FEBRUARY – the monthly wrap up.

 

HIGHLIGHTS

A fresh hair cut and colour. Ordering my new custom surfboard. Quality time with family, especially my beautiful baby niece and twin nephews. Starting a beginners ceramics class and hence reconnecting with a creative outlet. Returning to F45 consistently. Making homemade pizza with my Italian sourdough starter ‘pappi’ for the first time.

Feeling the benefits of my morning routine and succeeding in over 30 consecutive days – hello new habit!

Got some new stick and poke tattoos from the talented Kalula Tattoo.

THE NOT-SO HIGHLIGHTS

Well…the big one…

Tom broke his foot slipping on rocks while going out for a surf. There was a stressful few days of him thinking he would be 3 months on crutches [non weight bearing] and would lose all of his work contracts [NB he is doing contract locum work at the moment, which is great, except there is no sick leave and we don’t have health insurance]. Thankfully he only lost a few shifts, and only has 6 weeks of moon-booting [fingers crossed].

One of my favourite tops got a hole in it.. maybe caught on something, maybe silverfish. But it’s not really salvageable [though I will try my very best].

I also suffered a lot of headaches this last month. It’s something I used to suffer from at least weekly, but had had a pretty good run for a year or so hardly having any at all. But this month has been rough, sometimes two a week, wiping me out for a whole afternoon or even second day. At first I thought they were dehydration, which some might have been. But as my doctor husband so unhelpfully informed me – we don’t really understand what causes headaches. So could be anything. It’s always frustrating when you try water, coffee, pain killers and sleep [my usual go-to remedies] and nothing helps.

THIS MONTH’S GAMECHANGER

Sleep by Headspace.

I haven’t realllllllyy shared this before.. but for like the last 6 years I’ve consistently watched F.R.I.E.N.D.S every single night to go to sleep. It started at the end of my first year of university, and I’d actually never watched the show from start to finish before then. Once I finished all my exams and assignments for the year, I killed time until Tom was finished and our parents came to pick us up from Sydney watching the show. I’m not sure when it became a habit, but it did. I rely upon it to fall asleep. It was a strategy I use/d to help with the mind chatter and anxiety when falling asleep. I know the show sooooo well now [given I’ve watched it through back to back seasons for so many years] I don’t actually have to “watch” it anymore.

Now I know what you’re thinking – “woah girl… that’s some poor sleep hygiene”…

I know.
But I have flux on my computer to take away the blue light, watch it on the dimmest screen brightness setting, and actually have had multiple psychologi tell me it’s actually not that bad, as it doesn’t disrupt my sleep. It helps it – I’m out within half an episode most of the time.

BUT, in the last month, I’d felt a desire to try and change this behaviour. Because a) I do want to improve my sleep hygiene. And b) although it’s not thaattttt bad it’s also not a super transferable routine [me and my non-transferrable routines… honestly]. Like what if my computer doesn’t have battery? I rely on it too much for sleeping and easing my anxiety [yes I’ve had minor breakdowns when trying to fall asleep and I can’t watch FRIENDS for whatever reason].

So in the last three weeks I’ve been using the sleep meditations by Headspace instead. They are themed meditations with ambient sounds. My current favourite is the ‘Desert Campfire’ where you unwind my imagining your by a fire, under starlight.

I’ve also been using these if I have a caffeine nap in the day, if I’m feeling particularly wrecked and need that short 20min powernap, but also still find it hard to unwind. And they have been working wonders.

I think even if you don’t have a bad sleep habit to break, but maybe do just have a little bit of trouble falling asleep, than this might be a really nice thing to try.

In addition to my no FRIENDS zone [still referring to the TV show] – I’ve really been trying to limit screen time at least 1hr before bed and have been trying to read on my kindle [not sure if that counts as a screen] for 30 mins in bed.

I might be a little late to the game, as you know… people have been sprucing this stuff for some time now [it’s almost like experts know stuff]… but yes… it’s still a recent game changer for me.

LEARN

This ‘LEARN’ category, I want to be about all kind of learning. Things I’m learning, that you can learn too [much like last month].

Or this month it’s simply an encouragement to LEARN A NEW SKILL. Whatever you want it to be – but make it something completely unfamiliar.

This month I’ve started my very first ceramics class. It is a totally unfamiliar skill to me, and I’m seriously finding the challenge, the problem solving and the 2 hours of focused, uninterrupted time SO valuable.

There is a fair bit of research out there that talks about the benefits of challenging your learning, making new neural pathways and all that. As well so much benefit in having hobbies. SO… next month I want you to pick something to learn – a new cooking technique, start learning a language, take an art class, learn calligraphy, try Brazilian Jiu Jitsu!

LISTEN

Tim Ferris show Episode #360 : Caterina Fake – Lessons from Flickr, Kickstarter, Etsy and Much More.

I really really enjoyed this episode. Caterina is such an interesting person, with a very interesting career. But she opens up about her own struggles and they cover some interesting discussion around creativity, decision fatigue and as the title suggest… much more.

Tim Ferris Show Episode #352: Dr. Peter Attia vs. Tim Ferris

Okay so it’s pretty obvious which podcast I’ve been listening to a lot lately. What I love about this episode the most is hearing two INCREDIBLY accomplished, high achievers talk about their depression and negative self talk. It is so powerful and it particularly resonated with me, with my neurotic, anxiety-prone personality to hear them speak so eloquently about the struggles we face, but also how we can find the power from these traits. I HIGHLY HIGHLY recommend for any of my fellow anxious humans, or if you struggle with negative self talk and self love [like me].

Sherlock Holmes Audio Book – Read by Stephen Fry
[Audible exclusive]

Tom and I got SO obsessed listening to audiobooks on our van trip around Europe and have sadly not had much time to listen to them since being home. We are just finishing up the 72hr collection and it has been SUCH an enjoyable journey. Stephen Fry is an incredible narrator and really brings these classic stories to life. Not to mention the interesting and insight forwards he has created for each book, which gives you a glimpse into both the life of Arthur Conan Doyle, Stephen Fry himself as well as some little history lessons. Highly recommend this audiobook!

READ

New Philosopher Magazine
This month I have been making my way through the ‘Use Your Time Wisely’ Edition. It has been seriously thought provoking. You can find this incredible magazine in certain shops that sell magazines, or my husband has a subscription [you can also backorder old issues].

first, we make the beast beautiful – Sarah Wilson
I have been reading this book over the last month, and have found some really helpful insights throughout the book. A lot has been reinforcing the value of behaviours and routines I have already been prioritising in my life i.e. meditation, getting out in nature/exercise, gratitude. I don’t personally agree with the ‘I Quit Sugar’ philosophy, not that I’ve read the book, or that I really eat much processed sugar anyways. BUT, this book is a really easy, enjoyable read and I’ve been enjoying it thus far.

 The sun & her flowers – Rupi Kaur
As part of my morning ritual, I’ve been enjoying taking some time to read some poetry after my meditation and journalling practice. It’s nice to be intentional with what you fill your mind with in the morning, and Rupi’s poems have always captured such a raw insight into humanity that I adore.
[let me know if you have other recommendations!]