It's a Monday

It's a snowy, cold January Monday.

I need to remember the promise of spring. My plants remind me. 

When I'm training a dog, I have to use wisdom to decide when to push through with training, and when to take a break. So, why do I force myself to push through and become frustrated to the point of giving up when I try to train myself.

Today I'm going to use wisdom to keep going on my lifestyle changes, but not add any more goals. 

Big Picture and Details

I like to see the big picture.

I also like to know the details.

So when I'm training dogs, I like to know where we are going to end up eventually, but I also love breaking down the process and figuring out the details.

When I'm designing or painting sets for a drama production or making costumes, I like to know how it's all going to look together, but I also love learning how to achieve the big picture by figuring out the detailed steps.

So, if the big picture of my Healthy Living journey means that I'm going to end up healthy, what do I need to figure out in the details? Putting together the look of a musical requires knowledge in different areas, such as building, painting, sewing, design, color theory, etc. Putting together a training routine for a dog also requires knowledge in several areas, such as training methods, socialization, stress-reduction, nutrition, motivation, communication, etc. What areas are involved in a Healthy Life journey? Movement, mindfulness, motivation, and moderation.

So I'm going to categorize the random changes I've made so far.

• Movement
• 5 active hours per day
• Mindfulness
• Journaling
• Think about why I eat something before I eat it
• Motivation
• Breathing
• Humming
• Light Box
• Taking Vitamin D
• Moderation
• Going to bed by 11:00

It looks like it's time to add another Movement goal, so I'm going to take 5000 steps per day. 

developing healthy habits

I'm finding that the easiest way for me to make tiny lifestyle changes is to add habits to the ones I've already established.

I already have the habit of having my morning coffee in my recliner. Keiko added herself to my routine--she knows I need puppy snuggles (and now that she's shedding, Shiba Inu hairs in my coffee).

I added my light box to my routine by setting it up in my spot. It's also where I keep my journal, so that reminds me to write.

Today's healthy lifestyle change is taking vitamin D every day, and I'm going to take it with my coffee so I remember to do it. 

My chair faces my garden, so I can remember all the tulip and daffodil bulbs I planted this fall, and I can look forward to seeing sunshine and flowers in the spring.

And here is a picture of Keiko on my lap, with my new fuzzy blanket from my daughter. Keiko doesn't mind the light box. Do dogs need sunshine too?