Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Thirty-One: Lessons Learned

Lessons learned in 2018:

1. The people you love the most can hurt you the worst.
2. Keep trying. Not succeeding isn't the same as failing.
3. Be authentic.
4. It's okay to say no, even to people you love.
5. Endings are also new beginnings.
6. Learn to trust yourself.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Thirty: Top Three Goals For 2019

1. Putting ME first more often
2. Not letting other people decide who I am and how I feel about myself.
3. Spend more time with my grandchildren.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Twenty-Nine: 2019 Will Feel Successful If...

My 2019 will feel successful if:

1. I can maintain at least some, if not all, of my intentions and goals.
2. I can get through it without serious injury or illness.
3. I don't make too many stupid mistakes.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Twenty-Eight: Career

I'm retired from my primary career as an elementary school teacher, but I suppose I could consider writing as my "career" these days. In 2018, I haven't done as much of it as I should have, as I was suffering from burnout/apathy/something. In 2019, I am going to set aside a specific time period every day to work on my autobiography/memoir, and to write at least one short story a month. 

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Twenty-Seven: Education

Find more free online college courses which interest me in 2019. 

Get back to my local writers' group for critique and encouragement.

Try to learn at least one new thing every day.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Twenty-Six: Contribution

1. Volunteer work--church nursery, homeless shelter, Ronald McDonald House
2. Inspiring/encouraging others
3. Random acts of kindness.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Twenty-Five: Self-Care

Self-care plans for 2019:

1. Setting a schedule for going to bed and getting up.
2. Exercising on a regular basis
3. Spend quality time with the husband
4. Bubble baths
5. Journaling
6. Bible reading/study and prayer
7. Snuggling with my cat, Gandalf.
8. Chocolate whenever I want it.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Twenty-Three: Setting Intentions

Things I intend to do in 2019:

1. Create and keep a morning routine
2. Read the Bible from beginning to end
3. Better self-care, particularly getting more sleep and more exercise.
4. Stop setting myself up for disappointment with unrealistic expectations.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Twenty-Two: Out Of My Comfort Zone

Taking on several different leadership roles
Pitching my idea for a "journaling for mental health" class

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Twenty-One: Stop Doing

Letting others decide who I am

Charging so many unnecessary purchases

Spending too much time online

Caring about how others perceive me

Putting off unpleasant tasks

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Twenty: Keep Doing

Keep doing:

Bible reading/study

Genealogy research

Have a positive attitude

SMILE

Serve others

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Nineteen: Start Doing

Daily journaling

Daily blogging

Go to bed no later than midnight

Morning affirmations to build self-confidence/self-esteem

Make a more conscious effort to avoid clutter

Create a cleaning plan

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Eighteen: Word for 2019

CONTENT

satisfied with a certain level of achievement, good fortune, etc., and not wishing for more.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Seventeen: Unfinished Business

My autobiography/memoir--I've been talking about it for years and this year I started organizing materials for it, but haven't gotten very far in the writing stage yet.

Decluttering the house

Personal relationship issues

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Sixteen: Bad Habits Broken

This has not been a year for breaking bad habits, unfortunately. Something to think about for 2019.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Fifteen: Good Habits Formed

Journaling

Bible study

Early morning quiet time

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Fourteen:Smart Decisions

Smart decisions in 2018:

1. To try to get 8 hours of sleep a night
2. To let go of worrying so much about things I can't control
3. To not take other people's opinions of/comments about me so seriously

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Thirteen: Breakthrough Moment

My breakthrough moment this year? Not really sure if I've had it yet. I've had a few "aha" moments, but they don't last long, and then I go right back to the same mindset/behavior.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Twelve: New Skills Learned

New skills learned:

1. Coping: I'm learning to better accept the circumstances of my life and relationships and not to get so caught up in dreams/hopes/expectations. Breathe in....breathe out....and remember "Not my circus, not my monkeys."
2. Self-care: Goes along with the first one. I tend to put everyone and everything ahead of myself and feel guilty about taking "me time,"---but without it, I end up depleted, angry, and resentful.
3. Dependence: Also goes with the other two. It involves learning to delegate tasks, and to ask for help when I'm feeling overwhelmed.

Boho Berry December Challenge, Day Eleven: Progress Toward Goals

Progress toward goals:

1. Lost ten of the twenty pounds I need to lose.
2. Back to daily blogging.
3. Organizing stories for autobiography/memoir
4. Sticking with daily devotional/Bible reading