February is in the books and I’m not sorry to say good-bye to the shortest month of the year that often feels the longest. My February 2023 roundup has a progress report on my monthly goals, along with three posts from some awesome bloggers.
Read on for posts on the passage of time, ChatGPT, and writer’s envy.
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Cool things I read in February
Since publishing my first monthly roundup at the end of 2020, it has been an honour to introduce you to some of my favourite bloggers. I started the roundup to say thank you to the blogging community and bring attention to talented writers who create funny, inspiring, and informative content.
February was a busy month and I didn’t have much time to dedicate to blog reading. I did, however, choose three posts to share with you.
Musings on time – The Heart of the Matter
Here’s a new face in the monthly roundup. In this thoughtful post, Deb ponders what life would be like if we didn’t have the concept of time. Well worth the read!
Here are a few radical thoughts: What if we just stopped living our lives under the enveloping cloud of time? How about removing that ticking clock churning out the seconds and minutes and hours?
Deb, The Heart of The Matter, Musings on time
Are you afraid of ChatGPT or AI in the blogging world? – Hugh’s Views and News
ChatGPT and other AI writing tools are getting a lot of attention lately. In his usual thoughtful and thorough style, Hugh takes a look at what this means for the blogging world.
Providing the information is engaging, edited, checked for mistakes and accurate, I see no reason why reading bloggers’ blog posts created with the help of ChatGPT or the AI blocks to produce blog content should matter.
Hugh’s Views and News, Are you afraid of ChatGPT or AI in the blogging world?
Writer’s Envy – Pete Springer
In this wonderful post, Pete reflects on envy and how we often act when we hear good news from others. Plus, he shares several book suggestions to add to your reading list.
If the first emotion we feel is something other than happiness for someone’s achievements, then we should be taking a hard look at ourselves.
Pete Springer, Writer’s Envy
What I wrote in February
In case you missed any of these, here are the new posts I published in February here on Boomer Eco Crusader.
- The Sunday Spark – Turning off notifications to be more present
- How to use less energy at home
- The Sunday Spark – Dreaming of summer vacation
- The Sunday Spark – Would you slow down time if you could?
- 5 helpful tips for building a capsule wardrobe (Guest post from Mind Beauty Simplicity)
- The Sunday Spark – How do you capture your memories?
- Best homemade soup recipes to warm up winter
In addition to my new posts, I refreshed and republished this older post:
February goals – How did I do?
After a fabulous start to the new year on the goals front, progress slowed in February. I’ll blame it on the February blahs and an extra busy month at work. Here’s how I did on my six goals for the month.
Workout goals
In addition to working out 150 minutes a week, I decided to do a plank challenge in February, and I also set a goal of 15 outdoor walks.
I exceeded my 150 minute goal three out of the four weeks of the month. Although I fell short in the last week, I averaged 182 minutes a week for the month.
As for the plank challenge, I started the month at 25 seconds with a goal of reaching 60 seconds by the end of the month. I made it to 50 seconds, doubling my endurance during the month.
The cold weather got in the way of my outdoor walks. I managed 9, well short of my goal of 15.
Read 2 books
I’m enjoying getting into the habit of reading again. I exceeded this goal, reading the following books:
- Break the Twitch by Anthony Ongaro
- A Slow Fire Burning by Paula Hawkins
- Atomic Habits by James Clear
Plus, I’m well on my way to finishing another but couldn’t quite get it done by the end of the month.
Limit alcohol to special occasions
With one exception, I’ve only been drinking when I go out. I caved on February 13 and opened a bottle of wine at home after a crummy day at work.
Daily journalling and reflection
I’ve been doing okay with this, taking a few minutes to start my day with reflection and recording highlights in my journal. I managed 20 days out of 28.
Declutter 3 areas of my home
Decluttering was a definite casualty of my busy schedule in February, but I managed to declutter several items from under the bathroom sink.
Limit candy to once a day
Candy is a real weakness for me so I knew this one would be tough—especially around Valentine’s Day. Even so, I limited my sweet treats on 15 out of 28 days in February. Not great but, to be honest, better than I expected.
My March goals
All-in-all, February wasn’t a bad month. Here are my goals for March.
- Fitness: Maintain my pace, working out 150 minutes a week. Increase my planks to 75 seconds, and get outdoors for a walk 15 days.
- Cut the candy: I’ve decided to give up candy and chocolate for Lent, so I’ll be eating it only on Sundays.
- Reading: Read 3 books.
- Mental health: Make journalling and reflection part of my morning routine.
- Decluttering: Get back on track by decluttering 3 areas of my home.
- Music: I’m learning some new music for my band so my goal is to sing every day.
Thanks for dropping by to check out my monthly roundup.
I’d love to hear your thoughts on any of the posts I’ve shared. Tell me what you think below.
