Tuesday, March 14, 2023

Making Habits (Or Not), And Sleeping Away My Life


Obviously, I won’t be putting “Making” in every title onward. Just when it works. Mainly.


This morning I climbed out of bed at 9:20 or something in that general area. While I would like to blame that all on the time change (which I hate hate hate hate hate hate), the truth is I’m just a lazy being lately-and marking it up to letting my body tell me what I need, if you will.


I mean last night (according to my ever present all knowing smart watch), I went to bed at 11:10 and this morning I woke up at 7:54. That includes a very brief break for my three am visit. A quick eight and a half hours.  Except that after that, I got my morning caffeine and climbed back into bed to check on the word and do my morning pages (more about that later). And I may have put my head down again, because when I climbed out of bed and started turning on lights and opening windows it was a good nine thirty.


Whatever the cause, I’m taking it. Because I am after all retired. And already do everything humanly possible to make no commitments before noon. Because, retired. And lazy. And slow moving!


Speaking of morning pages, I am not a “schedule” person. For the most part, the list of things I need to do on a daily or weekly basis is extremely short. It’s pretty much also ingrained in my brain, and the rest of the day I flow, although I do have a calendar, and occasionally I get a little bit of joy from marking off list items (like my current list of all the movies the best and supporting actors and actresses are in).


And at my age I am not necessarily interested in developing new habits, I like the ones I have.  But there were a couple goals I was kinda sorta, maybe, heading for. 


The first one was to do the full, one to one and a half hour workout that I am doing these days (much of it sitting and more about that later) all in the morning, every day. The second one was to get back into more creative writing and try to do the morning pages thing every day-be it morning or evening or whenever.


On the physical front, it has been a fail. Not a disappointing fail, because I lead a mainly sedentary life otherwise, and I am realistic (as seen above) about my morning energy. So I remain fine with the two hours divided up into small bites here and there.


The morning pages thing has been mainly successful. If not in the truest sense, then in my own casual way of implementation. I write for somewhere around three pages, but not necessarily when I wake up, not necessarily without stopping, and not necessarily in the morning. I actually enjoy writing at night, if only as it seems like kind of a “brain dump”. But so far I am keeping on keeping on, and since it’s not different from my regular journal, when I get ideas or thoughts of new things to do, make, whatever, I can just make notes on the same book.


Which, by the way, means that I can buy a brand new full sized bullet journal. And make all the doodles, in all the colors. In all the pens and pencils.


Also, my newest finishes for upcoming pop up events:




15 comments:

  1. Sounds like a plan. I hate even trying to think or plan before Noon. Linda in Kansas

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    1. I dont mind the thinking part, but the doing...

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  2. Best thought I've seen in a while: "At my age I am not necessarily interested in developing new habits, I like the ones I have." Sure, as you say, we should have a few things to do -- btw, love those bags -- but all on a kinda, sort, maybe basis. However, you have reminded me -- I'd better go do my exercises for the day.

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  3. Nice bags Barb.

    I think we all do what is necessary in the stage of life we find ourselves in. I am afraid that my exercise took a slight hiatus over the winter and I am really looking forward to my early morning walks once again.

    God bless.

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    1. Yes, you are generally up and out much earlier than I

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  4. My fave is the gnome bag - so cute!
    I must admit, I tend to do my indoor walking (my main form of exercise during the winter) in spurts. Once the weather improves, and it is less icy outdoors, I'll get back to walking my 30-45 minutes daily. I should look into seated exercises that I can do at home.
    I'm impressed with your writing - I've never been a creative writer but any that I had was beaten out of me at the work I did. No opinion was permitted, it was stick to the facts.

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  5. As long as you do what YOU want to do, when YOU want to do it. That's all that matters.

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  6. I hear you!
    You are doing so fun sewing.
    Morning pages sounds like a good move.
    Winter is slowly coming to a close here. I need to get to two miles a day by June….sitting exercises sound great!
    Enjoy the well deserved morning routine.

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  7. If I could get that much sleep in two nights, I would be so happy. Why do all the gnomes have their eyes covered?

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    1. Gnomes often have their eyes covered, lol. I imagine whoever designed the fabric had a reason.

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  8. Wow! I'm impressed. You are very talented. I've always hated that time change when we lived in Illinois too. Now that we live in Hawaii, I have to constantly check to make sure how many hours apart we are from Illinois to call our daughter.

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  9. Barb, now that I'm retired, the only time I set an alarm is for early church services on Sunday--otherwise I get up when I get up. I love it that you "flow," writing, exercising, and sewing. It all sounds like a great use of time--yours or anyone elses. Keep up the good work. Joe

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  10. I did Morning Pages for a length of time and then kind of modified the idea to what I try to do at least some mornings in this stage of retirement. But LIFE keeps interfering. My husband is not retired yet and that is a slightly sore spot for him. So I feel the need to prove that I am doing things around the house everyday so he won't think I am laying about eating bons-bons as he likes to 'joke'.
    Your bags are so bright and cheerful and USEFUL!! Great work. Hope you continue to enjoy reading, writing, sewing and napping.

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