March was a disappointment for me as I wrote just one blog post, so I’ve been thinking why, what happened? And I’ve realised it comes down to one thing – habit interruption, specifically my keystone habit. What are keystone habits? The keystone is the centre stone in a bridge arch, and holds all the other arch stones in place, even with no mortar. The same thing can happen with habits, with one habit holding the others Continue Reading …
Didn’t get up till 3pm – journal extract 23rd November 1991
What is a nice lie in for you? For me, 8 o’clock would be lovely, and I know I’m a lucky parent that I get that occasionally at the weekend. What about when you were a child, what was a good lie in for you then? My memory was I enjoyed the mornings then, much more than I do now. In fact, I’ve often wished my energy habits would return to the childhood pattern so I’m Continue Reading …
Having photographs developed – darktea memories 1991
Do you remember taking photographs and having to wait for them to be developed? On this day 25 years ago I dropped a film of holiday photographs off at a local shop. I didn’t write down how long I had to wait before picking them up, but I suspect it was 24 hours (I think this was before 1 hour developing). It is hard to remember a time when you couldn’t see your picture straight Continue Reading …
How’s the darktea brewing? #3
Not exactly a great start to these monthly reviews by missing two months. I’m still working on getting used to working full time and with a longer commute and unfortunately it is my blogger time that has suffered the most. However, I hope I’m on the cusp of getting back to a more balanced routine. Improving my sleep My only resolution this year is to improve my sleep and last month I got to bed earlier than January Continue Reading …
How is the darktea brewing? #2
Seeing as we’re almost at the end of March it seems a bit late to be reviewing my progress in February. However, I don’t want to give up on these progress posts after just one month. I’ve been quiet this month here and on social media because I started a new job at the end of February which is very exciting after my role was made redundant in October last year, but I’m still getting used Continue Reading …
How is the darktea brewing? #1
This is my new monthly progress post, but as I did progress posts for two years up to 2009 I wanted to call this something different and came up with something a little cheesy. Unlike my previous posts these are going to focus on two areas I’m looking to improve this year, my sleep and reading self improvement books. Improving my sleep My one resolution this year is to improve my sleep as I believe it will Continue Reading …
My only new year resolution
I’ve written before about not being a big fan of making new year resolutions because I think it adds too much pressure and you are more likely to make successful changes if you set a resolution at a time that is best for you and not defined by the calendar. However, I admit I set a few goals last year such as writing at least four blog posts a month (which I achieved for all Continue Reading …
I am not getting to sleep – Words of wisdom 1989
Feeling tired in the morning, something that hasn’t changed in 25 years; but now as a parent of two young children I find it amusing that I thought I was tired then. I’ve written about my attempt to improve my sleep before, and since reading I can make you sleep by Paul McKenna I fall asleep much quicker. This year I’ve been working on getting to sleep earlier, although this is not as easy as Continue Reading …
Declutterday: keeping momentum
Decluttering doesn’t stop until you’ve done the whole house AND stopped bringing unwanted items into the house; otherwise the clutter spreads and returns into the areas you’ve already done so you have to start again. Following my success of decluttering my first room last week, I’ve moved on to room two. The master bedroom I think this room will be easier than most because we’ve been fairly strict about what we’ve brought in, although I Continue Reading …
Why do we ignore life essentials?
I have to admit that I’ve felt sluggish over the last few months and found it difficult to get going. I’ve looked at this from several different angles such as having the wrong tasks or working at the wrong times of day, but I’ve been missing the obvious; I’m lacking good quality sleep. Adequate sleep is crucial to proper brain function – no less so than air, water, and food …Any amount of sleep deprivation Continue Reading …