Throw the list out (some of it)

No need for a long introduction. The 20 for 20 list needs to change, for a variety of reasons. So here we go:

1. Post 1x a month to my craft page. Christmas is less than 6 months away LOL. Not stopping my dream of becoming a professional organizer, just not a current focus.
2. Stretch every day, whether it’s yoga, foam roller, etc.
3. Read at least 12 new books. Up to 3, because I’m a slacker.
4. Watch at least 12 movies that aren’t new releases. Up to 6.
5. Squat 300 lbs. On 3/3, I hit 280!
6. Walk, Peleton, or swim 20 minutes every day in addition to CrossFit. This replaces my 5K race goal. I did the virtual Red Cape race and got a Super Grover medal (as in Sesame Street, because I am a child.) I don’t know what the status of races will be for the foreseeable future.
7. Build skills with wood crafts. Keep painting, working on lettering, etc.
8. Keep a gratitude journal.
9. Schedule a check-in with my therapist. I should do this before the end of the summer.
10. No fall softball…who knows if there will even be fall softball. I also wouldn’t be surprised if I change my mind about this.
11. 64 oz. water a day.
12. 100+ day Duolingo Streak…I hit 130-140ish days, then broke it. I did, however, start a Spanish class! I want to continue studying as much as I can.
13. Write Kindergarten plans in a yearly format. I think I’m up to April. I’m also hesitant to put a lot of energy into “typical” lesson plans given the current circumstances. We shall see.
14. Stop using large purses. I went back to large purses recently, but I don’t carry 17 pounds of stuff in them anymore. I hated having to pretty much dump out my small purse to find anything!!
15. Improve core strength. Yeah. About that.
16. No candy on week days. I’ve been eating like garbage and I need to stop. The end.
17. Crossfit/Barbell class 15+ days a month. Without looking at my planner, I’m doing fairly well in this area. Thank God BCF is back open.
18. Get my body weight under 200 lbs. Like, ASAP.
19. & 20. I’m having a really hard time thinking of something meaningful, specific, and realistic. Instead of driving myself crazy, I’m going to come back to this later.

Need to make some adjustments…

…and I decided that I need to change my 20 for 20 *facepalm.*

It just doesn’t resonate with me the way my 19 for 2019 did. I’m leaving some stuff, tweaking some, and getting rid of others altogether and doing something else. The stuff I’m tweaking and changing, incoming:

• Put more energy into promoting my organization business, starting by posting at least once a week on Facebook. Once a month, if that. I love organizing, I’ll still do it, but it’s not important enough to me right now to put in any certain amount of time. So the new resolution: post to my organizing page and my craft page at least once a month.
• Sign up for and sell my wood slice decor at a craft fair. Tweaking-spend this year figuring out what kinds of things I’m good at making. Start small with Emily’s wedding, and Christmas decorations. Try selling stuff around Christmas. If I can swing a fair, awesome. If I just try to sell a couple things on Facebook, that’s fine too. The goal this year will be to build up my skills and somewhat of an “inventory” of things I can make.
• Play trumpet once a month. Ugh. I wish I wanted to do this more. I really do. It’s fun when I have something I’m working on, like when I did some recording with the Robs. Now this one is TBD. My brain is mush and I can’t think of anything right now.
• Start improving my core strength. by doing a 30 day plank challenge. I’ve been working on my CEUs for my NASM certification, and there’s a lot of info about core strength in this book I’m reading. After I finish the reading, I’ll make a plan for myself.
• I was waiting to come up with #20, but I think I need to take a “back to basics” approach. As school amped up, barbell club and working out in general fell by the wayside. At minimum, I need to do the three barbell workouts a week. Ideally, with 1-2 CrossFit workouts on the other days, but one thing at a time. I miss doing barbell consistently, I felt better, and I lost weight and kept it off.
  Also, I need to make sure I go to the class when I can. When I get out of work at 2, it’s a little easier to convince myself to go to the gym and get it done right after work instead of waiting until the 5:30 class, but I also have become somewhat of a loner after work and I think it’s messing with my head. I should, at the very least, go to the gym and interact with people.

20 for 2020!

Working on my 19 for 2019 ended up being way more successful than a single New Year’s Resolution. I am going in 2020 way happier and healthier, and I don’t mind sounding cliche, because it’s true.

Some of the 20 for 20 is going to be very similar to last year. The things that I thought are important and I made some progress on, but not as much as I want, are things that I will add to the list again. Here. We. Go.

