Life hasn’t slowed down too much since the Christmas holiday has ended, although I was hoping that it would. Work has been pretty busy, and the house is still a huge mess. Seems like I am going backwards instead of forwards, and I definitely need to do something about it. Part of the issue is that I am spending most of my blogging time obsessing about the numbers, instead of the writing. I need to get back to writing, and just writing. I know that social media and networking are important, but that’s all I have been focused on lately. Blogging is starting to become a chore again, and I don’t want to lose my passion for it. Ever. So back to basics.
Getting Back To Basics With My Life.
Outside my window…Snowy and bleh. I am so tired of winter, and we are only halfway through it.
I am thinking…that I am losing focus and need to get back on track.
I am thankful… I am thankful that I have such a wonderful husband. I am thankful for my two crazy boys and our pets that think they own the place. And I am truly thankful to go back to my regular schedule. And I am thankful that winter is half over.
In the kitchen… Planning more crockpot meals where I can freeze the leftovers so nothing is wasted. It is amazing how creative I am with meal planning since we have a food budget now. Just need some new ideas to change things up a bit. I am also finding that certain things should not be bought generic, but that will be a whole other post! Did I mention I need to get back to basics in the kitchen, too? That includes updating my spice cabinet.
I am wearing… Jeans and a sweatshirt. It is cold and snowy, so warmth and comfort are the main concern.
I am creating… A home that is clean and company ready. Time to get back to FlyLady routines. I discuss this more in my personal goals for 2014.
I am going… To get myself caught up on ironing! And laundry. And cleaning the bathroom. Ugh, does it ever end?
I am wondering... If I can make and stick to a food budget and cleaning schedule. And get back to basics.
I am reading… Insurgent by Veronica Roth. Still. This book isn’t holding my attention like Divergent did.
I am hoping… That I can continue to meet and exceed my blogging goals.
I am looking forward to… baseball season starting back up. I need adult contact and time outside in the fresh air.
I am learning…That whining serves absolutely no purpose.
Around the house… Just trying to keep things presentable. Making sure I am making the beds daily, and that the sink is empty. It really makes a big difference. And doing at least one load of laundry a day. I am also trying to keep up with ironing. At last these things *must* be done before any blogging or networking starts. And stop talking about the above statement, and just do it!
I am pondering… A weekly schedule for blogging.
A favorite quote for today… “What do you mean we can’t play all day? It’s vacation!!”. The joys of boys!
One of my favorite things… Playing video games with my family. Cuddling on the sofa. Reading a good book π
A few plans for the rest of the week:
- Monday~Working in the am, then coming home and cleaning the house. Maybe throw a nap in there.
- Tuesday~Work, and more laundry. Relaxing, and maybe working on a blog post.
- Wednesday~Work and housework. The kitchen floor needs a good scrubbing. Back to basics, remember?
- Thursday~Working, housework, blogging.
- Friday~Working, and blogging.
- Saturday~Seeing the boys off to a Science Olympiad competition, coming home and going back to sleep.
- Sunday~Lunch, napping, and grocery shopping.
A peek into my day…
So what do you do when you need to get back to basics?
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That’s a lot of stuff you have on your mind and planned!
Our place is also a mess and we are finally cleaning it up tomorrow on our day off!
I think we all obsess about our blog numbers. We want to see people commenting and have our blogs recognized. Just blog for fun and as a hobby. Write what makes you happ and enjoy it.
Phil recently posted..Head out to a Destination Bar in NYC for Jello Shots!
Thanks Phil! I keep trying to tell myself to just blog for fun, but at the same time, I want to make money to pay for all the little things I need to do for blogging.
I so need to get caught up on cleaning tomorrow, too. I want to be able to relax next weekend, so I want to get the bulk done early this week.
I agree that insurgent was not as good as divergent. I haven’t read Allegiance yet because no many book bloggers were disappointed by it.
I am trying to simplify too. I have been enjoying cooking more healthier meals too. Good luck finding new recipes. We’ve tried lots of good ones lately.
