Lifestyle Goals: Monthly Review for September 2019

At the start of May 2019 I decided to change the way I want to monitor my short and medium term goals, choosing to adopt Bless' approach in my search for a balanced life; this is Bless' explanation:

 .... my monthly balanced life goals are similar to the spokes of a wheel, with the length of each spoke representing my satisfaction in that area of my life, from 1 to 10, with 1 being most dissatisfied and 10 being most satisfied.  Ideally, all the spokes are of equal length and the wheel will roll along smoothly.  If the spokes are of unequal lengths, then, the resulting wheel will be lop-sided and wobbly.  My current ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses.  

Here is my update for September, stating my goals and the bullet-pointed task list that I'll tackle in during the month to help achieve the goal. Last month's ratings and tasks are shown in black and the start of the current month is shown in yellow.

HOME (9.5)(9.5)

Goal: The home is always clean and tidy.

It's just the remainder of the decluttering to remove from the dining room and then category should be marked at '10' and I haven't made any significant progress at all during August. Must do better!!

Tasks for September:

• finish hanging the pictures upstairs - COMPLETED
• measure up for a wardrobe in the small bedroom - COMPLETED
• measure up for the picture frames in hall and living room - STARTED

Tasks for October:

• focus on the remainder of the items to be decluttered

GARDEN (9.5)(9.5)

Goal: The garden is always tidy and presentable

The wet weather hasn't helped. I need a couple of dry days to get back on top of the weeding. 

Tasks for September:

•  stay on top of weeding/dead heading as necessary  - STARTED WELL BUT THEN THE WEATHER WAS AGAINST ME!
• water garden regularly during sunny spells - ACHIEVED

Tasks for October:

• tidy front and back gardens 

FINANCE (10)(10)

Goal: I am financially secure and remain completely debt free

Ongoing monthly task:

• continue to monitor spending and reduce expenditure where possible

COMMUNITY, FRIENDS & FAMILY (9)(9)

Goal: I take an active role in my local community, and have strong bonds with family and friends

As I live alone, it is very important to maintain social 'out of the house' interaction with others and I'm constantly looking for new ways to achieve this, particularly for day time activities.

Tasks for September:

• continue voluntary work with the youth band - ACHIEVED, ongoing
• try to meet at least one adult band member socially  - ACHIEVED
• investigate the local free lunchtime/Sunday concerts - in progress

Tasks for October:

• continue voluntary work with the youth band
• try to meet at least one adult band member socially

EMOTIONAL WELL BEING (9)(9)

Goal: I have a positive outlook on life and am benefiting by avoiding bouts of depression and keeping my emotional well being at a healthy level

Again, it's been a struggle this month but I have reached the end of the month feeling positive with how things are going.

Tasks for September:

• write a Reasons to be Cheerful post for my blog - ACHIEVED
• actively start the day intending to be happy and enjoy life - IN PROGRESS
• complete a daily joyful activity, with the focus on the 'little things' rather than bigger activities - ACHIEVED

Tasks for October:

• write a Reasons to be Cheerful post for my blog
• actively start the day intending to be happy and enjoy life 
• complete a daily joyful activity

HEALTH & FITNESS (7)(7)

Goal: I lead an active life, benefiting from increased fitness and improvements in my general health

I am waiting for the results after the echo cardiogram and have a doctor's appointment in two weeks time. I'm hoping that he can magic up some way to stop me feeling so tired!

Tasks for September:

• keep all medical appointments in September - ACHIEVED
• go for a short walk at least three times a week - FAILED!!

Tasks for October:

• keep all medical appointments in October
• go for a short walk at least three times a week

HEALTHY EATING (8.5)(8.5)

Goal: I eat sensibly and healthily and am benefiting by losing weight and experiencing increased energy levels

I continue to eat healthily but am not currently monitoring my weight. I'll make a decision on what to do once I have spoken to my doctor.

Tasks for September:

• use the Myfitnesspal app to monitor food - ACHIEVED
• drinking 4 glasses of water a day - ACHIEVED
• restrict the number of takeaways and meals out - 50% SUCCESSFUL (I didn't buy takeaways myself but friends treated me to takeaways when they visited ... I was just being polite!!)

Tasks for October:

• use the Myfitnesspal app to monitor food
• drink 4 glasses of water a day
• complete bulk cooking to stock the freezer

LIVE LIFE TO THE FULL (7)(7)

Goal: I live life now, in the moment, and avoid putting things off. I decide what I want to achieve and I do it!

I constantly feel too tired to make any real progress in this category. I have plenty of ideas but now need the energy to get out there and do it!

Tasks for September:

• regular music practice - 65% SUCCESSFUL
• arrange two diary dates for every week in September to meet with friends - ACHIEVED

Tasks for October:

• regular music practice
• arrange two diary dates for every week in October to meet with friends
• arrange one day out 

TIME MANAGEMENT (8)(8)

Goal: I make best use of my time to lead a full and productive life

I've had lots of lazy days during September but despite that, the important things are getting done on time without any procrastinating.

Tasks for September:

• continue to establish a week day routine, getting chores done in the morning to leave the rest of the day free - IN PROGRESS
• keep all admin up to date - ACHIEVED

Tasks for October:

• continue to establish a week day routine, getting chores done in the morning to leave the rest of the day free
• keep all admin up to date

ENVIRONMENTAL AWARENESS (8)(8)

Goal: I educate myself about the environmental crisis and make changes to my lifestyle to reduce my own carbon footprint.

I've reached to point where I now have to use up existing purchases before I can buy the chosen alternatives. I have eliminated all plastic packaging on fruit and vegetables.

Tasks for September:

• focus on food items, aiming to buy all fruit and veg from greengrocers, farm shops, and/or farmers market to completely eliminate the use of any plastic packaging. Also purchase all grains and pulses from the refill shop. - ACHIEVED (for fruit and veg), ONGOING for other food stuffs
• bulk cook and freeze a selection of vegetarian meals so that I can have three meat free days a week - IN PROGRESS

Tasks for October:

• identify how to buy meat and fish that is free from plastic packaging
• bulk cook and freeze a selection of meals

SUMMARY

There is no change from last month in any of the categories. Considering how tired I have been I am pleased with how the month has gone and that none of the markings slipped.

SEPTEMBER 2019

AUGUST 2019