Report card

[vaneramos]

I feel better this morning. It helps that I got to bed on time last night, and the sun smiled gently, fleetingly at the window while I was eating breakfast here, then writing my morning pages.

The calendar needs some revision. Looking back at the list of priorities I wrote on Labour Day, here's what's working, and what's not:

1. Housecleaning: B+, I've made a lot of progress, but the office and living room still need work. It's amazing how two days of neglect make the kitchen look like I never touched it. Still need to concentrate on this.
2. The novel: B, working on it almost every day, just need to be more consistent.
3. Mirtazapine: A-, I've been taking it at 9:30 most nights, and my sleeping habits continue to improve.
4. Volunteering: A, my attitude remains good despite my shifts in mood; the Tuesday night shift at OOTS is still one of the highlights of my week.
5. Job search: D-, I've written my resume.
6. The gym: I've chosen to defer this to concentrate on #1.
7. Meditation and walking: C-, I've realized that writing morning pages is my meditation; what I need more is slack time. But walking will become essential for my mental health this fall, so I need to fit it in somehow.
8. Drawing: F, maybe I want too much, and setting unrealistic goals doesn't help. I might have to cut this one.
9. Country drives: A-, I've done two so far, but the second time I forgot the memory card at home.
10. Writers group: C-, I hadn't done anything about it until this morning, discussing the possibility of meeting regularly with machineplay to write. If that works out, it would fit the bill.
11. Balanced approach to LJ, correspondence and relationships: B, relatively good, although balance is difficult visualize, let alone grasp. The fact that I'm not stressing out about LJ is a good sign.
12. Reading before bed: B+, still missing it some nights, but much improved.
13. Self-care: Hard to assess, but I'll take a B for improvement.
14. Sending work for publication. This was not on the original list, but it's essential, just like the job search. I've been discussing with ghostsandrobots how she keeps her poetry organized for this purpose.

Things aren't as hopeless as I occasionally feel. It's helpful to review accomplishments so far. The most serious concern is the job search.

Danny will be on vacation next week and we're going away together. We plan to spend part of the week at the cottage, then head to Goderich to stay in a B&B, and visit with Mia and Corry. We haven't had a quiet vacation like this together before, and I'm much looking forward to it.

Sometimes between now and when I get home on October 2, I plan to revise my calendar to reflect shifting priorities and a few things I've learned from working with the first one.

Comments

[vaysha.livejournal.com]

that seems like a pretty good report Van.
:)

I am wondering if, time permitting, an evening drawing class might be the trick to get you more involved with that one? Just a thought.

I am looking forward to photos of your holiday at the cabin.

[artricia.livejournal.com]

I think getting a resume together is a big and important first step; C- at least.

I'm wondering how you see this schedule evolving long-term. It strikes me that drawing, for instance, might be something you want to do regularly, but not all the time -- maybe daily or weekly for a few months, then not. In the same vein, things seem to be shifting based on the seasons. Is that something your schedule can flex to accomodate?

I was talking about similar issues with another friend over LJ, who said that one thing he learned from being in the corporate world was to take 20 minutes at the beginning of each work week to work out his schedule and priorities. Maybe having a regular evaluative period, not just for how you've done, but what you want to do?

[winterknight.livejournal.com]

Making a list at all: F.

Oops.

I really like the idea of assessing how one's living up to one's stated priorities. I used to have a list, this reminds me (Again) that I need to make another. :)

Can you draw once a week and call that enough? I hate to see you give it up. Maybe just make sure you have your stuff available so that when you have some time, you can draw, even? Opportunity is important.

[rfmcdpei.livejournal.com]

I like this idea. Would you mind if I copied it?

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

That's not a bad idea. My Thursday evenings are still relatively free, and there are life drawing sessions available at that time. I will certainly consider it.

The memory card is back where it's supposed to be so, providing I don't forget the entire camera, I'll have photos from the cabin (and fall colour!) to share when I return.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

No doubt the calendar needs to be flexible. If I find a part-time job it will change drastically, although I still hope to maintain most of the essential features. A lifestyle without writing would be no more sustainable than one without an income (I'm sure you know what I mean). I imagine that if I finish writing this novel, I might be ready to devote several months to drawing instead. Until then, maybe one evening a week will do, as someone else suggested. The schedule is intended to evolve, absolutely. I'm not a creature of routine; I need variety and flexibility, but I also need structure. Establishing one has been the hardest part, but I feel closer than ever to one that works. Having an evaluative period on Monday mornings sounds like an excellent suggestion.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

As someone else suggested, I might try signing up for a drawing close one evening a week. A good idea. I always have my pencils available, but setting aside time has always been the issue. Another one is tidiness. I don't mind writing in a messy office, but I can't do art. Art involves creating temporary, fertile clutter and if there's other clutter filling the space, I simply won't. Maybe once I get caught up on the housecleaning (which will happen, I'm getting closer), drawing will be eaiser.

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

Not at all. Don't forget the calendar, though. The calendar is what creates the structure in which to accomplish these things. Without it, my report card would have been mostly Cs and Ds.

[ubermunkey.livejournal.com]

love peace and safe travels

that icon you posted in V's journal grabbed me and held my breath for a few lovely moments

namaste
love
connor

[vaneramos.livejournal.com]

It catches my breath to think of it. Peace of that quiet night to you.

Love,
Van