November is over and December has started; time to review how balanced my life was and what I plan to do to make it more balanced, moving forward.
Health, Self-Care & Well Being (7.0)(7.0): The goal is good health.
November Health Goals Review:
My November health goal was to improve my health. More specifically,
- taking my medications daily
- taking my medications daily
- consistently walk for 20 minutes a minimum of 4 times a week
- increase the daily servings of vegetables to 3
- decrease the consumption of added sugar
- maintaining my weight loss
- doing another blood test towards the middle of the month
- attending two doctors appointments
- decrease the consumption of added sugar
- maintaining my weight loss
- doing another blood test towards the middle of the month
- attending two doctors appointments
To that end,
- I have been taking my medications and the supplements my doctor recommended that I take
- I have been walking for 20 minutes 4 times a week
- I realized that November, with my birthday and Thanksgiving, is not the month to attempt decreasing my sugar intake! Too many tempting goodies! The vegetable consumption has been so-so, better on some days than on others
- I realized that November, with my birthday and Thanksgiving, is not the month to attempt decreasing my sugar intake! Too many tempting goodies! The vegetable consumption has been so-so, better on some days than on others
- Nevertheless, I maintained my weight
- I did my blood test on November 15 and the results were mostly good, but, there needs to be a follow up
- Both doctors' appointments went well
I'm keeping my satisfaction rating the same at 7.0
December Health Goals: continue to work on improving my overall health by:
- taking my medications daily
- taking my medications daily
- walking for 20 minutes a minimum of 4 times a week
- increasing the daily servings of vegetables to 3
- decreasing the consumption of added sugar
- maintaining my weight loss
- doing another blood test (scheduled for the first week)
- decreasing the consumption of added sugar
- maintaining my weight loss
- doing another blood test (scheduled for the first week)
Time Management (8.0)(8.0): The goal is to spend my time in a mindful manner.
- Spend time purposefully, mindfully
- Procrastinate lessNovember Time Management Goals Review:
I think I did well enough when it came to time management in November. As always, the important things were accomplished in a timely manner.
I think I did well enough when it came to time management in November. As always, the important things were accomplished in a timely manner.
I have kept the same satisfaction level at 8.0
December Time Management Goals: To continue to spend my time in a mindful manner and to procrastinate less.
December is always a busy month with preparations for both the upcoming holidays and for my annual end of the year almsgiving. I really need to make myself a time schedule to get things done without feeling stressed and pressed for time.
House (9.0)(9.0): The goal is a home that is pleasant, comfortable, and welcoming.
November House Goals Review:
My November House goals were to keep a pleasant, well maintained house, keep the horizontal surfaces cleared, and continue to declutter at a slower pace.
I am happy to say that I have kept the house relatively well maintained with some deep cleaning done towards the end of the month.
I continued with the decluttering, although at a slower pace. My decluttering goal was an item a day for a total of 30 items decluttered. The items I decluttered included 3 old remote controls to TVs and other audio-visual equipment I no longer have, 2 unopened packets of "Sweet 16" paper napkins bought for daughter's 16th birthday, some dried out pens, 1 VHS tape, 1 refillable water bottle, 1 electric space heater which quit working (replacement was ordered, though), 1 humidifier which developed a leak (will be replaced), and several food storage containers that were filled with Thanksgiving leftovers and sent home with my guests.
On the other hand, 6 new soup mugs found their way in, when neighbor S brought them over, partly due to a miscommunication. My fault, entirely. I thought she was offering to bring me soup in a mug and I accepted the offer. After I found out that she was offering to bring me soup mugs, I felt it would be rude to refuse them. They are oversized mugs, two with vented lids. I might find a use for them as planters for succulents.
I am keeping the satisfaction rating the same at 9.0.
December House Goals: Continue to keep a pleasant, well maintained house, decorate for the holidays, and continue to declutter. I want to keep the house maintained so that there won't be a need to deep clean before the almsgiving.
Spiritual (10)(10): The goal is to live a spiritually meaningful life.
November Spiritual Goals Review:
I continued doing the things I consider as important to live a spiritually meaningful life with daily prayers, meditation, being kind and helpful to others, and cultivating gratitude. I was able to donate the colored thread the temple needed for a special ceremony and I have booked the date for an end of the year almsgiving. I'm keeping the same rating.
