So, tracing back to some of my former posts, I challenged myself to finish one of my writing projects by my 28th birthday last month, to lose 20 pounds, and to get more creative. Unfortunately, the blessing of pregnancy has rendered those things a mere dream. Losing weight is obviously no longer on the To-Do list, but I have swapped for trying to be healthier. Getting in 10 minute workouts is a huge accomplishment these days due to nausea and fatigue from the pregnancy, but I still push to do a little pilates and strengthening exercises, light weight lifting, and stretches. It felt wonderful today to get in a bike ride in the beautiful day that had a lovely breeze. I've also been trying to focus on my nutrition. The irony is that I ate super-healthy before, I just was consuming way too few calories. Now, I don't really have the energy to cook like I used to, and I get sick so easily, so quick meals, and (ICK) processed foods have become more of a staple.
To combat the unhealthy things of late, I recently joined a produce Co-Op that offers me a wide variety of fresh fruits and veggies each week for a reasonable price, and I can pick it up only a few minutes from my house. I am overjoyed that it keeps me from having to shop! Fruits and veggies are more my deal anyway, so my husband goes to the store to pick up his staples. It also encourages all of us in the household to eat better. I LOVE IT! I also have taken the new produce as a challenge to create good and different meals from what we get. Today, we had purple baked potatoes. They tasted the same, but trying something different was so cool! I now have orange cauliflower, and some alien looking fruit called rambutan that is so fascinating. I highly encourage anyone who is interested in eating better or just switching up their meal routine, to get connected with a local Co-Op to get a variety of produce, many you may never have tried otherwise, or even heard of.
(Rambutan. So cool! Tastes kind of like a bland grape)
I am nearing my last weeks in my college courses online and trying hard to push through and focus to churn out quality stuff in the midst of my pregnancy fogginess and daily challenges, so, my writing has taken a backseat, though plenty of ideas are churning and I am jotting down new ideas often. I am burning to get back into writing! I may just sign myself up for NaNoWriMo this year. Dare I?! These stories are burning in me to get out. That daily discipline may be just what I need to get focused again. I really want to get more writing down before the baby gets here too. Today marks my sweet baby being three months along, so ETA is end of March or early April. I view that as my deadline to churn out as much writing as I possibly can, because I know once my baby is in my arms, all my energy will be into caring for my new blessing and writing will take the backseat once again for who knows how long.
Not surprisingly, my creativity challenge has also taken a backseat. I just don't even have the energy or desire to create anything right now. I briefly think about how nice it would be to grab a paintbrush and slide some paint on canvas, but then the symptoms overtake me again and I pick up a book to read instead. Hopefully the second trimester will be better on me and I can do more of that which I love so much. I realize more how creativity is part of my soul. For my husband, it is his music. For me, it is creativity in whatever form. I am most myself when I am creating something; cooking, painting, getting gooey with Mod Podge and scrapbook paper, making collages, making bookmarks for me and my family, and even when I am collecting my seeds and putting them in my jars or gardening, singing, and of course, writing. Creativity, in whatever form, is my expression and what feeds my soul, next to God. It sends the blood pumping through my veins. I would love to make some money off of it one day, to have it be more than a hobby, but right now I don't even have time for the hobby, so....
Until then, I plug along through each day, trying to make the most of each moment and not beat myself up when I can't get done what I want to. I treasure this time before my new little one gets here. I am trying to focus on myself and gear up for the marathon of life. Little by little I will get there, slowly getting closer to my goals and gleaning from the beauty around me in the process.
I hope, whoever you are reading this, that you get inspired in some way too. Live your dreams, my friend. Life is short and tomorrow isn't promised. Be today who you long to be tomorrow.
Peace my friends,
~ C
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