SYL Challenge Week 12 & 13 - Changes and Check-in combined

12 weeks into the challenge and looking at my priority areas, I have made changes in the following areas...

• started looking after myself better in some ways...especially trying to get more sleep, backing off the stress and expectations I place on myself as much as possible, and trying to look after my sore hands and feet
• spending much more quality time with Em. I am doing this much more and it has made such a difference to us both....more tickle fights, more hide and seek, more hugs, more sitting on my lap watching TV, more going to the park, more watching a movie together in my bed and even some playing 'Draw Something' together. 
• asking for help with household chores and trying to be more organised with day to day 
• finding more time to be creative...this is kind of happening a little more. I have been making time to blog and time to do scrap booking and it makes me feel good.

The priority areas that still need lots of work are:

• health...I have not been exercising or watching my weight and I need to badly. And I have been smoking again. That is a massive backwards step for me after giving up for 2 years. It has been since the house-dwelling smokers moved in. I'm not blaming them but it makes it very difficult. I have been putting off a doctor visit / check up which I need to book to get a few things checked out.
• money...things are terrible for us in this area at the moment with no sign of a change, and I keep hoping for a miracle. I need to stop putting off doing what needs to be done and do it!

It is a good time to check in and see what progress there has been since the beginning of the challenge and to look at the areas I need to focus on more. 

When I look back at the list of goals I made for myself I am making baby steps most areas but of course others are much more difficult. I have done nothing to progress my business idea and this is definitely held back by no money or time to progress, and the fear of failure. I could be doing little things to progress this but most of them take money that we don't have. 

My 15 min housework is not working because I don't do it. I think the sooner I accept I will never feel it is under control the better. 

I am trying to contact a friend each week who I haven't seen for a while. We are definitely trying to have more family time like a beach trip and movie nights. Michael and I occasionally get a date day or night and cherish these small windows of opportunity to spend time together in what is usually a busy and chaotic little home. 

This check in on my goals and priorities has been a kick up the bum to put more focus on my health and money priorities over the coming months.