Tldr – November was my birthday month and perhaps that disrupted my well-worn routines. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Having time off is essential, but missing even a few days of a habit increases the activation energy required for continuation. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Not a terrible month, but not a great one either.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Meditation<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps the most significant area to suffer this month was with meditation, as I only completed 15 sessions. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I struggled to reinitiate the routine after my birthday weekend and the psychological effects were noticeable, with increased background overthinking. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Scheduling a set Zazen time remains elusive. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m not waking early enough to complete article writing and exercise, which pushes mindfulness sessions later in the day, where they seemingly fall through the cracks.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Writing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<\/figure>\n\n\n\n
My daily morning writing ritual continues and I’m pleased to report that it’s been a constant. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Even if I only manage a few paragraphs, it’s vital to regularly grease this wheel of behaviour change. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
This has resulted in 17 articles on the blog, as I don’t always manage to complete a full post in one sitting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m still not checking my analytics to view changes in readership as, from previous experience, I feel like it would manifest in a results-based mindset and detract from the work of putting the writing process on autopilot. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ve planned an analytics review at the 3-month mark, at the beginning of 2021.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
With the festive period fast approaching, physical health often suffers. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I suppose a minor mercy of COVID is that the reduction in socialising has increased my exercise levels. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ve continued with my running, and the good news is that my foot pain seems to be gradually improving. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I say this tentatively, as it’s still present in each session, but not as acute. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
My hypothesis is that I’ve ceased wearing the culpable footwear, but time will tell. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ve also tried to do more weights alongside cardiovascular exercise, including a short pre-run routine, which I then try to follow with high-yield stretches when I get home.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Work<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Work has been increasingly busy as we approach Christmas. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Primarily, I’m working at a startup attempting to reduce social isolation in older adult populations, mostly through online talks. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
It’s a wonderful endeavour to work on, especially at a time when all of us, especially those in later life, are feeling the pernicious effects of virus-induced loneliness. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’m also excited because, after months of hunching over an old writing desk, squinting at a laptop screen, I’ve finally invested in an ergonomic work setup. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
The external monitor has arrived, which is a joy on the old eyeballs. I’m still waiting on the new desk and chair so will report back when they arrive.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Reading<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Nomad<\/h3>\n\n\n\n
<\/figure><\/div>\n\n\n\n
My friend gifted me a copy of Nomad for my birthday after I devoured a similar book called Pilgrim.
It was a rip-roaring read, including spies, secret organisations and terrorist plots, set on an international stage.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Exile <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
I read the follow up to Nomad, and it was satisfactory, but nowhere near as good as the debut in the series. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
There are a few more books follow-ups, so will consider trying another.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
A Memory Called Empire <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
A sci-fi novel by Arkady Martine. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Was an interesting premise, but I did get slightly annoyed with the protagonist for some reason. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Touches on themes of empire expansionism, colonialism and race, weaving them deftly into an enjoyable storyline. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ll likely read the follow-up.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Station Eleven <\/h3>\n\n\n\n
Another sci-fi novel. Will report back next month.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Learning<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
This is a major life bucket I’m currently neglecting. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
After writing on this site, doing paid client work, exercising and meditating (plus some downtime thrown in for good measure!), I frequently find I lack the bandwidth for directed study. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I have a half competed Udemy programming course gathering digital dust, but obviously, that necessitates more screen time, which is ample as it is. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Perhaps an analogue activity would be preferable. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
I’ve been toying with the idea of woodwork for a while and even tried to register for a course before lockdown, so this could be an option.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
Summary<\/h2>\n\n\n\n
Ok, enough rambling from me. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Overall not a bad month, all things considered. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
While I’m frequently drawn to articles outlining the supposedly perfect routines of productivity gurus, I feel like a messy human in comparison, trying and often failing to make my life marginally better through positive habits. <\/p>\n\n\n\n
Hopefully, you’ll join me on that journey.<\/p>\n\n\n\n
November was my birthday month and perhaps that disrupted my well-worn routines.<\/p>\n
Not a terrible month, but not a great one either.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":4650,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[69],"tags":[],"yoast_head":"\n
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