April Balanced Life Goals Review

With April coming to an end (where did the time go?), it is time to review my goals for a more balanced life in April. The goal was to attend to each area, so that my life felt more balanced, while focusing more on self-care in all aspects of my life, during this period of extended recovery.

These were my goals for a more balanced life in April:

Spiritual:  The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life.

- Continue with daily prayers and gratitude

- Continue to focus on blessings, joy, and abundance

- Take time for meditation 

 

Have been doing so;  In addition, I was able to attend the monthly prayer gathering, as well.

 

Environment:  The goal is a clean, tidy, uncluttered house and a well-maintained garden.

- Do some regular house cleaning, decluttering, and organizing  

- I have tidied and cleaned most of the house; there are a couple of rooms that need more work.  And I definitely need to work on my routines!

- Plant the new succulents I've been given - planted some and then, was given more which I haven't planted, yet.

- Plant the vegetables in the bed that has been prepared - planted the beans and okra seeds and the seedlings are coming up nicely.  The zucchini and patty pan squash seeds were planted, too, but the transplanted seedlings aren't doing too well.  I might have to buy more seeds and replant them, directly in the ground.  Two strawberry plants were planted and one even bore one fruit, but the other plant has withered and died!

- Weed and mulch - on-going; bought several bags of mulch, but haven't applied any to the beds, yet.


Daughter:  The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her. 

- Daily texts, phone calls, email exchanges, and video chatting!  - on-going; one of the highlights of my day!

Family & Friends:  The goal is to keep in touch with various family members and friends.

- Communicate regularly - phone calls, texts, and emails

- Go out to lunch with sister?

- Wish friend on her birthday

- Visit neighbor 

 

- Had a lot of interaction with family and friends over the course of the month.  I didn't go out to lunch with my sister, but spoke with her, on the phone, a couple of times.  I spoke with one of my brothers, on the phone, too.  I gave my cousin a ride to the monthly prayer gathering which was held at another cousin's house and met several family members and friends there.  I visited one of my neighbors (and she gave me several cuttings from her garden), another neighbor visited me (and brought me Easter dinner), and I've exchanged several phone calls with a third neighbor (we were to get together to have coffee one afternoon, but it was postponed as she wasn't feeling too well).  Spoke on the phone with my aunts and cousins, several times, and one aunt and cousin came over to dinner, last night.  One of my cousins came over to tea, today.  I gave a ride to one of my friends to pick up some boxes she wanted and have spoken with her and other friends on the phone.  I've exchanged emails with another friend and wished her for her birthday.  This is one area in my life that is nicely plumped! 

 

Career:  The goal is to continue to do work which I enjoy (for the most part) and which enables me to support myself.

- Continue to ease into going to the office full time - On-going. I have been going in three days a week, on a regular basis, in April, and working from home or taking time off on the other two days.  Still go in later in the morning than my regular starting time (but leave at my regular time), but I make up the time by working from home either in the evenings or over the weekend. 

Finances:  The goal is financial security.
- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully - On-going.

 

Health & Well Being:  The goal is good health.  This will continue to be the focus, this month.
- Attend the appointments with my various doctors - 3 scheduled, so far, in April, plus a required blood test before one of them - I attended my doctors appointments and did the blood tests.  The blood test results were good, but I am still having an inflammation and some swelling.  I was prescribed some additional medications, which I have taken.  I have follow-up appointments, in May, June, and July!

 

- Continue to monitor blood pressure and sugar levels - On-going

- Continue to focus on a healthier diet (more vegetables!), drinking enough water, exercising regularly, and getting sufficient sleep - Getting in more vegetables, exercise, and sleep is a work in progress! 

Time Management:  The goal is having enough time to do all what I want to do!
- Organize myself and put routines into place so I have a more regular schedule - Another work in progress! 

Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time:  The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Put together a succulents planter to take to the office - Didn't do!
- Do a few things from the Spring Joy list - Did several things, including going to the farmers' market twice
- Cuddle a kitty!  - DONE! 

"Posing for my picture!"

So that has been my review and update of the April balanced life goals.  I did quite well in some areas and there is much room for improvement in others!  

Did you make any goals for April?  If so, how did you do?  Were you able to make progress on them?