So May is over. June is here. I had so many plans for May and I feel like most of them I couldn’t check off. For some I just didn’t have the time. Others I forgot and then some I just had no energy to tackle. And then there were some things that were out of my control. Sigh. But lets do the check in anyways and see how I was shaping happiness in May.
How I incorporated my word SHAPE in MAY
Shaping Life and Happiness
- I enjoyed some ice cream. More than is probably good for me. Oops. Just saying mint ice cream…
- I listened to the rain play music on our outdoor furniture. So fun. It also made me get out the camera trying to catch some rain drops.
- I spontaneously spent a weekend at my parent’s country home. Alone. Loved it.
- I saw a marten running around in our residential area and checking out all the cars. While I loved seeing the marten and never had seen one in the wild we are not to happy to find his little prints all over the car. And only ours…
- A few days later I managed to see an otter in the pond. It was far away. Apparently they are back breeding there. The husband saw one a few days prior crossing the road. I previously mentioned that we have road signs for Otter Crossing but weren’t sure if they are old because we haven’t seen any. Well, they are here. And there are new signs prohibiting to use the little path along the pond. As much as I want to observe them I need to give them space to breed.
- I have fallen asleep with the window open, fresh air coming in and enjoying it very much.
- My wardrobe is shaping up nicely with more colors lately. So fun to find new combinations. I only bought a bikini and some underwear and a sun hat this year so far.
Shaping Health and Body
- I walked 179.9 kilometers and an average of 6,621 steps daily in May. Eigth days I hit the 10.000 steps goal.
- I managed to close my Apple Watch rings 4 times and three times I was really close.
- I did hula hoop on nine days. I admit I thought I was better here.
- I did six yoga sessions and a total of 2 hours and 27 minutes.
- I added in five single weight lifting sessions this month often times I included those in my yoga routine.
- I rode my bike for 2 hours and 51 minutes – well that is what I tracked. There were many more.
- I took two naps.
- I did not only find a doctor but also managed to take he first step in the sleep study. The result I have mild sleep apnea.
- I’ve got my hair trimmed by the husband and used hair oil weekly.
- I have worn my nails shaped differently this month. Not sure I like it but at least they are not splintered all the time.
- I managed to sleep two nights for more than 8 hours. Say what? Then ten nights over seven hours. That is almost half the month of sleeping enough. Next level would be to sleep without interruption.
Shaping Mind & Soul
- I went for one Mornings Walk. The other Wednesdays were spent with my dad.
- I mindlessly sat and breathed a few times.
- I did yoga in the rain one day.
- I caressed my rosemary and mint plants and smelled my hands afterwards.
Shaping Relationships
- I continued to visit my dad weekly. We played chess, talked, watched the hockey semi finals, worked a little and talked some more.
- I talked with a friend in the US one Saturday Morning for over an hour and it was really nice. I didn’t know I missed that friendship.
- We met some friends in their new apartment … which is amazing.
- I met my best friend for our monthly breakfast date.
- I met an old freelance colleague for pizza after he held a workshop here in Berlin.
- I started volunteering for the church website relaunch and met a ton of new people.
Shaping Home
- I took care of my plants even though I killed the spinach plants.
- I decided on how to create my picture wall.
- I finally managed to switch the winter bedding to the summer one and washed all before storing away.
Shapes in the wild
I am on a hunt to find shapes in the places around me. Here is one I found. It the Max-Planck-Institute on the Charité Campus in Berlin. Here they are researching viruses. I once had a pitch presentation to prepare for them so I was invited inside. They told us that they have every virus known to man stored in the facility. I guess that is common when you do research. They also told us how and where they are stored but I believe its not common sense and so for security reasons I’ll not share.
I am wondering if that symbol means anything. a quick google search was not enlightening me. Any ideas?
