Well I do think April has been a lovely month, we’ve had some amazing sunshine up here and I chose that picture above as all my walks to collect Finley from nursery this month have included lots of butterflies!
I have had a mixed one when it comes to my goals though…
APRIL GOALS
- Run twice a week and start to build up training for my races this year – kind of success
- Get my Just Giving page set up – fail!
- Complete my push up challenge! – kind of success
- Declutter the flat even more – I need to sort out under our bed, my desk drawers and my bathroom – fail!
- Do a spring clean on the flat – fail!
- Do a few home improvements including new kitchen work benches and door handles – fail!
- Arrange dentist appointment and smear test – Success!
- Bake a proper cake – Success!
- Do a mini nutrition reset after Easter – with lots of green smoothies! – Success
- Keep up my self care – oil pulling, dry skin brushing, moisturising and sort out my nails! – kind of success
I did well with some goals and not so well with others. Different things came into play with running so I didn’t quite manage twice a week every week. I did ok with my push up challenge but missed a few days with being poorly. I have decided to give the monthly challenge a miss next month as I have lots going on which you’ll see in a moment! The flat is still not sold and in need of a major sort out, but while I’ve failed on those goals I have got a handy man coming out this morning to give us a quote on what we need sorting. I did enjoy baking a proper cake – my gluten free carrot cake with all the sugar and butter for Easter so that was a good goal met, and I did ‘clean up’ my diet post Easter in a nice gentle way. I’m doing really well on the self care front, but for some reason my nails keep getting missed out, something I need to sort!
Generally it’s been a really intense month. I’ve LOVED launching the Fabulous YOU course and I’ve had my best ever business month. Starting a regular metafit class has been wonderful but hard, and finding a new way to work out that fits in with my life prompted me to quit the gym which I’ve now done!
The little bout of illness I had last week has reminded me I need to slow down at times, something I’m including in my goals for next month.
I also got back into vlogging which has been awesome!
My favourite posts on the blog in April included:
- 7 DIY Natural Skin Care recipes – I am so proud of these recipe cards I created with Baldwins!
- Roasted Tomato and Quinoa Soup recipe
- Mango Sesame Green Smoothie recipe
- Easy upgrades for your health and wellbeing
- Happy Health Chat talks Detoxing
- How to be treat smart
- Vegan Mint Cacao Protein Balls recipe
- Finley at 8 months and some healthy first baby food recipes
May Goals
- Have a fantastic time in Brighton!
- Just Giving page set up
- Start half marathon training plan
- Declutter flat
- Get home improvements done
- Have at least 3 ‘chill’ hours a week
- Have a home retreat day
We have our annual May pilgrimage to Brighton coming up which will also be our first holiday with Finley and I can not wait! I am so excited to have a bit of a change of scenery. As well as getting my Just Giving page set up for my races, I will be starting a half marathon training plan this month which is scary and exciting at the same time. I have a lot of mixed thoughts on running which I’ll share soon. Repeat goals from last month include getting the flat in better shape. We have given ourselves until August before we have to start looking at other options such as renting it out etc.
I am also so so in need of more chill time. I know know how vital it is for me to be able to spend time just reading or relaxing in some other way, not catching up on emails after Finley has gone to bed! I am also really looking forward to a home retreat day. I have the day marked in my calendar for the end of the month and it’s just going to be heaven!
How was April for you? Do you have any goals for May?
A home retreat day sounds like a fantastic way of getting in some ‘me’ time and pampering, without all the added costs of going away. Enjoy Brighton – I haven’t been since I was very young and have been meaning to go back for quite some time now! Fingers crossed it’s lovely weather too.
It’s not the end of the world if your plans don’t go through – life happens sometimes, and that can prevent those goals from happening.
April’s been another mad whirlwind for me! Just lots and lots of work – just one week left pretty much and then I’m done with all University assignments! I cannot wait to say goodbye to my dissertation, haha. The beginning of May is going to be that one last push, plus I’ll be preparing for a big presentation at work. No doubt I’ll be joining you on de-cluttering my home, as I’ll be moving out of my horrible student house and into a nice new flat with my boyfriend soon. I think relaxing and doing more yoga and pilates is also on the agenda too – that’s severely lacked in April!
She’s So Lucy
I love the idea of a home retreat day. Good luck on the half marathon training. Having just run the London Marathon I’m looking forward to lots of yoga and pilates in May to give my body a bit of a break! x
Well done on your goals! Finger’s crossed that your half training goes well! I’m jealous of your Brighton trip, hope you guys have fun :-)
Well for me April was certainly better than March! April has been about finding my feet and my strength. I’ve found I’m stronger than I think and can find simple ways to be happy – sorry this all sounds rather morose doesn’t it? But honestly, April has been happy and full of friends and family (and importantly cake!) so I can’t complain!
Anna, I think you are fucking marvellous. Not morose at all, just showing what a strong person you are. And cake for the win!!!
Sounds like a bloody productive run to me!
April’s been pretty great round these parts, I’ve felt so much calmer and happier since coming back from skiing :)
May goals – figure out some sort of half marathon plan to fit in with CrossFit (help..), hand in my final essay, survive a 24 hour exam and crack on with my dissertation!
I love these round ups! you have totally inspired me to sit down tonight and do some life admin :-) Your trip to Brighton will be amazing – I love taking our little family on holidays! Its so special. May is going to be a big month for me – I will hopefully be starting my PhD research with my students and we have a family trip to Rarotonga at the end of the month to celebrate some birthdays – can’t wait! enjoy your break and well done with the business xx
I think you did a fantastic job with your goals this month with everything you have going on. You are a super busy lady keeping up with all your roles!! I think you need to give yourself some more credit :)
Great goals for this month coming. I am glad you have scheduled a self care day in and Brighton will be fantastic. I love Brighton, such a great place to explore :)
Yay for Brighton! One of my fave places too :)
I got a bit obsessed with the Bluebird Tea co- for gorgeous tea lattes or iced tea- perfect whatever the weather happens to be.
If you have not yet set up your just giving page, you might want to look into the virgin money giving page- I chose them last time because (from memory) 100% of the donations go directly to the charity, whereas just giving take a % to cover their costs.
April was all about the pre-marathon panic, and the post- marathon elation, May is going to be about a little trip on the bank holiday weekend, and then a holiday at the end of the month (and boring report writing in between, but we won’t think about that!!).
I think you did a fantastic job with your goals this month
What a lovely post, dear friend! :)
I’ve been trying to read more before bed and unplug also to unwind, I’ve been finding I’m sleeping a lot better. I light a candle and read for about 15-20 minutes (I can’t read for much longer, I get too sleepy!). Taking time to yourself is vital.
I know exactly what you mean about not taking time out Laura! Yesterday I had all evening with nothing to do (I had done my study for the weekend so was free!) but still felt like I should write some blog posts or do some eBaying – something ‘productive’ rather than just watching TV or reading a book! I’ve now started doing some restorative yoga for 10 minutes before bed and that then sorts me out – makes me rest! Good luck with your May goals (can’t BELIEVE it’s May!!). Lx