Not gonna lie...I'm probably going to hit publish on this blog and head straight to bed. I'm a bit tired and quite grumpy. The pattern for this past week seems to be the following: anytime I try to get something done for myself, something happens to slow me down or keep me from actually doing the task. (Note to self: I still have to place all my YT vids with its respective blog post.)

What I got done:
Draw twice during the weekday.
Leisure time (which I treasure since I'm always doing stuff for other people): some gaming, a little bit of TV (The Walking Dead just started again), and some reading
Eat healthy (although my veggie intake the past week seems to be lower than usual, which I didn't even realize)

What I missed:
No meditation
No exercise
No journaling

Some unexpected challenges during the beginning of the week which I believe partially contributed to the outcome above:
I was feeling really fatigued all day on Monday
I had some really bad backache and abdominal discomfort on Tuesday

What works:
More sleep and rest in general, especially during the weekend

What doesn't work:
Overextending myself

Strategy for next week:
Reduce the frequency for exercise and mediation so I can realistically reach those milestones. In doing so, I think that I will regain the momentum that was somewhat lost from my new work schedule. We will see the results next week. 

I remain optimistic despite the hurdles this week. There are a lot of external circumstances that will be out of my hands. However, how I respond and react to those unexpected events and situations will determine whether or not I will attain the goals I've set up for myself both short-term and long-term. 

Have a great week and be well. 

​{R}

Another evening post due to another busy Saturday. I’m typing this as this week’s video is rendering in the background. I’m going to need to examine my workflow and identify areas of improvement. I need to find ways to do things even more efficiently in order to manage my time better. I think I do alright as it is but it's starting to feel like I am scrambling a bit by end of week. I start off strong at the beginning of the week then lose some traction by the end of it.

At this pace, I can see myself burning out even when it doesn’t feel like it at the moment. That's the main thing I'm trying to prevent. 

This past week the exercise portion of my weekly goal is lacking once again. I am not counting the walking I do as part of my daily commute. Perhaps I can count that towards my cardio portion of the workout. The only thing I need to do is the resistance type of exercise. I have to sync my fitness device to see how much I have actually walked this past week.
​
Ideally, I prefer to get my video uploads and blog post done by noon on Saturday, not trying to finish it up later that evening as I am right now.

Also for this week’s vid, I could not find the clip I had of my gameplay of the game Distrust. I know I recorded it, it must’ve not saved successfully. Also, I am hoping this week’s vid isn’t ruined since I just got an error notification so I am trying to export it again.


Here’s a summation of this past week’s goals:​

• Meditation - 2x
• Journal - 2x
• Exercise - 0 (At present, i don’t count my commute as part of it, although I probably hit my daily step goal)
• Healthy diet - still maintaining this, it helps that I bring lunch to work rather than buy.
• Leisure time - some gaming, tv watching, and reading. Most occur on Sunday, and the reading is during my commute or I have an audio book playing while I’m doing something else.

What works: Preparing ahead of time

What doesn’t work: Feeling like there’s too much to take care of at home; varied commute time depending on how unreliable the train is that night.

***

This week's vid upload took way too long due to some technical difficulties. I am very annoyed right now but hey, at least it got done and with a little over a half an hour left before midnight. 

Here's to a a smoother week up ahead. 

Be well,
{R}

Another week, another check-in. I’ve just posted another vid on my YouTube channel. Speaking of, since it’s a 3-day weekend, I’m going to start embedding the vids with their respective blog posts on this site.

This past week has been a very good one overall in terms of improvement. When you’re in the midst of it, it doesn’t feel like progress is being made. it feels like you’re just going through the motions - one task to the next. This is why I feel it’s crucial for me to review my week as I have been since the beginning of the year. Only then can I actually step back and see what I have accomplished, what obstacles came into the picture and whether or not I overcame these challenges (and how).

The old and different version of myself would’ve just focused on what I didn’t accomplish; the shortcomings and why I failed to do certain things.

My present state has been handling situations in a healthier way, in my opinion. I set personal and professional goals, break them down into actionable tasks and track my progress.


What I share here and on my vids are but a small fraction of the whole. Small but vital components that contribute to the success (or failure) of my larger goals.
It’s also important to recognize when things are out of my control. For instance, my commute home was delayed significantly one night due to train issues. As much as it annoyed me to lose that time, it was out of my hands. There was another night where I ended up leaving work a half hour later than normal. I plan on gaining that half hour back this forthcoming week by leaving half hour early. So it will even out at least.


Completed:
Journaling:2X which is my minimum
Drawing: After work, I managed to draw twice this week at about 1.5 hours per session
Leisure time: TV = Dr. Who, Prodigal Son; Reading (during commute but it counts)
Blog post: Once, last Saturday
Healthy diet: More fruits, veggies, low-sodium food, less sugary,


Partially completed:
Daily meditation: 2 out of 7  days


Missed:
Exercise (3x/week)


What works:
Finding opportunities to take time back where you think there isn’t any. For example, reading while commuting, listening to audio books while doing chores. Preparing for the workweek in advance by setting aside the clothes you’re going to wear and planning what you’re going to have for lunch.


What doesn’t work:
Not getting enough sleep


***


How did your week go? I hope you accomplished a lot. Don’t forget to take care of yourself in the process.


Be well.
[R]

Someone once told me that saying “Rabbit” on the first day of the month will bring you good fortune for the rest of that month.

Happy February.  We are already in month two of 2020. I hope your year has been good thus far. Mine’s had its share of challenges but nothing major, in my opinion. The blessings far outweigh any hassle and I hope it stays that way. The changes I’ve implemented at the beginning of the year and even a couple of months prior to that has been truly helpful in improving my outlook in general and how I cope with and react to obstacles.

I just uploaded video 18 on YouTube which briefly covers and tracks my progress in terms of making art, personal development, and ensuring I have leisure time / ME time for this week.

No energy slumps this week, thankfully. Not like the one last week. I did have to push through on Friday since it was a particularly super mega busy day. It was already evening and I still haven’t worked out. My brain started to make excuses as to why I should just skip it and postpone until the next day. It’s just old habits trying to sneak back in just as it sees a bit of weakness. I pushed through it and worked out anyway. I’m pretty proud of that. Last year, I would’ve just given in and procrastinated.


***

Goals I reached this week:
Self-improvement = Exercised 3X
Creative pursuits = I worked on my ink drawing (grid series); wrote a blog post
Leisure time = I was able to play some games on STEAM and watch some TV shows I’ve been trying to keep up with

Goals I didn’t complete fully:
Daily Meditation (5 out of 7 days)
Journaling (1 out of 2 days)

***
How was your week? Hope it was a good one. If not, there’s always next week to work on.

Until then, “Rabbit.”

Be well,
[R]