How I will SHAPE life and happiness in June
- Shaping Life and Happiness I will celebrate a low-key birthday for myself and a more pompous one for the husband. I will need research vacation spots for our annual trip (roll-over goal… again). I will start working for a hospital which I am very excited about. I will fall asleep under the stars until the husband wakes me to go to bed. (roll-over goal). I will take myself to a coffee shop to work away from home and do some half time check-in for my 2024 goals. I will enjoy a lot of time outside on the terrace.
- Shaping Health and Body The most important thing to shape the future is going to vote in the EU elections June 9th. I will keep increasing my fitness level by dancing 5 min a day. I will strive for three days of yoga weekly. I will try to be more focused in intermittent fasting again. I will continue a reduced sugar diet to keep the migraines low.
- Shaping Mind & Soul I will be hunting for square shapes this month. I will finish my 100 day project. (roll-over goal – I just had no energy last month). I will read books, of course. I will try to do more lunchtime walks in June. I will take a new path in the forest on one of my walks and see where I end up. I will spent more focus on finding quotes with “shape” this month.
- Shaping Relationships I will shape my relationship by meeting my best friend again and will schedule a lunch date with my other friend. I will have another date day with the husband. I will call my sister whom I haven’t talked to in so long. I will continue my volunteer work at church. And I will visit my dad on Wednesday and keep him company while recovering from his third surgery.
- Shaping Home I will research and order a cover for the outdoor furniture and find a cute outdoor carpet and a sun umbrella. I will need to tackle the windows (roll-over goal – third time is a charm, right?) I will have to continue to remind my land lord to fix a few things. I will also clean the oven and list the suitcases on eBay. I will order the hanging system for my picture wall. I will drop off some books at the little library.
What shape did your May have? How were your relationships shaped in May? What do you do to have beautiful shaped nails? Any tips on how to keep motivation and t stay in shape when the scale is not cooperative? What is your best dance song I should include in my playlist?
18 comments
Wow! What a month, Tobia. I’m most excited about those solid stretches of sleep. I know you’ve battled insomnia for so long and this must be so encouraging.
You moved a lot! That’s awesome. And a weekend away at your parent’s country home alone sounds amazing! Gold stars for doing that!
I was so happily surprised to see I did manage to sleep over 7 hours a night. I wonder if that is also related for me to be more active during the day. I need to observe that and maybe compare to one of the previous years.
That weekend away was so good. I always wonder why I don’t do it more often. Easy and cheap vacay and available any time…
I love that you were able to sleep well for several nights! I’ve been having so much trouble with sleep lately. I always wake up for an hour or two during the night. It’s great that you plan to continue with your 100-day project! I did one once, and I know how much work it is!
I am sorry you are currently suffering from insomnia. I know it can be so so exhausting. Many nights are still interrupted and I am also awake 1-2 hours. I read then. But I’d rather sleep through. Hope you find a way to get better sleep.
Thank you for the encouragement. I am struggling this year. While I do learn a lot in sketching I am realizing this years project is not bringing me as much joy as previous once were I did collages or patterns
I slept for more than ten hours straight on Friday night. It was glorious. Keep striving for that sleep!
oh that is gold star material right there. 10 hours. amazing. I don’t think I have ever slept that long… well, maybe when sick but outside of that…
May sounds like a fantastic month. Especially so many nights of good sleep! I feel you on the interrupted sleep though, and I hope you can find a solution. Good for you for getting the sleep study done!
Like you, my May had a lot of ice cream. Sometimes you just need ice cream to get through the month!
Happy birthday month. :-)
I agree, ice cream makes many things so much more fun and endurable.
Hope you also find some solution to your interrupted sleep. It is so draining. This night I was awake 4:30-6:45… sigh
I’m sorry that your sleep is so often interrupted, but thrilled that you had so many good nights of sleep in May! My sleep has really improved since I cut way back on my alcohol consumption, which is sad because I like a glass or two of wine in the evening. I’m older than you though, and my body doesn’t metabolize it like it used to. Perhaps you should do some sort of sleep journal, and see if you can find a pattern to your good nights, be it food, exercise, alcohol, chill time before bed, enough time to yourself, whatever it might be for you.
