How focused are you?

When I found this ecard a week or so ago, I carefully filed it away in preparation for this post. It perfectly sums up my February.

My focus went out the window in February. Not completely. Just mostly.

I lost focus of my focus. I had about as much focus as a banana.

Go figure.

It’s not all bad. Not really. I’m quite pleased with all the positives that came out of February. And there are a few …

• I managed to keep off coffee and milk 100%. I’ve maybe ‘fancied’ a coffee once or twice, but overall I’m really not missing it.
• I had a few situations arise where I either couldn’t, or didn’t want to, avoid gluten. Sometimes I felt fine after I ate it, but mostly my stomach went into churning and tumbling overdrive! Not nice. I plan to continue giving gluten a miss as much as I can.
• I’m still drinking a bucketload of water (give or take). I’m averaging around three litres a day now, made up of two litres of filtered water, and about three or four mugs of herbal tea.
• The gym has definitely become an ingrained habit, and I’m really enjoying it. Especially now that I can feel my fitness improving. My back and legs have felt so weak for such a long time. I’m just now starting to feel strength in them again. It’s such a relief.

Treading water
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So basically, February ended up being a maintenance month.

Rather than a big leap forward in my #FocusEnergy2014 adventure, I managed to tread water. Not ideal. But not a step backwards either.

I nominated three areas to focus my energy in February. I had a go at all three of them. Overall it was a pretty half-arsed attempt, if I’m completely honest. Needless to say, the results were lacklustre and disappointing.

1. Sleep … I managed a reasonable bed time approximately 50% of the month, which is marginally better than usual, I guess. I really struggle with this one. Most nights 10.30pm rolls around and I’m not ready to sleep. So I stay up for a while, reading or researching. Next thing I know it’s ridiculous o’clock. Where does the time go?
   I’m just going to keep carrying this one over until I suss it.
2. Time Management … All hail the ‘To Do’ list! I was getting nowhere fast with managing my time. Then I started scrawling a daily ‘To Do’ list. Throughout the day I add to it, cross things off, amend items. Mostly I cross things off though, and it feels so good when I do. I’m getting loads more done, which is definitely a step in the right direction. I always used to work this way. I’m not exactly sure when or why I stopped doing it.
   This one is also a continuing work in progress.
3. Clutter Clearing … Epic fail for this one. Epic. I managed to deposit three shopping bags full of Kate’s old toys and books to the charity bins down the road. And that was it. Hardly what I had in mind.
   It is a start, I guess. But a lame one.
   Another one carried over into March.

I’m loath to add anything more to the list for March, because I feel I should be concentrating on regaining my focus and working on the things I’ve carried forward from February.

Like just about everyone I know, my head is constantly full of so much stuff too. Work stuff. Home stuff. Kid stuff. Family stuff. Ideas. Thoughts. Stuff. And more stuff.

I think that maybe I should work on clutter clearing my head as well. That might just help with achieving all the other things on the list. Wouldn’t that be something?!

How focused are you?
Have you got it sorted … or did you answer ‘banana’, as well?

Au revoir January … and hello to you February!

January is over already.

I wrote that down so I could read it back to myself. Because I need to actually see it to believe it.

January is over already.

What the? 

It is just stunning to me how quickly the time flies these days. Even slow, lazy days flash by way too fast. It’s scary when you stop and think about it, isn’t it? Which is why I try not to. Not too often, anyway.

January was a really good month for me. My naturopath worked her magic and got me feeling like me again (read about it here).

Then I kicked off my #FocusEnergy2014 project by getting stuck into my list of monthly mini-goals (read about them here). I would love to tell you that I nailed them all with my eyes shut, while standing on my head, and singing New York New York at the top of my lungs. But I’d be lying.

I haven’t managed to stand on my head in years.

All bad jokes aside, I didn’t do too badly at all. Here’s how it all went:

Establish a gym routine by going three mornings a week
I only missed one day. One measly Monday. On the Australia Day long weekend. I’m really happy with that result. What I am most happy about though, is that going to the gym is now an ingrained habit. Which is exactly the outcome I wanted.

I was foiled by a national holiday
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Focus on nutrition, water intake and sleep.
Nutrition: I cut right back on dairy, gluten, alcohol and refined sugars, and I feel a lot better for it. I also kept a detailed journal for most of the month and tracked what I ate and drank. It’s a really good exercise to do, because it makes it easy-peasy to see any issues that might be lurking. I very quickly discovered that I need healthier snack options on hand, so that I don’t grab for the wrong thing when hunger strikes.

Water: The thing about drinking water is, it’s really easy to forget to do it. Which is why I bought myself a water filter jug that now lives permanently on my kitchen bench. I also carry a one litre pop top drink bottle with me everywhere. Throughout the month I managed to build up to drinking two litres of water a day (three, on really hot days), plus three or four large mugs of herbal tea. The improvement in my skin was noticeable after only two weeks. My skin on my forearms had been looking all old and dried up. Now it doesn’t. Result!