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I’m currently working on my chocolate and sweet intake as well. Over the last year or two my chocolate and sweets consumption has got out of hand, mainly as a result of needing to spend the minimum to pay by card. I’ve now taken to carrying a set amount of cash as my chocolate and sweets fund so I don’t spend as much. Now I can just buy the one bar at a time rather than several. Hopefully, it’ll work out as planned
That’s a good plan. Unfortunately my husband likes to go out after holidays and stock up on half price candy and chocolate. He’s very disciplined and can only eat a little but. Not me! I tell him to hide it from me but, our house isn’t that big and there are only so many hiding places. LOL
A plank challenge sounds amazing; I don’t think I could do one for even ten seconds, haha! I love the highlighting of favourite posts from other bloggers — I’m going to read some of those!
Thanks Molly!
Yes, planks are definitely a lot harder than they look. I’ve had to pause on my challenge because it was aggravating the arthritis in my shoulder. I’ll have to look for another type of challenge to do. LOL
Happy reading! Let me know what you think of the posts I’ve shared.
I really respect how you track your goals like this. I don’t think I’ve ever really done it–at least not successfully haha. Even on the areas where you didn’t hit the goals, I think you did great at working towards them! 🙂
Thank you! Yes, I don’t beat myself up over not meeting some goals. Life gets in the way sometimes and we have to be flexible.
Aw yis. You’re killing it there with the workout goals. Great on you for maintaining that. No matter who you are, I believe that getting yourself to work out can be one of the toughest things to do, especially when it’s voluntary. Good luck on three books a week too! I can barely handle one, lol. Gotta up my reading.
The thing with working out for me is I have to make it a habit. When I get out of the routine, it is so hard to get back into it. One of the mottos I picked up from James Clear’s “Atomic Habits” is “Never miss twice.” That’s what I’ve been trying to do this year and so far it’s working.
Thanks for dropping by Stuart!
Good luck with your March goals! Journaling daily is a great goal.
Thank you. Yes, I find journalling is a great way to start the day!
I love that this post relating to goals and habits includes that you read Atomic Habits. Talk about doing a great job supporting your best efforts! Nice, Michelle!
Thanks Wynne! I enjoyed Atomic Habits. There was nothing life-changing about it but it included just enough nuggets of wisdom to make it a worthwhile read.
First off, way to go with your February accomplishments. You sound a lot like me, focusing on your fitness and enjoying walks while attempting to avoid sweets (particularly candy.) I’m also big into goals, though I don’t always write them out the way you have.
I also appreciate knowing my words connected with you. Envy is a tricky concept. I don’t necessarily see it as a problem as we’re often inspired by what others are doing. When it slips into jealousy or wishing ill will toward others, then we’ve gone down the wrong rabbit hole.
Thanks Pete! I used to set yearly goals but I switched to smaller, monthly goals this year and I find it’s working well.
I always enjoy reading your posts but that one really resonated with me. When I first started blogging, I was amazed—and maybe a little bit jealous—by the stats I saw others sharing. Over time, I kept reminding myself that I didn’t start my little blog to be a money maker or full-time job. It’s a hobby, and if my writing makes a difference to a handful of people, it’s worthwile.
I share a similar perspective. I just got back from reading to the seniors at assisted living. It’s a small group, usually around 4-6 people. Two of them regularly fall asleep while I’m reading, yet I feel good every time I leave. Connecting with only a few people doesn’t make the activity any less worthwhile
Sorry Michelle, I posted my last comment before putting this in! Your comment about cutting out candy struck me. I had my annual medical check last September- I always do it around my birthday. Some of my cholesterol numbers were higher than normal and so I cut sugars (all added sugars) out of my diet. While I have no idea where the lab numbers are until the fall I have lost about 10 lbs (a great surprise) in these last 6 months! I wasn’t trying to do that, and combined with being really diligent about walking every day, I’ve reinforced for myself that sugar does really horrid things to my body! I wasn’t unhappy with my weight, it had stayed balanced for years, but healthwise my daily sweet treat was having a bigger impact than I realized. I wish you luck with your own goals through this month 🙂
Candy truly is my evil nemesis, Deb! In January, I gave up alcohol for Dry January and that was so easy compared to cutting back on candy and chocolate. I have tried so many times to do it in the past with limited success. So far, it’s going okay but…oh the temptation! LOL
It is the hardest thing in the world! Sugar is so addicting so I give myself permission for some small treat once every few months, then I regret it because my body instantly wants it all the time! Keep working at Michelle! Even cutting down on the amount makes a difference 🙂
Michelle, I cannot thank you enough for the lovely highlight of my HoTM post!! 🙂 Apparently we not only had an issue with that one odd spam comment but no one realized that you had also given me a lovely and kind mention (link) here as well! What an honor as I believe that may have been my 3rd post ever on the new blog! I think we finally have all the new blog glitches figured out over at The Heart of the Matter…maybe!
So glad you found us and it has/is a pleasure to read your blog and interact. You’ve given me a lot to think about when it comes to living sustainably as well- things I am incorporating into my own needed changes when I look at my personal impact on our earth!
Deb
Hi Deb, You’re very welcome. Your post really gave me a lot to think about. I’m enjoying reading your writing and love sharing favourite, thought-provoking posts with my readers in my monthly roundup. It’s my way of spreading the positivity from the blogging community which I find to be a welcoming and friendly place compared to other online forums.
I’m glad you’re enjoying my blog too! Thanks for your kind words.