What keeps me motivated to do my yoga every day is not wanting to break my streak. I’ve done it every day this year (except January 1st) I fear that if I miss a day, I’ll start missing more days, and then my neck will start hurting again. I wish that yoga every day and less alcohol meant my scale had moved, but it has not. Sigh. I did have some delicious ice cream yesterday, though, which may be a factor.
I really enjoyed this post. I love that you spend so much time with your dad, and that you spent a weekend at their country home alone. I loved your date night with your husband, the bike/yoga/walks/etc. You are doing so many really good, valuable things to care for yourself and those you love. <3 Oh, and yay for voting!
Ahhhh thank you Julie. Such a lovely comment t. I am sorry you had to realize cutting back on alcohol has some positive effect. Specially since you like it. It’s hard to give something up that you love knowing it will be better. That requires so much discipline. I’m be cut back on alcohol for many years mainly because of my migraines it’s just not worth it. However I had the realization about cake/chocolate/sugar so I can feel you. Have you tried non alcoholic drinks? I’ve had some and they aren’t bad. Unfortunately non sugar chocolate is not that yummy.
I do enjoy spending so much time with my dad and I know he values this time too. It’s something very special and I really appreciate that I can take the time. I’ll be spending my birthday afternoon with him in the hospital today before I have dinner with the rest of the family.
And yes voting. Ballots have arrived yesterday now I just need to figure out who’s getting my cross/check. It’s always hard but at least I know what not to vote and that I will most definitely vote.
Sounds like you found a lot of joy amidst the ordinary moments of life. That weekend away alone sounds lovely!
Thank you Beth. It was a great weekend and May has been kind to me.
Yay for getting more sleep. My sleep at the end of May was shocking, but I tend to struggle with sleep after I’ve had migraines, and I had lots of migraines, which then makes for a vicious cycle, as the lost sleep causes more migraines. UUGH. I know you get it.
I don’t have shaped nails at all, let alone beautiful. I used to bite my nails as a kid, but I managed to shake the habit, but have just started again in the last few years, so I’m not sure what’s up with that.
I’d be gentle with yourself re your weight. I think if we eat well 80% of the time (lots of fruit and veggies, protein) then we’re going to feel better. Then you don’t have to feel bad about not being perfect and possibly rebounding back to less healthy foods. Does your migraine medication cause weight gain? If that’s the case you definitely need to go easy on yourself, focus on mainly health-enhancing foods and not be too disheartened by the scales. Even if not though … this is a good strategy.
Thank you Melissa. Some of that weight gain is definitely medicine induced. I was on the pill for decades and once that was stopped lots of hair loss and weight gain. Around the same time I was on beta blockers – I think also for almost a decade and that sure didn’t help. I had hoped being off those my body would ease back but I guess the damage was done. I’d say I eat rather healthy besides my cake, chocolate thing but I eat a lot. Think that’s part of the issue. But I agree lots on greens and veggies definitely make me feel much better.
That is quite a month! Well done. That triangle is so interesting… What building is that? A university or a library? The shape of my May… Something spikey… It was a hard month and I can’t wait to be done teaching for the year. Actually I am done, but we still have final exams. Happy June to you, I love your plan :)
It’s a research facility for epidemiology and viruses. It’s located at a hospital campus downtown Berlin. It was the epicenter during COVID where all important scientists were located.
Spikes does sound hard. Enjoy your summer months and lots of rest.
A marten and an otter in one week. How neat :)
I am so happy to read how much movement you incorporated into your routine…and I hope (and think) this might also help with better sleep. Have you noticed a difference?
The Max Planck Institute Building looks so cool.
Thank you San. It’s sometimes hard to motivate myself when there is visual effect. But I feel much better. I have an inkling that this might help with sleep but it’s hard to say. I’ll keep observing.
I know right. But I wonder if that symbol means anything.