In my Taking Stock – February 2015 post, I said I would do a Taking Stock post every month. Well we’re nearly out of time for March so let’s do it!
Oh how things can change so much in one month!! As you will see, I haven’t been the best but the way I see it – every slump comes with lessons.
Making: Plans to expand my comfort zone and at the same time address the fact that being home so much means I get lonely. Through meetup.com I’ve joined a couple of Brisbane photography groups! It will hopefully get me out of the house more. I’ll meet like-minded people. I’ll learn more about photography. Gotta be a good thing.
Cooking: Still cooking a lot of wheat and dairy free meals, avoiding processed foods (but not always succeeding – hello savoury biscuits sigh).
Drinking: Ideally I should give up coffee but I can’t do it – I LOVE my coffee! I have made some changes though. I have a splash of coconut milk (instead of dairy) and instead of the 1 Sugarine that I used to have (artificial sweeteners were recommended when I was younger, but now we learn they are bad for you!) I’m having a teaspoon of coconut palm sugar (better option than processed white sugar I think). Ultimately, I’d like to not need any sweeteners!!
Reading: I have not been able to read lately. My mind hasn’t been able to relax, focus and concentrate. I love reading and always have a book on the go, so this has been a huge indicator to me that things have not been the greatest with me lately and a reason for my recent blogging break (can’t concentrate and focus to write either).
Wanting: Peace of mind and no worries would be nice! Aside from that, it would be fabulous to have a more seasoned fellow blogger as friend and mentor (one can dream! haha). Someone to bounce my thoughts and ideas off and who could tell me what is rubbish and what is gold! I do miss that ‘work colleague banter’ from back in my corporate days! I hope to see collaboration with a fellow blogger or bloggers in my future!
Looking: Same as last month – looking forward to late April when the tennis player and myself head over to Tasmania for a 13-day driving holiday. I love to explore places I have never been before. I am hoping this will lift me out of my current slump and reignite the joy I find in photography.
Playing: Hooky – when we go to Tasmania. Cannot wait to leave behind housework, laundry, cooking, doggie poop pickups and lots of other boring adult tasks! My three young adult children will see very quickly how much I do once I am not here to do it! 😉
Deciding: Oh boy – lots of decisions to make and some that have been made. One decision that has been made is that I’m going to change my fortnightly newsletter to a monthly newsletter. I think it will lighten my load a little and more importantly, I believe that changing to monthly newsletters will provide me the capacity to produce far more interesting and thoughtful newsletters than is currently the case.
Wishing: There were more hours in a day!
Enjoying: The fact that I have come up with an idea for a free eBook for my current newsletter subscribers and any new subscribers. It will take some time to write but it is in the pipeline and I feel good about that!
Waiting: For my daughter to get rid of the junk she has loaded up on the day bed in our dining room. She cleaned out her room!
Liking: The early morning/evening hint of cooler weather on its way!
Wondering: Same as last month. Where I will be and what I will be doing by the end of 2015?
Loving: The fact I have booked myself a ticket to the main ProBlogger event being held on the Gold Coast in August. I have also booked myself three nights accommodation. Feeling a little indulgent over the costs but I need this.
Pondering: Too many things to list but one subject of pondering is around my attendance at the ProBlogger event in August. I ponder things like: will my attendance at ProBlogger be a turning point for me, will I get some aha moments, will I meet someone who will become a lifelong friend, so many ponderings.
Considering: Creating a schedule for myself in order to be more productive and have a better balance of activities across my days and weeks. Attempts so far have proven very difficult! Not sure that I like every moment of my life scheduled. Perhaps a ‘loose schedule’?
Buying: I’ve probably done a bit too much buying lately! lol ProBlogger tickets and accommodation, Tasmania flights, accommodation and a couple of tours. Still need to buy a few warm clothes for the Tassie trip too!
Watching: It’s over now but I totally got sucked up into watching “I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here”. I loved the dynamics between Dr Chris Brown and Julia Morris (OMG she makes me laugh!).
Hoping: I can perk up and get my mojo back asap! These slumps are so very inconvenient and unattractive.
Marvelling: At so many inspiring people that I come across in the online world!
Cringing: Over the state of the kids bathroom. Needs a reno ASAP. How I’d love to get Shayna Blaze to my house!! Need some tips on how to renovate on a budget!
Needing: A sign! A change! A turning point! An aha moment!
Questioning: Myself …. all.the.time!
Smelling: Nothing. Refer to my previous Taking Stock posts!
Wearing: Birkenstocks – E.V.E.R.Y. D.A.Y and A.L.L. D.A.Y. I still have Plantar Fasciitis in my left foot. Please go away Plantar Fasciitis! I have Tasmania to walk around soon!
