My time in Oregon helped me focus on myself and discover ways to keep myself busy by setting personal goals. But once I came back, I neglected to follow up on my goals. It has been a difficult spring and summer. Once I came back from Oregon, work became very busy as I was traveling to Canada every other week or so. Things just weren't the same as when I left. As spring transitioned into summer, work took another turn and I actually had many weeks in which I had nothing to do at work. I was also worried about the off-program transition as the process was painfully show, and there wasn't a lot of communication about what was going on, so I felt very stuck. I hadn't been very happy in my relationships either. I felt as though I didn't have a lot of friends in this area, and was not very good about staying in touch with friends from college (and definitely not grade school). Then in July, Ben and I took a brief 2 week break in our relationship, and then he broke things off about a week and a half ago. So it has been a rough time and I am learning to recover and rediscover myself.
I will now try to keep myself busy with the same goals I outlined when I moved to Oregon, because I realize that I have been failing at them ever since I've returned. I hope that by working on these goals, I can boost my self-confidence and be a healthier, smarter, stronger person!
1. Eat healthier
Gave up the Fresh 20 ever since we came back, even though Lauren and I still live together. The problem is that once we returned, everybody had their own schedule. Lauren was often out during the weekends to visit her boyfriend, and I was often out during the week to be in Canada, and therefore did not want to buy groceries that would spoil in the fridge when I was out.
Lauren and I would like to restart the Fresh 20, because it felt good to eat, we didn't have to think about which groceries to buy, and cooking was therapeutic to us. Because I will be transitioning to my off-program role soon, I will no longer have the crazy travels to Canada or elsewhere, and I can settle down a bit and get into a good routine.
2. Exercise more
I had the intention to keep up a regular exercise schedule. I wanted to start out cycling at least twice a week. Of course I regularly found excuses not to - to spend time with the (now ex) boyfriend, not feeling like it, was going to Canada and couldn't, etc.
Went clipless with some Shimano SPD pedals and Garneau Monte Womens' MTB shoes.
Decided to go with MTB pedals so that it would be easier to walk around in MTB shoes. I'm not quite hardcore enough for road biking pedals/shoes yet.
There was one point where I did manage to go cycling on a somewhat regular basis and I could actually see improvement by tracking my route, average speed, mileage on Endomondo. But I tried biking this week for the first time in a month and I did not feel well. Not only was I out of shape, but I was actually getting sick - I lost my voice yesterday.
Been hiking only a few times ever since I returned. Not sure how I managed to do the 12 mile hike while in Oregon, because I get weak after only a few miles. During the break in our relationship, I went hiking with a coworker friend to Sleeping Beauty, near Lake George. Some gorgeous views from there. This weekend we are planning to go on a small hike closer to the Catskills.
The view from the ledge of Sleeping Beauty, overlooking Lake George.
It was an extremely beautiful, clear day with a nice breeze and wisps of clouds.
I really have not taken advantage of the fact that I live in an incredibly scenic area, with lots of outdoor activities only a short drive away. I haven't been to the Catskills before, so now is the time to explore!
3. Read more books
Ever since I returned from Oregon, I have meant to read into how to invest my money, but I have been stalling and reading Ben's personal finance book very slowly. Now that I have plenty of time to myself, I bought a few finance books and also bought World War Z, which has been very interesting so far (I never saw the movie, so I have no preconceptions of what the book is about). Looking forward to reading more books!
4. Learn new things/develop hobbies
Going to sign up for a drawing human figures class at a local high school. I used to draw so much as a kid and always doodled during class. I feel that I need to explore my creative side, as nothing I am doing right now involves the left side of my brain. I bought a sketchbook and some pens when I returned so that I could draw things when I was bored in Canada, but I never really was motivated enough to do it. I hope that I will find things worth drawing now, and perhaps I can create some beautiful art that is worth framing and hanging in the apartment!
Although I don't have fancy photography equipment, I would like to start to take more photos again and put them on my Flickr. There is something nice about taking a good photo, doing some minor touch-ups in Photoshop, and then putting it online on Flickr, which is kind of like a photo journal. Memories are memories - the good, the bad, it will always be there but it is a good reminder of what life is like!
It's been a rollercoaster ride, lots of ups and downs, and right now in the rough ever since I came back from Oregon, but I am looking forward to focusing and working on myself, and accomplishing things I thought I would never do!
