NST Jolly Joyful July

GeorgianaCavendish

Hi Everyone, hope you are all doing well. I'm really grateful for this thread, it is lovely to check in and see how you are doing even if I haven't been posting (but I do want to get better about posting at least with my daily gratitudes ) 

I've been adopting the "if it's worth doing, it's worth doing badly" philosophy and even where I haven't made the progress I would have liked, I have done a little bit. 

WHATS GOING WELL - 

I'm sticking to the budget. I'm finding tracking the the NSDs really helpful - it helps me assess where I am spending money and if I really want something, and I feel optimistic that this will also help me with tweaking budget categories a little down the line and being able to save more.
One thing I'm cautious about with NSDs is how I might use it as a way to enable my spendy shopaholic behaviour of old. So if I have a spend on a NSD - like "if I'm spending on X, I might as well get Y and Z as well so I can NSD tomorrow". I think that would be a slipperly slope for me personally, so for now I'm trying to delay my spends where possible and if I can't delay then to buy only what I need right now, and not try to get too much in one go.

I had a small win on Premium Bonds (where I keep my emergency fund) so have an extra £25 there. I've also made £28.78 from surveys and cashback sites for July, which is added to one of my mid-term savings pots. 

Food audit is going great and we're eating down the freezer and store cupboards. Meal planning and "shopping the cupboard" really helps with this, and we've been able to cut one of our big shops this month by getting a bit creative with what we have in stock. In general, I'm feeling very balanced about food this month and so far, no food anxiety. 

Also really enjoying the "use it or lose it" part of the challenge. I've read 4 books from the impulse list and (also enjoyed getting back to my habit of winding down with a book instead of TV). I've sorted out my toiletries and I've got enough stuff to last me through the next 6 weeks.
Making progress with the wardobe sort out, I've got a box of things in the "resell or regift" pile and have made a trip to the clothes bank drop off point with some stuff for donations. I've been "shopping my wardrobe" too, making an effort to wear some of the clothes that have been in storage bags since last year. Optimistically, I got all my summer stuff out so now I just need the weather to cooperate!

WHAT NEEDS ADJUSTING

I haven't made as much time for exercise / healthy movement as I would like. I've done some of the "big ticket" stuff  it'like going for gym sessions, but the small bits that have fallen by the wayside. I think I need to carry through the "doing it badly" philosophy thing here - e.g. 5 mins spent just lying on my yoga mat listening to a meditation when I'm really busy and stressed is better than avoiding even unrolling it until I feel like I have the time and motivation to do 45 minutes; or a walk round the block at lunchtime is better than not getting out at all because I don't have time for a 3 mile walk. 

I'm a bit behind where I would like to be on my assignments, so I need to spend more time and energy on that. 

And my gratitude journal has not been used very much, so that is another tweak to make. Like I said before, maybe I will post here instead of writing in a book  

New developments since beginning of the month are that I've booked my theory test for September (no news on driving lessons though, I'm still on a waitlist and there is a huge backlog). I've got an app which breaks down the revision for this to 10 min chunks, which is enough for now but may need to increase in August, will see how I go  

Also working on a brand new project at work which is using some of the research skills from my degree course, and bringing me into contact with new teams at work too. I'm enjoying it but am also a little bit nervous.  

Still haven't firmed up plans for my July staycation, but will think about this a bit more! Might just be more reading and (hopefully) enjoying some sunny weather. 

ldee2111

NSD 4 for me.

Lots of bitty bits of work done today which I'd ignored yesterday if I'm being really honest. Lots of emails from colleagues asking for things. I just didn't have the headspace for them. Ticking them off my list today felt good. 

Grateful today for the energy to help colleagues with their asks, for the sun inviting me to sit in the garden, and for the yellow stickers in my freezer which are going to give us a tasty, quick and easy dinner soon. 

