It’s the mid-point of the first month of a new year. Just about the time for New Year’s Resolutions to die, best-of-intentioned habits to become wearisome and life to resume as it was sixteen days ago.
And yet, somehow, for me it hasn’t reverted (yet).
By focusing on the basics I’ve deliberately kept my goals minimal. My intention throughout is to be deliberate in my decisions, focusing on the simple things that matter most.
- Reading my Bible every day.
- Reading a book (fiction or non-fiction) for pleasure four times a week.
- Running three times a week.
- Walking or cycling three times a week.
- Strength training (including yoga) four times a week.
- Foam rolling once a week to keep my body healthy.
All of these decisions, because they represent daily decisions. have been simple to maintain. (Though I’d be lying if there weren’t days where I had to talk myself into getting a basic done.)
The most interesting part of this routine so far is how it’s sparked other decisions.
- Deciding to eat mindfully and look deeper at the nutritional breakdown of my food.
- Deciding to put a heat pack on my neck and upper back every night for 20 minutes at the recommendation of my massage therapist. (Better sleep plus good for the muscles!)
- Deciding to get a 90-minute massage monthly.
- Deciding it’s ok to not get everything done, but to make sure the most important and essential things are done. (And realizing that much of the to-do list isn’t essential.)
This season feels good. Really really good. It almost feels like Shannah pre-2008 and the advent of social media and the associated digital clutter.
It’s interesting to take some time to think about who I am, how I spend my time and what those choices mean for my sense of self and relational choices.