Saturday, December 30, 2017

Pureleeawesome's Battlegrounds

This is a cross post from my NF account.

Yes I stole my title from the name of my favourite game currently, Playerunknown's Battlegrounds (I have 400+ hours in it and I still suck).

BUT WHAT IS LIFE, IF NOT A BATTLE?

Ahem.
Okay.
Enough of the dramatics.
Settle in because this will be a large post.

I sat down yesterday/earlier today and wrote out what I wanted to be doing in 2018 and onward. Here's the list:

  • Finish Cert IV in Programming
  • Follow Barefoot Investor plans
  • Follow No Shopping plans
  • Be outside more
  • Read more
  • Write regularly
  • Lift regularly
  • Do yoga/stretching
  • Provide constructive reviews
  • Move more
  • Be more present
  • Find my Tribe
  • Work on Epic Quest Items
  • Move forward with my career

From this list I've decided to work on the following goals for this challenge:

  • Finish Cert IV in Programming
  • Follow Barefoot Investor plans
  • Follow No Shopping plans
  • Lift regularly

Let's discuss, shall we?

FINISH CERT IV IN PROGRAMMING

Well, I'm not going to be able to complete this during the challenge. It's a long course that I'm finding isn't engaging me AT ALL. But I paid nearly $4k for it (I'm still paying that off) and I need to start working on it again. So the step in relation to this goal is:

1. Spend 5 minutes every day working on my Cert IV in Programming
Why just five minutes, I hear you ask? Well, it was something Bean Sidhe mentioned that really struck a chord with me. You see, my mind freaks out at the thought of having to find a large amount of time to do something. But five minutes? Five minutes is easy.
To ensure I complete it, I've stuck a sticky note on my monitor to remind me.

FOLLOW BAREFOOT INVESTOR PLANS

My sister lent me her copy of The Barefoot Investor and I've had a read through and think it will work really well for me. 
I've had to adjust the percentages that he recommends but my weekly budget should look like:
Daily Expenses - 70%
Smile (money for small pleasure items) - 7.5%
Splurge (money for larger pleasure items) - 7.5%
Fire Extinguisher (use this towards debts) - 15%

You're also meant to set aside $2,000 for your Mojo account (which is what you use in emergency situations like job loss, unforeseen medical expenses). I still need to find the money for this.
My steps for this goal is:

2. Change my bank account details with work to my new accounts
3. Stick to the percentages
4. Save Fire Extinguisher in my Splurge account for the five weeks then make an additional payment towards my student debt
5. Organise all items I'm putting up for sale - picture/catalogue as required (the money from this will go to my Mojo account

FOLLOW NO SHOPPING PLANS

This idea comes from Cait Flanders' blog where she spent two years without shopping (except for necessities and items on a pre-approved list). As someone who hoards things as badly as a dragon which just causes her stress and anxiety, this is something I'd like to do. However there are a few differences between Cait and myself. Namely, I'm a homeowner and she isn't. 
So now that I've told you I'm not buying things, here is everything I'll be buying in 2018+

The Essentials
  • Groceries
  • Gardening Supplies
  • Toiletries
  • Cleaning products
  • Gifts
  • Business expenses
  • Education endeavours
  • Travel/adventures
  • Items on my pre-approved shopping list

Pre-Approved Shopping List (it's a long one)
  • Dog door Installation
  • Computer chair
  • Aircon installation
  • Standing desk
  • Garden remodel
  • Dishwasher installation
  • Outdoor table & chairs
  • Shelf system to cover bathroom window
  • New Samsung dvd remote
  • Car service/parts replacement
  • Door makeover items - incl. handle
  • Bicycle & helmet

What I WONT Be Buying
  • Clothes (unless I lose weight and have nothing to wear)
  • Shoes & accessories
  • Books and magazines
  • Household items
  • Electronics & appliances
  • Takeout food
  • Desserts (I can however buy ingredients to make a dessert, just can't bring home pre-made ones)
  • Alcohol (unless in a social gathering)
  • DVDs & games

The exception is that if anything I own breaks, I can buy a replacement for it.
The step for this goal is pretty much:

6. Follow the No Shopping Plans

LIFT REGULARLY

Figured as this is a fitness forum I should probably have one active goal. I miss lifting. But it's getting me to lift that is the sticking point.
So, much like the study step:

7. Spend 5 minutes lifting every day



Okay, I'm gonna go have a lie down now. :P

Friday, December 29, 2017

Year In Review & The Year Ahead - 2017-2018

SCA (the final year)


What have you done that is new? I helped run an event and I quit the SCA.

What was the best moment? Going to Raglan. It was a gorgeous event and people were really lovely. Oh - and paragliding in Interlaken, Switzerland.

What was the worst moment? The drama of getting Midsummer sorted.

Have you held an office this year? Yes, I was Chronicler and have since passed on the role.

Have you run anything this year? Co-stewarded Midsummer.

Have you entered anything this year? No

What have you made this year? I mended some stuff for Raglan.

Who inspired me? This year was rather un-inspiring.

What new things would you like to do next year? Nothing, as I have quit the SCA.


Everyday


What single achievement are you most proud of? All the walking I did on my holiday. It was painful but I got through it.

What did you set out to accomplish this year that you didn't make happen? Again, taking better care of myself, especially food wise. I know now what I can mange, I just have to get back to it.

What new places did you go in 2017? So many! Paris, Interlaken, Milan, Copenhagen.

What new skills did you learn? I've been learning some scheduling related stuff at work. Outside of work I'm learning about coding and creating websites.

What was your favourite book? I've been terrible and not read much this year. Fiction we will go with the only one I remember reading which is Plain Truth by Jodi Picoult but it wasn't anywhere near her best book. Non-fiction would be Sarah Chrisman's books about living a Victorian life.

What was your favourite electronic game? Hands down Playerunknown's Battlegrounds. It holds the title of most hours played in my Steam library (roughly 400.)

What was your favourite non-electronic game? Again, haven't been playing a lot of non-electronic games but just recently I played Elevenses with my sister and it was awesome.

What was the best moment? Going to Tivoli in Copenhagen.

What was the worst moment? I think just the overall depression I've been feeling lately. It's been impacted by a few things happening.

If you had to describe 2017 in three words, what would they be? Last year was famous people dying. This year it's #metoo


Epic Quest


What goals did you complete? I stewarded an SCA event.

What goals did you make progress on? I donated to some more Kickstarters. Played a few more CAH games.

Were any goals removed/changed? I need to change around some of my Mental quests. I changed one to learning Danish but that's likely going to change again. I need to add in a new Physical goal.

What's your plan for next year? Like last years plans: Write more. Work on my fitness goals. Complete the code course. Have more fun.


2018


What do you want to see, discover, explore? I want to try being outside more this year.

Who do you want to spend more time with? My family. Good friends. Note to self: make good friendships.

What skills do you want to learn, improve or master? I'd like to focus on improving my writing (actually start writing) and my embroidery.

Which habits do you want to change, cultivate or get rid of? I want to become a more flexible being in that when obstacles appear I don't instantly burst into tears. I'd like to read books more and be more present in the moment.

What do you want to achieve career-wise? This is a tough one because I don't know where I am heading right now career wise. I thought I'd be more interested in my programming course but I'm not. I don't know if that's a product of the course or just my lack of interest in the subject though. I think, career-wise I'd like to figure out what it is I want to do and then go do that thing.

What is your number one goal for 2018? Stand up for myself more. (And actually write on this blog more.)