As mentioned before, I have chosen 10 areas of my life that I think are important to me, on which to focus. 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 ratings for each segment are shown within the parentheses, with the beginning of the month ratings in black and the end of the month ratings in blue which then become the starting ratings for the next month.
April Spiritual (10)(10):
- Continue with daily prayers, meditation, being grateful, positive, and joyful
- Continue to cultivate non-attachment to material things by donating/decluttering more
April's spiritual activities have been reduced because I will not be going to the Temple or any prayer gatherings this month, since we will be staying at home for the entire month.
I am very happy to say that, in April, thanks to all the technology that is available these days, I was able to attend blessing services at the Temple, online, and to attend the monthly prayer gathering as well! I also continued with daily prayers, meditation, being grateful, and I have tried to be positive and joyful. I haven't done a lot of decluttering or donating, however, I have been using some of my fabric stash and sewing supplies to make face masks and have been donating them.
I am keeping the rating at 10.
May Spiritual (10):
- Continue with daily prayers, meditation, being grateful, positive, and joyful
- Continue to attend Temple prayer/blessing services online
- Attend May's prayer gathering if possible
- Continue to cultivate non-attachment by being generous and giving to the extent I am able
House (9)(9): The goal is a home that is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming:
- Clean - Continue with spring (deep) cleaning
- Organize - Continue to find a place for everything and keep everything in its place
- Well maintained - Keep "erasing the evidence"; implement daily and weekly cleaning schedules
- Decluttered - Declutter 31 items in March
The house has been maintained. I have more or less resumed my weekly cleaning routines, although there have been some lapses, here and there. But, on the whole, I am happy with the state of the house and that is enough for now!
I am keeping the rating at 9.
May House (9):
- Clean - Continue with spring (deep) cleaning
- Organize - Continue to find a place for everything and keep everything in its place
- Well maintained - Keep "erasing the evidence"; implement daily and weekly cleaning schedules
- Decluttered - Declutter 31 items in May
I am hoping to keep the house maintained in May.
Garden (8.5)(8.5): The goal is a garden that is productive, yet drought tolerant:
- Clean out the garden shed
- Start spring planting (vegetables and flowers)
The garden is coming along nicely! The roses are blooming and so are the pineapple guava and pomegranate trees. Baby peaches are growing and the orange tree is starting to set fruit. I harvested a single radish and have some vegetable seedlings sprouting - cantaloupe, I believe, and, maybe a tomato! I have carrot tops beginning to re-grow, an avocado seedling that needs to be hardened off before being planted in the garden, and a sweet potato starting to sprout! The garden shed got postponed, yet again, but, that's not a priority.
I am keeping the rating at 8.5.
May Garden (8.5):
- Maintain (water 1- 2 times per week; weed)
- Clean out the garden shed
- Care for the seedlings
- Plant a few more vegetable and flower seeds
Daughter (10)(10): The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her:
- Daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting, etc., to keep in close touch with her
- Be supportive of her and be there for her
Daughter and I keep in contact daily. She has been very helpful to me with things like accessing online services!
I am keeping the rating at 10.
May Daughter (10):
- Daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting, etc., to keep in close touch with her
- Be supportive of her and continue to be there for her
Family & Friends (10)(10): The goal is to have a close connection with family members and friends:
- Be supportive of her and be there for her
Daughter and I keep in contact daily. She has been very helpful to me with things like accessing online services!
I am keeping the rating at 10.
May Daughter (10):
- Daily texts, phone calls, and video chatting, etc., to keep in close touch with her
- Be supportive of her and continue to be there for her
Family & Friends (10)(10): The goal is to have a close connection with family members and friends:
- Regular phone calls and emails to check on family and friends
Despite the continuing need to maintain physical distancing, I managed interact with family and friends through phone calls and online visits. I chat daily online with my daughter, but, this month, chatted online with a friend, "met" with a group of friends, online, too, to chat, and for monthly prayers.
In addition, a friend and I were able to spend almost one hour of working on projects by being accountable to each other, online! We arranged to have a chat and did so for a few minutes, then, went offline for 25 minutes to work on our individual projects (she did some decluttering, I did some paperwork), at the end of which time, we went online to update each other and we set our timers for another 25 minutes to work on our projects. Then, since she had finished sorting through one bin and I had come to a good stopping point (had gone through one stack of papers and had a small pile to be filed), and because I needed to eat something, we decided to end our work session. But, we plan to do it again, next week!
