January

 Hey Hey!!

So I made my 300 list in early December and I've ticked a few things off the list already. We got ourselves a new coffee table for Christmas and to say I'm obsessed with it is an understatement. It lifts up so I can use it as a work space, like I am right now. It also has storage space which is always great. Its just beautiful. Does this make me an adult, being overly excited about a piece of furniture?? 

One of the things on my list is to finally read all of my books as well. Which is a goal I made even before I made the list but now its on paper, and on my blog, so its basically a contract. I made these cute little bingo sheets with all the names of my books and when I finish one of the sheets I can buy a new book. I already know what book I want. It's the new Hunger Games book called Sunrise on the Reaping and it's Haymitch's story. It's kind of funny because I just finished reading the Ballad of the Songbirds and Snakes and I was like yeah I need more, I want to know Haymitch's story. and here we are. I'm so excited. I had no idea until I was telling my sister about it and she told me there's a new one. 

So In January I read that book, and now I'm reading Life of Pi. I'm only about 20 or so pages into it right now and it's not my favorite. It has a slow start. It kind of feels like I'm reading roll call for Noah's Arc. I'm over here googling what macaque and mangabey are. Turns out they are both some kind of monkey. I don't know, my ABC book in kindergarten never got that specific. Everyone says its a great book though so I'm giving it a chance and maybe it'll get better. 

I also finished the painting I've been working on to hang up in our bedroom, and it looks great hung up. I'm quite proud of it. Trees are actually really hard to paint though. I don't have the happy accident perception of my own art, I have frustration on purpose or something. 

My Boyfriend and I also stopped vaping which is something I've done on and off for almost ten years so it's kind of hard. I'm very proud of us though even though were a bit cranky. That'll go away eventually, right? Vaping isn't something a lot of people knew I even I did because I didn't want them to know. It's not like I think it's a cool thing to do, maybe when I started I did because everyone I hung out with did it. Peer Pressure is definitely not a myth. I feel like quitting it is a really big accomplishment and it should be acknowledged. So I'm acknowledging it.

I also got new glasses! I guess my prescription changed a decent amount since 2020 when I got my last pair. It was on my love life list then. The lady who helped me pick out the new frames was great. I feel like I tried on most of the pairs in the store, but she was so honest in being like those don't suit you. I appreciate that. I got sunglasses too which I have never had prescription sunglasses, its always just been a struggle and y'all its a gamechanger. Do I forget them at home most of time, absolutely but they will have their time. Just not when its overcast, snowing, and -24. 

Since I have a lot of habits and lifestyle changes on my list that I want to implement into my life I have a habit tracker. I pick four habits to focus on each month. In January my habits were to brush my teeth twice a day everyday. I always brush my teeth in the morning, but at night when I'm tired I tend slack and I don't do it every night. I want to though so its on there. I did really well with this habit. I also did really well with cooking and baking something everyday. One of my goals is to be a better cook. Since that is not something that comes naturally and I also tend to go off script with recipes. I did this goal pretty much everyday too, so I'm happy with that. Another one of my goals is to wake up earlier, specifically around 7. We've been waking up around 10ish for a while because that worked with our work schedules, and were both night owls. But I want to have a better morning routine and to do that I need to wake up earlier. I want to ease myself into my goals so I set the goal of being out of bed by 9am. I didn't do great with goal, it was pretty 50/50 for the month so I'm putting it on my goal list for February. The 4th goal I had was to get 6000 steps in a day. They say the golden number is 10k and I want to get there eventually, but again baby steps. Literally. I didn't meet this goal very often this month but in my defense it is hard to meet that goal from inside the house. Since I haven't been going out much due to the weather turning all roads and sidewalks into an intricate skating rink, it has been a challenge. So this goal will also be added to February. I have been playing a lot of Wii fit which I actually love very much. The balance exercises are my jam. I unlocked the free run on there though and that has proven to be a great way to get my steps in. I reached my step goal today by 1pm because I did a little free run. So if you also live in an icy tundra of bullshit, buy a Wii. It's great. 

I had January be a no spend month as well, since its after the holidays and there just doesn't seem to be a need to buy anything right now. We have everything we want and need. I did really good with this. I had the few exceptions being bills, dog supplies, groceries, and gas. I broke the no spend challenge on one day because I needed something for my little business I'm starting up so I feel like that should be an exception. But it wasn't written as one so I broke the rules. I'll admit it. 

That is all I have to say about January, all in all it was a pretty good month. Cheers to another. 

Love Always,

Courtney.