If this is Spring Fools, then call me a fool, because I’m so happy right now…
The sunshine feels like it’s completely changed me. In ways I didn’t notice I needed. Just being able to step outside in something other than a puffer coat has been amazing this week. I’ve been able to spend a bit more time up the allotment (although, digging the soil in the sunshine has given an insight into why it needs doing before the heat of full Summer!), and out in the garden. I’ve planted what feels like hundreds of seeds in my greenhouse. And my chilli plants have gone crazy.
I’ve also hit the midway point of my maternity leave, so there’s been that on the other hand. It feels like my routine has changed about fifty times, and any ideas I had of what maternity leave would look like did not come true. It’s true when people say it’s the most stressful and enjoyable time. There’s so much going on all the time, and Joaquin changes every day. Teething has hit us quite hard, so we’re powering through that everyday – and every 4am when the Calpol seems to wear off.
So, besides the sunny days, I’ve had a think about what things have been bringing me the most joy lately. My hope is to then focus on those things for the next six months. What things have been bringing you joy this month?
My library card
I used to buy a new book every time I finished one. But with maternity pay this was sadly one of the things that had to go. It also meant losing my target of reading twelve books this year. Which I’d also absolutely flunked last year. But seeing that our local library hosts Rhyme Time on a Monday gave me a reason to head to there, and while there I realised just how many books they have. Not just out of date books, and it takes a year to get new releases. We’re really lucky where we are, that in our county all the libraries are the same, so they’ll send books to each other if you want them.
Absolutely not an advert of the local libraries, but if you are a reader who’s stuck then I can’t recommend it enough. I’ve already read six books of my twelve books target this month. I share these on GoodReads, and always look for similar recommendations.
My nightly routine
After we had Joaquin, my nightly routine simplified a lot, as I’d expected it to. But it wasn’t until a couple of months ago that I realised how much I’d needed to find a new one. I slipped into a new normal of just blagging it every night and hoping for the best. I was also spending at least an hour before sleep on my phone, which I wasn’t happy about at all. But, I managed, almost by accident, to find one that worked for me.
My skincare routine is now down to two products a night. The first is soap or a face wash of some sort, followed by one of my other go to products. I usually choose at random, based on what I’ve used the night before. But it means it can be done in under five minutes. Then, I make a hot water bottle if it’s a chilly night, fill up my water bottle, and read in bed until I go to sleep. The reading, again, has changed my bedtime routine completely. I find it sends me into full tiredness, and sends me to sleep feeling good that I haven’t had so much screen time.
The Finch app
This is a game changer. I found this app in January, when I was bedbound with illness. I don’t know how I found it, but it’s amazing if you need help with motivation. I like to run with to-do lists. I used to write a to-do list every night on my notes for the next day – another thing that I dropped when I changed up my bedtime routine. But this app means you can add your tasks to it, and your little ‘birb’ gets rewards for it. It’s got lots of helpful activities to refresh your mind. Something that’s definitely helped me during maternity leave.
Allotment Life
You may have seen my last post – I’ve got a new allotment. And allotment life has been so therapeutic so far. The plot we were given was pretty good, but just overun with raspberries. So it hasn’t been a lot of structural work so far, but a lot of digging up the ground, getting the weeds and grass gone, and generally getting ready for March planting. I head up there for a couple of hours at a time, dig away, and soak up the fresh air. It’s amazing for the soul.
My Fitbit encouraging me to get out and about again
I have an on-off relationship with my Fitbit. I go through stages of wearing it. But right now, it’s really helping me. My fitness regime only consists of walks at the moment, usually pushing a napping baby with me. But keeping an eye on the step counter all day is making me want to get out more. Yesterday I went for my ‘necessary’ walk to the shops for dinner supplies, then another evening walk to try and reach my 10,000 steps. And it was lovely getting the evening sun.
