I was tired. I was tired and bored. I had spent countless hours swiping down on my iPhone peeking into the lives of others and feeling awful about my own. But why? I have a beautifully decorated apartment of my own, I have the cutest little shihtzu, an amazing boyfriend who wants to travel the world with me and I have a job that helps me pay the bills. I have many more things that I am thankful for, yet here I am scrolling through feeling awful. Pulling at the fat on my stomach, crying about how I wish my hair looked a certain way and getting angry with myself for missing my workout.
What I began to realize was that the habits I had gotten into were eating me alive. Seriously, attacking myself. I was wishing to be like other people, yet wanting to be myself and what I needed to realize was that instagram isn't real life. People don't take a picture of their crappy days and if they do, they filter it in a way to make it look beautiful. And it's not just instagram that was turning me into a psycho but, a lot of other habits.
I decided for the sanity of both M and myself, I was going to make some changes and make them quick.
So here they are,
For the month of June because committing to forever is asking to fail. Also, it may seem like a lot of changes at once, however, I climbed Kilimanjaro, I think I can handle a few tasks (at least that's what I tell myself)
Limit Phone Use: I will seriously be on Facebook on my phone and on my laptop at the same time. WHAT IS WRONG WITH ME? I don't want to be holding my phone all the time. I don't want it near me all the time. I forgot to bring my phone with me this morning and although I missed the music I have on it when I was at the gym, I loved not having it. So, while I know it's not safe to not have a phone on me, I am going to attempt to neglect my phone unless it rings, I need to take a picture, or I get a text, if I want to go on Facebook/Instagram, I have to get my laptop.
Limit Social Media: This is difficult because I use social media both in a personal and business way. However, I don't need to spend half my day looking on instagram or facebook. I want to stop checking it when I wake up. Why do I care what so-and-so uploaded last night?
Check Blood Sugar Way More: I admit, I fall in and out of diabetes care. I neglect my diabetes when I feel like I have no control over it, which for anyone with diabetes, it's easy to feel that way. However, this is common sense, but we often forget, if we check more, we do better. Knowing what our blood sugar actually is, is better than any guesstimate. I want to be checking every time I eat. I told M that if he sees me eating, and I haven't checked, he needs to tell me to check.
Drink Way More Water: Somedays I don't drink any water. WHAT? I know. So, I am trying to make an effort to drink more water. I am not setting a number out there, but just the idea of drinking more water. When I am thirsty I am going to drink water, when I am hungry, I am going to drink water, when I am bored, I am going to drink water. Water.
Only Drink Diet Coke When I Am Out: This one is sad. Considering I named my dog after the popular soft drink, Coca-Cola, giving up some diet coke, isn't easy. So, the goal is to not buy diet coke...which is also hard because the vending machine in my building has diet coke. But, regardless, the only time I should be sipping diet coke is when I am out.
Eat Mainly Unboxed Foods: Fruits and veggies, anything that isn't in those middle aisles. I recently started reading the Undiet and I just ordered a copy of my own so I can finish it. I read up to Chapter 4 and I am totally inspired, but have a ton to learn about the food we eat. I honestly, love eating and love bad food - I cannot lie. However, I also like good food, but rarely choose it. So, the plan is to have only good food lurking around, so I don't sabotage myself. They just build a Farm Boy down the road and I plan to use that as my go-to to buy fresh food for the week.
Don't Waste: I am so bad for this. So BAD! I always fall for the 2 for $6.00 or 5 for $10.00 tricks that supermarkets do. I don't need 5 bags so why am I buying 5? I actually am the worst for buying things in twos, I do this with clothing as well. I don't know why? But I waste a lot of food and money and I am tired of throwing out 20 yogurts at a time. So, I plan to plan for the week and not overbuy.
Use Affirmations: Somedays, I feel gorgeous, other days I feel like a hot mess. M is constantly reassuring me how beautiful I am and I fail to see what he sees. However, I plan to write out some great affirmations on sticky notes and stick them to my mirror. My only concern upon doing this, is that I will get stressed about the way it looks, so I may have to think of another alternative (I am a very particular person, can you tell?)
When In Doubt Go Out: Right now, I spend a lot of time at home because I do not work during the day (this will change come next month) I get pretty bored and usually watch Dr.Phil for hours (that is why Cola's obsessed with Dr. Phil) However, every time I take Cola down to go the bathroom, I feel better. Fresh air and an escape from the apartment is what I usually need to kick start a better and more clear mind. So, when I feel bored or stressed I am going to go out, step outside (even if it's on my patio) and clear my mind. I want to visit more libraries and starbucks patios to work on projects I have in mind, and spend less time watching the distress people are having on a talk show.
Focus On One Day at a Time: I am a planner. My wedding is pretty much planned and I am not engaged. I am constantly looking at trips online for the future and I stress about things that are months away. But, I really want to start looking at each day as its own and focus on what I can do to make that day great and not worry about tomorrow, or next Thursday or next winter. Focus on myself and how I feel today.
So that's that! I am going to really be focusing on these, and if you want to partake in any, feel free!
I am excited to see how things can readjust and focus and maybe these are all actions I can maintain for longer than 31 days!
Kayla