Captain’s Log, Stardate March 10, 2018. In route to completing mission “2018 Daily Modifications”, my ship has hit a string of unexpected turbulence and seems to be veering off course at warp speed.
At first I blamed it on the time change. Springing forward has never been my cup of tea. It could have been how the sun was hidden behind the clouds that week or maybe the fact that the Pokes were overlooked for a tournament slot, but whether it was stormy days or March Madness woes, my desire to do anything was slowly coming to a complete halt.
Up until then I was rolling right along with my monthly goals and staying pretty consistent with my progress. Although I anguished over how I was going to keep track of consuming 8 glasses of water a day, in the end, it was fairly easy. Yet as the Ides of March begin to approach, all of a sudden, my daily steps decreased, water consumption dried up, and it would take me all day to text my kids. What happen to my 69-day run? Why did I hit the wall? Madness had really taken over my March.
By the following Saturday, the white flag was waved and I surrendered to the mood. A morning lounging around in my pjs might be the ticket to get back on track. The inner debate, in my head, of when to start the day began around mid-morning. As the clock ticked away, 10am, just thirty more minutes, 11am ok after this episode of The Office, noon just one Doris Day movie, the cycle was in full swing. Needless to say, I had to do something to jump start myself. Because, let’s face it the only thing worse than being in funk, is the anxiety you cause yourself with the thoughts of all the things you think you should be doing, while doing nothing.
Since the beginning of the year, focusing on walking, drinking water or just about anything healthy, was a true motivator. Not only did it physically make me feel better, but mentally it did wonders for my soul. How funny that a few days of falling off the wagon, would cause the snow ball effect the lack of accomplishment had on my motivation. To jump start my enthusiasm, I needed a serious bolt. Test driving a local exercise club might be a step in the right direction. Allowing zero time to change my mind, I booked a trial for the next morning at 9:30am. This proud moment deserved a reward, bring on the second movie and a bag of popcorn.
Sunday morning came and I pushed the go button. Although, I have zero coordination, I completed class and left with the commitment to return another day. (Wednesday will be my fifth visit). Yet it wasn’t enough, back at home I had to take action quick or risk going back down the rabbit hole.
Time for the basics. When the kids were young we did “5 things” to tackle tasks. Just put five dishes away from the dishwasher or just pick up five things in your room. Slowly but surely progress is made, like rolling snake eyes in Monopoly and working your way around the board. Once, I hit the magic pass go collect $200 of my game, I was in the mood to step up the pace. So, I graduated up to an all-time favorite around my house Twenty Minute Sundays (see blog post March 27,2016 for complete instructions).
As the sun rose on Monday morning, the clouds had parted, the Sooners had lost, and time didn’t really matter. That week I walked over 70,000 steps, drank enough water for a camel, and spent the week physically telling my kids how much I loved them.
Captain’s Log, Stardate March 31, 2018. The storm has cleared. Ironically, April’s pledge is to confront one uncomfortable task or obstacle a day. which is fitting as March ended with me tackling each day as it was hurdle. But as the month came to an end and I marveled at the Blue Moon, I couldn’t be happier to welcome the first of April. How foolish am I?
a little bit about a lot of things 
Keep going, you can do it!