It is the Eve of May. It is warm enough at 10pm to sit outside in my pj’s and starting this post. The lights are sparkling in the gardens around me. The stars are slowly appearing in the sky. And the animals of the night are speaking up. My belly is full with a wonderful meal. Best conditions to type away on how shaping happiness in April looked like.
How I incorporated my word SHAPE in April
Shaping Life and Happiness
- It looks like my unemployed days are coming to an end. Two new clients want to work with me. Another was very interested. It takes a bit of pressure off. Fingers crossed it will be a good fit.
- I went to the library flea market and bought 5 books (for 5€).
- I loved my time outside using our huge terrace again. Warmer weather is nice too even though winter will forever remain my favorite season.
Shaping Health and Body
- I walked 142.3 kilometers and an average of 6,079 steps daily in April. On nine days I hit the 10.000 steps goal. Much less than last month but still more than last year.
- I managed to close my Apple Watch rings 5 times. And was ver very close three other days.
- I did nine yoga sessions and a total of 4 hours and 35 minutes.
- I did an extra arm workout on at least 19 days of April.
- I can see that my workouts have results by feeling my skin is firmer, being more flexible and slowly (very very slowly) losing some girth on all body parts. The scale doesn’t show it yet but it tells me my muscle percentage is increasing. Baby steps but steps. I admit I had hoped for some more visual change by now.
- I managed to sleep four nights over seven hours and even two nights over eight hours – unheard of! Still the majority is in the low six hours with the occasional four or five hour night.
Shaping Mind & Soul
- I read a lot of books, listened to many podcasts and attended numerous webinars. I am in a phase of learning and soaking up knowledge.
- I worked on my 100 day project and then took a 10 day break. Time to get back to it.
Shaping Relationships
- I spend another wonderful date day with the husband.
- I spend every Wednesday of this month with my dad, keeping him company while healing from his surgery. Wonderful time we are able to spend together.
- I have seen my best friend and chatted the morning aways. As always not enough time.
- I met another friend for her birthday celebration.
- We welcomed my cousin and her family at our home.
- I surprised my aunt on her birthday.
- I spend a day with my mom.
- I joined the website group at my church and offered to volunteer in helping to set up a new site. Also joined the youngsters church group again after a two month break.
- I managed to read more blogposts and leave more comments.
- I wrote three birthday letters.
Shaping Home
- We have ordered, set up, reclaimed, set up again our new outdoor furniture. While it isn’t totally perfect it was a good deal, we are happy and we are using it. Win.
- I have washed all sofa cushions and blankets.
- I have set up my terrace garden, cleaned all pots, sowed spinach, radishes, basil and marigolds and managed to get rid of all greenflies on my roses (don’t ask me how I did because I only shaked and brushed them off and they didn’t come back… I am not complaining!)
Looking back on April I can say that I had a huge focus on relationships and connections. Seems like I am in my extroverted life phase. But I also had days where I was socially burned out and needed my space and quiet time.
Shapes in the wild
I am on a hunt to find shapes in the places around me. Here is one I found touring the TXL Tegel airport – again.
How I will SHAPE life and happiness in May
- Shaping Life and Happiness I will research vacation spots for our annual trip. Thinking of Denmark (roll-over goal). I will focus on getting to know my new clients. I will pay attention to life/nature around me. I will enjoy some ice cream. I will join the book club meeting with special guest Laurie Frankel. I will fall asleep under the stars until the husband wakes me to go to bed.
- Shaping Health and BodyI will keep increasing my fitness level by picking up the hula hoop and practice for 5 min a day. I will strive for three days of yoga weekly. I will continue a reduced sugar diet to keep the migraines low. I will test out one or two new healthy recipes. I will shape my hair and get a trim (performed by the husband). I will find a doctor who will conduct my sleep study.
- Shaping Mind & Soul I will be hunting for triangle shapes this month (roll-over goal). I will spend some time in nature gathering tea herbs. I will do a photo walk through that cute little neighborhood with the crooked houses. (roll-over goal.) I will finish my 100 day project. I will read books… so many good ones on my shelves that it’s hard to pick the next.
- Shaping Relationships I will shape my relationship by meeting my best friend, go to lunch/dinner with my other friend. Visit my dad weekly. Have another date day with the husband. Write letters (I have a couple ones I need to answer…).
- Shaping Home I will contact the landlord to get all those open tasks done (issues with kitchen, heating and floor breaking). I will need to clean the windows since I still haven’t made any progress but now with the bright sunshine it is bothering me more and more. I will also clean the oven and list more things on eBay. I will plan out my picture wall so I can ask for frames for my birthday.
How did you shape happiness in April? How do you shape your relationships? Any luck getting your home in shape lately? How do you stay in shape on a daily basis?
6 comments
How lovely, Tobia! Your April really shaped up into a great month! Congrats on the new clients. I’m doing some shaping in my home in May – rearranging some furniture, cleaning out all the drawers and shelves. It feels like it’s time to get things organized again!
Oh wow ALL the drawers and shelves? I am in awe. I don’t think I want to ever attempt that. Have fun though and I am looking forward hearing more.
Yes, I am very happy how April turned out.
I love your word of the year- it is so unique! I need to shape my house and garden- guest room+ kitchen and my office. Also, critically go through the wardrobe and decide what to give away.
My kitchen could some shaping done too. I am starting small with the oven and hope once I am at it I also do a drawer or too. And the office is a constant battle. Wishing you luck and motivation to get through your list.
I love all of this, especially the day date with your husband, time spent with your dad, and with your best friend. These relationships give life meaning, don’t they?
I’m with you on the VERY slow progress with body changes. I really thought that by doing 4 months of daily yoga, changing my eating habits (much less wine and potato chips) and lifting hand weights most days, I would have seen more difference than I have. Frustrating. However, I do FEEL better, and I’m sleeping better, which are both good news.
Your May sounds like it will be good. Congratulations on the new clients, I hope they are a good fit too.
Thank you Julie. I am not doing things daily but so much more than years before. I guess patience has never been my strong suit. Luckily right now I still feel motivated. Congrats to you for sticking with daily yoga for four months now. So amazing.
Fingers crossed for the clients. For now they are clients one already proofs to be hard to handle and resistant to advice and the other one will be interested but I might not feel good due some value differences. So I guess I keep looking but for now I see some income. Keeping you updated.