ELEVATING Happiness in February 2025

Puhhhh so we made it to March. How are we already here. Long time readers know that February is one of my favorite month. This year it was a busy one. I felt like I had hardly time to enjoy it. But maybe that is because I was away for ten days which only leaves me with 18 days. And these were packed to the brim. But I elevated happiness in February nonetheless. I just have to think a little harder to dig out the nuggets. Let’s go.

How I incorporated my word ELEVATE in XXX

I elevated my soul by

• enjoying my anniversary trip. Wanted to share here but have not yet downloaded the images from the camera. Sigh.
• feeling wind in my face.
• trying new dishes during our vacation.
• walking on the snowy coast of the Baltic Sea.
• drinking lots of (mostly) good coffee.
• receiving a wonderful Valentines Card (my only one) from Michelle.
• meditating four times.

I elevated my creativity by

• starting this years 100 day project – 10th anniversary. A whole decade wow.
• trying to keeping up with art journaling. Besides the days on vacation I am doing good.
• shooting content at the hospital on two days.
• strolling around with my camera for two hours with my camera and on my own.

I elevated my hobbies by

• reading books.
• another month of no romance novel.
• joining the CBBC and discussing The Blue Castle and reading a new to me author. Thanks Engie.
• listening to the Story Girl podcast to learn more about LM Montgomery. Not sure who recommended it.

Michelles Valentines Card which has now a place on my desk.

I elevated my physical appearance and fitness by

• doing yoga 21 times.
• lifting weights 6 times.
• swimming 3 times.
• hiking once for 9.49km.
• closing my apple rings 9 times.
• walking over 10.000 steps/day on 11 days, total of 179.4km and an average of 9.211 daily steps (135% of goal).
• applying one face mask.

I elevated my health by

• giving in to my sugar cravings – mental health counts too.
• starting to take my vitamins more regularly. Improvement possible.
• Going to the dentist – only to be sent home because they messed up there appointments… argh

I elevated my relationships by

• leaving only 35 blog comments. Sorry friends.
• meeting a friend for brunch and making plans for more outings
• celebrating a friends birthday with brunch.
• writing 10 postcards from our anniversary trip to family and friends.
• celebrating our 11. wedding anniversary.
• sending a birthday gift to my sister and calling her as well.

I elevated my home by

• running Axel the vacuum robot consistently and staying on top of the dishwasher. Everything else has fallen to the way side. The husband kept track of laundry.
• shopping around for cars. (it is not technically home but oh well, close enough)

I elevated my style by

• trying to make an effort and getting dressed and putting on earrings and make up. Not every day though.

I elevated my behavior by

• sticking to the scheduled AI co-working with colleague. Building routine you guys.

I elevated others by

• giving two hotel feedbacks.
• sharing about my friend’s podcast workshop.

ELEVATING MARCH

• I will elevate my soul by
  …conducting a church service and going the sermon. (So much work.)
  …going to the woods and see check if the snowdrops covering the ground.
• I will elevate my creativity by
  …doing the 100 day challenge and creating something daily.
• I will elevate my hobbies by
  …finishing one book and starting another one for my Read Around The World reading challenge.
  …enjoying the CBBC.
  …joining my other book club for a meeting.
• I will elevate my physical appearance and fitness by
  …striving for three days of yoga.
  …starting to weigh lift three times a week.
  …trying out pilates three times.
  …doing a long hike 10km.
  …doing a face mask every week.
  …building myself a Personal Trainer Custom GPT specialized in arctic expeditions. And start using it for a better plan.
• I will elevate my health by
  …making an appointment at the ophthalmologist.
  …starting to track symptoms I feel like are related to pre-perimenopause.
  …joining lent and staying off sugar (one exception my uncles birthday).
  …going to the dentist for a check-up and cleaning.
  …having a check up at my neurologist.
• I will elevate my relationships by
  …meeting my best friend. It’s been too long.
  …meeting another friend for a hike.
  …attending my uncles 70th birthday.
• I will elevate my home by
  …reserving a high pressure cleaner at the hard ware store.
  …cleaning the bathrooms within sensible time.
  …tidying up my craft lab/home office.
  …uploading 5 listings on ebay.
  …cutting back my rose bush. And maybe the rosemary (need to research).
  …starting to cultivate some herbs indoors for quicker results outdoors.
  …doing some maintenance on Axel the robot vacuum and getting him some new brushes and stuff.
• I will elevate my style by
  …creating one fancy drink and sipping it.
• I will elevate my behavior by
  …attending a self defense course.
  …being kinder to people and not react annoyed.
• I will be elevating others by
  …leaving three podcast reviews in the Apple Store.

March will be a busy month as well. While I am grateful I am also a bit anxious. Lots of work, lots of decisions, lots of busy weekends. Too many goals.

Tell me one thing you did for your soul in January? How did you elevate your health last month? Anything creative you have done? What do you look forward to in March?