For as long as I can remember, the month of May has meant several things: my mom’s birthday, piano recitals, and the promise of summer break. May is such a glorious month when it comes to weather, and I’ve always been fond of it. That said, I can hardly believe how quickly this year is flying by. It feels not so long ago that we rang in the New Year in Marrakech, Morocco.
This May, I’m hoping for one thing in particular: to establish a new routine that balances my new job, this blog, and all my other current commitments. The transition has been a bit laborious with my grandmother’s passing and the funeral overseas, and I’m ready to get my mind, body and spirit settled in a new rhythm.
Goals for May 2016
1) Earlier to bed, earlier to rise.
My previous job often went till 7 or 8PM, making it really difficult to get to bed early. Now that I no longer work so late, I’m hoping to start winding down around 9:30PM and getting up much earlier to get my mind ready for the day. This will mean actually powering down on electronics and allowing my mind to relax before crashing onto my pillow.
2) A new gym routine.
I haven’t decided whether I will exercise before work or after, but it needs to happen. I spend much more time at a desk now than ever before, and I’m already feeling its effects in my shoulders and legs. Pulling myself away from the screen is hard enough, and I want to create a routine for exercise that will keep my mind and body healthy.
3) Saturday sabbaths: work-free, stress-free, screen-free.
I’ve discovered that I absolutely love to work. And since I love my job and I love blogging, it’s easy for me to bounce between these two things every single day of the week. Out of discipline and a desire to truly rest, I’m forcing myself to avoid any type of work on Saturdays. Instead, I’ll visit the farmer’s market, dig around in our garden, hang out with friends, or explore the city with my husband.
4) Mindful listening.
One of the major downfalls of having a mind that never stops running is that I have a very hard time listening well. Even when I’m conversing with close friends, my thoughts interrupt and I find it difficult to fully hear what’s being said. This month, I want to practice mindfulness during conversations– to do my best to pause those thoughts and offer my full attention.
What are your goals for May?
*P.S. It’s been a while since I’ve shared monthly goals, and I’ve really missed doing this. I’ll be sharing goals from here on out!
Yes!! That is so true. I never feel better after any kind of binge… yet it takes discipline every time not to indulge!
Thanks friend. I just did a sabbath yesterday and it was glorious!! No screens, no work– I felt so inspired.
Early to bed is something I REALLY need to start doing. I always feel so much better in the morning (and throughout the rest of the week) when I say no to Netlix and just go to bed at a decent time.
Oh, I love the Saturday Sabbath idea. I really need to do the same thing—I feel like I spend everyday (including weekends) in front of my computer, and I’m really itching for some time to just step away and decompress!
xoxo
Kat
Thanks so much Edye! Those are great goals.
Yes absolutely! I’ve not been sleeping terribly early this week but I *have* been getting up early! Haha win-almost win! 😉
Thanks Amanda!! And congratulations on graduating today!!! I’m totally up for being accountability buddies. Absolutely yes.
Thanks friend! xo
Thanks girl! Yes!! And especially where you live, just stepping outdoors is a great incentive to get away from the computer and TV! 🙂
Thanks so much Annie!! As for my Saturday sabbath, we shall see. I’ll probably still be texting friends to coordinate getting together, but generally I’m going to try to step away from all screens! I might also need my computer for looking up recipes (we cook a lot), but that’s pretty much it! 🙂
Thanks so much for your comment, LuAnn. I’m so glad this resonated with you. I am much the same way– transitioning from one season to the next is such a challenge, and we’re not much good at it. I hope your May is filled with moments of discovering what that looks like. And that you give yourself grace in the process!
Wow, best of luck with your transition, Alyssa. This is really exciting– but as I’m learning myself during this season, vocational transitions are hard! Give yourself grace and time to adjust! 🙂
Thanks so much, friend! 🙂
Thanks so much, friend! 🙂 I’m exactly the same way. I’m really passionate and enthusiastic, and often forget to put my thoughts aside and really listen!
And wow! Enjoy Morocco. That’s SO exciting!
Great goals!! In the month of May I want to read more books and crochet more 🙂
Blessings,
Edye // Gracefulcoffee.wordpress.com
I love the early to bed, early to rise mantra. I need to start implementing more of that! Unplugging once a week sounds wonderful too!
Creating a new routine is going to be so awesome for you, I think. My Masters graduation is this Thursday, so I’ll probably hop on the train with you in terms of goals this month. Accountability buddies?
So glad you’re loving your new job!! And I agree, it’s so good to find balance and to take that day away from it all! xo
Great goals Daisy! I try and have a completely unplugged Saturday as well and it really is just so amazing to take a whole day away! I am all about early bedtimes as well, I love the calm the early morning brings and would much rather wake up to enjoy it.
These are glorious goals, Daisy! I especially relate to a Sabbath Saturday. This just inspired me to make that a goal of my own! I often say that blogging is my hobby, so it’s a way for me to unwind. Which is sometimes true, but it’s also a source of income and labor of love, so I think it would be super wise to begin a Sabbath Saturday! Are you going to be turning off your phone and putting down social media that day as well? So excited for you! You are gonna crush these goals!
I appreciate the statement you made about being ready to get your mind, body, and spirit in a new rhythm. That’s what it’s really all about, isn’t it? I find that, for whatever reason, I do not move gracefully from one season to the next. Letting go or walking out of the last season and into the next one requires a purposeful, intentional reset into a new rhythm. A great new way for me to look at transition; so simple! I will pen your words into my planner as the major goal for myself for May. Love it.
I am a huge fan of earlier to bed and earlier to rise (we should strive to do nearly everything Ben Franklin says haha)! It’s great that your new job will allow for this and I wish you the best with all of your goals. For this month I’ll be transitioning from school to my internship, so my goal is to do that gracefully.
I really respect these goals and admire your heart behind them! Often we think of goals as things to achieve to get ahead or move forward more quickly. I love that your goals will help you to savor and make sense of this new season, and to prioritize your health. Praying for you as you start this new job! I’m hoping you find a great deal of satisfaction in your new responsibilities!
Good luck on achieving your goals 🙂
Great goals! I love the mindful listening one, this is something that keeps flitting across my mind but I haven’t held the thought and tried to implement it. You inspire me to be more considered as I’m often so over excited I don’t stop to think about how to improve. So I’m going to try this one for May. The goal I already had for May was to walk longer distances (in preparation for hiking in Morocco!) and start running again.