I’m happy to report that I was pretty successful with my July goals, especially when compared to previous months. I managed to complete three of the six goals I set for myself, and I’m feeling really good about that! August is going to be a busy month, so I’ve tried to select goals that won’t require too much from me. Hopefully, I can have my first 100% completion! We’ll see. For now, let’s take a look back on my July goals:
1) Design and order my mom’s wedding album. Done! It arrived in mid-July and it was perfect. I used Mixbook to create the album, and it allowed me to stretch my creative muscles a bit, which was fun. My mom and stepdad both love the album, and I’m so happy I finally did this for them.
2) Leave positive ratings and reviews for 10 of my favorite podcasts. Done! I’m glad I finally did this because I know how much podcasters rely on ratings and reviews. It was just a little thing I could do for these people who create such great work and give so much to me on a weekly basis.
3) Add two extra writing sessions at Starbucks. Done! I went to Panera instead of Starbucks, but I think I might make this an every-other-week thing because I really enjoyed it. Both times, I went on a Monday after work and spent two hours working on writing projects. It was much needed!
4) Schedule a therapy appointment. Ugh, no. Again. Can I outsource this to someone? Eeks.
5) Have a no-spend week. Nope. The only week that worked for not spending money was the last week of July and I completely forgot about this goal by then. Oops.
6) Visit a new-to-me nature preserve. Nope. My weekends in July were a little more frantic than usual as I had some freelance writing assignments to complete, as well as my girls’ weekend and my mom’s birthday. So, it just didn’t work out this time around!
Here’s what I want to accomplish in August:
1) Go to the gym every Wednesday morning. So, I’ve decided to not cancel my gym membership – at least, not right now. Instead, I’m going to try to ramp up my fitness again. I figure that I’m making my membership worthwhile if I go twice a week (equals out to just under $5 a session), but I’m going to start small since I haven’t been consistent with exercise (or, at least, going to the gym for a workout) for a few months now. So I’m challenging myself to implement a Wednesday morning gym routine. It means setting an early alarm (4:45AM, oof) and packing a gym bag since I’ll need to shower and get ready for work at the gym. It’s a hectic way to start my morning, but I kinda miss those early morning gym sessions.
2) Schedule a therapy appointment. One of these days, I’m actually going to mark this as complete.
3) Buy an area rug. A few months ago, I found the area rug I wanted at Target. It’s about $100, and that’s not chump change for me so I couldn’t get it the moment I saw it. But August is going to be a good month for my finances, so I’m going to allow myself to buy it finally. Yay!
4) Spend at least 30 minutes outside every weekend. This shouldn’t be a hard goal to accomplish since I have a lot of plans in August that require being outside in the sunshine, so yay! But I made this goal to force myself to get outside since I have a tendency to stay inside, especially when I’m experiencing higher levels of anxiety or depression. I don’t need to make it a big production – even if I just go down to the pool with my book and put my feet in the water, that’s enough.
5) Buy a book about the Enneagram. It’s time to get cracking on what I think my type is, so I’m making myself the very simple goal to finally purchase a book about the Enneagram so I can read about all the types and figure out which one I am. I think I’m going to purchase The Road Back to You because it’s been highly lauded by many Enneagram fanatics, but if anyone has another rec, please let me know!
6) Cut my credit card balance in half. This is a pretty monstrous goal, but August is looking like a great month for my finances. I had two nice freelance assignments come in, and I get an “extra” paycheck this month, so I really think I can funnel a ton of money to my credit card. I’ll be happy to bring the balance under $1,000, but my bigger goal is to get it under $800.
Do you have any goals for August?
So exciting that you were able to give your mom and her husband their wedding album. I bet they loved it!
I don’t really have any goals for August. I’m still adjusting to being back at work and figuring out a routine that works for all of us – especially in the morning. We have made some adjustments already due to bus schedules changing so Phil is doing drop off and I am doing pick up, which I much prefer honestly. I feel so rushed in the morning and already get up at 5:20 to pump and I can not imagine getting up any earlier so I am hoping that having Phil do drop off will help as I will have 10 minutes after they leave before I need to head out the door to catch the bus. So I guess my goal is to tweek my mornings and continue to ‘survive’ being back at work. Ha.
I’m glad you guys were able to switch your schedules around, and that the switch has made the mornings a little less hectic for you! And I imagine picking him up is a lot more pleasant than dropping him off. 🙂
I’ve got some serious credit card goals this month, too, though I didn’t want to share mine on the blog. Good for you, & good luck!
We can do it! It’ll feel so good to put a huge payment toward my credit card. Cannot wait!
GREAT goal with the credit card! I love making huge payments toward it when I can (which isn’t often).
I like your idea of spending a bit of time outside each week. I HATE the outdoors so I sit inside the AC in my house almost all summer long. I need to get outside more but the heat and the bugs are just not for me. Sigh.
I have made therapy appointments before, and I know it can seem overwhelming, but I found a guy who I absolutely love. I don’t go regularly anymore, but I will occasionally pop back in to see him if I have an issue I need to talk through. He’s very down to earth and funny. He makes you feel like a friend. If you can find someone like that, I think you’ll be golden!
I’m the same way – give me AC and my apartment. It’s a struggle for me to get outside, especially because it feels lie such EFFORT. At this time a year, I have to put on sunscreen if I’m going to be outside for more than 15 minutes and usually, I just don’t feel like doing that. Sigh. So lazy!
I’m glad you found a therapist you love! I think I’m getting totally overwhelmed by the prospect of finding someone I click with. But I know it will be worth it when I find someone I like!
You did good on your July goals and I am sure you can hit those August goals out of the park!
Show me that Target area rug that you’ve been eyeing! I am looking for one, too.
Also: I love that you’re trying to establish a gym routine on Wednesdays. I go twice a week before work (and get up at 4:15 – uff!), but once you’re into the routine, it’s so worth it. I feel great when I get to work to start my day, knowing that I’ve already worked out!
It’s this one! https://www.target.com/p/microplush-geo-tufted-area-rug-charcoal-cream-project-62-153/-/A-52899892?preselect=52599982#lnk=sametab
Such a fun pattern and I cannot wait to have it in my living room. 🙂
Ooo, I can’t wait to see the rug you get!
I was going to ask in your recent post if you are doing therapy and I forgot! So I really hope you find the right person and make that appointment. It’s helped me so much before!!!
Thank you! I just need to make some phone calls and stop putting it off. It just feels like such an overwhelming task! Ahh!
I will admit I hate waking up early for gym sessions, but OMG, I love having it done before breakfast and it’s worth it EVERY SINGLE TIME. Good luck!
It’s always so worth it to have my workout done first thing in the morning! I never regret that. If I’m waiting to do my workout after work, I spend the whole afternoon trying not to talk myself out of it!