1. Put more energy into promoting my organization business, starting by posting at least once a week on Facebook.
2. Make yoga part of a weekly routine,
   2a. at home, using the practice Bernadette made me, and
   2b. by trying new yoga classes once a month.
3. Read 12 new books.
4. Watch 12 movies that aren’t new releases. (Shane cannot believe how many movies I haven’t seen. Oops.)
5. Squat 300 pounds. I think I can do it. Last I tested a one-rep max, I was at 265.
6. Complete (run or walk) at least 3 races (5K, 5 mile, or an obstacle course.) I’m already signed up for Dominate the Day in May 🙂
7. Get my body weight under 200 lbs.
8. Sign up for and sell my wood slice decor at a craft fair.
9. Learn calligraphy and/or lettering. I’m thinking I’ll start with a workbook or PDFs.
10. Keep a gratitude journal. Writing once or twice a week seems to be a good suggestion. I don’t think I focus enough on the great things I have in my life and I think it might be the key to lessening my anxiety (even more than I already have.)
11. Schedule at least one check-in with my therapist. I stopped going to therapy in the fall because I felt like my time was better spent on the healthy coping mechanisms I have been using – using my time more wisely, not procrastinating, going to the gym, etc. She did suggest coming in, if I wanted, even if it was just once or twice.
12. DON’T. PLAY. FALL. SOFTBALL. Softball friends, I love you dearly. Playing in the fall is just too much. Spring, almost definitely in. Summer, 10000% in. Fall, I cannot. Do it. Anymore.
13. Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.
14. Start a streak on Duolingo, (I’ve been practicing Spanish). Try to hit at least a 100 day streak.
15. Play trumpet once a month.
16. Write out my lesson plans for kindergarten in a yearly format. Eventually, I’ll do it for each grade.
17. Stop using large purses to carry all my school stuff because it’s ruining my shoulders.
18. Start improving my core strength by doing a 30 day plank challenge.
19. Try not to eat candy during the week. Already doing a horrible job today LOL.
20. TBD. I can’t think of anything right now, and I want it to be something meaningful. I don’t want to use the things I already have started because I feel like that’s the easy way out. I’m working on renewing my NASM certification, using the debt snowball method, budgeting with an envelope system, and keeping up with barbell club and Crossfit. I’m constantly decluttering and organizing because I’m a weirdo who likes doing that stuff. I will definitely think of something.

Moving right along.

#8: Find a shampoo/conditioner combination that I actually like.
What I realized: I can’t be one of those girls that washes her hair only a few times a week. I don’t like the way it looks or feels. I have found that I’m fond of shampoo bars. That’s about it for that. (But check out Go Soap Yourself, one of my favorites for soaps and shampoo bars.)

 #9: Get a full car interior detail. (Probably in the spring)
I did. I wish I had money to do it more often. It’s pointless in the winter, anyway.

#10: Incorporate a yoga routine into my life. (Whether it’s a few moves a day, or going to a class, I think it’ll be good for me. I have a really tough time with using yoga as a mindfulness practice…I just can’t get into any sort of meditation without thinking it’s boring…I tell myself it will DEFINITELY help me with CrossFit and being more in shape.)

My beautiful friend Bernadette from http://www.bernadettesoler.com worked with me to create a personalized yoga practice for home. I was really good about keeping up with it for awhile and I’m hoping to get back on track with it in 2020.

#11: Begin a serious search for a condo or house. (I’m super reluctant to put this on here.)
Though I didn’t buy, I met with a mortgage lender, and looked at a few condos. It was good to start thinking about the process and what I like and don’t like. 2020 looks a lot more promising in this category.

#12: Learn at least two more trumpet licks from DMB songs.
Not DMB, but I had a couple of recording sessions with Larock- one original, and one cover. I’m happy I played a little bit this summer.

#13: Find the paperwork for the Disney stock I own. Even if I don’t do anything with it, I should at least have the information for when I want to.
My aunt hasn’t found it yet. And it’s probably not much anyway. *Shrug*

#14: Lose at least 35 pounds. (I need to also tell myself it’s for my health, my doctor has said I need to, and not just for cosmetic reasons.)
I DID! I was 240 lbs. on Easter Sunday, 2019. On December 11, I was 204. I let myself enjoy Christmas, and I will be back trying to lose more in 2020.

#15: Buy a pair of Good American Jeans, or some other fancy brand I wouldn’t normally buy myself. (After I lose the 35 pounds, ideally.)
I literally don’t care about this one.

#16: Buy a new softball glove.
I did! And now I catch fly balls and the ball doesn’t fall out of my glove!

#17: Be able to do a handstand against the wall, again. (I used to be able to with ease.)
I JUST DID THIS!! A couple weeks ago at CrossFit, we were practicing and I FINALLY flipped up.

#18: Go to the beach 3x a month in June-August
I didn’t keep great track, but I did spend a few days at Misquamicut this year, which always makes me very happy.

