Author: Gordon

I can’t quite believe it’s September but it is, so it’s time to take stock of how my two ‘challenges’ went in August.

I’ll start with the least successful.

21 days into Minimalism

Suffice to say if I’d read ahead I probably wouldn’t have chosen this particular challenge. Day 4 asks you to pack up your entire home as if you are moving… yeah, safe to say I wasn’t THAT invested in the challenge.

However I stuck to the principle and managed to declutter a few different locations so I’m happy enough with that.

I’m also more than happy to admit that I failed at this challenge which, in itself, is also a small achievement. Go me! pats self on back

Apple Watch Activity Ring Challenge

Simple enough concept, complete all three rings, every day in the month of August.

SUCCESS!

This was a nice reminder in how much it means to me to be outside, if only for a short walk. Some days I’d complete all three rings easily, others I had to push myself to get out for a walk. Oddly the ‘Stand’ ring was the toughest, purely because if I had a lazy morning I had to be more disciplined during the rest of the day. However given that I’m not working I’m confident that’ll change when I get a new job.

Walking every day has also helped my mental health, there have been a few flat days in the last month and on those days I did need some cajoling to get out the door but I always felt better for it after the fact.

So lessons learned, one challenge complete and no surprise that it was the one that included a level of gamification.

What’s Next?

FECK ALL!

September will be a challenge free month, but there is no doubt that having something to focus on has helped me get through my first full month without a job. Hopefully this time next month I’ll at least have had a couple of interviews. So, aside from continuing the job hunt and a wee jaunt to Singapore, I’ll need to make sure I keep myself occupied.

That reminds me, I’ve fallen behind in my Goodreads reading challenge, should really catch up…

19 days through the month and so far so good! I’ve managed to complete all three rings every day, which has included a wedding in Coventry last weekend. I’m enjoying the walks, some longer than others, and my clothes feel a little bit looser (the scales will confirm at the end of the month).

However there are downsides, most notably my ITB which has flared up. Ibuprofen gel keeps it at bay thankfully, and I’m using the PURE EVIL that is my foam roller to stretch it out. I’m also noticing that some days it’s a real struggle, and no matter where I walk my legs complain, whereas some other days I can walk about all day. I’ve not yet figured out why that is.

Overall I’m happy that I’ve managed to stick to this, I’m aware that around this point is where I start to make excuses and give up, with the ever present promise of ‘tomorrow’ easily offered as justification to myself.

Given recent events, I’ve had a few weeks of free time/garden leave and if I’m being honest with myself, I’ve probably not done everything I could with them.

Of course I’ve had some things to think about, finding a new job being a not inconsiderable part of that, but on a personal level I’m trying to use my recent redundancy as a reason to do something positive. Change is good, so it’s time to embrace it!

Less is more

I’ve read their blog and cherry picked some bits and bobs from it in the past but today I’m starting their 21 days into Minimalism plan.

I’m interested to see how far through this I’ll get but, as I’ve mentioned in the past, I’m still on a minimising, decluttering kick. I am determined to have fewer things so this is a good chance to fast forward this train of thought.

I’ve been thinking a lot about this stuff recently, one recent thought was to ask why I have books on bookshelves that I’ve not read. I like reading, but I now do most of mine on a Kindle (or iPad for articles). Is having unread books actually adding a tiny bit of stress to my life? Is the answer to plan to read them, or admit that I’ve passed over many of them when I had the choice so they’re better off being given to a charity shop?

Anyway, I’m interested to see where this 21 day plan will take me, or even if I’ll make it past day 5!

Starting this one today.

Apple Watch Activity Ring Challenge

Simple enough. For this month I will complete all three circles every day.

I’ll admit that I’m a sucker for gamification and the Apple Watch activity rings play right into my sweet spot.

The main challenge will be to hit 30 mins of exercise every day (Activity and Standing I already manage most days) as I’ve realised, having spent a few days doing literally nothing, that I feel better for it. Oddly if I spend too much time sitting down I feel sore, but if I manage to get out for a walk or a cycle I feel much better. Who knew! (I know, I know, EVERYBODY knows… whatever…).

The Activity Rings track the following:

• Red = Activity – basically tracks estimated calories burned through your day. At the moment I’m hitting it easily so will up this one a bit by the end of the month.
• Green = Exercise – 30 mins where your heart rate is elevated, doesn’t have to be continuously.
• Blue = Standing – for 1 min of every hour, get up and move about. The target is 12, so easily achievable as long as I don’t lie-in every day!

Here are my circles from July. Not great (spot the days I barely moved from the sofa).

I tend to thrive when I have goals, so this plays right into that sweet spot for me. And I’m telling you all to try and keep myself accountable.

At least, 30 mins exercise everyday, shouldn’t be that hard. Right?

Three
That’s the magic number
Yes it is
It’s the magic number

Todays earworm is brought to you by De La Soul – The Magic Number.

News comes in threes, or so we are told, and they are usually all grouped together. Two not so good things have happened? Ohh look out because ‘bad news comes in threes!’, two good things have happened, ‘ohhhh I wonder what the third thing will be, this is a great week!’.

Well I’d like to buck that trend and give you three recent events that have happened. You can decide which is good and which is bad.

1. I got made redundant

It all started a few weeks ago.

I had been on holiday for two weeks, attended Glastonbury one week, a stag do in Newcastle the next, and went in to the office on the Monday to formally sit down with my new boss (over from the USA) to plan out my work. There was an HR meeting scheduled at 12.30 that day, which I presumed was to finalise my job description and title.

It was, of course, the meeting to inform me that I was a candidate for redundancy.

Ugh.

I’ve been made redundant twice before, but this time felt worse (even though, mental health wise, I handled it a lot better!). It was more of a shock considering that I was in the midst of moving to a new role but c’est la vie. I know why it happened, the company have been very supportive and helpful throughout the consultation process so I’m happy to move forward and see what the future holds.

2. I’m gonna be an Uncle

In the midst of all the above upheaval my sister gave me the amazingly wonderful news that she was pregnant (due in January).

Tears of happiness filled my eyes immediately and I choked back the lump in my throat to congratulate her and her partner.

I cannot imagine just how much that kid is gonna be loved and spoiled, and I’m already trying to figure out how to get ultimate ‘cool Uncle G’ points!

3. OK, I don’t have three things

But I guess when I get a new job that’ll be number three…

Onwards and upwards!

I was all prepared, the uniform was laid out ready for the 6am start, I had read through the guidelines in the pack we were given and was mostly pottering about my flat until the opening ceremony started.

The Commonwealth Games came to Glasgow last year, and I look back on my involvement with pride, happiness and a nice sense of nostalgic glee. It was a whirlwind week the memories of which will remain with me for a long long time.

I still wear the jacket we were given and occasionally get a knowing smile as I pass someone in the street.

This past week the World Swimming championships returned to Glasgow to the venue I attended, alas I wasn’t selected as a volunteer this time but here and there I see requests for help for various events and find myself pondering them (most recently this one).

It was a great time to be in Glasgow, the city was buzzing with so many tourists and supporting events, and it will live long in my memory.