Flowers

Thanks Katy for all the motivation!! I am really enjoying the January cure! even if I am not quite following. It to a T. I really liked the idea of getting flowers each weekend to brighten up the home! For some of us  though budgeting is also top of our list for 2014. Here are some alternatives that are cheap and last! Double bonus for me as I am sometimes a bit allergic to fresh flowers with strong scents. The fake and wooden flowers are from the dollar store and the dried flowers are from a friend's wedding from the summer ( they were centrepieces at the reception). 

So that is the easy part! Now on to the kitchen cleaning and rest of the cure's weekend chores... Or maybe back to sleep for a little while! Have a great weekend! 

Choose One Project?

I can be very goal-oriented. This January Cure has proven this fully. Give me a to do list and I will get shit done!

It helps that I moved in to my apartment just under two weeks ago and had a strong level of motivation to make it a home. But since writing my project list on January 2nd I have completed almost 60% of my list (including items that were added after the fact). I am making myself slow down about completing the remaining tasks. The assignment yesterday was to choose one assignment to complete this month, in light of this I am prioritizing properly tarping my canoe (it was just refinished and it's not great for the paint to sit wet). I already have most of the necessary supplies I just have to figure out how I want to McGuyver it together.

Some of my most productive thinking happens while I am working on unrelated tasks - such as sanding dressers or folding clothes. During these moments and my bikes to work I have reflected on my personal goals for January and decided to hold off on the swimming lessons. As much as I have enjoyed swimming and would like to strengthen my strokes my overall happiness is much more important and waking up at 5:30am would make me miserable. So I will wait until I am able to join a class that is set at a more reasonable time. 

How are you doing with the January Cure? Any projects completed? Any assignments skipped? (I will not be framing any art unless I find something by the end of the month). What about your personal goals for 2014? Are you having a productive start to the new year?

The January Cure: Day 1

I woke up earlier than normal this morning and have created my project list, I did include more projects than the suggested 3-5 per room as I've just moved and some of these are super quick.

Kitchen:
- hang key rack
- shelf between cupboards and wall, hood (magic bullet, grinder, mugs, coffee, sugar; tea, oils) *landlord
- defrost/chip ice so freezer closes
- shelves, hooks on slat wall (books, dehydrator, wok, spice rack, photos)
- spray paint metal, glue to backing and hang magnetic spice rack
- clear out recycling

Living Room
- find table for beside couch (apprix 40" wide)
- find shelf for printer, Nintendo, random cords. Use night stand?
- find/hang coat hooks (4)
- remove door to hallway
- shelf where door currently is or sell shelf
- organize and put away loose odds and ends

Bathroom
- hang shelf/makeup organizer
- organize

Hallway
- rewire/hang photo board

Laundry
- move base for buffet
- fold linens
- consolidate garden items

Bedroom
- decide where to put and find a dresser - options: beside bed 48", w/ nightstand 24" or in nook 54"
- extension cord to other side of bed for lamp
- platform bed frame?
- hang mirror
- put away clothing
- nook shelving * landlord
- decide where to put chair or sell
- sort clothing

Outside
- tarp canoe
- clean and put away planter

Here is the calendar for The Cure:
http://s3.amazonaws.com/atads/January2014Cure.pdf

Starting the Year with Intention

2013 turned out to be a year of major transitions for me. In August I started a new job and bought a new car. In October my relationship of over 3 years ended and I moved November 1. Unfortunately where I moved to was not a good fit so I moved again last week (THANK YOU Daniele, Paul, Kate and Laura for all your help!).

So I'm starting 2014 in a new place and am excited for what this year has in store for me. But rather than go with the flow and see what comes my way I am also starting the year with positive intentions and short-term goals (that will turn into long-term habits).

My 2014 Resolutions:

- pay off my VISA (this is the 4th year running with this goal - but it WILL happen this year)

- get fit (solo lift canoe, be able to do a handstand)

My 2014 Month-by-Month Goals:

January: The January Cure, Swim Fit (stroke improvement 1x/wk), Boot Camp 2x/wk, determine budget

February: Implement budget, Swim Fit, Boot Camp, Moksha 2x/wk (after boot camp ends)

Happy 2014!

2014 déjà!  It hardly seems possible that we started this blog one year ago. Starting off 2013 with the idea of creating lasting change felt like a positive and introspective way to begin a new year. It was definitely a year of challenges and of change, both good and bad. I recently went to a service that adressed the topic of change, and the natural emotional reactions that we as humans have when faced with any change, whether a good or bad change. As humans we innately resist change, but change is in fact the one true constant that we have. Like it or not, your life will change in 2014. And although change can be scary, uncomfortable, or downright shitty, it is also always an opportunity for growth.

In the spirit of change, Katy and I have been talking about starting up the blog again, and what better first challenge to start the year than to get organized? I know I can always use some help in this area. Katy sent me the info for the below challenge, and I think it's a great way to create change by taking little positive steps towards better organization everyday. 
Perhaps clearing out and organizing our physical spaces will also give us the internal space to reflect on the year that was and some positive changes we would like to make in 2014.

Happy New Year to all!

http://www.apartmenttherapy.com/its-back-join-us-get-organized-in-2014-the-january-cure-198346