#19: Visit an out of state friend.
Prague, obviously. And Maine with Brittney, so I was able to see her AND see a new state.

#3-7…a year later.

Here we go:

#3 Sort through and organize my “future house stuff” in the basement.  Condense and throw away/donate/sell what I don’t want or need. – I actually did this! I got rid of a bunch of stuff. Not everything is as organized as I would like, but it’s pared-down. When I finally am ready to move out, I want it to go as smoothly as possible.

#4 Read, at minimum, one new book a month. – Ugh. I’m the worst at this. I buy so many books and then I don’t read them. I think I’ll make another reading goal for 2020.

#5 Go to CrossFit at least once a week.  (Aiming small and hoping to get back into the routine.) – Holy. Crap. 52 weeks in a year, and there’s 2.5 weeks left in 2019. Including Barbell Club, there were ONLY 8 WEEKS THAT I DIDN’T GO TO CROSSFIT. I write down every time I go to the gym in my calendar, because I’m a weirdo and I like to color in the days I work out and be able to see my consistency. There is still room for improvement, of course, but this is such a huge improvement over 2017/2018. Branford CrossFit has been a true life changer. Nation.

#6 Complete at least two 5Ks, even if I have to walk at times. – I did 3! Dominate the Day in May, Southington Apple Harvest in October, and the Branford Y Thanksgiving Race. I ran all of the DTD race, walked with Shane and his friends at the Apple Harvest Race, and shaved 7:30 off my DTD time at the Thanksgiving Race. The chip time hasn’t been posted which is incredibly annoying, but my gun time for Thanksgiving was 37:42. I got to the starting line over a minute after the gun, so I’ll say my time was more like 36:30. This is incredible, seeing as I lift way more than I do cardio.

#7 Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.  (This one will be hard, but it needs to be done. I also may need more than this; time will tell.) – I don’t drink enough water. Period, end of story. Got to work on it.

Be back later this week with more updates 🙂

One by one

Haven’t updated since March 3rd. But, I have been busy getting things done on my 19 for 2019. I really didn’t know what to expect. I didn’t know if this would be more or less successful than a typical New Year’s Resolution. I have to say, it was probably more successful.

Over the next few days/weeks, I’ll go through each one and give a little update.

1. Blog here at least twice a month. — Obviously not. This is more of a fun thing I like to do once in awhile, rather than something I think I need to keep up with. I probably won’t make a goal around this for 2020. I like having it to look back on and keep track of things I do, but I don’t NEED to keep posting a specific number of times.

2. Post to my Forever Organized Facebook Page at least once a week. — Started out hot; couldn’t stay consistent. This is one will end up on my list for 2020.  I really want to grow this as a small business, for extra income.  Plus…I really enjoy it.

#3-19, coming up soon!  I’ll also post my List of 20 for 2020 before New Year’s Eve!

19 for 19 Progress

1. Blog here at least twice a month. – Twice in January, once in February, and now this post in March.  Better than going months without posting like I was.
2. Post to my Forever Organized Facebook Page at least once a week. – This has probably been the easiest one! I need to start following up when people express interest in having me over to help organize. I feel weird because I don’t want to seem like I’m begging them to give me money to help them. I’ll find a balance.
3. Sort through and organize my “future house stuff” in the basement.  Condense and throw away/donate/sell what I don’t want or need. – Nope.
4. Read, at minimum, one new book a month. – Yes! One in January and one in February, and getting through 11/22/63 slowly, but surely. If you’re not already following me on GoodReads, friend me! (That “friend me” link expires after 30 days – look me up under Gillian Ann.)
5. Go to CrossFit at least once a week.  (Aiming small and hoping to get back into the routine.) – (Out of 9 weeks, I’ve gone to CrossFit 5 of those weeks. I’ve thrown in some Planet Fitness workouts too, and I worked out when I went to Newport. This is a very slow momentum shift, but in the right direction.
6. Complete at least two 5Ks, even if I have to walk at times. – signed up for the Dominate the Day 5K, which is in May. If I lose my mind, I might sign up for the Branford Road Race in June…LOL.
7. Drink at least 64 ounces of water a day.  (This one will be hard, but it needs to be done. I also may need more than this; time will tell.) – I’m more mindful of how much water I’m drinking…like realizing how many hours I go without it. This may come as a surprise to people who spend a lot of time with me, since I refill my water at restaurants 800 times a dinner and always have a water bottle with me.  I haven’t hit 64 ounces very often so far this year.
8. Find a shampoo/conditioner combination that I actually like. – YES!! I’m probably going to write a stand alone post about how much I love my Living Proof hair care stuff, haha!
9.  Get a full car interior detail. (Probably in the spring) – Yeah, in the spring.
10. Incorporate a yoga routine into my life. (Whether it’s a few moves a day, or going to a class, I think it’ll be good for me. I have a really tough time with using yoga as a mindfulness practice…I just can’t get into any sort of meditation without thinking it’s boring…I tell myself it will DEFINITELY help me with CrossFit and being more in shape.) – I planned to go Saturday…then it snowed…. *Shrugs*
11. Begin a serious search for a condo or house. (I’m super reluctant to put this on here.) – I’ve been visiting condos and houses, and I got pre-approved for a mortgage. It still freaks me out, but I can’t buy anything if I don’t look and get to know what I like.
12. Learn at least two more trumpet licks from DMB songs. – Not yet.
13. Find the paperwork for the Disney stock I own. Even if I don’t do anything with it, I should at least have the information for when I want to. – I started trying to do this, I need my aunt to give it to me since she and my uncle are the ones that gave it to me.
14. Lose at least 35 pounds. (I need to also tell myself it’s for my health, my doctor has said I need to, and not just for cosmetic reasons.) – LOLOLOLOLOLOL
15. Buy a pair of Good American Jeans, or some other fancy brand I wouldn’t normally buy myself. (After I lose the 35 pounds, ideally.) – See above.
16. Buy a new softball glove. – I did. And now I feel like I’m cheating on my old glove. Not that I was getting rid of it anyway, it’s my dad’s. It’s the only glove I’ve used since I was 14. Sometimes being overly emotional and nostalgic, sucks.  I’ll most likely be carrying them both in my bag all summer.
17. Be able to do a handstand against the wall, again. (I used to be able to with ease.) – TBD.
18. Go to the beach 3x a month in June-August, and 1x a month during the other months. Walk by the beach for a few minutes in the winter, look for sea glass in the spring, etc. – It’s too damn cold. I’m modifying this to include summer only.
19. Visit an out of state friend. – Also TBD.

