Hey everyone! After a long weekend rainstorm leaving a river running through our backyard, the sky has cleared up to a beautiful crisp blue. Look at this unfiltered magic:
I’ve been picking up some more shifts lately—the little restaurant where I serve is getting busier as we gear up for Valentine’s Day around the corner. Today, I compiled a list of a few simple things that have been sustaining my soul during these tiring weeks.
Health challenge:
Since February is the shortest month I decided to challenge myself to a twenty-eight day fitness challenge. I cut out almost all dairy, gluten, refined sugar, and unnecessary simple carbs. Instead, I’m trying to fill my meals with fruits, vegetables, whole grains, and proteins.There are exceptions, though: toast in the morning and cream for my coffee are permitted for peace of mind.
Besides the “eating clean” element, I do yoga in the mornings and take an evening walk. My goal for this low-key health challenge is to feel fit and healthy by the time my twenty-first birthday rolls around in March.
February Reading Goals:
Usually by the time I get home from work, I’m too exhausted for much else beyond an evening walk, time with family, and some reading. I accidentally read almost ten books in January, so that means I’ve begun ordering books left and right from the library. Here is the stack of reading I have planned:
- Watership Down // Richard Adams
- Murder on the Orient Express // Agatha Christie
- Becoming Myself // Stasi Eldredge
- On Stories // C.S. Lewis
- On Fairy Stories // J.R.R. Tolkien
- Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Crest Trail // Cheryl Strayed
- The Unsettlers // Mark Sundeen
- The Woman in Black // Susan Hill
- Leave Your Mark // Aliza Light
Bullet Journal Spread:
One of my goals for the new year was to step up my journaling game. Every evening before bed, I spend a few minutes scribbling in it while I sip a cup of green tea. All the bullet journal spreads that kept popping up on Pinterest and Instagram inspired me to create me own, so here’s the simple spread I came up with:
It has space for me to fill in my goals in each of my focus areas, as well as to track my reading and my favorite memories. By the end of February, I’ll have this all filled in with my whole month at a glance.
Music:
Lately, I’ve been in an oldies 90’s rock kind of mood, returning to my old favorites: The Fray, Five for Fighting, Goo Goo Dolls, Mumford & Sons, Vance Joy, and such. At the same time, though, I’ve been listening to a lot of lo-fi hip hop soundscape playlists in the evenings when I’m writing (here’s my favorite one).
And with that, I toast my mug of green tea to you, and wish you a wonderful weekend! I’ll catch you next Monday here on the blog.
<3 Olivia Grace
