Nicole for her awesome monthly review questionnaire from her weekly notes email to inspire me!

The two things I’m most proud of from May:

• Successful hosting of Mother’s Day lunch for family
• Saving time & sanity by hiring a landscaper for backyard cleanup (I’m stubborn about hiring people to do things!)

The two things I’m most grateful for from May:

• Fun weekends with Q and Little Man
• All the birthdays and celebrations for my amazing family ( Mother’s Day, birthdays for Q, my aunt, my brother and sister-in law & their anniversary)

The lesson I learned and am carrying forward with me from May: Hiring someone is sometimes the smartest solution for my sanity ( and Q’s!)

My intention for June: Same as May- Relax, enjoy, and ponder.

One thing I aim to do everyday in June is: go outside!

Because I am brave, here are 2 new things I will do in June:

• Try to go vegetarian for a week ( just me, I don’t think my carnivore partner would be down for this)
• Go to an author reading ( Jennifer Haigh!)

The one book I definitely want to read in June is: Heat& Light by Jennifer Haigh. I found her book The Baker Towers by accident years ago and it’s one of my favorites of all time. I’ve read everything she’s written, short stories and all, and find her to be a masterful storyteller. This book’s about fracking which I don’t know a lot about, so looking forward to it ( already 30 pages in).

Something I want to experiment with in June is: Changing my weeknight routines. Now that we’re not watching as much TV or movies as we do in the winter months, I’m going to try to spend more time on house and yard projects I hope.

Just for fun, I will: go berry picking!

As an act of intentional kindness, I will: connect with friends and family, make actual plans, and make them happen!

April in Review, May Preview

Thanks to Nicole for her awesome monthly review questionnaire from her weekly notes email to inspire me!

The two things I’m most proud of from April:

• Opening my 8th exhibit at my day job ( still finding it hard to believe I’ve been in the same spot that long)
• My freelance writing work

The two things I’m most grateful for from April:

• Q putting up with some long work hours, lots of complaining, and general crankiness
• Great coworkers at my day job that rallied to help me through some stressful moments

The lesson I learned and am carrying forward with me from April: My job is not my life.

My intention for May: Relax, enjoy, and ponder.

One thing I aim to do everyday in May is: try to drink more water, move my body somehow, and take care of myself.

Because I am brave, here are 2 new/scary things I will do in May:

• Reach out to people I admire to talk through ideas/plans for future
• Make a budget/dreaming big plan for next steps in life/career

The one book I definitely want to read in May is: Eligible by Curtis Sittenfeld. I love her writing and am seeing her speak at a book/author event at the end of June, so definitely want to read it before then.

Something I want to experiment with in May is: Cooking one strictly vegetarian meal each week to convince Q that veggie meals can be delicious and filling!

Just for fun, I will: go hiking/walking in the woods with Q and Little Man.

As an act of intentional kindness, I will: make it a point to help coworkers execute on their different projects this month.