One week in.

It’s funny, how the things on my 19 for 2019 list fall into sub-categories of “I knew this was going to be hard,” “this was harder than I thought it would be,” and “wow, that was fast.”

“I knew this was going to be hard.”
The first partial week of January, I went to CrossFit on New Year’s Eve, and counted that as my one time for the week. This week, of course, I’ve been putting off and putting off my ONE WORKOUT I PROMISED MYSELF I WOULD DO. Tomorrow and Friday, I will do it.

“This was harder than I thought it would be.”
Getting 64 oz of water, and tracking it, I’m doing pretty badly with. Since January 1, I have had 64 oz of water…0 times. I need to be better about bringing my water bottle and starting the morning. Ri

“Wow, that was fast.”
I don’t want to jinx it, but I may have found a shampoo/conditioner combo that ACTUALLY WORKS. We shall see; I just tried it last night. Stay tuned.

One of the most accurate things I’ve ever read in my life.

I’ve just begun Gretchen Rubin’s course, “The Happiness Project Experience.” One thing she suggests is taking “a reputable personality quiz.” I, sort of randomly, chose the The Enneagram, mostly because I’ve heard of it, but didn’t know much about it. I took the short quiz, and my Top Three Types are 6, 3 and 5.

Type 6: The Loyalist…is scarily accurate. That description is below.

(Read about Type 3: The Achiever and Type 5: The Investigator)

Type 6: The Loyalist

Loyalists are responsible, trustworthy, and value loyalty to family, friends, groups, and causes. Their personalities range broadly from reserved and timid to outspoken and confrontative.

How to Get Along with Me

• Be direct and clear.
• Listen to me carefully.
• Don’t judge me for my anxiety.
• Work things through with me.
• Reassure me that everything is OK between us.
• Laugh and make jokes with me.
• Gently push me toward new experiences.
• Try not to overreact to my overreacting.

What I Like About Being a Six

• Being committed and faithful to family and friends.
• Being responsible and hardworking.
• Being compassionate toward others.
• Having intellect and wit.
• Being a nonconformist.
• Confronting danger bravely.
• Being direct and assertive.

What’s Hard About Being a Six

• The constant push and pull involved in trying to make up my mind.
• Procrastinating because of fear of failure; having little confidence in myself.
• Fearing being abandoned or taken advantage of.
• Exhausting myself by worrying and scanning for danger.
• Wishing I had a rule book at work so I could do everything right.
• Being too critical of myself when I haven’t lived up to my expectations.

Addendum to my 19 for 2019

The following would be the “19 for 2019” equivalent of “reach schools” on somebody’s list of potential colleges. Ivy League status schools…

(20.) Find a part-time job using my NASM certification.
(21.) Take MMA classes.
(22.) Get a massage at least every other month.
(23.) Complete “The Happiness Project Experience”
(24.) Limit my candy intake to 2 days a week.