Mid-year review.

The first six months of the year have passed, so I thought it would be useful to have a look at the goals I set back in early January.

I had three goals for 2018. Looking back, I probably should have phrased them differently, have more of them, but at the same time make them more specific. But I can fix this for the next half of the year.

Achievements

Let's first look at my achievements in the past six months. I think it is important to acknowledge thing we are proud of, especially that so often we are focused on out shortcoming and areas for improvement. 

I let go of a lot of material possessions, the process which massively simplified my life. I've realised that clutter stresses me out.

During Lent, I spent nothing (except covering ordinary household expenses), a habit that stayed with me in a shape of increased awareness of where my money is going.

I really developed as a teacher. I know what I'm doing and why I'm doing it. I love my job even though it is really challenging.

2018 Goals

1. Deepen my relationship with God through prayer and Scripture reading

2. Spend time with people I love - set time aside each week for meals/coffee etc.

3. Exercise twice a week and take evenings off. Eat properly.

Progress

1. I have almost found my rhythm of prayer. Scripture reading is till an area to work on, but I definitely do more of it than in the past. I manage to squeeze some quick prayer time during the work day as well.

2. I don't have weekly dates with friend, but I see them more often, speak to Babcia much more frequently and generally I feel that I show more affection to people who are important to me.

3. The third goal is definitely the one that suffered the most over the past six months. I do take evenings off and generally each healthily, but exercise is not happening. I started walking to work again, which is good, but I'm yet to find love for actually turning up at a class each week.

Looking forward

I feel that I need to revise my goals for the next six months and add some more focus to them.

1. On the top of my daily prayer routine, I want to go to Adoration twice a month to have some quiet reflection time.

2. Cultivate Sunday walks to up my exercise intake without much effort.

3. Refocus on people who matter to me and really make time each month to catch up with family and friends. Monthly catch up seems like a realistic frequency for me to manage.

4. I need to schedule time each week to catch up with Master's work. Really important. Becoming urgent.

5. Stop buying food on the go to curb unnecessary spending. Really important with flat redecorating getting underway at the end of the month and it will probably go on for a few months.

6. On that note, plan redecorating both from the point of view of finances and of logistics.

7. Get a puppy.

Keep your eyes peeled for a check-in in six months' time to see the progress of things.