As DINKs, my partner and I don’t take vacations in Summer. There is no point for us to overpay vacations to end up in overcrowded places. I did take a week off early July for my Birthday and we do take a couple days off end of August for his Birthday. But we just go at my dad’s place, so nothing extravagant.
Nevertheless, I have felt better going into September.
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Small achievements can lead to great results
Some small achievements on all fronts have helped build up such feeling. Some fun bits here and there have made August better as well. As you know, riding Minty always works! Tackling a project, beginning to end, does that too. Small steps in the right direction on other projects have built up my confidence that these will get done as well, even if not right now.
Yes, I do tend to see most things that needs to get done as a project. It helps me to see a beginning, the middle steps as a process to manage and a finish line. Even if it is something that is recurring often, even for repetitive tasks.
Unfortunately, there is one ‘project’ in my life right now that is longer to handle, much longer. A very specific one that is depleting me of my energy and I’m having a hard time with this. I see small progress being made, but there are so many parties involved, so much uncertainty, especially on the timeline, that the whole situation has the tendency to drive me completely insane.
It is not good for my mental health and health in general.
Yet, as with everything else in life, I need to learn from this and understand the lesson that is being taught to me. I absolutely have no clue right now. None whatsoever. It is just a constant fight, something that makes me bitter, elevate my heart rates and makes me want to scream just thinking about it. I even keep wondering if it is a fight I need to fight. It is a David and Goliath situation. But there has to be something there I must learn. It isn’t just restrain. It isn’t about learning to be patient, to let go or something like that. It has to be much more profound or really this will all have been for nothing.
I’m not sure I’ve ever flown this close to Canary Wharf!
Nugget of wisdom: When life gets hard, do one thing a day for yourself!
Only 4 months left to this year! My to do list is never ending and sometimes, it feels like life is slipping away.
Personal goals are put on the back burner because of more pressing matters, and there has been plenty of days where I haven’t had a chance to do anything for myself. It has been infuriating and highly frustrating. So frustrating that I had dreams where I scream and scream but no sound comes out.
If you feel this way but even if it isn’t that bad, just try this: do one thing a day for yourself only. It can be a tiny thing but it must bring joy. Joy is relative of course. Joy can come from doing something that isn’t that much fun but which is a thing that takes you in the right direction. A little step for you only.
Take 5mn, 20mn or whatever you can and do that thing you have been putting off. And by the end of the day, remember you have at least managed that.
It has been a mind saver for me!
Achievements and Gratefulness
I’m thankful for the work I’ve being doing. Facing my demons, my bias, my ego. I’m feeling better, I’m more at peace, my body is feeling better as well. If you’ve read any of my previous monthly recaps, you know it’s been a roller coaster, for a while now. So this phase might not be permanent but I’m felling better equipped to face the next one, if and when it comes.
I’m blessed with the ‘how hard can it be‘ gene and I’m extremely grateful for all the projects it has lead me to!
I’m grateful for the quiet days, although extremely rare nowadays. It’s been nice to get to spend time at home, sipping tea, reading and just reflecting. I’m in love with my life. Sure, I’d like to take more fun trips, explore far away lands… But for now, quiet is a blessing.
I’m so glad for our DINK situation. In case you missed that one, it means Double Income No Kids. What’s not to love?
DINK but I’m also glad for my frugal / simple living way of life. It hasn’t felt frugal while we were moving into our new apartment, to say the least. And my monthly budget was off the roof, but for a couple months now, things have stabilised to much lower levels.
Finally ready for a feast
What I’m reading
The airport impulse buy I spoke about last Month was Why has nobody told me this before? by Julie Smith. Not bad actually and the grieving part came in hand unexpectedly.
Now? I’m onto another airport impulse buy. What can I say, I’m in airports a lot!
Looking forward
All the small but noticeable achievements have built up my confidence and have given me the strength to face the month of September.
Despite the fact that, both my partner and I have some medical things to attend to. Not looking forward to these obviously, but it must be done and things will be better afterward. It is also an opportunity to slow down. Being forced to slow down is sometimes a good thing.
But first it feels like it’s going to be soon Autumn. Ah that is something I’m looking forward to. The invigorating crisp mornings, gorgeous sunrises, the dancing lights of candles burning during cosy evenings spent seeping tea, while reading books…
Maybe I’ll even get to sew? Time will tell…
Beautiful Things 