So, it is almost mid-February, and I look back on what I have changed about myself/stayed consistent with. I have done well in most of the areas that I wanted to improve on.

These are my 2026 and for life goals:

Write something every day

Move my body every day

Read more

Less time on social media, more talking to people

Eat better

Read the Bible more

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Crusing Goals!

The Bible- I was reading 2 to 3 chapters a day, but found a great podcast that I can listen to, and so I go through 5 to 10 chapters a day. I want to finish it in a year! So yay, for this goal! I have never read it through or understood it that well. This person asks questions and reads from a version that is more plain English. I have read along in my Bible, and hers is easier to comprehend.

Move my body- Well, for the first time ever, I can pat my back on this one and say, “I did it!”. I got a stepper for Christmas and the goal is 150 minutes a week on it and do other movements like leg lifts, squats, etc., every day. For the most part, I have done the machine 5 days a week, and my exercise moves as well, and on the weekend, just simple exercises. Week 5 started on the 9th, and I am at 660 total minutes on the stepper!

Reading- From January 5th to January 28th I read 5 novels: To Kill a Mockingbird, Skipping Christmas, Rules of Civility, While We Were Watching Downton Abbey and Park Avenue Summer. The only reason I haven’t read more is because on a whim I started an online book club by asking friends on Facebook to forgive me for my absence, but if they want to connect IRL (in real life) through reading and discussing books two times a month, to reach out. Two people did. That may not sound like a lot, but I have shaved down friends on there so much, so I am happy being that a lot of them ditched FB years ago for IG. Anyhow, I wanted to read my newest book starting this weekend to not be too ahead of myself for the 1st book club next weekend.

Less time on socials- I have done well with this. I had a couple of days when I woke up very early and scrolled reels for 3 or 4 hours. But that is maybe two times in a month. I added the FB app to giveaway furniture on Marketplace and to mention my book club, but haven’t been posting on there. I added Instagram a few times to support my college kid and like her posts. But I deleted it after. I have an account that is fun that isn’t my personal one that I may start posting on for creative purposes. But I don’t waste another second of my time doom scrolling and arguing with fools. So if I do use it, it will be for business related  or creative purposes.

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Honorable Mentions:

Eating Better- I definitely have had my weight issues, mostly thyroid/endocrine related, but eating poorly hasn’t really been my issue. Because I have had pizza a few times this year and smash burgers a few times with fries, I will have to say I have done okay, but not as well as I could have. My average day is 4 eggs with cottage cheese, a protein drink with 30 grams of protein, a turkey sandwich for lunch, and some type of healthy bowl. But I was at the women’s club luncheon last week and had 3 mini cupcakes and 2 pieces of candy. I used to never do that. Though that isn’t daily, I had several mini muffins one time as well. Those are rare occasions, maybe 4 or 5 bad choice days out of 40, but still. I will keep improving in this area. I can’t let winter laziness and cuddling up on the sofa mess up my health flow. Especially when I don’t even have a sweet tooth or usually crave junk food.

Write Every Day- This should be a winner. I should rock at this. I love writing, and I enjoy it. I really do, but because of work and making meals and other daily tasks, I fall off on it. I even made a journal for lists. I have a book journal. I have one to write daily thoughts in and one to write good recipes in that I made up or saw on a reel. Some days, I go through old saved reels and write down recipes or ideas or workouts. It makes me feel productive, and I am clearing out digital clutter and using a pen instead of a computer or phone. I sometimes think I put off writing because I think every blog post should be grand. Or every “jot down” in my notebook should be  Steinbeck worthy or something. This is an area I am going to fight to stay consistent in because I have so much to say and share.

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Failed to mention:

Decluttering- Man, have I rocked this! We got rid of a defunct dresser and got a newer and smaller one. We also got rid of my beloved bookcase, all wood that I have had for 28 years from back in my college days. I now have a smaller bookcase that suits the space better. And because my kitty passed away, even though we have been housing 3 ferals, I got rid of his little scratch bridge, baby gate, and expandable playhouse because we adopted one of the ferals out. In addition to this, we have had 3 charity pick-ups in a month and have not even finished. We have a small storage unit with antiques in it and some boxes of various things in it because there is little storage in this late 1800s house. We are going there next to get rid of more so we can get the smallest unit possible to save money and because we don’t need all of this.

Quite a long spiel, I know, but there was a lot to cover. I am changing my life for the better in big ways, and I am so happy about it. There are a couple of other things I am working on also, better sleep and debt reduction, but I will cover it next time.

Please leave comments below on what lifestyle changes you are working on. I would love to hear about them!

~simply

Dee