Making the Internet My Accountability Partner

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In many ways March has felt like the best month so far, but there are still ways in which I’m disappointed with my progress. First, it’s worth noting that daylight savings and the start of spring definitely impact my mood and motivation. I’m reaching a point of being ok that winter is more challenging for me, I am learning not to hold such high standards for myself during times when I know I’m less likely to meet them.

This month’s check-in is going to be a lot shorter. I’m mostly going to rapid-fire my goals and empties. I tried some very fun recipes both through Hello Fresh and just baking for pleasure. I’m still struggling with icing but getting better. I can’t wait for picture-perfect cupcakes! I’ve knitted a total of 45 minutes this month!! I’m genuinely so excited about picking it back up. Hopefully I’ll finish the sock I’m working on before the end of the year, maybe I’ll even get to make its matching mate.

I’ve also been reading a lot. Many were on my physical bookshelf and after a week of forcing myself to read them, I DNFed. I did finish two books. One was My Husband by Maud Ventura, it was such a fun read and I’m looking forward to her second novel being translated into English. The other book I finished was Carter Wilson’s Tell Me What You Did. It’s not my favorite work from him but it was an enjoyable read and I breezed through it. Even though Wilson is a familiar author to me, I knew I’d be including this book in my 7 by familiar authors allowance for this challenge. I’m currently halfway through another book on my physical shelf and I am thoroughly enjoying it! Speaking of my physical shelf I feel you should know that just this month I’ve been ruthless in parting with books I know I will either never reread or never even read once. I’m down to 121 books on my current shelves. Long-time readers may recognize that this number is really just referring to my Boston shelves. I still have plenty of books in storage back at my mom’s in Maryland. My goal is to also declutter those and ultimately have just one bookcase of books. Lately, I’ve been finding myself wishing I was a minimalist and only borrowed books from the library. We will see how close I get to that, or even if I want to hold onto that goal long-term.

Prior to this post I was already halfway to my word count goal for the year, so I may need to create a second goal if/when I reach the current 20k word goal.

Savings has been the one goal I’m not proud of. I spent most of my discretionary income paying off my credit card from trips and outings committed to in February. I’m happy to not be carrying any of that debt, but it means I’ve only put $200 this month towards my savings goal. However, because I scheduled everything in February April and May will be free of activities/entertainment purchases, so I should be back on track.

For my use it or lose it challenge I used up the candle I was in the middle of at the end of January, I used up a candle I completely forgot about, and now I’m working my way through the wax from candles I couldn’t get to stay lit. I finished one deodorant and am almost empty on the current deodorant/antiperspirant. I tried to use one set of press-on nails but they literally didn’t fit me. I did later end up using the last set of press-ons, they made me wish I was wearing acrylics again. I might treat myself to Gel-X if it’s in the budget for attending my friend’s wedding but it’s a nice to have not a need to have. Lastly, I finished a mini-chapstick, only 7 more lip balms to go.