October List to get me back on track

I spent a good part of the weekend thinking about my priorities. These past couple of weeks I just haven’t been feeling myself… I’ve been depressed, I’ve been lonely… I’ve been irritated, and that irritation is starting to carry over to my workplace… Not good a few weeks before the busiest month of the year. I know we are all feeling the tension building, and its rather unsettling to feel off balance in both my personal and professional life.  So after a weekend of yoga and reflection I’m making myself a list of goals for October… I know I know, the month is half over… but better late than never, and I’m hoping that having some things to work towards will help pull me out of this rut.

1) Daily Meditation. I tend to internalize a lot of my thoughts, and even the time I’m alone and being still I’m usually analyzing something or trying to work something out. I need to spend more time quieting my mind… even if it is just 5 minutes a day.

2) Wearing lipstick every day. It is trivial and superficial… but I’m feeling rather frumpy… Not that there is anything wrong with sweatshirts and yoga pants (especially when you are a yoga teacher) but as I’m continuing to put myself out there… I should probably put a little effort into how a look… because when I look good, I feel better about life, and I tend to put off a better energy… and so I will wear lipstick…. Baby steps.

3) Drink more water…. I have been guzzling coffee and diet soda like no body’s business…. I will not give up the coffee… but I’m quite sure my body will thank me for being a bit more hydrated.

4) Find a good book. I have all but given up on reading as of late, and cannot seem to get into anything I try reading. I need to find the kind of book I can fall into and get lost in for a few days… something to pull me away from the realms of instant streaming on Netflix.

5) More Exercise… even if that is just walking Toby around the block.

6) SAVE MONEY!  The budget is tight… which limits my social excursions… which limits my friend time… and spending time with other human beings is rather important for my overall sanity… so I’m working at saving so I can once again have a life… in the mean time I’ll be here eating raman noodles.

7) Take advantage of more social activities… I tend to pull inward when I get depressed… and why not? It’s cozy here, I don’t have to spend money, and there is a bulldog who will snuggle me… but I know I need to be around people… even if it is just going to the library, or talking with people at puppy class… I need to make a conscious effort to be social. It can be a challenge for me… but I really need some human interaction

8) Get a new project. I need a creative outlet… weather that is writing, or knitting, or crafting of some sort… a lot of energy went into my garden this summer… but I pulled out the last of it this week… and I need something else.