January 2018 Wrap-Up

Since this is my first monthly wrap-up of the new year, it's as good a time as any to change parts of what I normally include. While I liked the introspection last year's monthly wrap-ups incorporated (and I still would like to incorporate that), I would also like to make things a little easier. Sometimes, it was a struggle reaching to find professional, work-related lessons or relationship lessons. Other times, I really didn't follow just one "monthly mantra." I have enjoyed reflecting on the movies, music, and books I was into, and making sure to take some time for reflection. I think, since I'm doing the Bible in a Year plan, I will incorporate some of my favorite verses - although, I read James this month, and James is probably my favorite book in Bible. Does a whole book count? Every time I read it, I feel like I get something new out of it, no matter what season of life I'm in.

ANYWAY, you get the picture - I'd like to switch up these monthly wrap-ups. They'll be slightly different than last year, but hopefully still the same in a lot of ways. Let me know if you'd like me to include other things of interest that you've seen me mention on social media, okay? (1)

Reflections on the Month

My monthly focus for January was establishing good habits - across the three I had picked, I averaged a daily accomplish rate of 57%. Two of the three habits I did 19/31 days (61%) while the other I did 16 out of 31 days (51.6%). The lowest one I moved over to February so I can work on it some more. I'm using the Inkwell Press planner, and it has been so much fun to track my habits daily and also create new goals or focuses between January and February.

From my mission board, I was able to accomplish my financial goals (small, but putting $50 into savings and not touching it); my mom, Robby, and I painted the living room (!!! - major heart eyes); Robby and I had plant-based meals at least three times a week; and I hung out with friends four times this month - and it was good quality time too.

I feel like I need to say that I had goals of starting a podcast this year - I had the supplies in my Amazon cart at the beginning of the month, I created a Twitter and website for it, but then stopped and really thought about the time and attention I would have to give it to really be proud of what I was producing. Then I took a look at my social media outlets, my blog, and everything else I wanted to get involved in for 2018. And I had to call attention to my issue of wanting to create too many things at once. I've known it all along, but I didn't want to admit it: if I wanted to create something I was really proud of, I had to pick one passion project and focus on doing that one thing really well. And for 2018, I've chosen my blog. I have a vision of where I want it to go this year and am going to invest in resources to amp up my photography and develop my skills (especially since we're going on some cool vacations this year) so they can translate my memories, and this space, better.

I made some leaps and bounds mentally with my health after buying a 10-day supplement supply from a trusted fitness instructor. I was peeved about it once I read into it, and have made a hard commitment to never diet, ever again, and also to change the conversation around body image, our bodies in general, and food. I'd like to provide more resources in this space on body positivity and health moving forward. Please, please comment and let me know if you'd like me to discuss any topics in particular. (2) I'm excited for the things I have planned to discuss!

Books I've Read

Eating on the Wild Side: The Missing Link to Optimum Health by Jo Robinson. I started this book last year, and I was able to finally finish it in January. This was a recommendation from a friend, and I am so glad I read it. It has changed the way I make food choices because of its breakdown of the fruits and vegetables that are the most nutritious, and why. That was the coolest, and most valuable, part of this book for me - the why. Did you know all of the health properties we value in garlic are immediately lost if we mince it and put it right in the pan of hot oil? Instead, if we let our freshly minced garlic sit for 10 minutes, and then add it to the oil, it retains those awesome health benefits. And did you know that preparing potatoes and then reheating and eating them the next day drastically decreases the amount of sugar your body absorbs from them? The author also includes great recipes that follow the health principles she discusses. It's become a first-stop resource for my garden planning as, at the end of each chapter, she includes which varieties of fruits and vegetables, from seeds, are the most healthy to grow. If you're looking to learn more about the food you eat, pick up this book. It's incredible and thoroughly enjoyable to read.

