Balanced Life Monthly Goals - October Review and November 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 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, giving, and joyful in October.  I also try to live my daily life according to the teachings of my religion, which basically say live your life in a manner that is not harmful to yourself or others.  Two Temples in my area have notified me of an annual ceremony that will be held at the Temples, but, since I am still not comfortable with attending any events in person, I decided not to attend in person, but participated by mailing them donations.    

I feel that I do live a spiritually meaningful life and I am very pleased with this area of my life!  I will continue to keep the rating at 10.

November Spiritual  goals will be the same as above.

House (8.5)(8.5):  The goal is a home that is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming:
- Clean - 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

 

I was able to implement most of my cleaning routines in October, too.  I also kept up with the decluttering during the month and, actually, exceeded my goal of decluttering 31 items. The new gas heater was installed and inspected (passed inspection) and the plastering has been scheduled for the 1st of November.

I am keeping my rating at 8.5 because, although the general day-to-day house cleaning has been done, there is still more to be done, in terms of repairs and upgrades before I can raise the rating.  Next year is probably the soonest I can plan on getting these things done (they are jobs that require hiring professionals to do), so, for now, I will be content with maintaining an 8.5 rating.

November House goals will be the same as above.  The plastering of the wall around the furnace is being done as I type this.  I am planning to continue with the decluttering in November, too; the goal is at least 30 items!

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

- Maintaining (water, fertilize, and weed); M will continue to visit twice a week; I think it is more or less a permanent arrangement, now.

- Focus on the vegetable and fruit plants
- Schedule tree trimmers to trim the eucalyptus tree

The garden was well tended to in October.  The okra plants were pulled out and some Japanese purple mustard greens have been planted in their place; the fruit trees are being pruned and sprayed.  Bun Bun the stray rabbit helps out with the pruning by eating practically everything within his reach and with fertilizing!  We have scheduled the date when the eucalyptus tree will be trimmed (2nd week in November). 

I am keeping the rating at 9.5, because the garden has been doing quite well.    

November Garden goals will include:

- Maintaining (water, fertilize, and weed); M will continue to visit twice a week
- Focus on the remaining vegetable and fruit plants
- Trim the eucalyptus tree - scheduled for 2nd week in November

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

- Continue to enjoy the rest of the time together before she has to go back

- Do more fun (safe) activities together (some craft projects, painting, etc.)

I am continuing to enjoy having my daughter home with me.  Fun (safe) activities have included decorating the house for autumn/Halloween and just being together!   

I am keeping the rating at 10!

November Daughter goals will include:

- Continue to enjoy the rest of the time together before she has to go back
- Do more fun (safe) activities together (some craft projects, painting, etc.)

- Celebrate Thanksgiving together

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, mostly through phone calls, emails, texts, etc., although there were a few in-person visits, as well.  One of my cousins had invited us to a family get together/barbecue, the first weekend in October, but, we declined and, instead, visited her and her family in person the following day, when there were fewer people.  Two other cousins also joined us, later, and I was a little concerned (daughter and I wore our masks for part of the visit, but, removed our masks when invited to have lunch), but, it has been over three weeks now, and we are all well, so, that turned out OK.  

I am keeping the rating at 10.  

November Family and Friends goals will be the same as above.  One of my cousins asked me what my plans were for Thanksgiving (I think she is planning a family gathering for Thanksgiving dinner) and I told her my daughter and I plan to stay home and celebrate on our own.  Cousin also asked if I'd be able to attend the memorial service she and her sister will be holding for their late mother; I told her I might attend the memorial service, but, probably not the reception which will be held at a venue, indoors, afterwards.  It is really difficult for me to turn down these family invitations, yet, I don't feel ready to attend large gatherings where people will be unmasked!  

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 when safe to do so

I participated in the blogging community and interacted with my neighbors; we still have a steady sharing of food among us!  I didn't participate in any temple events in person, but, I sent donations, as that's what I am comfortable with doing, at this time.  I am keeping the rating at 10.

November Community goals will be the same as above!

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

- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose

- Pay for a new heater!

I continued to budget and spend as mindfully as possible in October.  My biggest expense was the new furnace,  but, that was something I had budgeted for and I was able to ask for and receive a discount from the original price quoted.    

I am keeping the rating at 10.

November Financial goals:

- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose; the big expenses this month will be paying the property taxes and for the tree trimming. 

Health & Well Being (7.5)(8.0):  The goal is good health:

- Focus on continuing to improve my health

- Do blood tests
- Doctor's appointment scheduled for mid-October

My health goals are on-going.  My blood test results were fine according to the oncology nurse practitioner (although I forgot to ask her for a copy, this time).  My blood sugar level was good, my blood pressure was under control, my weight had remained the same (still too high, but, at least it didn't go higher!).  I had a second doctor's appointment towards the end of the month for my annual eye exam and that went well, too.    I have made the appointment for the annual mammogram, as well, and I have received a notice in the mail about being due for a colonoscopy (don't look forward to that, at all!) and have to contact my primary care physician about a referral for it.  In between all that there was the fall, which, thankfully, didn't not result in any injuries and one day of leg pain which caused some concern, but, looks like it might have been an indication of dehydration!  But, on the whole, things were OK.

I will raise the satisfaction rating to 8.0.

November Health and Well Being goals

- Focus on continuing improve my health

- Focus on diet and hydration

- Monitor weight, blood pressure, blood sugar, etc. 

Time Management (7)(7): 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

I still feel that I am not making the best use of my time, that I should be accomplishing more during my days.  I am not quite sure just what I want to be accomplishing, though!  Maybe I need more structure in my days.  That is what I will try for in November.  For now, I will keep the rating at 7 because I still feel that there is much room for improvement in this area of my life.   

November 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 engaged in daily joyful activities in October.  They've included time spent in the garden, chatting with family and friends, doing a few craft projects (redoing my Halloween wreath, making a seed pod garland for the mantel, crewel embroidery, crumb piecing, etc.), decorating the house for Halloween, participating in the monthly photo challenge, reading, watching TV, and spending time with my daughter.  I am keeping the rating at 10.  

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

October has been another good month, overall.  Most ratings remained the same, while my Health and Wellbeing rating increased a little bit, which is good.  Health/Well Being and Time Management will continue to be the focus areas in November, too.      

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?