I picked up a few cheesy romance novels to get me through till all my favorite authors come out in June. I already have my wishlist started for vacation in June π
So glad that I’m not the only one that feel like things aren’t slowing down after Christmas! I’m slowly trying to get (and stay) on top of things and learn how to simplify so like isn’t stressful! Love thinking about getting back to the basics.
Deanna recently posted..Comparison only leads to discontentment
Yeah. Some things gotta give, and too much focus on blogging is one of them.
Hi Jennifer – I love this post. We have a bunch in common for sure. Will be scoping out the rest of your blog through the day. You know…in between my real job and being a mom π
Tara Newman recently posted..Simple Steps for Creating Vision and Purpose in Your Life
Thanks Tara. Can’t wait to explore everyone’s blogs later tonight. I want to write a post for tomorrow, and do some laundry yet. Have a great week!
Hi Jennifer!
I had this realization recently too. I need to spend way more time focusing on my writing before moving on to other things. If my writing isn’t up to par, then nothing else will fall into place. I’m here from SITS girls. I can’t wait to get to know you better!
Cindy recently posted..Monday Momentum
Totally agree Cindy! Looking forward to it!!
That’s the hard part about blogging- not focusing on the numbers but to enjoy it. I had to step back from blogging for awhile and returned last June. It’s hard to focus on content when you’re also trying to build up your readership- promoting, visiting, commenting, etc. It is definitely a chore, for sure! I am trying so hard to focus on good, quality content, too.
Also… what I do to get back to basics- I turn off ALL electronics- cell phone, ipad, TV, etc and my daughter and I go for a walk. Read. Cook. Something. To remind myself why I work so hard and what is truly important! Keep up the great work!
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That’s why I really hate winter right now. I can’t get outside and enjoy the weather. Makes me more tense, and I don’t write as well.
Oh yes! I can understand! You start getting cabin fever and the anxiety builds up! Ugh! I am in Phoenix, so mine is opposite of you- I get it in the summer and it’s TERRIBLE. I get so irritable and despise the world.
Hopefully you get your muse and you can get some fresh air (well, when your winter lets up!)
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There has got to be a happy medium somewhere, right?
There MUST be!
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HI Jennifer,
Interesting question π
I usually start from the very basic too if I need to go back to the basics. Simple and small things matter and can make a huge difference to us, if we only stop and give it all a thought, isn’t it? Great reminders you mentioned, some of which I need to still carry out. π
Thanks for sharing. Have a nice weekend π
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Thanks for stopping in! You have a great idea too!
We are basically the same π I focus on the numbers a lot too and it can be difficult to make time to work on your blog and still look after yourself and keep the house clean and do the laundry and come up with new dinner ideas… Like right now I should be cleaning our house but instead I am online. It is never ending, and we too have snow up to our eyebrows. Just like you, I hate winter!
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It’s always good to hear that someone understands what someone is going through. I keep forgetting sometimes that I am not alone, and I need to stop being so hard on myself!
I don’t feel like I ever get caught up. It seems like I finally get my apartmennt clean and organized and the next minute – it’s a disaster. And since it’s just me and my cat … I can’t pass the blame on to someone else! π Glad I’m not the only one who struggles to find enough hours in the day. I haven’t started reading Divergent but it’s waiting for me on my Kindle.
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My cat contributes to a lot of the mess. She is obsessed with my hair rubber bands, and knocks stuff over in the bathroom to get at them!
I can totally relate to this post Jennifer!
I still have my Christmas decorations out. They’re in their crate but I the closet I store them in was hit by a hurricane. There is stuff everywhere and they wont’ fit. I’ll have to rearrange it and I just haven’t gotten to it.
It’s a good idea to get back to basics. I’ve made a personal to do list for myself and pretty much keeping to it and reading is on my list too. I’m reading Stephen King right now. He’s my favorite.
Thanks for sharing your plan with us. Sometimes we need to take a step back. I do wish I had time for a nap though :).
Thanks for participating this week. Have a great new week ahead!
Cori.
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I never got the nap. I want to do some decluttering this week as well. Thanks for having me, I love your blog!