We’re one month into 2022 and it’s a good day to check in on those goals and resolutions. 10 items on my list and 10 things to report on…

1. Read a book a month. Unless you count the winter issue of Rattle, this was a total fail. ❌. I think my problem is not having any books that entertain me. I like dystopian fiction and even fantasy fiction at times. Those books that build worlds and keep you turning pages with great characters and engaging stories. I’d love some recommendations! 
2. 
Write a new poem or free write once a week (this blog doesn’t count). ✅ This, I am pleased to report is happening. Last week was just a tiny poem, but I’ll take it. Now to stay on it! 
3. 
Do 20 minutes of yoga twice a week. ❌❌❌❌❌❌❌❌ Epic fail. I haven’t done yoga once. It’s like how things were with meditation last year. I’m blaming covid because I can’t go to classes but it’s really just an excuse. I’ve done plenty of yoga in my life I could easily do it solo if I put in the time. 
4. 
Maintain my 100 active sub count. 👎🏻👎🏻👎🏻 My focus has definitely been elsewhere. I think I’m down to 82 with all the rejections pouring in, but I don’t think this goal is a good one. I need to focus on quality and not quantity and I’ve been doing that. I have my list of places and I am submitting to those according to their calendars. I think I’ll change this goal to 10 subs a month and to hell with the submission count. Sound good?
5. 
Lose 5 pounds. Yes… this is a yearly goal, lose and then maintain. 👍🏻 I’m not there yet but I’m close. Of course all that gets thrown out next week when I’m on vacation. I might be reporting when I return that I’m starting over. 😜
6. 
Get 420 Zone Minutes each week (it’s a Fitbit exercise measure). ✅✅✅✅ This is cake. I think I need to stretch this goal to 500 each week.  🤔 
7. 
Average 30 minutes of custom cardio each day (another FitBit score). 🤔 I think last time I checked in I discovered this one is a PITA to measure so I’m changing it. Now my goal is to get 4 orange dots a week on my daily readiness/exercise goal report. It’s easy to see and the orange dots mean I hit the goal for the day. It’s not easy because they seem to set the bar really high. 4 days a week seems to be a great place to start. 💯
8. 
Meditate at least once a week (failed last year but that can’t stop me from trying again). ✅✅✅✅ I’ve been able to do a little meditation every day for a while now. Talk about stretching that goal! I like seeing (yes in FitBit) how much my heart rate decreases during my sessions. It only does this if I do their sessions, but I usually pair that with something else I find on YouTube. It’s been really great! 
9. 
Reduce my screen time by 30 minutes each day. Another one that’s impossible to calculate without a lot of time so I’m changing this one too. Because I’m lazy like that. Instead, I’m going for less that 6 hours of social apps each week, with a stretch goal of less than 5. I’m in that zone so far this week but it’s going to take a little more effort to hit that goal each week. And by effort I mean being mindful everytime I open an app. We’ll see. 😉
10. 
Participate in at least 2 workshops and or readings each month. 💃💃💃 January was definitely a win. I just need to look at the calendar for February and start lining things up. Let’s go! 

What a mixed bag of results that is! I think I’m doing good, I just need to keep at it and start stretching! But first, I’m following this check in by checking out.

That’s right, I’m driving to good ole Tennessee (through like 4 other states). We’re under a no-fly policy right now because of the pandemic but I gotta get out of town. I’ve got those mid-winter stir crazy vibes going on right now. 

I hope I’ll have loads of time to write while I’m away, but that’s unpredictable. 

Sad fact… we chose that area of the country because it should be a touch warmer, but it’s actually going to be colder there than it is here in Nebraska while we’re gone. Go figure! 🙄

Anyway, that’s it for today. Time to go pack! 

Cheers, 

~Miss SugarCookie