Sitting here on a Saturday morning trying to recap my past month and I feel there wasn’t much elevation going on. But I am sure it’s a misconception and there actually was. It was a busy month. I need to think a bit deeper to find all the nuggets. But first a sip of coffee. Get yourself one and read on.
How I incorporated my word ELEVATE in July
I elevated my soul by
- traveling. Wroclaw is a beautiful city and I had great company (Hi Kyria!)
- receiving more info on my arctic expedition. I know the dates. I need to talk to the tour guide but he’s currently in the Southern Americas. Patience.
- watching the sun set over the Hamburg harbor. It is interesting that a former job has my heartstrings tugging.
- caressing my plants. Tell me you do this too.
I elevated my creativity by
- attending a Korean calligraphy workshop – think a room full of Lanes Mom. That is how it felt. They were nicer though but language was an issue. I was offered Korean candy/cake – very peculiar.
- finishing sewing myself a new (white) maxi skirt – with pockets of course.
I elevated my hobbies by
- reading outside.
I elevated my physical appearance and fitness by
- doing a hike with a friend. The hike was fun, getting there not so much.
- kayaking – it was fun but also a bit frustrating.
- doing yoga only 4 times.
- doing strength training only twice.
- closing my apple rings 7 times.
- walking over 10.000 steps/day on 10 days, total of 187km and an average of 8,467 daily steps (121% of goal). And three times over 5km.
- going swimming once – after that it was cold and rainy almost every day. Sigh.
I elevated my health by
- using my CPAP machine most nights and seeing some improvement in my sleep pattern.
- going to the optometrist – everything is perfectly fine and I don’t need to come back in the next 3 years.
- signing up for the fall Zumba class.
- looking into medical migraine piercings – I am going to get it the lady is just on vacay.
I elevated my relationships by
- going to a friends birthday BBQ and it was great. I think we made half way plans to be at the Paris grand slam next year…
- celebrating our friends 50th birthday party and reconnecting with friends there.
- meeting Kyria in real life. So fun.
- hosting our White Summer Party.
- saying a last good bye to an extended family member. Sad. So important we went.
- meeting my online co-working in Hamburg.
- meeting my friend and doing a hike together.
- having a breakfast date with my best friend.
- planning some outings and a trip to the country home with my best friend.
- sending 9 cards to lovely people.
- leaving 38 blog comments.
I elevated my home by
- growing and eating my own cucumbers.
- fighting wasp, ants and greenflies.
- buying new throw pillow cases.
- splurging on an eucalyptus plant and some indoor plants
- admiring the window shades the husband installed. Finally daylight when in the bathroom and still some privacy.
- cherishing the clean surfaces in my home office (or as my best friend put it: what happened here?)
I elevated my style by
- buying a fancy business backpack.
- buying a few new tops and some fancy red loafers.
- fixing some garments.
- donating a jeans that is too big these days.
- getting the last bit out of my newly washed sneakers – but they really need to be replaced.
I elevated my behavior by
- sipping a few fancy drinks this month (white linen cocktail, piña coladas and a sanbitter drink)
- giving an workshop and being very extroverted – it was well received and I am happy.
- officially signing up to run for church council.
I elevated others by
- recommending my husbands company a few times.
- being a sounding board and doing some (unplanned) coaching
- taking some photographs of people.
Writing it all down like this sounds wonderful. But to be perfectly honest this was such a great month goal wise. I gained 2kg instead of loosing 3kg, I am in a reading slump and have started oh so many books and nothing is really interesting, I fell of the exercise wagon, and I am being unusually grumpy. But I don’t want to complain and dwell and instead I’ll make new goals…
ELEVATING August
- I will elevate my soul by
…spending two weekends without any plans – just whatever I feel like.
…looking at the water, the clouds or listening to the rain in the trees for a little bit. - I will elevate my creativity by
…blogging – I have so many posts and topics I want to share.
…coloring a page in my coloring book.
…doing a sun print. (roll over goal)
…watching another course on Creative Life - I will elevate my hobbies by
…reading – what else. Maybe cashing in the voucher I received for some volunteer work.
…gathering some wild herbs and berries – found a new blackberry bush. - I will elevate my physical appearance and fitness by
…taking exercise more seriously again. Promise I get back to Personal Trainer (aka Chat GPT).
…doing a hike on my own around the neighborhood – minimum 6km.
…using my new jump rope 10 times.
…working hard on hitting a milestone weight I haven’t been in for years.
…doing a fitness check provided by my health insurance and getting a bench mark.
…swimming in the river – hopefully. - I will elevate my health by
…making an appointment at the gynecologist.
…filing some paperwork at the health insurance and hopefully get a bonus.
…going to my neurologist.
….attending my dentist appointment and teeth cleaning.
…making low sugar/sugar free ice cream. (rollover goal) - I will elevate my relationships by
…attending a friends summer party.
…celebrating my godfathers birthday at the rowing club.
…calling my other godfather who was diagnosed with some illness.
…celebrating my godchild’s 30th birthday (by sending a present) - I will elevate my home by
…listing 10 things on eBay.
…drilling these holes to better store things.
…tending to my terrace garden - I will elevate my style by
…wearing three pieces in my closet I have not worn in the past 900 days (I know thanks to my app)
…creating a fun maritime outfit for the birthday at the rowing club.
…painting my nails in a new fun design. - I will elevate my behavior by
…picking up some trash on one of my walks. (roll over goal)
…trying to control my moods towards the husband.
…giving another workshop on AI (another step out of my comfort zone). - I will be elevating others by
…leaving three podcast reviews in the Apple Store. (why is this so hard?)
Well, and just like that we are heading into another month.
What elevated your spirits this past month? How ill you elevate your behavior in August? When was the last time you elevated your wardrobe and style? How is your health and fitness doing?
