Anyone want to join me for a February reset?

[prettygirlincrimsonrose]

Been struggling a bit the last few weeks - tired (nearly 8 months pregnant so understandable but not helped by staying awake on my phone when it would be sensible to get more sleep) and generally being a bit lazy with everything (including work and doing interesting things with DS) but not really enjoying my free time either (spending too much of it getting over invested in arguments on AIBU or playing the same game on my phone and not even properly watching TV programmes I've put on). Basically could do with being physically and mentally healthier and being in a better place for when DD arrives in March.

New month seemed like a reasonable time to start, but I'm not sure about realistic goals. I know there's no point trying to change everything and a couple of good habits would be a start. But tempted to try and do loads of things differently. Anyone want to join me, make a plan and keep each other company?

I’ve never heard of red January before. Heard of dry January but I don’t drink anyway (mainly because I don’t like most alcohol anyway, it’s not a conscious decision). Chocolate is my downfall and until I’m back on my meds I can’t see me tackling that one!

I set up a housework tracker last night to try and encourage me to look after my environment a bit more. Four tasks a day:
Open a window to let fresh air circulate
Clean SOMETHING (above the few things I usually manage like cleaning table after dinner - yesterday I did the door handle areas downstairs)
Throw three things away (not counting usual rubbish)
Tidy either a Kallax square or toy bucket

Hoping that’s a nice not too ambitious challenge that will frankly be a drop in the ocean for the state of the house but will at least be an improvement.

Also attached is my art challenge to show you what I mean - hoping it’ll loosen me up a bit drawing wise as I actually don’t use coloured pencils much, I draw with pen normally but I got some really fancy pencils when I won a little art competition last year so this will help me get used to using them as well as being a nice thing I can do daily as a sort of meditation.

Love that chart, @SingToTheSky. We started a reward chart for our 5 year old linked to pocket money and I may do something similar for myself.

I’ve cleared the kitchen table. It took a whole hour, having not been cleared since our New Year’s Day lunch. Now to keep it like that.

Love that art challenge @SingToTheSky (and well done on housework). Did bullet journal for a while and it would be good to get back into it.

Messed up yesterday night - got into bed too early because feeling down and then ended up awake in the middle of the night. Will keep trying. Having a snow day today as can't take DS to nursery, so managed to get outside again and I've done a few jobs, but tiredness is now catching up with me 😴.

I'm not doing brilliantly, have been at the wine last 2 nights, but finished the bottle yesterday so I'm going to not open another until Friday.
I didn't even shower today, but I did eat some breakfast and some lunch.
I was going to get out for a walk but its raining maybe I'll go anyway, need a shower anyway.

At lunchtime I exfoliated in the shower with a Korean flannel, washed my hair (first time since last Tuesday 🤮) and then dressed in something that didn’t have an elasticated waist!

Have eaten rubbish all day long though.

Sounds like a really positive step in the right direction @Trillo

We can do it @wonderstuff !

I did my walk and now I'm going to tear myself away from my phone for a shower, my hair is gross.

Bad: Nearly half past three and I’m still in my pyjamas. I have a work deadline stressing me, and zoom schooling a 5 year old is more stressful still.

Good: Remembered my vitamins, remembered to floss, have had only 3 hits of caffeine, kept that kitchen table clear and clean.

Later: I’m going to get on my bike this evening, do a full load of laundry including putting away which is always my downfall, and make appointments with the dentist, optician and hairdresser so I’m looking recognisably human if lockdown ever ends.

Nearly forgot - ate garbage yesterday but gave supper a miss so effectively started the 16:8. Have eaten really well today so here’s hoping I can withstand temptation again tonight.

Finding February hard so far! Nursery is shut again so we are back out of routine and struggling to keep up with educating the other two while entertaining her. I have kept up with my little housework and art challenges though so that’s something.

I'm sat with backache having not had the most productive day, I slept badly despite not having any wine.
Going to go now and do some laundry, not going to drink tonight.
I have eaten breakfast and lunch which is good going for me.
Sun is out, might go for a quick stomp.

How’s everyone getting on?

I did exercise last night, but nothing else on my list. DD was playing up in the evening and I was tired to my bones by 9pm.

I am doing okay with the 16:8 and the vitamins although I ate junk at lunchtime - a doughnut and half a dozen chocolate biscuits. Cross with DH for tempting me (he never puts on a pound) and cross with myself for giving in.

@Trillo something is better than nothing, especially now.

I'm on day 3 without alcohol. I've got a lovely bottle to crack open tomorrow. I'm not sleeping any better, which feels unfair.

No exercise and I skipped lunch, and I've not got my meds down me or been particularly productive this week. I have organised a walk with a friend tomorrow.

It's so hard to be good when the weather is so miserable!

Well done keeping off the booze. Do you think you can keep away from it over the weekend? I have carried on from dry January and didn’t really feel the benefit until well into the second week when I realised I wasn’t feeling so groggy in the mornings. Now I might give it up altogether, although I was only ever a social drinker.