Favorite Bible Verses/Lessons

Just in January, my SheReadsTruth plan got me through Genesis, John, and James. I'm also halfway through Job, a couple chapters into Galatians, and maybe a quarter of the way through Psalms. 8.8% complete, man! I've been so intrigued rereading these stories I've heard a million times, but now as an adult. I have always been such a history buff because I saw each individual I studied as an actual person instead of a distant memory or moral lesson - but I viewed people from the Bible as the latter, and it had made Bible study kind of boring. But rereading, especially, the stories of Jacob and Joseph kept me turning the pages. Seeing how God used Joseph, even when he was in the darkest times of his life, is incredible. Knowing that Joseph was trusting the process. And same with Job, granted his attitude has changed where I am currently, but in the very beginning of Job, he says in 2:10, ". . . we take the good days from God, why not also the bad?" And it just stuck. We're so quick to forget to thank God when things are going well, but that much quicker to go to Him when things are bad and ask why. And blame Him, and play the victim. But the truth is, as James brought up right in the beginning of the book, "Consider it pure joy, brothers and sisters, whenever you face trials of many kinds, because you know the testing of your patience produces perseverance." Among other things!

God is working on those parts of us when He allows us to experience hardships - it's tough, but it's so good! How encouraging is that?? And we see it time and again, just in Genesis. Abraham thought he had to, and was going to, kill his son! Joseph was sold into slavery, thrown into prison for a false accusation, and then, after what probably felt like a lifetime, had the power to decide the fate of the very brothers who had upturned his entire life. Noah had a whole region of people calling him old and crazy - I'm sure even his family was a little skeptical. Hagar literally walked away from Ishmael because she didn't want to see him die of hunger and thirst. Gut-wrenching. But these people have laid the foundations for Judaism, Christianity, and Islam, and they are sources of strength for so many. How powerful is that?? Wow!

I would go into a list of favorite Bible verses, but I pretty much just gave you a sermon I feel like! :) I'll be better prepared at the end of February with a list of some prominent verses. But let me know, if you're also doing the Bible in a Year, or even just daily devotionals, which verses have been inspiring you lately and why. (3) I'd love to get another blessing!

Media I was into in January

Movies: The Post, Victoria & Abdul, Logan Lucky, The Lost City of Z, Marley & Me; Rewatched: World War Z, Bridesmaids, The Intern, The Devil Wears Prada

TV: Mindhunter, Manhunt: Unabomber; Started: The Night Manager

Music: One Foot by Walk the Moon, The Wolf by Mumford & Sons, Kings and Queens by Thirty Seconds to Mars, No Promises (feat. Demi Lovato) by Cheat Codes, Take It All Back 2.0 by Judah and the Lion

Top Tweets

Gratitude List & February Focus

1. Painting our living room

2. Spending good, quality time with friends

3. Deciding to ditch diets, forever

4. Being able to buy my husband fancy cologne for his birthday (a dream of mine - random, I know)

5. Picking my 2018 passion project and establishing a clear vision on how to pursue it

My February focus is being more present by doing three things: instead of scrolling through my phone at night, which is a habit that has gotten worse lately, take the last hour and read; wake up by 6-6:30 AM (or earlier) every morning, even on weekends; and listen to my body - what does it need? How is it feeling? I'm hoping that by focusing on those three things, I can be more aware of myself and the spaces I'm in.

Something I'm excited for in February: smoothie bowls! I've ordered three all natural, plant-based superfood latte powders from Nutra Organics. I'm not sure when I'll get them because they're coming from Australia, but the recipes they have on their website look stunning and sound so delicious. Plus, all of the ingredients are 100% natural, vegan, and gluten free, and full of nutrients. I am so exciteddd. So, I'm hoping to take some gorgeous photos, and also offer some great recipes for you . . . if you're into that sort of thing :)

Thanks, as always, for reading. Your homework assignment is to answer the three questions/topics I've asked in this post so I can incorporate more of those things into future posts. Have a lovely February and we'll chat soon. xoxo