Thrifty_Taylor

NSD#7
Hoping you feel more human again soon @mothernerd. I sympathise with your bites, I currently have over 20 - the result of pulling out chest high weeds whilst wearing shorts & a tshirt. I've itched so often, but hope they will have abated before Monday when I go into hospital to get my wisdom teeth out! I'll look very attractive in the gown as it is, without the additional red blotches!!
Anyway, polyfillered holes in a wall & an alcove after breakfast, went for a 5 mile walk with hubby. After dinner I washed the walls down, then did more weeding in the garden. Just having a rest for half an hour, then will paint the walls. Could do with doing some sewing after tea, but will see how I go!
Grateful for seeing progress in son's bedroom & where I've been working in the garden, lots of butterflies & a hare spotted on our walk, a rest in between jobs

ditty1234

OMG I'm just scared now - I have a job interview for a full time job. I have to do a presentation, and hand it in the day before! And I have to dress up - and I can't really wear orange to a job interview or black, my fav colours - yes I know a bit on/off! I can't wear bare legs as have blotchy skin due to skin condition, normally I don't mind/care, but not for a first hand impression. 
Seriously. I'm scared. My impulse is to apply for 5 other jobs, but I guess I could just give it a bit more time! I do actually think I am interested in this one, the pay is not great, but it is more secure, so do I take a hit on that, it also depends on what they actually offer!
Sorry to get you all involved, but I am a bit overwhelmed!

apple_muncher

Today I am grateful for dd's new haircut looking fab, for finding a hoodie for each of us in the ch shops, for dh prepping tea, for the Tour (esp now Wimbledon has finished), for the phlox starting to flower, for starting to sort out the gubbins I brought home from work, for my child still talking to me honestly and openly even as a teen.

DawnW

Good luck with the job interview @ditty1234

mothernerd

Oh ditty congratulations and ... breathe.

Well I had a day, it went, better than expected, a few things got done, I had rice pudding for tea because it took so long for mum to get out of the kitchen that I was ready to gnaw my own hand off (other than that I've eaten not too badly, had 2 apples for breakfast, left out the cheese but followed with oats and honey bars, tinned onion soup for lunch and when I was hungry again I finished off some dip that was open with a pack of celery and a bag of peas unshelled).

Gratitudes easy food, some sawing, lots of rubbish collected and taken to various bins, listening to what my body wants (pickles are probiotics).

DrCarrie

Breathe @ditty1234 let yourself have the opportunity!

All quiet on the western front, and a NSD yesterday. No work done on the assignment, apart from
 2 hours on the phone to Oxford Univerity IT because I couldn't log in. This time next week, it will all be over!

Grateful for
- A relatively stress-free day at work yesterday
- Toast and marmalade - homemade bread and marmalade 
- A nice relaxing morning before work

Toni'sfriend

Yesterday was NSD No 6

Himself is still hanging about waiting to see if he's needed at court so we aren't able to go for a walk in the morning. 

I've had my daily clean up of the communal area and had a good natter with one of the neighbours. Actually it was more of a moan about children coming here from all around the neighbourhood and making a complete mess. Quite a few of them are teenagers who should know better.

I haven't really got any plans for today but I'm sure I'll find something that needs doing. 

mothernerd

Wednesday 14th July 2021

I do not think existence wants you to be serious. I have not seen a serious tree. I have not seen a serious bird. I have not seen a serious sunrise. I have not seen a serious starry night. It seems they are all laughing in their own ways, dancing in their own ways. We may not understand it, but there is a subtle feeling that the whole existence is a celebration.
Osho 

Renew, Release and Let Go
Yesterday's gone
There is nothing you can do to bring it back
You can't should've done something
You can only do something
Renew yourself
Release that attachment
Today is a new day
(Steve Maraboli)

With the new day comes new strength and new thoughts Eleanor Roosevelt

Visible mess helps distract us from the true source of the disorder (Marie Kondo)

Don't resist chances; take them like vitamins