I feel like summer is practically half over since Stevie has already been out of school for month, but with the first offical day of summer upon us, I figured it’s as good a time as any for some new goals.  Spring honestly got away from me somehow (which doesn’t even surprise me anymore) but little efforts here and there helped me to reach a few of my goals.

S P R I N G

Continue to reduce waste // I’m really working on cutting out straws and incorporating reusable cups.  It takes a lot of discipline to break a habit I’ve had my whole life, but I’d say it’s going quite well! In the past 3 months, I’ve probably only used a disposable straw 5 times?  I am happy with the improvement.

Clean out my closet// I’ve done some decent work in this area, though I feel like it’s just been a constant work in progress.  Not because I’m buying all that much, but now I’m in such a sewing frenzy, my closet fills up quicker than I can empty it!  But that just means I get to sell more items over on instagram to try and keep that small, ethical wardrobe in check.

Organize the garage // Closet World came!  They garaged us!  It is really nice to put everything behind closed doors and open up the floor space.  We got rid of a good amount and nearly everything we own fits into the cabinets.  Paul took on a project of building a shed for the few extra things that didn’t quite have a place, and it turned out so great!

Clean out kitchen cabinets, the junk drawer, and the fabric stash // Well… I did work through some of my fabric stash, but didn’t quite get to the kitchen organization.

Film a tutorial on how to make a jumpsuit // I did film one tutorial but it wasn’t for a jumpsuit, it was for a caftan.  And I never edited the video, so it really doesn’t even count.  Derp.

Be better about helping Stevie with homework // I can happily report that this one has been going well.  We are working on very little things like writing one letter and writing out his name, but it’s almost daily.  And that makes me feel good.

Spoil my husband a little bit // Oh my poor husband!  For his birthday, I made us reservations to get pampered over at Burke Williams Spa… and of COURSE Stevie got sick.  So everything is on hold.

Be more mindful of phone use // I still go back and forth with this one.  Some days I’m excellent and I barely touch my phone.  And I feel so productive.  Then other days it takes up a lot of brain space.  Mostly when I feel overwhelmed or burnt out.  It’s an escape mechanism for me.  Still working on using it in a more mindful way.

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S U M M E R

My overall goals for this summer require a little more self care.  With everything going on in the news and the overwhelming sense that I’m never doing enough in so many areas of my life, I truly do get burned out.  I am privileged enough that I can just turn these things off or change my focus to something more enjoyable, and for that I am really grateful.

While historically, summers have never been all that fun for us with Stevie’s behavior issues, I have a little spark of hope and excitement that we will just make it work!  It might be my yearly delusional thoughts kicking in, but looking at pictures from 4th of July and the fair and the beach kinda made me excited.  We just need some fun in our lives.

Just Wear the Damn Bathing Suit // I struggle with this so hard every year.  The first time I remember being really embarrassed in a suit, I was 12.  TWELVE!  So it’s been twenty-seven years of being self-conscious and uncomfortable.  Listen, I work out and I eat pretty well.  But I get incredibly discouraged when it comes time to show off that summer bod.  I hate everything about it.  And I pick myself apart.  So I really will try and squash those negative thoughts. I’m just so freakin’ tired of caring this much! And realistically I know nobody else cares.  So I figure the more I just wear the suit, the more I’ll get used to the way I look and maybe it won’t be so awful.

Take Stevie on an Adventure // Paul is going backpacking for a few days this summer, so I’m using those days that he’s gone to do something he would definitely hate — a water park!  Haha.  Stevie and I go to Great Wolf Lodge while Paul is out of town and I’m hoping the kid loves it as much as I think he will. Of course I also want to make a few beach trips and pool visits and maybe a train ride up north — some of our usual mini adventures. I am open to anything!

Drink More Water //  Yes.  That.

Get Out of Town // I have the travel bug so hard right now so I’m working on a few little getaways.  I would leave every weekend if I could, but for now we’ll make due with 2-3 little trips (and one big one come September!)

Take More Photos + Video // My camera has been so neglected outside of work lately, but I want to try and remember to use it for personal stuff this summer too so I can make another one of these summer videos at the end of the season.

What’s something you look forward to this summer?

loves,
jaana