Rather than prepare a monthly update on my 23for23 intentions, this year I’m going for quarterly. And HolyGoodness this is the last year I will be doing an annual [x]for[y] – there are way too many items to keep track of. Though I still do love lists with a fiery passion, they can be confined to other areas of my life.

In case it is not obvious, or works differently where you are:
    Q1 = January-March
    Q2 = April-June
    Q3 = July-September
    Q4 = October-December

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The end of daylight savings has really knocked me about and if I track back through the blog archives I see this is a common theme for March/April – so perhaps seasonal/equinox change? I was absolutely thrumming with energy and good vibes – until I wasn’t. So this review may have a slightly more sombre tone than reflects the whole quarter.

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01. BE MORE PENELOPE!
⭐ I think so. Mostly. I had some realisations about maybe not being quite ready to step into OldLadyPenelope shoes just yet. I can lean hard into Pre-nelope though.

02. Half arsed is better than no arsed
⭐ Daily blogging for an extended period has really helped with not overthinking and just showing up. I still get stuck in my head a bit.

03. Disrupt the routine (monthly)
⭐ Movies, symphony, pottery class, audiobooks for commute, revisiting Japanese lessons for commute. Picking up knitting again. Little very tiny things like a lunchtime library visit and catching the tram home.

04. Choose the loving action (be kind to self)
⭐
+ I’ve said no often and stopped myself powering through when it felt like things weren’t working (morning pages for example).
+ I’ve been comfortable to sit with indecision/uncertainty instead of powering through.
+ I unsubscribed/unfollowed a bunch of legacy stuff (not you, dear reader) that didn’t align with where I’m at any more.

05. Financially support creators I believe in
⭐ The usual Patreon subs. I’ll likely make a bulk bandcamp purchase in Q2.

06. Share more of what I love or find interesting
⭐ Started strong in January, but I haven’t done much subsequently. Focus area for Q2.

07. Use the things or let them go
⭐ Getting quite good at this one! Many donations to Sewing Basket, the charity shop and Park Library. Space to breathe!

08. Morning experiments
⭐ My efforts at Morning Pages were not very successful, but experimentation is the thing here – not find-a-thing-you-will-do-forever.

09. Monthly hike (or equivalent)
∅ NOPE! Way too hot and humid for comfort.

10. Yoga with Adrienne in January
∅ Abandoned more than once. I really don’t know why I am resisting yoga, because I love it. So why am I not doing it? What if I don’t actually want what I think I want?

11. Build physical strength
⭐ New physio. Have foot rehab exercises. She says she’ll have me back to running in a month. Ha! I think my leg/ankle is the least of my worries there – my fitness is appalling.
I’m missed a couple of early Q2 days rehab. Back on the train now.

12. Complete 5 items from the 60before60 list
⭐ 1/5 and one of the biggest – #36 complete (#15 on this list)

13. 6 films at Golden Age Cinema
⭐ 3 films:
+ Emily the Criminal
+ Triangle of Sadness
+ Tár

14. Read 12 fiction books. Limit all self-improvement books
⭐ No self-improvement!
+ Ann Patchett: These Precious Days
+ Sheena Patel: I’m a Fan
+ Rachel Cusk: Second Place (audio-book)
+ Bret Easton Ellis: Glamorama (audio-book)
+ J. P. Pomare: Home Before Midnight (audible freebie)

15. Achieve next big financial goal
⭐ We paid off the mortgage in March. ThePalace(OfLove) is now 100% ours.

16. Wean self down to 1x coffee per day
∅ I’ve reduced the strength of my cups though, which my innards seem very pleased with.

17. Travel: 2 overseas trips + 1 local trip
Scheduled:
+ Europe x2 (Q2 and Q4)
+ Hobart scheduled in Q2 to celebrate #15

18. 1x new craft class (that isn’t book binding)
⭐ Pottery with Don! We had a lot of fun together.

19. 3x book binding classes + 1 open day session
∅ None in Q1, but booked one and on waitlist for others (in Q3 and Q4)

20. 1x skillshare class
∅ Identify whatever the blocker is and remove it. I have this extra-long-weekend ahead of me, surely I can find something to watch and learn?

21. Blog every day in January
⭐ YES! And so it continues – for how long, I cannot know.

22. Spend money on myself without guilt #treatyoself
⭐ Mostly I think.
+ I did not hesitate to buy a $50 skein of yarn for example (okay, maybe hesitated a bit).
+ Acquired some not-inexpensive shirts for hiking.
+ I would love to buy some clothing, but options available are really very underwhelming. I need to 1. Drop at least one dress size. 2. Go to Japan and buy All The Things.

23. Bring in more joy!
⭐ This was totally working, but current low energy and mood makes everything appear viewed through a bit of a grey lens. I am very confident the joy and positive energy will return (this realisation seems like amazing progress).

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