August 2021 ends in less than five hours! How’d it go?
As I look towards the end of summer, I find myself feeling rather accomplished! I’ve gotten a lot of work done in the past month, both in ways that I intended and in surprising manifestations! Let’s take a look.
1. Redesigning the Blog.
In July, I did an overhaul of my blog’s design! I then dedicated my time to building up my portfolio site to make it look… like it really existed. Mission accomplished! My plan is to have four different “skins” for my portfolio site, so I’ll be adding to that before I retool my blog again. For now, let’s consider this blog design goal completed!
2. Sharpen my Spanish.
I have not started “Narcos” nor “Los Espookys,” nor have I worked on my Spanish much at all! The other day, I had a conversation with Aaron in Spanish a few days ago, but I should be doing that more often.
3. Learn a New Language.
I have no progress to report on here, and that bums me out a lot. However, one of my projects for my portfolio has a concept attached that I want to retool for goals like this. In the meantime, this one is the one that needs the most work!
4. Do Blogmas.
My Blogmas posts are ready! All that’s left is to write them.
5. Post Consistently on Tuesdays and Saturdays.
I missed last Tuesday! I didn’t even come up with a cop-out, post dated post to make up for it. Last week, I was with my family and didn’t schedule something to go out ahead of time. I have an event this weekend, so hopefully I’ll make up by properly scheduling something before I leave Friday!
6. Take Care of My Hair.
My hair looks healthy! I styled it today. However I still feel like it could always look better. Some days it’s a nuisance, even if I’ve cut it short! Brushing it daily is key (which, admittedly, I haven’t always done).
7. Read the Books I Didn’t Read Last Year.
I have barely made a dent in “On Writing,” which I find positively embarrassing. I really need to pivot to get this done!
8. Moisturize with Sunscreen Every Day.
Habit = achieved!
9. Drink More Water.
I had two back-to-back migraines this week. My water goals are lacking so hard! I need to buckle down on this one this month. Well, this month and the rest of my life.
10. Play Chess Once a Week.
I haven’t touched a chess set all year! This one feels like such a bummer, because I’ve stared at my chessboard on the mantle thinking “just grab it and play against yourself” multiple times this past month.<- the same thing I said last month is true for this month. BIG yikes.
11. Finally watch “The Crown,” “Little Fires Everywhere,” “The Undoing,” “The Haunting of Hill House,” and “The Haunting of Bly Manor.”
I finished this list in July! I started chipping away at this list in its place. Progress continues to be made here!
12. Become a Master Listener on Audible and Earn All Audible Badges.
I have not listened to Audible once this month. What a shame.
13. Run a 30 Minute 5K.
I have two weeks (technically less) in my Couch 2 5K Program! That gives me about six weeks to improve my run time. I still don’t think I’ll hit that 30 minute time, but I may crack 40!
14. Actually Use My Camera.
My camera has collected dust this whole year. I feel like I should let this transfer over to next year!
15. Whiten My Teeth.
I maybe used my charcoal toothpaste once, and my whitening strips twice, if that. I’m not doing so hot with this resolution.
16. Write More.
Honestly, between my coding and journaling and my creative writing concepts, I feel like I’ve written a LOT this month. It’s a cop-out, though. I want to be doing more creative writing. I told myself I’d start writing more concretely after finishing “On Writing,” and I have little to show for that now!
In July, I wanted to work on three other smaller goals. Here’s a check in on those: My portfolio website has gone live, with one strong style sheet! I’ve also watched more movies from my anthology list. The weight loss goal continues to be nonexistent. Ugh.
When I think about August 2021, I feel like I got a lot done! My coding work and passion has never felt stronger. I’m making time for movies and television on my list. I should feel good, right? It upsets me that I don’t. I’ve barely read, I haven’t been whitening my teeth, nor writing, as much as I could be. Let’s also talk about my lack of chess playing! I went into August with a good feeling, and when I think about the goals that matter the most, I feel mostly proud of my work, but I know there’s so much more I could be doing.
September, you’re up, baby! Let’s focus on:
- Reading. “On Writing” better be finished within the first week.
- My teeth. Toothpaste Tuesdays and Whitening Strip Wednesdays, buddy.
- Chess. One freaking game this month. Come on. Get it together.
- Finish a book on Audible.
- Watch Los Espookys. Improve your Spanish, AND chip away at your show list.
- Learn a New Language. Either start learning Javascript React (a programming language framework) or work your way through your Italian book. Babbada boopi?