2018 WEEK 1-DAY#1-1/1/2018-
A NEW YEA
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A Clean Slate
•New beginning
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•New goals
•New habits
I have always felt that each new year brings us a clean slate. It’s a great time to kick those bad habits and to start anew. An opportune time to set new goals for yourself or to begin healthy habits.
I always thought the rule of thumb was: 30 days=A healthy habit
So, I looked on the web for confirmation and sought out the article
How Long It Really Takes To Form a New Habit (and how to get started) written by Jason Gutierrez
[link(1.) found in the sources details below]
The article states:
“The average time it took for a behavior to become a habit was 66 days!”
Each individual differs. It can take anywhere from 18 days to 254 days.
That’s a great deal longer than I thought. I was vying for Jan 30 using the 31st as a cushion. March 7th is the 66th day of 2018. [link(2.)found in the sources details below] So, I guess I might want to mark my calendar with March 7th as my goal date.
If I can keep up the behavior until then IT will definately become a HEALTHY HABIT. (Fingers Crossed)
Jan 1-March 7 is the period of change.
I hope to implement some change into my life this new year. I guess you could call them New Year’s Resolutions. I prefer just dubbing them my goals for embodying a better me in the New Year.
My #1 Goal- Start blogging again:
Honestly, I failed as a blogger in 2017. With the illness of my cherished Cavalier, Maxi becoming all so consuming from Dec 2016 until her death on June 1, 2017. I basically stop everything and focused all my energy on her and on our puppy Madi. I stopped blogging, I stopped my daily exercise routine and I focused on all things canine.
Once Maxi passed, I thought I might get back on course. I just didn’t have it in me. I was in mourning. Then, on June 19th Madi, the 35 week-old Cavalier pup got attacked by a Golden Retriever as we walked home from the park. Another setback. It seemed to leave more scars on me than it did her. For once her wounds healed she was as good as new. Trusting, friendly and willing to give all canines and humans a chance. I, on the other hand was left scared. I was completely untrusting, scared of other dogs, irritated by carefree owners who let their dogs unleashed. I was consumed with fear and worried that it could happen again.
After that setback, I was rebounding. Then. she had her surgery. It drained her energy and inadvertently it drained mine too. So, I spent my time in the comfort and security of my home reading, writing, puttering about in the house. Instagram became my venue for expression and Madi became my constant companion. We would make sure we left the house daily to submerge ourselves in nature by walking in the woods, the big field or the park by the lake. That was our therapy.
My #2 Goal-Continue our daily nature walks:
Nature has healing qualities. If you don’t believe me read this wonderful article [link(3.)found in the sources details below]:
Why Nature Is Therapeutic | CRC Health Group
My #3 Goal-Read (even more):
I want to explore the work of author, Henry David Thoreau starting with Walden. I also want to study the historical figures sited in the article, by immersing into the work of: Ralph Waldo Emerson, John Muir and Charles Darwin. The architecture and interior design enthusiast in me will once again enjoy exploring the work of architect, Frank Lloyd Wright.
My #4 Goal-Continue the practice of Yoga daily:
In 2016, my daily routine included a walk around the block; then, I would drive to the gym. I did a 20 minute weight routine (switching from upper body to lower body focus every other day) and then, I swam for 40 minutes. I did slim off 20 pounds and my abs looked great. (My hair, not so much from all the chlorine.) But, I had a constant pain across the middle of my back.
In 2017, being unable to access the gym, I incorporated Yoga to my daily routine and increased my walking. My back pain disappeared. I highly recommend Yoga with Adriene on You Tube. [link(4.)found in the sources details below]: She has gobs of videos. I think you might like to start with her REVOLUTION 31 Days of Yoga to bring you through January.
I can go crazy and make a massive list.
But, my hope is to actually achieve these goals. Anything else is just icing on the cake.
ICING:
(1)Be an Explorer-Travel More
(2)Be a Positive Thinker-Spread Joy
(3)Be a Better Cook-Eat out less
(4)Be Kinder-To Yourself
Wishing you a Happy New Year!
inJOY-Trisha
[LIST OF SOURCES]:
Link(1.) How Long It Really Takes To Form a New Habit (and how to get started) written by Jason Gutierrez https:/.pickthebrain.con
Link(2.) Day Numbers for 2018 https://http://www.epochconverter.com
Link(3.) Why Nature Is Therapeutic CRC Health Group http://www.crchealth.com
Link(4.) Yoga with Adriene https://www.youtube.com/yogawithadrienne
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