Say hello to my new best friend
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Sleep: This one still needs more work. The naturopathic supplements I’m taking have certainly helped with the quality of sleep I’m getting, but I still need to work on going to bed at a consistent time each night. I’m carrying this mini-goal over into February.

Tie-Up 2013’s loose ends
I left this one right until the very last minute. Technically I didn’t even achieve it because I didn’t start it until this week. By which time it was already February. It is done though, so that’s the main thing, right?

Thank you Universe. For sending me this kick up the butt.

Au revoir January, my friend. You were really good to me. Thank you.

And hello to you lovely February. What do you have in store for me, I wonder? Where will I focus my energy this month, hmmmmmm?

It just so happens, I’ve got it all sorted out.

Firstly, I need to do some more work on my sleeping habits, so this one is being carried over and gets top billing.

Next, I’d like to start managing my time a lot better on the days I’m not working. I tend to get distracted easily, and I’m a very proficient procrastinator. The result being that I never quite achieve everything I set out to do. It’s frustrating and it causes me stress. So in February, it will change.

Not any more. No sirreeeee Bob ;o)x

And finally, it’s not spring yet, but it is time for me to have a clear out and get my cupboards and pantry and spare rooms in order. I felt so unwell last year that I didn’t have the energy to do much at all, let alone get stuck into a much needed de-clutter. Thankfully this year is very different, which means that this month I can begin.

Now then, please excuse me. I need to get this show on the road. February is a short month and I have a truckload (or three) of stuff to get sorted!

Was January good to you too?
Can you believe it’s February already?

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It had to be two …

So. There I was. All fired up and gung ho about finding my word for 2014. My one word to sum up everything that I’m aiming to achieve this year.

One word is all I needed.

Just one.

I began with quite the extensive list. Then, over the last week, I managed to whittle it down to a couple of really strong contenders.

On New Year’s Eve eve (aka the 30^th), I went to sleep with my two remaining words swirling round and around in my head. I told myself that whichever word was the first one I thought of when I woke up, was THE ONE.

It worked a treat. I found my one word easy peasy. Piece of cake.

It is <drumroll> …

FOCUS

(FYI ‘Positive’ came in as runner up.)

I was really happy with that. I liked my new word a lot. It’s no secret that I need to focus more. And I need to get better at finding and maintaining my focus.

Between you and me, I have a tendency to be a bit scattered. It’s because I try to do too many things at once. I know that. I’ve always been like it. So naming this year, FOCUS 2014 was right on the money.

I had it all sorted.

Or so I thought.

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On New Year’s actual Eve, after our guests had left, and after my husband and my party animal daughter had crashed out on the couch together, I sat down at the computer to see what the rest of the world was up to.

I checked out the latest headlines, and I scrolled through my FaceBook newsfeed. Then I logged in to my blog to see what had been happening over there.

A new comment had been posted on my 2014 … Bring it on, I say! post. It was written by Kelly, whose fab blog – A Life Less Frantic – I follow (she’s from Perth too).

The first and the last sentences Kelly wrote bopped me fair and square between the eyes …

“Gosh I love you Jo and the energy you bring to everything you do!”
“Can’t wait to see where your energy takes you in 2014 xx”

It was around about then that I did my very best ever stunned mullet impersonation.

<blink blink>

Who, me?

The one thing I have probably struggled with the most in 2013 is low energy. Not just the obvious, tangible physical energy, but the intangibles too. The metaphysical energies; emotional, spiritual and mental. It’s been upsetting and frustrating and also quite debilitating. A big part of my 2014 plan is to work hard on restoring my health and my energy levels – all of them – to where they should be.

He’s a bit of a clever clogs that Anthony Robbins
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I eventually went to bed on New Year’s morning with another word doing the swirly thing in my head.

Energy.

When I woke up it was still there. And so too, was Focus.

I like them both. I am unable to choose just one over the other. So I am going to have them both.

It had to be two …
#FocusEnergy2014

Kelly’s timing, and her choice of words, could not have been more perfect. Or ironic, really. I am so chuffed that despite my body’s physical lack of energy, I haven’t lost it completely in the metaphysical sense. I figure I can’t have. Not if Kelly’s felt it through my written bloggy words, right? You have no idea how inspiring and how encouraging that is for me. Because I honestly felt like I’ve been zapped of absolutely everything.

She’s a bit of a clever clogs too, Kelly is. Without knowing it, she has helped to set me fair and square on my path for the next 12 months. Combining Focus with Energy can only equal greatness. And flow. Thank you so much Kelly. Your lovely words were the catalyst I didn’t even realise I needed :o)x

Ok, so, where to from here?

Well, my starting point for #FocusEnergy2014 is to use the 31 days of January to develop a few new habits. These are my Monthly Mini Goals for January:

Firstly, I will be taking myself off to the gym three mornings a week for either a power walk or a bike ride. I need to establish a gym attendance routine as a matter of priority. So I’m gonna get me one.

Next, I will be focusing closely on my nutrition, my water intake and my sleep patterns. So, nothing major there then. Much.

And lastly, I want to tie up all the loose ends and unfinished business left over from 2013. You know. That pile of stuff that you never quite got to in December because Christmas was breathing down your neck? Yeah. That. I need it gone. (Note to self: Dumping it all in the bin is not an option.)

