I start work again this week after a wonderful summer. This was a summer where I really ‘let go’, I even deleted the mail app from my phone and only checked in weekly. I felt I needed a full break.
Today that changes. I’m ready. I’m looking forward to the new year.
So now I find out if this #dailyink can work? I have a few drafts started for the slow days, I have a few more titles in my notes. But can I maintain this like I have other goals? This has been an amazing year for creating good habits, can I keep that going?
I don’t watch TV, I don’t watch sports, I don’t read newspapers. News highlights on my phone and Twitter keep me connected to the world, but I don’t dwell on all the negative things pushed through my feeds.
Meeting my minimal commitments for fitness, reading (mostly audio books actually, writing, and meditation have taken me between an hour and an hour and a half daily. Most people spend more time than that watching television. But I need to figure out a a schedule that works for me. My guess is that this blog will be an early morning part of my routine, but I haven’t locked in a schedule that I know I can commit to. I have 2 weeks to figure that out before my real schedule starts.
Writing is a pastime that I enjoy. It isn’t work, it is my television… except that I’m the script writer. Reading is a pastime that I love, but my eyes fatigue easily and audio books provide a great opportunity to continue to learn from books. Meditation is new for me this year, and I haven’t missed a day since I started in early January. The journey has been slow, but I’m learning to settle in faster, and I’m sure other benefits are forthcoming.
Just recently I missed my workout target for the first time this year, having only 3 workouts in a week rather than at least 4… but the next week was the start of my new (positive) streak!
It has been a year of building new, healthy habits, and I managed to do this during the busiest school year I’ve ever had. For the coming school year, I hope that I can keep the good habits going!
Such a hopeful post and a great way to keep yourself accountable…putting your goals out there into the world! I am sure you can keep it up and the benefits won’t be hard to discern! I hope you have a great start this week. And I may take the challenge for some new healthy habits myself. I will keep you posted…if I can stay in the habit of posting:)
David, I have tried to form a habit of daily reflections a few times. I like your point about it being a ‘pastime’ and a personal ‘script’:
I have really enjoyed your Daily Ink series and hope you manage to continue it in some way.
Also on: Read Write Collect
I’m glad you are enjoying them Aaron, and I do hope to keep it going. I’m considering it like my meditation… something that I am benefiting from doing, and that I will see positive payoffs for in the long run.
Your contributions through comments are greatly appreciated!
Dave