What I’m Working on Right Now: September

As I wrote the title above about what I’m working on right now, I accidentally wrote August. How is September almost here?

I try to step back on a monthly cadence to see how I’m doing in my life and whether there are any adjustments I want to make.

My goal is to make sure this process doesn’t feel overly obsessive or self-controlling (both things I’m working on as a person!). But I do want to always feel like I’m making the most of this one wild and precious life I’ve been given. Tomorrow is not a guarantee.

Here were the intentions for 2019 that I generated at the start of the year:

I want to flourish through relationships this year. I want to feel a deep sense of connection with my husband, my children, my extended family, my colleagues, my neighbors, and friends. I want to go deep and heal the wounds I have been carrying with me all these years. I want my body to feel healthy and strong.

Celebrations

I’m someone who jumps straight past celebrations toward problem-solving (also something I’m working on!). So let me start with the celebrations:

• I love the life partner I picked for myself. I can’t imagine a day-to-day partnership with anyone else.
• Our family of four brings me so much joy, and I love how complete the world feels when we are together.
• My children get to go to one of the most diverse schools in Austin. It feels like a second family. I love that they go to a school that is working toward partnership and liberation over domination and oppression.
• I love our home. It lifts my soul nearly every time I walk into it.
• I’m grateful that my grandparents are still part of my life. I’m grateful for regular contact with my mom, brother, cousin, and aunt.
• I love that I get to work on really interesting problems and solutions that fill me with purpose and joy every day.
• I’m grateful for the opportunity to write and connect with others via this space.

Ha, ha! When I write all of that, it makes me feel like: “Why would you ask for anything more? Just work on living in the moment and enjoying all of those things!”

It’s seriously such an interesting phenomenon! I don’t want to go any further into what I need to “work” on because the biggest thing to “work on” is enjoying what I have.

But at the same time, I have a set of things that have been percolating in my mind to help me address the lower-level frustrations and discontent that I’ve been feeling. Let me just list them quickly and then be done with it!

What I’m Working on

1. I need to start running again. I’ve been avoiding it because it’s hot and I’m lazy (with regard to exercise) and I want my free time for other things. But the truth is I need it in my life. I believe that it releases physical and emotional toxins!
2. I need to eat healthier meals. I’ve been defaulting to Amy’s Light & Lean meals for the convenience. But I cannot stomach microwaving plastic and then eating the food that’s contained within it. So I want to work on this by taking time to make healthier lunches and trying to take my frozen food out of the plastic and microwaving it on a plate instead.
3. Matt and I need to make more time to connect with each other. Our relationship is strained right now because of the difficulties we are having around supporting our children. We need to reinstate a date lunch once a week. Also, we need to stop our independent activities by 9pm on some nights and hang out together before bed.
4. Our boys need better nutrition. I want to find a smoothie recipe (maybe with a fruit and veggie supplemental powder added?) that they will drink frequently. Secondly, I want to replace the peanut butter and jelly in their lunches with something more nutritious.
5. I need to get into regular therapy to work on healing my past trauma. My relationship with my current therapist has morphed into working with Henry. But, simultaneously, I need to be on my own trajectory of healing. I’m going to try someone new that was recommended to me by a blog reader (thank you, Julie!).
6. I want to work with my colleagues to slowly turn our shared space into a sanctuary. Luckily this is one of my colleagues and she has seriously good taste!