I also managed to visit friend R to take her some masks, and we were both blessed by visits from our mutual friend S who brought us both dinner a couple of times! Cousin P, too, blessed me by bringing me a few items of groceries and so did friend M.
I was also able to "see" family and friends at the monthly prayer gathering as we did it online.
I am keeping the rating at 10 because I feel that I have done my best to keep in touch under the circumstances.
May Family and Friends (10):
- Regular phone calls and emails to check on family and friends
Community (10)(10): The goal is to be involved in my community:
- Continue to participate in the blogging community
Despite the continuing need to maintain physical distancing, I managed interact with family and friends through phone calls and online visits. I chat daily online with my daughter, but, this month, chatted online with a friend, "met" with a group of friends, online, too, to chat, and for monthly prayers.
In addition, a friend and I were able to spend almost one hour of working on projects by being accountable to each other, online! We arranged to have a chat and did so for a few minutes, then, went offline for 25 minutes to work on our individual projects (she did some decluttering, I did some paperwork), at the end of which time, we went online to update each other and we set our timers for another 25 minutes to work on our projects. Then, since she had finished sorting through one bin and I had come to a good stopping point (had gone through one stack of papers and had a small pile to be filed), and because I needed to eat something, we decided to end our work session. But, we plan to do it again, next week!
I also managed to visit friend R to take her some masks, and we were both blessed by visits from our mutual friend S who brought us both dinner a couple of times! Cousin P, too, blessed me by bringing me a few items of groceries and so did friend M.
I was also able to "see" family and friends at the monthly prayer gathering as we did it online.
I am keeping the rating at 10 because I feel that I have done my best to keep in touch under the circumstances.
May Family and Friends (10):
- Regular phone calls and emails to check on family and friends
Community (10)(10): The goal is to be involved in my community:
- Continue to participate in the blogging community
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T
- Call to check on neighbor S
- Continue to participate in the online group of which I am a member
I participated in the blogging community and the online group (and, even met a few of them during an online chat), exchanged weekly phone calls with neighbor T, etc. I spoke with neighbor S a couple of times, as well, and another neighbor brought me a gift of Easter bread! I was also able to participate in temple services online, as well, which was a bonus!
I believe I did what I could under the circumstances and will keep the rating at 10.
May Community (10):
- Continue to participate in the blogging community
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T
- Call to check on neighbor S
- Continue to participate in the online group
- Continue to participate on Temple online services
Finances (10)(10): The goal is financial security:
- Call to check on neighbor S
- Continue to participate in the online group of which I am a member
I participated in the blogging community and the online group (and, even met a few of them during an online chat), exchanged weekly phone calls with neighbor T, etc. I spoke with neighbor S a couple of times, as well, and another neighbor brought me a gift of Easter bread! I was also able to participate in temple services online, as well, which was a bonus!
I believe I did what I could under the circumstances and will keep the rating at 10.
May Community (10):
- Continue to participate in the blogging community
- Weekly phone calls with neighbor T
- Call to check on neighbor S
- Continue to participate in the online group
- Continue to participate on Temple online services
Finances (10)(10): The goal is financial security:
- Continue spending mindfully, with purpose
I spent mindfully and with purpose in April. Although I went over my grocery budget of $75 in March, when I stocked up a few things, I only spent a total of $35 in April! I anticipate needing to buy a few more groceries in May, especially if I intend to replenish or add to my stock. For the time being, however, I will keep my grocery budget at $75 and see how it goes. I can increase it if I need do.
I am keeping the rating at 10.
May Finances (10):
- Continue spending mindfully, with purpose
Health & Well Being (7.5)(7.5): The goal is good health:
- Call and reschedule this month's medical appointments and lab tests
- Continue to work on the same life style changes as before to the extent possible
I spent mindfully and with purpose in April. Although I went over my grocery budget of $75 in March, when I stocked up a few things, I only spent a total of $35 in April! I anticipate needing to buy a few more groceries in May, especially if I intend to replenish or add to my stock. For the time being, however, I will keep my grocery budget at $75 and see how it goes. I can increase it if I need do.
I am keeping the rating at 10.
May Finances (10):
- Continue spending mindfully, with purpose
Health & Well Being (7.5)(7.5): The goal is good health:
- Call and reschedule this month's medical appointments and lab tests
- Continue to work on the same life style changes as before to the extent possible
- Continue to strive to attain a healthier weight
I rescheduled my medical appointments due to the corona virus and advice to stay at home. My appointments weren't urgent. I got dehydrated, at one point, but I have been trying to drink more water since then. I didn't lose any weight this month (although, at one point I thought I had!), but, I haven't gained any, either. So, I'll take that as a success and leave the rating at 7.5!
