August Goals



Before we delve into this month's round of goals, let's check back with my July goals, shall we?

one. Get to grips with my new diet. Tick. I've now been gluten- and dairy-free for over a month and I'm so grateful for the way it's changed my health. My acid reflux and IBS issues are still present but they're not as extreme or urgent as they were before I cut these things from my diet. Now that I've been without them for so long I really don't crave things like cheese, chocolate or bread at all. Now I'm more likely to crave things like carrots, sweet potato fries or stir-fried brown rice which I find quite funny. I still haven't quite mastered eating out and there's still a huge amount of anxiety surrounding every meal I eat but it's getting easier.

two. Exercise often. Tick. I thought I was going to fail this one but when I think about it, I have been exercising regularly. I've been going on quick little bicycle rides or dog walks around my local area (by myself!) whenever I've felt up to it and I also took my bike to my stable yard and cycled behind my family whilst they walked with two of our horses, Jackson and Nero. I haven't participated in any intentional exercise (such as a zumba session) but it has been happening.

three & four. Go easy on myself and make peace with my body. Tick. Tick. I was extra-encouraging and gentle with myself during July and I finally feel like I'm beginning to heal. I don't feel so fragile and bruised anymore. I still have wobbly moments but they're not as often and don't last as long. I still have a long way to go but things are going well!

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Talk about books. I want to make a conscious effort this month to talk about every single book I read in some form, whether that's by posting what I'm currently reading on Instagram or by typing up a book review. I'm not sure when or why I stopped documenting my reading habits but it's something I really want to get back into.

Make an effort. Whenever I'm having a particularly bad mental health day, I can just sit on the sofa and stare at the wall for hours on end. This month I want to make more of an effort with doing things, even if I really can't summon the motivation. If I'm feeling too anxious to leave the house, I want to play board games or read or at least watch TV instead of just sitting blankly. I'd also love to put more of an effort into my meals, as I've been eating a lot of the same foods in the same ways recently and it would be nice to switch it up a bit.

Keep challenging my anxiety. I've been doing pretty well with my anxiety lately and I'd like to continue battling it at the rate I'm going currently. I don't feel like I need to 'step it up' in any way, I'd just like to keep steadily progressing as and when I feel able. I know that my next Big Challenge is going to be getting the bus and if I'm able to do that this month then great, but if not then there's always September. I'm trying not to be too pushy, but I also don't want to let myself slack off.

Set a weekly want-to-do list. I mentioned in this post that I find to do lists intimidating and pressuring, but I do find them more motivational and happy if I consider them 'want to do' lists instead. It's a lot easier for me to look at a list of things that I want to do instead of a list of things I need to do. Even if both lists contain the same things, I think it's more about the power and encouragement in knowing I actually want to do these things.

Other than these four things, I do want to continue with my July goals as I feel like they're such good aims that I'd benefit from working on them a little while longer. What do you want to achieve this month?

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