“Our shortcomings are the eyes with which we see the ideal.”
- Friedrich Nietzsche
So after essentially flagellating myself about my shortcomings last week, I've been spending time this week thinking about what my ideal lifestyle would look like and whether or not it's achievable with the resources I have. Since I'm a visual person, it helps if I write things down, and thanks to my OCD tendencies, I turned my initial list into a tidy outline. To keep it from being too tidy, I resisted the impulse to rearrange them in order of importance.
- Friedrich Nietzsche
So after essentially flagellating myself about my shortcomings last week, I've been spending time this week thinking about what my ideal lifestyle would look like and whether or not it's achievable with the resources I have. Since I'm a visual person, it helps if I write things down, and thanks to my OCD tendencies, I turned my initial list into a tidy outline. To keep it from being too tidy, I resisted the impulse to rearrange them in order of importance.
Quality
time with Peter and Emmy
Daily check-in; listen with attention, respond sympathetically, express affection
Weekend family time – outings vs.
TV/movies
Vacation/travel once or twice a year
Daily
devotional/meditation time
Apply “Paradigm of the Blessed
Increment” (thanks, Candace!)
Clean,
well-organized and attractive house
Laundry up-to-date
Kitchen kept clean
Mopping/vacuuming/dusting once a week
Sweeping sidewalks, throwing away trash outside
Clean/organize master & spare bedrooms, laundry room, refrigerators & pantry
Clean out and organize closets
Deep cleaning once or twice a year –
windows, etc.
Plant flowers around house, pots on
porch, maintain
Regular
exercise:
At least 30 minutes 3x/week, preferably 15-30 minutes daily
Cardio and resistance/weight training
Yoga
Walking breaks at work – indoors in bad weather
Proper
diet:
Less fat, fewer carbs – more whole
grains, fresh veggies and fruit
Small portions
Eating slowly (savoring each bite)
Drinking enough water
Financial
planning:
On time bill payments
Budgeting
Debt reduction
Savings – new furniture/slipcovers,
fix piano, Christmas & b-day gifts, emergencies
Regular maintenance on vehicles,
appliances
Efficiency
at work:
More time spent organizing/filing
Better task management
On time arrival/departure
Growth
for Emmy:
Dance lessons
Piano lessons
Time for creative projects – arts and
crafts
Regular play dates/sleepovers with
friends
Growth for me:
Time for creative hobbies – jewelry-making, knitting, learning to paint, etc.
Singing opportunities, regular practice
time to stay in shape
Adoption/foster parenting?
Complete degree/upward mobility for
career
I feel like all this should be achievable given enough motivation and good time
management - but I'm interested in your opinion, particularly if you're a
working mom (but please weigh in even if you're not). Do you feel this list is do-able? And if not, why not? Thanks in advance for your input!
