It’s hard to know where to begin when talking about Progress this month. I hit the gas pedal hard on many things this month, but others came to a grinding halt. All in all, I felt off and mostly unbalanced. If I were going to make this post short and sweet I would say February: You Did It Wrong. My one intention for February was to read more and it was one of the MANY things I didn’t even make an attempt to accomplish.
What I *did* accomplish was a ridiculous amount of professional things and fun side projects and at least lucky for me “Move Towards Your Professional Goals” is on my list. Forgive me that I won’t talk about that stuff here, but you know the drill. Mark my words though: it was good. The question I really found myself asking towards the end of the month though was — was it worth it? And strangely enough, I’m not sure. I thought my grand professional goals were SUPER IMPORTANT but when I put all my efforts into making them happen, I felt — quite deeply — the loss of some of my simple pleasures.
So my intention for March is a clear one: Balance Work, Play and Love. And for me love includes nurturing my family relationships, friendships and of course, Garrett. While we did have multiple fun outings together, and also dinner with friends I want to get back to watering those roots. Also, if you can believe this, I’m looking forward to a month without significant travel. We’re going to Portland in April, I’d like to get out of town in May for Garrett’s birthday, and then there is a long Sonoma weekend in June. I think I’d like to just enjoy being around our house this month, if that’s okay. And you know what? I think it is.
I want to get back to some routine: Eating well, sleeping well, taking care of my body, and staying creative. I want to have a chance to work on mundane things like Home Improvement and fine tuning our finances (I know…SNORE!!! But I really want to.) I want to be more present here. I want to cook more food and take more pictures. I want to read more books and tell more stories.
So that’s the plan, Stan.
I don’t feel like February was a failure at all, but I do feel like I spent the majority of my resources in a way that only met the minority of my needs. I’m ready to change that. It’s time to jump in with both feet.
1) I love Portland
2) I’m all types on unbalenced and it is no bueno
3) I’m in San Fran AGAIN this weekend but with NO time to play, GRAH.
Portland is the awesomest. If I didn’t live in Seattle, I’d totally live there. Have you been there before?
Balance is so important and so hard for me to achieve. I’ve gotten better at it. For me it meant saying no to things or bowing out of being overly-social to have alone time or one-on-one time with Darcy.
I hear you on the professional goal achievement vs. giving up things in life. I am in a similar situation and feeling nervous and undecided about it. I had a chance to apply for a new job (I was recruited) and I got it. The new job pays significantly more and will be a better environment for me both professionally and socially (so two very good and needed things), but it comes at the expense of things I have enjoyed over the last few years with my family. Like working part-time so I could be home with my kids more. And now I’ll be trading in a 7 minute commute for an hour commute. And way more responsibility. Nerve wracking!I am going with the philosophy that change is necessary and good.
You do realize that ever since we went to Sonoma, my life’s purpose is to find a way to move out there, right?
Also, don’t forget to add GOOD OLD IOWA to your list of travels this year! 🙂