All About ... The Fun Things!
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| starting the first jigsaw puzzle of the year |
By 'fun things' I mean socialising, holidays and day trips, daily and weekly hobbies and interests. In other words, my plans for how I'll be spending the majority of my time in 2023!
I will carry on with my usual daily interests which are currently Italian language practice, piano practice, and of course whatever I do in the form of exercise. I know when I list things like this it always sounds like a lot so I will include the approximate timeslot allocated to each interest, mostly for my own peace of mind as I don't want to overload myself. The Italian I usually do first thing using either the Duolingo app or one of the self-teach books I have and it takes me between 15 and 20 minutes to do, so a pleasant start to the day with a hot drink and also a chance to let my medication kick in before I get on with the rest of the day. This is followed by piano practice, although I have let that slip lately. Now I've booked my new piano lessons (more about that later) I will need to be disciplined about practicing so it'll once again be the follow-on activity after the Italian and I'll aim for a minimum of one hour but I usually break that up into shorter slots and it's something I'll go back to at various times during the day. Daily exercise is next and on some days will eventually be for a maximum of one hour but currently is about 15 - 20 minutes every day.
My weekly activities are currently piano lesson, two nutrition classes, and possibly attending a choir. I've booked the piano lessons with a music school in Westbury and will be starting this week. I'll be starting with lessons on a Saturday morning for now, which isn't ideal and I'm hoping that I will eventually be able to change to a weekday slot as I'd prefer to keep my weekends free. However, I was lucky enough to get the tutor I wanted, the 30 minute lesson is scheduled for 10:30am so I'll have the afternoon free, and the lessons are cheaper than I was paying with C so that's all good. I'm looking forward to getting started again. The nutrition classes are on a Wednesday and a Friday for an hour each time but I think they are recording them so it's something I could do in the evenings if something else came up and I had to miss the live sessions. I'm still undecided about the choir ... I want to join a choir but ... I don't now what the 'but' is so I will be leaving this on the back burner for now.
My monthly activities are gradually increasing. Currently I have the U3A book group, the U3A monthly meeting and the Ladies that Lunch meal, but I am going to be organising two other U3A groups to meet once a month if other members are interested. One will be a photography walk and the other will be a Scrabble/Rummikubs group ... people have expressed an interest but whether they actually sign up for them is another thing. Each activity lasts for about two hours so these activities account for about ten hours spread over a month.
So far that's all the regular activities talked about. Of course I will continue to meet with my friends and family as and when and I think there may be the possibility of gaining new friends through the U3A ... E has already suggested going out together for walks and to take some photos, and there are a couple of others that I may suggest meeting for a coffee and chat and see what happens.
What I've written about so far has barely scratched the surface of how I like to keep myself occupied as there's all the other as-and-when things I currently do like reading, family tree research, solo trips, photography, and doodling, and I'm planning to introduce dressmaking and crochet or knitting this year as well ... I haven't forgotten about the infinity scarf I bought the wool for but that project is on hold for a few more weeks.
Vague plans for the year also include completing the family tree presentations to my siblings and cousins, and taking at least two holiday/short breaks before the end of 2023. Additionally, at least once a month I want to arrange either a day trip or overnight stay to get out and about and experience different places and things. I've already arranged jollies for January, February, March and possibly July but I'll tell you about them as and when they happen.
I'm aiming for 2023 to be a much more exciting year!
I love all the fun activities you are planning to do! It sounds like you will have something fun to look forward to on a daily basis. I love the fact that you are motivated to do these things and make the time to engage in fun activities. Looking forward to hearing more about your planned outings, etc. Hope your January is filled with lots of fun activities and the joy they bring you. :)
ReplyDeleteThat's my plan, to have something fun every day. Whether I'll manage it is another thing as adult life tends to kick in and take priority every now and then but I'll do my best!
DeleteThanks Bless, I'll be writing about all the outings etc. as and when they happen. xx
I'm the opposite - I'm trying very hard not to get too busy and to e more mindful and consistent in what I already do or have tried to do.
ReplyDeleteFor example, I am still pondering on getting a better camera and restarting that course. It was a bit of a disaster last time. The numbers did my head in but it didn't help that the camera just didn't do what the book said. Very discouraging but it's still there, in my mind. xx
This is taking it easy for me!!
DeleteI like your plan for a new camera and you know where I am if you want help when you restart the course. What sort of camera are you thinking of getting? xx
It sounds as if you have a good balance of things planned for the year. We are currently trying to work out what holidays hubby needs to book. We are undecided where we will go, but at least two trips to Wales are planned. Helen S.
ReplyDeleteThanks Helen. Wales is lovely. Are you visiting family or is it just somewhere you want to go to? xx
DeleteWe are visiting family and it is near to where I was brought up. Helen.S
DeleteHope you have a lovely time xx
DeleteWow it sounds like you are really busy! I am just hoping to have a creative year, doing things that I've not felt like doing, trying to drag myself up from just feeling blah all the time.
ReplyDeleteIt sounds a lot when it's written out like this but it's not that much really. Don't forget that I live alone so have all my time for myself. I think your creative year will help you a lot, I hope so anyway. xx
DeleteLots of work & thought have gone into your plan to ensure all things are covered that bring you positive change (health) & joy (like the return to piano lessons). I would like to have the ability to join a choir, but alas I was not gifted a voice that sings .
ReplyDeleteThere are lots of choirs and singing groups in this area where you don't have to audition and it doesn't matter whether you can sing or not and reading music isn't required. Maybe there's something like that where you live? xx
DeleteIt sounds like you'll be enjoying a good mix of things. Have lots of fun doing it all. Arilx
ReplyDeleteThanks Aril. I'm sure there will be other things that pique my interest as the year progresses but I'm lucky enough to have plenty of interests to help make the days fun for me. xx
DeleteYou do have quite a bit of things on your schedule, don't you. I was thinking the other day, that instead of spending so much time on Amazon, that I am going to treat myself to an actual shopping at stores day once a month. When the kids were little, I did this. It was not only fun, but it turned out to be efficient as well.
ReplyDeleteI do like to keep busy and keep myself out of mischief and I'm just about thinking that I probably have enough to do for now. Proper shopping days are a great idea ... it's a completely different experience isn't it? xx
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