I continued doing the things I consider as important to live a spiritually meaningful life with daily prayers, meditation, being kind and helpful to others, and cultivating gratitude. I was able to donate the colored thread the temple needed for a special ceremony and I have booked the date for an end of the year almsgiving. I'm keeping the same rating.
December Spiritual Goals: Continue to pray daily, meditate, cultivate gratitude, etc. Prepare for the year end almsgiving that is scheduled for December 28 (plan the menu, order supplies, prepare the donations, etc.)
Daughter (10)(10): The goal is to continue to have a close relationship with her.
November Goals Review:
My goal was to continue to maintain a close relationship with my daughter and I did that. She has been staying with me throughout the month of November, so, lots of together time and taking care of her while she is still hobbling around on crutches. There is no change in the satisfaction rating.
December Goals: Continue to have a close relationship with my daughter. She is still on crutches and will be staying with me during the month of December, as well.
Leisure/Crafts/Hobbies (10)(10): The goal is to relax doing something I enjoy doing for the pleasure of it.
November Goals Review:
My November goals included engaging in more fun, relaxing activities including crocheting, reading and gardening and I did all of those. I also did a crafts project with my daughter, with both of us crocheting. I am keeping the rating the same.
My November goals included engaging in more fun, relaxing activities including crocheting, reading and gardening and I did all of those. I also did a crafts project with my daughter, with both of us crocheting. I am keeping the rating the same.
December Goals include more of the same, including doing some craft projects with my daughter while she's visiting.
Garden (10)(10): The goal is a garden that is productive, yet drought tolerant.
November Goals Review:
My November garden goals were to continue to clean up and maintain the garden, to start planting cool weather vegetables and to put in a new pathway of stepping stones to lead from the back steps to the garage side entrance. To that end, M has pruned most of the stone fruit trees and put in the stepping stones. So far, we have not planted any winter vegetables. But, M has brought me a lot of succulents to plant. I am keeping the rating the same.
My November garden goals were to continue to clean up and maintain the garden, to start planting cool weather vegetables and to put in a new pathway of stepping stones to lead from the back steps to the garage side entrance. To that end, M has pruned most of the stone fruit trees and put in the stepping stones. So far, we have not planted any winter vegetables. But, M has brought me a lot of succulents to plant. I am keeping the rating the same.
December Garden Goals: Continue to clean up and maintain the garden. Start planting cool weather vegetables
Family/Friends/Community (10)(10): The goal is to have a close connection with family and friends and be involved with my community.
- Regular phone calls and emails, etc., to keep in touch with family and friends
- The occasional in person visits as and when I feel comfortable with doing so
- The occasional in person visits as and when I feel comfortable with doing so
- Participate in the blogging community and the online organizing community
November Goals Review:
I kept in touch with family and friends through phone calls, texts, and emails. I participated in the blogging community, as well, and interacted with neighbors. I felt comfortable enough to have friends over on Thanksgiving day without wearing masks. In addition, I participated in the larger community by voting in the general elections. I am keeping the rating at 10.
I kept in touch with family and friends through phone calls, texts, and emails. I participated in the blogging community, as well, and interacted with neighbors. I felt comfortable enough to have friends over on Thanksgiving day without wearing masks. In addition, I participated in the larger community by voting in the general elections. I am keeping the rating at 10.
December Goals will continue to be the same as above.
Finances (10.0)(10.0): The goal is financial security.
- Continue budgeting and spending mindfully, with purpose
November Goals Review:
My November goal was to continue to budget and spend mindfully, with purpose. I also had an appointment with my financial planner to go over my finances, I believe I have met my goals and I am keeping the same rating.
December Financial Goals: Continue to budget and spend mindfully, with purpose. I have set a budget for holiday gifts and for the almsgiving and, with daughter home for another month, I will increase the grocery budget, as well.
November was another good month. I kept my satisfaction ratings the same. I feel quite pleased about it. I hope that December, too, will be another good month.
How was your November? Did you feel that there was balance in the different areas of your life?