Right then. Let’s get this #FocusEnergy2014 show on the road. You are more than welcome to jump on my bandwagon with me, with your own set of Monthly Mini Goals, and come along for the ride.

Go on. I dare ya ;o)x

What will you be focusing on this month / year?
All hints tips and advice for boosting energy will be most gratefully received.

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My Stinky Butt Year

This time next week, it will all be over. Christmas Day and Boxing Day. Finito. Kaputski.

And in just two weeks we will be fully living in a whole new year.

Just quietly, between you and me,
I. Cannot. Freakin’. Wait.

It’s amazing, isn’t it? After all the build-up and the hype of the last few weeks, 2013 will be done ‘n dusted. Over. Buh-bysie. It’s gone so unbelievably fast.

I have approached this festive season from a very different angle this year. I decided way back in August to take the pressure off myself, because I knew that if I didn’t, I would get to now and not be coping very well at all.

It’s not my usual style. I usually thrive under pressure. But I’ve had a bit of a rough trot this year, and I guess I’m old enough and ugly enough to know when it’s time to put my hands up and call a ‘time out’.

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My darling daughter decided in January that she wasn’t going to be a perfect sleep-through-the-nighter anymore. So from the beginning of this year, until just a few weeks ago, I have been permanently sleep deprived. Thanks to her nocturnal shenanigans.

Then, in March I travelled over east to a fabulous health retreat. From which I returned as sick as a dog.

Isn’t it ironic.
Don’t ya think?

What started as an annoying cough, developed into bronchitis and asthma. I then got hit with Influenza A. It all went undiagnosed until I saw doctor number four, who prescribed me a fourth mega-dose of antibiotics and ordered a battery of tests. I saw her earlier this week, and she has finally given my lungs the all clear. I no longer need to rely on two different puffers each day to help me breathe. Yippeee! Result.

Now then, I won’t bore you with the details of the other health issue I’ve been dealing with since October, but suffice to say that us women really do have it tough.

We are brilliantly prepared as tweens for our transition into womanhood. Pregnancy and birth are covered by a ridiculous amount of information and oversharing. But there’s bugger all readily available info out there to prepare us for when we reach the other end of our, ahem, hormonal life.

After another round of tests, I have discovered that I am not yet menopausal, but I am definitely heading that way. My body is preparing for it in ways I didn’t expect or even know about. It’s stressful and it’s very upsetting. Particularly as I still don’t have all the answers, and the medication I’m taking is causing my face to break out like a pubescent teenagers.

Nice. Thanks a lot.

So, ten months of sleep deprivation, plus nine months of struggling to breathe, and now two months of hormonal upheaval (so far), equals one very exhausted and miserable me.

I look like shite. And I feel like shite. And that was loudly confirmed to me on Wednesday when I arrived at the park with my three year old daughter, only to hear my friend’s little girl ask her mummy if I was Kate’s Nanna. Ouch.

Out of the mouths of babes, huh?

I could have cried. In fact, I very nearly did. Right there. In the playground. I wanted to throw myself down on the grass and scream about the injustice of it all.

That’s what I wanted to do. But of course I didn’t.

I felt so rotten. I really did. I am still struggling with it now, to be honest. But I have managed to centre myself and remind myself that what I am dealing with is minor in comparison to a lot of other people. It’s nothing.

And it can be fixed.
All of it.

I just hope Tony doesn’t decide to trade me in on a newer model like he did with one of our old trucks last week. There’s still a few good miles left in this old girl yet. I just need some repairs and maintenance work done to bring me up to scratch.

She’s been put out to pasture. Fingers crossed I’m not next ;o)x

Do you remember Queen Elizabeth gave a speech in 1992 in which she referred to that year as her Annus Horribilis? It’s Latin, and, unsurprisingly, it means ‘horrible year’.

My sense of humour has always been a tad on the immature side, (and I love a good [or bad] bit of toilet humour), and I remember giggling stupidly to myself at the time, that it sounded like she was saying she had a stinky butt.

Hahaha, the Queen’s got a stinky butt.

Yes. I know. Immature much.

Anyhow, I have been reflecting a lot on my 2013 this last week or so, and I have decided that it has definitely been my Annus Horribilis. My Stinky Butt year.

Don’t get me wrong, lots of wonderful things have happened this year too. I am so very blessed in so many ways. But I would be lying if I said I’m not looking forward to drawing a line in the sand under 2013 and taking a flying leap over it into the very shiny and new 2014.

I have already decided that next year is going to be MY year. I haven’t fully worked out the grand master plan of exactly how it’s going to happen yet, but I do know one thing; I will NOT be arriving ANYWHERE in December 2014 feeling or looking like anyone’s bloody Nanna. Thank. You. Very. Much.

Watch this space my lovely BabbleOn’ers. There is An Annus Mirabilis – A Wonderful Year – about to begin.

How was your 2013? Was it stinky butt-like or was it wonderful?
Do you have a grand master plan in place for 2014?

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