Monthly Balanced Life Goals - March Review and April Goals

As I've explained before, 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 being shown in blue.

Monthly goals:

Spiritual (10)(10):   The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life:

- Continue with daily prayers, meditation, being grateful, positive, and joyful

- Continue to attend Temple prayer/blessing services online
- Continue to cultivate non-attachment by being generous and giving to the extent I am able

I continued with my daily prayers, meditation, being grateful, and I have tried to be positive and joyful in March.  I feel that I do live a spiritually meaningful life and I will continue to keep the rating at 10.

April Spiritual  goals will be the same as above.

House (9)(9):  The goal is a home that is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming:
- Clean - Deep clean the house as needed 
- 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 - Continue with the decluttering process; call for a donations pick up by the end of the month

The house is being maintained, with regular dusting, vacuuming, tidying, etc.  Not much decluttering happening, however.  

April House goals will be the same as above. 

Garden (9.5)(9.5):  The goal is a garden that is productive, yet drought tolerant:

- Maintain (water 1- 2 times per week, depending on how much rain we get; weed)
- Clean out the garden shed
- Discuss spring planting plans with M

The garden was well tended to in March, too!  The fruit trees we planted in February are still alive and there are tiny blueberries forming on the bushes!  I have been harvesting vegetables from the tiny vegetable bed we planted and M made another, bigger, vegetable bed for the summer vegetables we want to plant.  The wildflower seeds we planted are also doing really well and the bees are enjoying them!  M pruned some of the euphorbia branches that were going over the fence into the neighbor's yard for me and I even made a start on the shed!  I am keeping the rating at 9.5.    

Wildflowers and Bees

Recent Garden Harvest

April Garden goals will include:

- Maintaining (water; weed, thin out the peaches)

- Clean out the garden shed

- Plant the summer vegetable seeds

Daughter (10)(10):  The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her:

- Enjoy her being home!

I am definitely enjoying having her home!  We celebrated her birthday at the beginning of the month, did some crafts and baking together, and just spent time being together.  She was able to receive her first vaccination dose and while she has experienced some side effects, we are glad they have been fairly mild.  I am keeping the rating at a 10!

April Daughter goals will include:

- Spending more time together, doing things we enjoy doing

Family & Friends (10)(10):  The goal is to have a close connection with family and friends:

- Regular phone calls and emails to check on them

I interacted with family and friends through phone calls, emails, texts, online chats, etc.  Made and sent a birthday card to my sister and called and wished her on her birthday; she was very pleased with the card I made for her.  Called and wished two cousins who celebrated their birthdays this month, as well, and sent wishes to my niece's son for his birthday.  I am keeping the rating at 10.  

April Family and Friends goals will be the same as above. 

Community (10)(10):  The goal is to be involved in my community:

- Continue to participate in the various community groups to the extent possible in the following ways:

  - Participate in the blogging community

  - Participate in the online organizing group

  - Weekly phone calls with neighbor T
  - Participate in temple events

I participated in the blogging community, etc., received many wonderful meal items and groceries from my neighbor S and her family, and spoke on the phone with neighbor T.  I am keeping the rating at 10.

April Community goals will be the same as above.

Finances (10)(10):  The goal is financial security:

- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose

- Filing my taxes! 

I continued to spend mindfully in March.  I submitted the tax papers to my tax preparer and am waiting for her to complete them.  I am keeping the rating at 10.

April Financial goals will remain the same!

 Health & Well Being (8.5)(8.5):  The goal is good health:
- Continue to work on the following life style changes: 

  - better diet - eat more vegetables and complex carbs, less refined sugar
  - better hydration - drink 8 x 8oz glasses of water, daily
  - better sleep habits -  get sufficient sleep and try to adjust the sleep schedule
  - more exercise - continue with a walking schedule 

- Continue to strive for a healthier weight 

I received my first Covid vaccination in March!  That is my biggest achievement in the health category, for this month!  I also confirmed the appointment for the second dose.  I continued to work on my life style changes although, apparently, I haven't been drinking enough water!  I'm keeping the rating at 8.5.  

April Health and Wellbeing goals will include:

- Getting my second vaccination dose

- Blood test prior to doctor's appointment

- Doctor's appointment

- Continue to work on the above life style changes  

Time Management (8)(8): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner:
- Spend time purposefully, mindfully

- Continue to focus on making my schedule work for me

- Procrastinate less

This area continues to be a work in progress!  But, I met the deadlines I had set for myself to get the tax documents turned in on time and bills are paid on time.  I am keeping my satisfaction rating at 8.   

April Time Management goals are the same as above.

Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Self-Care (10)(10):  The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
- Engage in daily joyful activities

I have been engaging in daily joyful activities and I received the first dose of the vaccine, which is a big part of self-care, I think.  I made some cards, started knitting another sweater, began reading a book, etc. for the leisure/crafts/hobbies.   I am keeping the rating at 10.  

April Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies/Self-Care goal remains the same as above.  

March has been a well balanced month, I think.  All the areas remained the same!  I am looking forward to April and what I might be able to accomplish.

Anyone else making monthly goals for a more balanced life?  If not, how do you try to maintain balance in all the different areas of your life?