Following: My gut instinct, my heart and sometimes my head!
Noticing: That this period in my life is both exciting and challenging.
Knowing: That I will always have to live with, manage, and find ways to keep at bay and sometimes conquer the big D and the big A. I think that, amongst other things, it is part and parcel of this phase of my life.
Thinking: Far too much. Monkey mind has been ruling. Must meditate more to control the cheeky monkey!
Admiring: My daughter. She is amazing. She goes to University and is very smart. She has three ‘out of the box’ jobs, a great boyfriend, just bought her first car, is fiercely independent and confident and I am so very proud of her.
Sorting: Through my options. Reorganizing myself in order to provide a more sustainable balance incorporating all I need to be the best I can be.
Getting: Closer and closer to cooler weather and an exciting trip away. Two things I need right now.
Bookmarking: The ProBlogger event page, so that I will be updated on all news relevant to the event.
Coveting: Pure unadulterated joy, peace of mind and self-love.
Disliking: The tragedies, disasters and heartbreak that I see constantly in the news, including the most recent air disaster in France!
Opening: My mind to all possibilities.
Giggling: Not enough but usually at something on the TV.
Feeling: Oh dear – suppose I should be honest. I’ve been so down! As has been the case previously, this too will pass!
Snacking: I have a weakness for savoury biscuits, chocolate and cheese! Only one I have managed to stay away from is the cheese but the others I’ve had a sneaky bit of now and then.
Helping: Myself. Well I’m trying but I could really do a much better job of it!
Hearing: Right now? The whir of my little desk fan! It’s still hot here in Brisbane in March. Come on Autumn! Has anyone not guessed by now that I cannot stand hot, humid weather?! LOL
Here’s hoping my Taking Stock post for April is a little more uplifting!! If not, I actually might wait until after we get back from Tasmania in May for my next one! 😉
Ciao for now,
p.s. All sunrise photographs were taken locally in the Wynnum Manly area in Brisbane. They’re old photo’s taken with my old D3100 camera but only recently edited. I chose them for this post because to me sunrise’s represent new starts and hope! 😉
p.p.s. This Taking Stock concept and list was created by Pip from Meet me at Mikes.
[ Linking up today with Essentially Jess for #IBOT ]
27 Comments
You can catch up on your reading in Tassie! Love Tasmania, lucky you! X
Hope so! It’ll have to be in the evenings though because our days are going to be action packed! 🙂 x
Tassie should definitely reignite your joy in photography. It is so scenic and beautiful down there! Enjoy your trip!
I’m sure it will. Thanks Ingrid! 🙂
Firstly, wow…those photos are amazing! I love photos of horizons/water and these are just incredible.
You’ve had a full on month — hopefully, your mood picks up. 🙂 I’m sure it’ll pick up once you are in Tassie x
So glad you like the photo’s – thanks Sanch! It hasn’t been a good month for me. Maybe the moon was in the wrong place or the stars were not aligned or something? The trip to Tassie couldn’t come at a better time! 😉 x
Did it help to write this all out. I think it would be therapeutic for me in a slump! Definitely. Min, be so proud of what you have created here. You’re such an honest blogger, and you write well, and on a beautiful blog.
Do you really have to cut out coffee? I was so glad that the Whole30 didn’t cut out coffee. I use coconut cream instead of milk. You might enjoy the flavour more. I really miss sugar in my coffee.. Just snuck 1/2 tsp of Stevia in as a treat. Hope things pick up for you! Tasmania is definitely calling you!
It did help to write this out Jess – but gee it took me ages! lol Thank you so much for kind, encouraging words. They’ve really made my day! From what I’ve read apparently coffee and any sweeteners play havoc with your glucose levels and metabolism and stuff. I’m no expert but it appears it is best to not have them. I can’t do it tho! Do you use coconut cream from a can? I’ve been buying coconut milk in a carton from Flannery’s. The only thing is that the use by date comes around so quickly! Re Tassie – OMG – it most definitely is calling me! 😉 xo
Hi Min. I’m glad it made your day. Yes, I use the coconut cream from a can that Aldi sells. It’s only $1. I buy pure coconut cream, none of the light stuff. I store it in a tupperware container for pouring. It lasts me about 4 days before I have to open another can because I used it all up. All the coconut milk’s I have seen in cartons have other things added to them, perservatives and/or sugar.
Love the taking stock notion. Sadly my March would be very depressing (mostly waiting to get Centrelink benefits). I applied in early March and am still waiting.
I’m hoping April is more uplifting – for both of us.
