February Wrap-Up: How we doin?

Happy Fat Tuesday! Or is it “National Pancake Day?” Maybe it’s both. Either way, it’s the last Tuesday of the month. Time for a full month’s reflection!

1. Read 52 books – I am on book 3 of the month, and I think I will have it finished by tonight! I am very excited about my progress. I’ll discuss my books later, but for now, I’ll just say that this month’s reads felt a bit lighter.

   via GIPHY

2. Do pull ups – I had Aaron “spot” me at the gym to help me improve my form. According to him, I’m very close to getting it! I’ve been using my muscles the wrong way, so I’ve started adding lat pull-downs to my workout. I feel like I’m still using the wrong muscles, but I’ll keep trying.
3. Spend LESS. TIME. SCROLLING.  – Not great Bob. I really need to focus on this one in the new month. I think that my phone is straight up a crutch. I need to leave it at home.
4. Write 104 Blog Posts – I think I’m doing well with this! I like writing, it keeps me focused.
5. Romantic Trip with Aaron from Dec. 26 – Jan. 2 – Should I keep writing about this one if I’ve already completed it? Mission accomplished? I think I’ll skip this one moving forward unless something happens and our trip gets cancelled (and therefore need to reschedule/get a new trip).
6. Stop engaging in schadenfreude – I think I’m doing better with this one! I can’t remember the last “scandalous” or “gossip” video I watched. I may have fallen down one or two twitter threads, but that’s not bad considering how long I used to scroll comments and Reddit forums of passive aggression. I’ve been trying to flip my mindset in general to be focused more on when people do something nice. I think that helps, too!
7. Take better care of my skin – This is going well! I signed up for a facial membership and got new products. I’ve started using a Neutrogena scrub on my back because for some reason my body has decided now, at 25, is a good time for me to get crazy bad bacne. Lord, beer me strength. I’m using the skincare my facialist provided me on my face and chest, but the Neutrogena scrub on my back and shoulders. I’m going to be rigorous with both and see which side of me looks better. If all else fails and I don’t see results after 3 months, I’ll go to a dermatologist. I got invited to a wedding in December and I’ve got a dress that would look great if I lose the bacne and do well with resolution 12.

   

8. Go stargazing – Not yet, but it’s still cold outside at night! March and April will hopefully be warmer but not sticky, so I can enjoy it more!
9. Get a new job – I have a projected timeline of being out by this summer. Hopefully by the end of next month I can say “I’m out cub scout!”
10. Do a handstand –  I had Aaron “spot” me with this one too! He recommended I practice getting closer to the wall to build up my strength. I’ve hit a mental wall because when I get off the wall, my shoes scuff the paint. No one’s saying anything but even if I wipe the wall I just wipe off the paint. You can see the streaks of my shoes if you look at the wall. I think if I press my luck more I will get caught and have to pay for the wall to get repainted. IN MY DEFENSE THAT WALL HAS BEEN BLUE FOR THE PAST HOWEVER MANY MONTHS. WHY IS PAINT COMING OFF WHEN I WIPE THE WALL WITH A SINGLE CLOROX WIPE.
11. Go see two of my favorite performers – The performers previously mentioned are still not on tour. John Mulaney added dates for a venue in Canada, but I think that’s for taping a live show/Netflix special. The rest are still MIA (save, again, for Billie’s tour next month that would be too expensive). I decided to commit to my January suggestion and aim to see “Dear Evan Hansen” and “Hamilton.” And… mission accomplished! I’m seeing “Dear Evan Hansen” in April and “Hamilton” on Broadway in July! I can’t believe it! I’m finally seeing the two shows I’ve been dying to see for years! I can’t wait! I’m so happy!

    

12. Lose weight – Words cannot describe how much I’m tanking this one. I’m still eating too much sugar (and not the good sugar from fruit, like.. handfuls of chocolate chips from the bag), and my body just REALLY doesn’t care that my brain wants me to be healthier. I hope that I can say I’ve made more progress by this time next month. I’m really embarrassed by my lack of progress here.
13. Give Aaron a great 26th birthday – Aaron and I haven’t fully discussed his birthday yet. I’ve been determining better weekends for me to go up to Boston to see my friends and see my family in New York, and I’ve set aside both the weekend before and after his birthday (his birthday is a WEDNESDAY) to make sure we have a nice time. I think he’d like going to St. Augustine or maybe even Sarasota, but I am not sure he even knows what he wants. I’m taking down random gift ideas he has (basically every time he wants something I write it down somewhere) so I can at least get him a good gift.
14. Be a better friend, wife, sister, daughter, and granddaughter – I sent my grandpa a nice email yesterday catching him up on life. He doesn’t answer the phone much but I know he checks his email. I saw my dad last week and we talked about the current political climate and his life. I think he’s not taking good enough care of himself because he has chronic back pain. He says his doctor says all he can do is medicate and then when he can’t take it anymore, do a very risky surgery. I refuse to believe that is all “Big Pharma” has to offer. My dad assures me that he knows what he’s doing and he’s doing great for someone his age. I don’t know if I believe him.

    

    I’ve done a better job of checking in with my brother, but my sister went through kind of a rough patch and rather than keeping in touch with her, I gave her space. She told me that disappointed her and I felt awful about it. I know now when I need to be present and when I need to give her time to herself. In this context, I decided to go home in two weeks to be with both her and my mom for a “Girls’ Weekend.” I think that’ll be really good for us! As far as Aaron is concerned, I feel like our relationship gets better and better with each day that we’re together. He’s working really hard and I’m sharing my encouragement and support regularly. I love him and I ask him regularly how to be better. He doesn’t have many complaints, lucky me 🙂 I’ve made time for each of my friends this month, too! Between birthday parties and future travel plans, I think everyone knows I love and appreciate them. At least, I hope they do!

15. Be happy – I had a really great month. I wish I were making more solid progress on items nine and twelve. I think if I make steadfast progress on both next month, I’ll be really solid on this resolution!

I think this helps me confirm what my focus should be in March: lose weight and get that end-date! Again, my actual weight right now is NO ONE’S BUSINESS, but it is a goal. I HAVE SPOKEN.