Tomorrow is the first day of Spring and I am SO READY. I was inspired a few years ago by Emily P. Freeman’s seasonal list of what she has learned and I started keeping one for each season myself. I like things being split into seasons (basically quarters) and looking back on the previous one as I get ready to step into the new.
Here are a few of the things I learned this past winter, both whimsical and serious.
A great method for staying consistent with creating content
I have had a blog for a while now and have wanted to take my Instagram to the next level for years. This year I feel like I FINALLY have created a rhythm of writing and creating that has allowed me to post content more consistently than I ever have before. I have figured out how helpful it is to have all my big projects (like these blog posts) broken down into 5-minute tasks so I can work in pockets of time instead of feeling like I need a full day to get anything done.
What the Commonwealth is
I probably should have known this WAY before this year but I didn’t. I have started a new habit of writing down phrases or books or concepts or anything people mention that I don’t know so I can look them up later. This was one of those things I heard someone say and I was like “huh I better google what that actually is.”
How much what I eat can affect my mood, energy, and anxiety.
I always kind of knew that food had somewhat of an effect on my body and my mood but I didn’t realize how much it did until this winter. I have seen how much dairy and sugar specifically affect my anxiety and PMS symptoms. It’s frustrating in a way but also empowering because I have realized that I have a choice about what foods go into my body and it’s been nice knowing that just by changing my diet I can feel better.
How astronauts go to the bathroom
Something my siblings and I ended up googling because my youngest brother brought it up. Without gravity, I was curious how it worked. Rest assured it’s basically a vacuum system that handles everyone’s business.
That “good enough” really is good enough.
I haven’t mentioned it much but the word I chose for this year was “messy”. It’s based off a poem and I chose it as a reminder that action is better than perfection. That creating, even if it’s not “perfect” blesses my soul and those around me. Even in just these short few months, I have seen how showing up imperfectly is so so so much better than trying to show up perfect. I grew up thinking you shouldn’t “half-ass” something. I find with myself though, that doing something halfway is better than not doing it all. I am finding that I feel so much better letting myself just sweep the kitchen real quick even though I don’t have time to mop too. That just cleaning things so they look decent is good enough and I don’t have to get under all the furniture and clean off all the light fixtures. I am learning that words written quickly and sincerely are better then words written not at all.
Afternoon is 12:00pm-6pm, “Evening” is 6-10pm, and “Night” is anytime after sundown
My coworker and I googled this one day at work wondering when you’re technically supposed to say “good afternoon” versus “good evening”. So technically evening and night can sometimes overlap but evening proper is 6-10pm. The more you know.
That the person I struggle to set boundaries with the most is myself.
About five years ago I went to a therapist for the first time because I was feeling super anxious and overwhelmed. I learned that I had codependency and boundary issues. I have done A LOT of work since then on learning how to say no, be honest about my limits, not taking responsibility for other people and keeping healthy boundaries between myself and others. After getting married though, I noticed that while I may do a pretty good job at saying “no” when I need to with other people, I am not very good at saying “no” to myself. I am really wrestling lately with letting myself take a break, admitting that I am tired to myself, and not pushing myself further than I know I really should. I am working on having boundaries with myself, one of which is that the weekend is for fun and rest, not work. Whatever I didn’t get to during the week can wait until Monday. I am working on keeping promises to myself. If I make a commitment to show up and work out I need to respect that just as I would an appointment with a client. It hasn’t been easy but something I am hoping to continue working on and growing in this year.
SO tell me in the comments what is something you learned this Winter? I would love to hear it.