Deb
I think the Taking Stock idea is great too Deb. It’s much harder to do than you might think tho. They take me a while to write! lol I can’t believe that your application for Centrelink benefits is taking so long!! Hope it goes through very soon! I’m sure that April will be better for both of us. Gotta be positive. Things will be as they are meant to be! 🙂
Beautiful photos – you are right there is never enough hours in the day! 🙂
Thanks Ashlea 🙂
Beautiful photos as always. I think it is such a great idea to join in the meet up groups for photography. I am still debating Problogger ugh. I admit I feel bad about spending so much on myself on top of my jewelry biz start up costs etc. might chat with hubby about to (also I find it terrifying to go on my own etc similar to what you said about the mini Problogger session but x 100)
Hope you feel better soon. Funks suck. I used to have them regularly. Self care self care self care and lots of self compassion xxx
Thanks Deb! Yes I think the photography meet up groups will be fun. I can pick and choose which ones I’d like to go to – so maybe one/month. I couldn’t decide about ProBlogger either. Mainly because of the $$’s and because I’d been tossing up doing a blogging course and knew I couldn’t do both. In the end I decided to buy a ticket and thought if I changed my mind I could sell it. BUT – due to it being a bigger venue this year there are more tickets available than usual and there are still tickets there to be sold so not sure I could sell it like I thought. Anyway – I’ve decided it would be good for me to go. Yep it will be scary. SO.MANY.PEOPLE.!! Which is why I am paying extra $$’s for a room by myself – so that I can get my introvert recharge time. Funks sure do suck. It’s been a weird month for me. Yep self care self care self care and lots of self compassion and heck I’ll throw in a trip to Tassie also! 😉 xo
You have some great things to look forward to – Tassie AND Problogger! Good on you for booking those tickets, I know you have some fear and trepidation but you will seriously LOVE it.
Thank goodness for those things to look forward to Janet!! It was SUCH a scary thing buying the ProBlogger ticket and booking the accommodation. Huge pangs of guilt over the expense. Think I will make it my birthday present. You’re right – I’m a bit nervous about the HUGE amount of people that will be there. Probably lots of extroverted and loud people and then there will be little ‘ol quiet me LOL There could be some overwhelm but then again maybe not. I can talk like the best of them and I will have my room to escape to whenever I need a quiet break! 😉 xo
April is going to be better Min – sometimes we have the slumps so we can really appreciate the highs – we just realise that in hindsight. Tassie will be fantastic for your photography – nothing like a new and beautiful landscape to inspire and just the break from the everyday will energise you. If you want to save some money and can cancel out a night’s accommodation, why not stay a night with us (I only live around the corner from the Problogger venue.) Here’s a great April (big things for me too – 20th wedding anniversary and a girl’s cruise to Sydney). Have a feeling it’s going to be a good month.
I think April will definitely be better Kathy! March has been a struggle but I try and find the positives and from adversity there are usually lessons and that has certainly been the case for me. I’m really looking forward to Tassie – for many reaons – exciting to go somewhere I’ve never been before, great photography opportunities, really need the break away from home, time away with hubby without our usual daily responsibilities…and more! I’m up and down about ProBlogger – one minute excited, the next wondering what on earth I have done! You are so kind to offer me accommodation! However, the 3 nights have been booked and deposit paid and I think I will relish the quiet room all to myself considering I have heard how full-on and overwhelming ProBlogger can be. Wow – your April is looking good too – a 20th wedding anniversary and a cruise with the girls! I look forward to hearing all about both on your blog! 🙂 xo
Gosh, Min. So much good stuff in this post. Life really does sound exciting and challenging for you at the moment. Your e-book sounds exciting! Have fun writing and creating that. I can’t wait to read it. You will love Problogger too and don’t worry about all of the buying. You deserve it! 😉 #teamIBOT
Thanks Renee! 🙂
So exciting that you’re going to problogger. I would love to go but the costs are too exorbitant for me unfortunately.
One day. xx
I know what you mean Jess! I’m trying to not feel guilty about the expense by telling myself that I was clever to book while it is at the Gold Coast and therefore no air fares are involved! It will most likely be a one off for me unless I suddenly become flush with money! 😉
I am sure you will find many a blogging buddy at problogger. How exciting. I think with blogging doing exactly what you are doing posting and sharing and reading peoples comments you begin to work out what works and what does not for you personally. I took stock today too its lots of fun. Happy Blogging min !
It’s a bit scary going to a huge event like PB by yourself but I’m sure I’ll find some buddies while I’m there! 🙂
My parents went to Tasmania in January and loved it! My Mum is ready to move there lol! I hope you have an awesome time and I can’t wait to read about your travels.
I already know that Tasmania will most likely be a place I’d love to live. I have no chance of hubby wanting to live there though! 😉