May Health & Well Being (7.5):
- See if I can reschedule this month's eye appointment
- Continue to work on the same life style changes as before to the extent possible
- Continue to strive to attain a healthier weight
Time Management (7)(8): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner:
- Keep to a more regular schedule
- Procrastinate less
I have tried not to procrastinate quite as much! I have been finding it hard to be quite as productive as I think I should be, but, the important things are being done.
I have increased the rating to 8.
May Time Management (8):
- Keep to a more regular schedule
- Procrastinate less
Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10)(10): The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Engage in daily joyful activities
- Participate in the Winter Photo Scavenger Hunt
- Daily piano practicing
- Do a crafts project (finish knitting the scarf)
This is another good area in my life! I finished knitting the scarf and a sweater that I had started earlier and have started on a pair of socks. I have also sewn several fabric masks to give to others. I have been engaging in daily joyful activities, too, and I continued to participate in the photo scavenger hunt. The daily piano practicing has faltered a bit, but, I am determined to get back to it.
I am keeping the rating at 10.
May Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10):
That is the review of my goals for a more balanced life in April and the goals for May. April has been another pivotal month of changes and upheaval for many. Who knows what May will bring? But, all we can do is take each day as it comes.
Did you make any goals for a more balanced life in April? If so, were you able to achieve those goals? Will you be making any goals for May?
- Daily piano practicing
- Do a crafts project (finish knitting the scarf)
This is another good area in my life! I finished knitting the scarf and a sweater that I had started earlier and have started on a pair of socks. I have also sewn several fabric masks to give to others. I have been engaging in daily joyful activities, too, and I continued to participate in the photo scavenger hunt. The daily piano practicing has faltered a bit, but, I am determined to get back to it.
I am keeping the rating at 10.
May Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Me-Time (10):
- Engage in daily joyful activities
- Daily piano practicing
- Do a crafts project (finish knitting the socks; finish making one of the quilts in progress)
- Do a crafts project (finish knitting the socks; finish making one of the quilts in progress)
That is the review of my goals for a more balanced life in April and the goals for May. April has been another pivotal month of changes and upheaval for many. Who knows what May will bring? But, all we can do is take each day as it comes.
Did you make any goals for a more balanced life in April? If so, were you able to achieve those goals? Will you be making any goals for May?
Wow,wow! Lots of good growth continuing your way. Most excellent. Here's to Great Adventures. No goals set for May. But this past week I published two good videos and that's what I was after. Feels good and tomorrow, I get cracking on the videos due next week. Super fun. Happy weekend 🌼
ReplyDeleteThank you, Ivy. Have fun making your videos! Are they both going to be cooking videos? Hope you have a lovely weekend. :)
DeleteWowowowow! Look at all those 10's. You are doing so much better than I am. Right now I am just hanging on!
ReplyDeleteThank you, Anne. I hope things improve for you. How is your mom doing?
DeleteIt's all looking good Bless. So many at 10 and a mark up on time management.
ReplyDeleteI like the idea of your online accountability with your friend. That's an excellent way of getting thinks done.
Thank you, Eileen. I am quite happy with April's balance.
DeleteI wasn't sure how that online accountability thing would work, but, it worked well! Each 25 minutes session went by really quickly! :)
What a good month you've had. I always enjoy reading though your recap and new goals.
ReplyDeleteHow clever for you and a friend to work together virtually on your projects - even setting the timer - to keep each other motivated and accountable.
Thank you, Debra. Yes, it has been a good month, after all, hasn't it? I am really glad that I decided to work with my friend, online. She has done it before with other friends, but, this was my first time. I think it worked really well!
DeleteYou've had a very good month Bless. You have made great use of your time and resources and stayed in touch with family and friends. You are able to find joy everyday and stay on an even keel. I wish you great success this coming month as well.
ReplyDeleteThank you, Susan. How are you doing? I hope all is well with you and your loved ones. (((HUGS)))
DeleteI like the way you had a productive visit with a friend, checking in after 25 minutes and then doing more on a project. I've never heard of anyone doing that before!
ReplyDeleteI think procrastinating has a lot to do with our changed circumstances. We are more likely to have days when it is much easier to do something that appeals than to tackle the thing that needs to be done! (speaking from experience).
The working on projects, together, yet separately, worked out quite well! It was my first time doing so, but, I will be happy to do so, again. It helped to keep us accountable.
DeleteI've always struggled with procrastination, so, I need to be firm with myself to get anything done, these days! Just not motivated!