I love wine, to be honest it's the fear of giving up that slows me down every now and again. I reckon I do about 2 bottles of wine a week. Every now and then I have a third glass and feel rubbish in the morning and hate myself. Going to try to cut right back this month. I have a nice bottle in for the weekend but I might take a couple of weeks off after that.

I’ve kept up with my drawing and housework challenges so far! The latter is starting to motivate me more eg I’m throwing away more than 3 things rather than doing the minimum.

I really want to try harder this month with keeping active although I haven’t set specific targets. Might walk to town later today as I need to drop some library books back.

Checking in. I’ve had such a good day. I slept really well last night for the first time in absolutely ages - not sure whether that’s the vitamins kicking in or my valiant effort to reduce my caffeine consumption, but I hope it continues.

Kitchen table has been cleared after every activity. On Monday I’m adding in the kitchen island. I’ve also cracked open the sample pots I’ve had for months so I can make a decision about painting my hallway.

@SingToTheSky I love that you’re drawing daily. Wish I had a talent like that. Equally impressed by your decluttering - I’ve given up until the charity shops are open again, but it’s my project for the year.

@wonderstuff Hope you’re enjoying that special bottle. I definitely crave a cold glass of something in the evenings but have found it doesn’t need to be alcoholic. I love the Fever Tree mixers just on their own, lots of ice and lemon.

Might try fever tree mixers without the gin. I slept all night for the first time in ages last night too, feel like a new woman! Must be amazing to sleep well all the time, I manage a really good night probably about once in 6 weeks.
Realised my essay deadline for the degree I'm doing is due Sunday, thought I had another week. It'll get done, but that's my weekend plan.

Wine was nice, hope I've not had too much. Went for a long walk with a friend this afternoon, sun came out, its definitely getting lighter. Feeling quite upbeat today.

Can I join in? My DS is due at the beginning of March too, and I'm permanently knackered! I really want to start batch cooking some meals to freeze for March, work on my hypnobirthing stuff, and finish off a project needed for my business. I'd also like to actually get dressed in something that isn't fresh PJ's, and get out for some walks. And read more while I've got a chance - I spent loads on books at Xmas and I'm too tired to read them.

Apart from WFH (and only part time ATM), I don't even know how I'm spending my days. Tonight I've looked up and it's turned 11.30, and I don't even know how!

I need to be productive! Can't manage another month of this lethargy!

Welcome @FolkyFoxFace. Be gentle on yourself though - month 9 of pregnancy is not a time to be putting extra pressure on yourself.

Hope all the original posters on this thread are getting on okay.

Another good night’s sleep for me! No idea what, but something is working. Plus when I came downstairs I found the kitchen island already clear - DH had done it for me! So that’s two crud magnets eliminated.

Excellent Trillo. Not an awful night for me but not brilliant. Got up late but feeling okay

@Trillo

Welcome *@FolkyFoxFace*. Be gentle on yourself though - month 9 of pregnancy is not a time to be putting extra pressure on yourself.

Hope all the original posters on this thread are getting on okay.

Another good night’s sleep for me! No idea what, but something is working. Plus when I came downstairs I found the kitchen island already clear - DH had done it for me! So that’s two crud magnets eliminated.

Thanks Trillo!

You're definitely right of course. I think I just want to feel like I've been productive again come bedtime at the moment. Even if it does mean I've just done some breathing exercises and managed to get dressed. I bought some maternity clothes before Xmas and haven't even put them on - been stuck in loungewear on the sofa all day. It's amazing how at this point putting on a stretchy skirt classes as productive.

Think I'll have a bath - that might motivate me a bit!

I've read through the thread and it sounds like you're making fab headway! It's amazing how different a good night's sleep can make you feel.

@FolkyFoxFace if it helps I managed to read a reasonable amount when DS was tiny (once he started moving it was a different story!) - lots of reading my kindle while breastfeeding. How are you feeling about March? I've got to the point where it all suddenly feels real - been washing baby clothes and got my hospital bag half packed. But little goals and lots of rest is the way forward. Would an audio book/podcast and a bit of batch cooking work for you?

@wonderstuff glad you got some decent sleep and had a good walk - I think just being able to feel a bit refreshed helps a lot. Hope your work's going okay.

@Trillo I like your plan to keep various areas clear (and it's always great when a job gets ticked off your to do list by someone else). I think pretty much every surface in this house attracts unnecessary bits. I think a bit more storage would help, but we probably also need to be more prepared to get rid of things, and we both tend towards 'but it could be useful' and 'I'm going to do something with that at some point'.

Had a pretty good day - made bread, got some sorting done and DH made a start on rearranging furniture so we can actually fit a side cot in our room. I hate it when there's something I want sorting but physically can't do it (well maybe I could - but I don't think 8 months pregnant is the time to dismantle a large oak wardrobe). Haven't stuck to keeping my phone downstairs, but I did last night and it's definitely the right thing to do.