100 Days Until 2022

It seems like we just passed the first 100 days of the new administration but in reality it was 5 months ago already! How did that happen?! 2020 defintely seemed like a whirlwind, but 2021 has felt much the same in a lot of ways; it has passed by in the blink of an eye. Has this year kept you in a fearful or unmotivated mindset? You’re not alone. At times it has been hard to see a hopeful future with all the chaos and grief that we feel all around us.

As of today (9/23), we have exactly 100 days left until 2022, so what is one thing you want to change or one goal you want to achieve before the year ends? Let’s make the most of the rest of this year.

Small blocks of structure are helpful for me when I want to tackle my bigger goals of getting healthier and finding more work-life balance.

Here’s my plan – 10 blocks of 10 days and one specific focus for each block. Some actitivies I may end up continuing for more than 10 days depending on how they go. I’m going to keep a journal and take note of how each block affects me mentally and physically. These are all things I’ve considered doing at one time or another, but I know that trying to do them all at once would be a recipe for failure, thus the less daunting shorter blocks of time.

Block 1

No news or social media. I will turn off news alerts on my phone and will uninstall my social media apps during this time. I will focus on reading, praying and making more in person connections (or phone calls) each day instead of doomscrolling. I look forward to focusing on gratitude during this block.

Block 2

10 minute walk after every meal and movement for at least 30 minutes per day. Stand for 4 hours per day at work using my adjustable desk instead of sitting most of the day. Nothing too crazy, just being intentional about getting activity in.

Block 3

Eat a large salad every day. I did this a few months back and felt so good during that time. I will make sure to prep the ingredients before this block starts so that I will have it all ready to put together whether it’s for lunch or dinner. Some of my favorite salad ingredients and toppings – spinach, arugula, kale, avocado, carrots, celery, peas, hardboiled eggs, peppers (hot and mild), tomatoes, cucumbers, cashews/almonds, strawberries, blueberries, and goat cheese. For dressing, I like to use coconut aminos or some oil and vinegar with salt, cumin and cayenne (I love spice!)

Block 4

No refined sugar. This will be HARD as I have such a sweet tooth. My goal is to replace my sweet snacks with a new and interesting flavor of herbal tea during this time.

Block 5

Give a compliment to someone or tell someone what I appreciate about them each day. At least one of them must be a stranger. Getting out of my comfort zone is a good thing, but not usually something I seek out.

Block 6

No TV or movies. I don’t think I’ve gone this long without TV in a long time, so I’m a little nervous about this one. I look forward to more quality time with others and more time for physical activity and creative projects.

Block 7

No alcohol or kombucha. Drink 100 oz. of water per day and focus on hydrating my body in healthy ways.

Block 8

Stop eating by 8:00 pm and go to bed by 10:00 pm every night. I love being a night owl so I don’t know if I’ve ever gone to bed this early for more than 2 or 3 days at a time. Hoping to optimize my sleep quality!

Block 9

Cook at home for every meal. Time to try out some new recipes I’ve been saving for years. DoorDash is so easy to use, but not so easy on the wallet or the scales!

Block 10

Focus 2 hours per day on home projects. We have a lot planned out, including building a rainwater irrigation system, greenhouse, and building a chicken coop, so I will have more than enough to keep me busy.

I’m not sure in what order I’ll complete the blocks yet, but I plan to start with Block 2 first as it requires the least amount of planning. Do you want to join me in setting any goals for the next 100 days? I’d love to hear your thoughts below.

Thanks for reading.

Emily