The Me Monthly - Volume 14

ME THIS MONTH
The beginning of August was great (thank you Boise trip) but the last few weeks felt like non-stop work. And then there was lots of emotional/mental stress on top of that. I don't really want to talk about it, but it all kind of sucked. I felt like I've just been in survival mode.

I'm still doing AIP, and I've been feeling really good lately. If I got better sleep and had less stress I'm pretty sure I would feel absolutely fantastic. Also, everyone has started to notice that I've lost weight and it's kind of weird/cool, because I've never experienced that before and even people who I barely talk to at church have noticed. That's not what this diet was about, but it just goes to show that the way you eat really affects the way you feel AND the way you look. I hope I can keep being healthy for a long time. But once I reintroduce things, I probably will splurge at least once a month or on holidays or whatever.

A mish-mash of thoughts from this month and right now as I'm writing, because I can't remember anything else we did this month:
- I'm randomly really excited for fall and even winter (I usually don't care/don't want it)
- I might start a legit business for graphic design, like LLC and everything (I want to offer actual printing and make more money, even though I also want nothing to do with work right now, so it's a love-hate idea)
- I need to write up like 3 posts of finished goals, but I haven't been in the mood to write (this post has taken me 3 days)
- I'm obsessed with Pusheen and I want to buy almost everything at Hey Chickadee related to him
- I have been seriously craving sugar and therefore eating way more sugary things (still within diet) than I should
- I wish I could take a break from everything and everyone so I could organize everything in my house

Playing: Stardew Valley Co-op!! It's so much fun :D Sara and I have the best farm ever, and me, Jonathan, and Christian (brother-in-law) have a farm that exists haha :)
Missing: St George and my parents. I haven't been home since Christmas and I'm really starting to feel it.
Listening: to the Land of the Lustrous soundtrack (absolutely gorgeous music from an absolutely amazing anime), and Ear Biscuits (podcast by Rhett & Link). Both helped me get through my many hours of work this month.

THE FOCUS GROUP
18. Hang a gallery wall with pictures and decor
"I want to print off a family picture or one of Daisy to put up too, maybe design a cute saying"
Didn't do it.

29. Learn some knife skills, especially for cutting onions
"I will watch at least three knife videos before the end of August."
Didn't do it.

53. Learn the health benefits of different fruits and vegetables
"I'm setting a goal to do at least five by the end of August."
Didn't do it.

Notice a pattern? This month I was hecka busy. I did pass off some other ones, but I really want to commit to doing at least one of those goals this month. Not sure which yet, but one WILL happen.

1 YEAR - 12 PROJECTS - 30 DAYS

Project 3 - Reading (August - Continuing)
This project was:

• Read one chapter of the Book of Mormon every day
• Read one chapter of an additional book every day

I was doing pretty well the first two weeks, then I missed an entire week and a half. So I will be continuing this project for the majority of September. The big thing I've learned about me and reading: I really need to schedule a time to read that's NOT at 10:30pm when I'm about to go to sleep. I like reading before bed, but 9 or 9:30 would be better. I just have to commit to it!

Project 4 - Yoga/Plank (September - Started)
Decided to do a pretty simple project again this month:

• Do at least 5 minutes of yoga every day
• Do a plank for as long as you can every day

I mostly plan to do yoga before bed, and the plank first thing in the morning. Or just both in the morning! We'll see! I just really need to get some structured movement back into my routine. I think yoga is the best option for me right now, and I have a little flow worked out that makes me feel really great. The plank is just an extra thing that I think will help me get a little stronger. Or something like that. I've heard they're good for you haha :) If I miss a day, I'll just add a day onto the end. *Already need to do an extra three days of plank, because I just thought of adding that one today haha*

KEEPING YOU POSTED
50. Write in my journal at least once a week for a year
I have not written in my actual journal for a few weeks, but I did start a gratitude journal about two months ago that I write in almost every day. Because most of those things also relate to my day and how I'm feeling, I'm going to count writing in there if I miss a week writing in my actual journal. But I still want to mostly focus on my actual journal for this goal.


NUMBERED NEWS
28. Read 35 new books
3. Maus (8/12/18) - This is a graphic novel about the author's father's experience during the Holocaust. It goes back and forth in time, as the author also includes when he interviews his father. Because of this, we also see how the father's personality and habits were affected by his experience, and how that affected the relationship of his son. There were some elements to the story that surprised me, like how he got work and food in so many different ways, how he used his experiences and skills to survive, and just how much he was able to remember. The art added a lot to the story - the style was simple, but it made it feel raw. And he draws the different races as various animals, (Jews as mice and Germans as cats) and it was interesting to think of all the metaphors, etc. related to that idea. I would definitely recommend it!
4. The Blue Castle (9/4/18) - This book made my heart SO HAPPY. It is just so wholesome and has such a good message about not being afraid and living your life to the fullest. And the love story part of it was just...Ah! So good! It also made me want to go to the mountains or a lake or something and just be in nature. I haven't read something that got me that happy or excited to read in a while. It was just great.

49. Play 51 new games (at least 15 award-winning)
22. Mechs vs Minions (8/17/18) *7 - 2016 Golden Geek Best Cooperative Game Winner*

85. Watch 101 new movies (at least 20 award-winning)
35. Brooklyn (8/10/18) *6 - 2016 BAFTA Award for Best British Film*


DAISY'S BOOK OF THE MONTH
This month I got out another book from Nana. It's a nighttime book that she actually lets me read to her before bed! Snuggle Up, Sleepy Ones

Some of the rhymes are cute, some of them are lame and I've changed them, but overall it's all right! There's a page with monkeys on it that we turn upside down, and she loves pointing out all the animals and making their sounds. We'll keep reading it :)