I realize that I completely dropped the ball on “n”deavour updates for March. While it is well into April now, it’s better late than never to have an update. I was fairly consistent up to the six month point but things started to unravel as my schedule changed and I was at work during the week.
Predictably so too.
So how did I fare?
The Process
As mentioned, in March, I returned to work full time. While I knew it would be an adjustment, I underestimated the amount of time and effort I’d need to establish a routine. I also forgot about how often pre-pandemic, I’d sacrifice personal time to stay late and ensure all the tasks I felt were needed to be completed were done so I felt ready for the next day. Not only was my job busy pre-pandemic (think a full time position that is actually more like a full time position plus another half position) but there were also a lot of staffing changes. Thus, the flow and routine I had prior to my leave was completely shifted. Combined with added time to adjust to the new personal protective equipment procedures as well as continual changes and need to react due to COVID-19, staying late and being exhausted has become the norm (not to mention continued interrupted sleep). All this in addition to the normal things in life.
For the last month, I’ve had just enough energy to come home, take a shower, eat, and prepare myself for the next day.
For the next two week before the next update, I’d like to get back into a good routine. A routine that will incorporate not only some of my “n”deavours but also all the other things going on in my life. Things like, the committee I somehow volunteered to co-chair, the certification exam that I’m supposed to write in May, and of course all the other things in life like cleaning, cooking, and taking care of others.
In order to do this, I’ll likely have to put a few “n”deavours on the backburner and adjust others.
The one thing I won’t sacrifice is sleep. Everything falls apart exponentially if I do not get 8 hours of sleep so I’ll have to adjust other facets in order to make this work.
It’s likely to keep on track that I’ll have to dedicate days to certain tasks. For example, Monday might be a writing night, while Tuesday is running, and Wednesday is for all the errands of life. We will see how this approach pans out.
Maintain and Refine a Blog
The Blog
The personal blog has been a little barren in the last month. I have however been actively writing for Runners of the Six every three weeks or so. I had initially committed to one update and a blog post either here or at ROT6 each month and that’s likely what I’ll continue with. I do however have a couple of blog posts that I’d like to write here to get my thoughts down.
Along with the long blogs, are the mini-blogs on Instagram and those seem to be going well. I’ve gone down to once a week because I’ve been so busy but I think I can maintain 1-2 posts a week and a few stories scattered in for good measure.
Everything else that I wanted to do like refine the aesthetics and navigation of my website will have to wait. The optimization of it will come when I have time to dedicate to it. For now it’ll just be a vessel to carry these entries.
The Vlog
I think that 5 videos by August is a little ambitious. Instead, I think it’ll likely be feasible to make 3 videos by August if I keep them to around 5-10 minutes long. The Instagram reels have also fallen by the wayside as I haven’t been posting very often on Instagram but I’m hoping maybe I can do another 3 by August as well. .
Run a Marathon.
This week I skipped a long run. I just couldn’t get it in. I’m not feeling guilty or upset or even anxious about this because things happen. I do however need to get back into a schedule. Why? Well, exciting news: I signed up for the Virtual Boston Marathon and will be completing my first marathon in October. I’ll likely be dedicating a few posts to documenting this journey so there won’t be many non-running related blogs.
Learn a Language
At present, this has taken a backseat. Right now I’m currently just maintaining my practice streak (225 days or so!) until I have time to sit down and write down vocabulary and really practice. I have a lot of lessons that could use some review so I’ll like dedicate 5 mins or so each night just reviewing them until I can give some attention to them full.
Perfect a Recipe and Learn a Craft
Alas, I think I need to retire these two to the backburner. It is too ambitious to try to take these on right now. While I started to perfect the recipe, it’s not 100% there and will be taking a back seat. Same with the craft — I have supplies which will luckily not perish and will have to come back to this perhaps in the fall.
And so, it looks like for the next month or two I’ll be focusing on getting myself organized with continuing to blog these updates (and perhaps vlog), writing for ROT6, maintaining my Duolingo streak, and training for a marathon.
Wish me luck and remember, you’re amazing and awesome and doing a great job!