Making the Internet My Accountability Partner

Maybe it was obvious from the lack of posting, but I’ve been in a weird spot with my mental health. Thankfully, things are starting to look ok again. Since we’ve entered a new month, I wanted to do a bit of a check-in on how one month of progress toward my resolutions has gone.

I haven’t really done any knitting and I have yet to identify much of a goal, but I think I need to set something. So my plan as of right now is to knit for a total of 30 minutes throughout the month. This feels reasonable to achieve and I think I’ll see progress if I stick to it.

I’ve read a few things but the only one that really fits the criteria for my authors list is And How Does That Make You Feel by Joshua Fletcher. I made my criteria with the idea that I could include things that aren’t your traditional book/novel format. Specifically, I was thinking of comic books because I wanted to give them a try but I realized a little late that comics typically have multiple contributors and it made it impossible to authentically add what comics I’ve read to the list.

When it comes to baking/cooking I’ve not struggled with meeting my goal, renewing my subscription to Hello Fresh has helped with that. I have tried a couple of new recipes from them that I’ve greatly enjoyed. However, with my baking I have had less success in the end results. The featured photo is my attempt at pretzels based on the King Arthur Baking recipe I was recommended. They definitely tasted like pretzels but the texture was off and I couldn’t properly get them to make the pretzel shape the dough wouldn’t stretch enough. I’d really like to be able to make homemade pretzels so any recommendations would be greatly appreciated.

Despite my long absence from posting, I had written 3,837 words for this blog in January which I feel puts me in a good place to finish the year with 20k, if not more. I don’t remember if I mentioned it in the introductory post for these goals, but I originally had my goal set at 15k but felt like I wanted to push myself and so I upped it to 20k. If I manage 3800 words every month I’ll end with over double my word goal!

I have a complex set of feelings about my financial goal. To get straight to the numbers I started this year with $350 in short-term savings and ended January with $1800. So I’m feeling really good about my ability to have $6k by June. However, I’ve had the realization that this number, which was made to address the initial deposits for an apartment, won’t cover the furniture I’ll need so I might need to aim higher. And then I got confirmation that for my friend’s bachelorette trip, the estimated budget is $1,500 or more per person. I love this friend dearly but I cannot go into debt for a trip. We’ve got some time before a budget is finalized and I have no problem saying I can’t go due to finances. I’ve had an increase in financial-related stress and I don’t know what will make that go away besides having this period of my life successfully behind me.

In my use it or lose it project, I’ve burned through two candles. I’ve not made much of a dent in other areas, but I did just start the project a couple of weeks ago. I’ve been tempted to buy things like nail polish which I’m forbidding myself from, and a notebook which was not specifically on the list but maybe should have been with how many I own. Thankfully the thought of this project helped me stay those urges. I have also been tempted to have multiples of specific skin care products. Specifically, I wanted to keep some pimple patches and hypochlorous acid spray at my partner’s place so I don’t have to worry about forgetting to lug my one set to and from his place. I haven’t made the purchase yet because I haven’t thought through whether it’s actually a necessity or just a want. Right now it feels good to be sticking with the spirit of a low-buy project.

I’d love to hear any advice you have especially in the finances/low buy arena. I’m hoping to do a lot of reflection on what is motivating my internal struggles and will update you on any insights I have.