Tag: life planning

life: January – month in review

month-in-review-january

Plans were made, habits were started, and more tarot cards were read.

Some good things:

  • Finished Draft 1 of the secret angst project.
  • Completed all 30 days of YWA’s Home yoga program.
  • Started decluttering the stuff that’s been taking over my home for the last year or so.
  • Read some good books. (video coming this week)
  • Limited my coffee intake and stayed within budget (for lattes).

Some challenges:

  • Grumpy face kitty had to go to the vet. Lots of trauma for all. She’s ok though; have to monitor her bladder sitch and feed her a vet diet (I have thoughts, but not going to challenge this).

 

Follow me on

twitter | instagram | youtube | pinterest | goodreads | podcast

life: October – month in review

month-in-review-january

Guys, I’m in a rut. Been feeling burned out and uninspired. I need to figure out some things and move forward, but it’s taken a toll on my creativity and mood.

A few good things to keep me grounded:

I received a new tarot deck, which was a lovely surprise.

I bought new shoes (They’re burgundy tieks and I filmed the unboxing).

I discovered Lune Innate‘s Reiki ASMR videos (these have been invaluable recently).

I upgraded my point-and-shoot situation for an upcoming adventure.

There were some lovely, spontaneous dates.

On the other hand…

My low-buy was a bust. With the holidays coming up, I need to remind myself to stick to my budget.

 

Follow me on

twitter | instagram | youtube | pinterest | goodreads | podcast

5 things by 35

five things

I turn 35 this month. Here are 5 accomplishments I will reach/have reached by the day my birthday rolls around.

grow out my hair

I’m a short hair girl. I begged my mother to bob my hair when I was 6 and never looked back. I’ve had long hair exactly 2 times in my life: in 10th grade and again in my last two years of undergrad. Last year, I decided to let my hair grow until I turned 35—not that I’m cutting it any time soon, I just needed a goal to ease the itch… Friends, I did it. Even with the awful Florida heat.

dive into the query trenches

I’m not one of those writers who needs to be published by a certain age, but I cycle my projects around my birthday, and this year I really wanted to start querying, even if it comes to nothing. Experience is a win either way.

take control of my finances

I’ve posted a couple of videos on my budget lately. I don’t have any major debts and have the privilege of a steady job, but there’s always more work that can be done. This year, I committed to taking serious control of my finances and being a careful steward of my money, which means…

(re)start investing

I’ve saved enough money to start investing. I tried my hand at stock picking some years ago, but that’s definitely not the way to invest. I’ve been reading a lot of finance books for this very reason.

use up a tube of lipstick

Not so lofty as my other goals, but for the first time ever I am going to use up a tube of lipstick and it feels like the most epic of accomplishments.

 

Follow me on

twitter | instagram | youtube | pinterest | goodreads | podcast

life: Feb-Mar month in review

Month in review - Feb - Mar.png

 

I plotted my next writing project, and adopted a new method to take control of the middle before it becomes messy (one of my greatest issues as a writer).

Sent out my first batch of queries. And received my first batch of rejections. It’s a learning experience and I received valuable feedback. (ta!)

I’m still working the #ootd tag and maintained a steady stream of posts @lifeingminor despite less than ideal lighting conditions. Such is the curse of the early morning riser.

Received some disappointing news – I have a confirmed cyst (actually, I have more than one, but only one is concerning). Had an MRI and await results.

My #projectpan is going strong – I measured my Kosas and Besame lipsticks and have seen some real progress. Meanwhile, my eye shadows are starting to show a dip and I’ve been playing with various eye looks for daytime.

Went to Knoxville for a conference. The city was lovely and the food was great. Fun times (and too many impulse buys).

video: Happy Planner mini and budget planner – 1 month review

A look inside my Happy Planner mini (vertical) and Budget Planner sidekick – 1 month review.

I also have a review of the full-size Happy Planner [Girl] + other planners I used in 2018.

A note:
In the video, I say I’m using the “Jordan Sparks” method, what I really mean is the Jordan PAGE method. Whether or not Jordan Sparks has a budgeting method, I dunno.
You can learn more about her method here.

Have you used a vertical planner? How have you made it work? Let me know!

In case you’re wondering, I bought my planners at Michael’s.

life: January – month in review

Month in review January.png

I started a cash budget and managed to stick to it. I also learned that I needed to be more realistic and budget for expenses beyond groceries and outings. The result is a much better sense of where my money is going.

I was insanely busy! Between work commitments, writing goals, working out, and making time for blogging, podcasting, and going out, it’s a miracle I had any time to myself.

I read. A lot. Mostly because all my library books came in at the same time and I had a review to write.

I started documenting my outfits in an effort to get a better sense of my closet and find new ways to pair my clothes. Follow me @lifeingminor (this is the most curated I will ever be)

I started wearing eye shadow again. There is something my skin does not like, but I think I’m closer to finding the culprit after nearly a year without eye product.

How was your January? 

If you want to learn more about any of these projects/goals/etc. and how I manage them, let me know.

life: planner addict? planners I used in 2018 and will use in 2019

While I wouldn’t call myself a planner addict, I’m definitely a planner aficionado. I used three different methods in 2018: the Happy Planner Girl (standard size), Bloom Planner (academic), and a (non-Midori) Traveler’s Notebook.

Here’s what worked, what didn’t, and what I’m using in 2019.

video: October 2018

October was a MONTH. I had a hard time focusing and felt like I was split in 20 different directions, but it’s done and I managed to make it through with minimal strain.

Some November updates:

  • I am not doing NaNoWriMo. Not even for inspiration. I have a goal for in 2018, and I’m going to focus on that without the distraction of a NaNo goal.
  • I have a few videos planned, but if November looks like October, my posts are going to be sporadic at best.
  • If you’re a Mary Poppins fan, we just recorded a whole episode on Mary at The Bluestocking Circle. Give us a listen 🙂