At the start of 2021 when we were all in New Year Resolution, Word Of the Year (WOTY), New beginnings mode I wrote a post where I shared my WOTY. I love reading what others have chosen for their words and I’m happy with mine because it can encompass every area of my life. I also shared a meme where the first four words you saw would be your focus for the coming year.
I’ve committed to myself to write a monthly Self review and Reset post which will be based around the four word focus of Love, Gratitude, Connection and Health. I will also be sharing extras like Books that I’ve read or new experiences which I think will fit nicely under the Lifestyle category.
My theme for January was Review & Reset in all areas of my life and I’m hoping to reintroduce different themes each month for the Facebook Group and also the Blog.
So how did I rate in my Self-Review and Reset for January? I think I ticked all of the boxes so that’s a good start to 2021.
Make a cuppa and join me for a catchup and review of January 2021.
Blogging
As I mentioned, Review and Reset has been my theme for January and I’ve also joined two new linkups #weekendcoffeeshare with Natalie the Explorer and #sundaystills with Terri from Second Wind Leisure Perspectives.
I’ve listed my posts from January and surprised myself with the number I had written. Here are the links in case you’ve missed any:
Saying ‘Goodbye’ to 2020 & looking towards 2021
Let’s Review & Reset in 2021
WOTY – Have you chosen one?
10 steps to Conquer your Goals
Lessons learned in 2020 to grow in 2021
Move it or Lose it – Don’t let COVID lockdown be your excuse
Where are you placing your energy?
Standing on a Glacier on the other side of the world
Walking with my head in the clouds
I cannot imagine…..
Love
Following the passing of my mother-in-law in late October, my husband and I are starting to feel brighter and refocus on ‘us’. Of course, grieving doesn’t stop overnight but we have been making an effort to support each other with long walks by the ocean, taking time to enjoy each other’s company which also includes enjoying relaxing with a cheese platter on our balcony.
Had a Facetime with my gorgeous grandsons during their 3 -day COVID lockdown and then spent time with them both before School goes back. I wrote in a recent post I cannot imagine my life without these two cuties.
My son is getting married on 4th February so we gathered for a BBQ to meet his fiancee’s parents. With COVID and the like it has been difficult to have family gatherings. My contribution was this Toblerone Creamy Cheesecake
What will I be wearing to the wedding? I’ll let you know next month which one I chose.
For self-care and self-love I’ve been trying to take time for a DIY facial each week. I’m loving Lime Life by Alcone’s Skin Polish with Lemon & Jojoba beads
Gratitude
My 6 year blogging anniversary is in January and it crept up on me again. I am full of gratitude for you my readers who take the time to read, like and/or leave me thoughtful comments. I’ve built up friendships with other bloggers during this time and we’ve all written about how ‘bloggers ‘get’ bloggers’ which is true. We all understand why each of us blogs and the pull it can have. As I write this post I’ve written 1,379 posts and had over 16,000 comments plus my replies.
I woke this morning, the last day of January, to a rainbow which was a lovely way to start the day and to lift my spirits. The rainbow was set against a grey sky and it reminded me that even when life feels grey there is always a rainbow of hope. There is something magical about rainbows and I’m sending that feeling of magic right over to you!
Connection
I’ve just joined a Book Club with 3 friends and we are visiting the Classics, n particular the Bronte Sisters. This is a genre I don’t usually reach for in the first instance but I’m enjoying the conversation and discussion and we’ve only had two meetings!
My weekly Women’s Circle catchup is a wonderful way to make me think. We have a guiding question each week and I always come away from these meetings full of inspiration.
My weekly running with my Saturday Sisters as well as a new run with my Gold Coast buddy, Wendy from Wendy’s Way to Health ensure I keep my social connection whilst staying fit at the same time.
Health
- Entered the RACQ International Womens Day run to be held on 7th March. It is a short course for me, but the bonus is I’m running with my daughter and one of my Saturday Sisters.
- Daily Smoothie with Greens and Protein Powder
- Yoga – I’ve been trying to do a practice regularly at least 3 times each week which I’ve managed so far. I enjoy Yoga with Adrienne but also Yoga with my friend, Carol from Harmony & Healthy Yoga who has virtual and IRL classes.
- As a Group Fitness Instructor in the Strong Healthy Women Virtual Studio I participated in the 5-day Metabolic Jumpstart Challenge.
Lifestyle & Learning
Books I’ve read
I’m also reading Wuthering Heights for my Book Club but we are taking our time and only reading so many chapters between meetings so we can discuss in detail.
Learning & Self-Growth
I completed the “Simple Steps to an Incredible Year” by Mel Robbins short course which I found helpful in resetting my life.
Repotted my plants
I’m no ‘green thumb’ but I successfully repotted some plants. Living on the ocean and in an apartment I don’t have a garden so stick mainly to succulents which I love.
Well that is my Monthly Self-Review and Reset for January. I wonder what February will bring?
What did you get up to in January? I’d love to hear about how you are Living Well After 50.
31 Comments
What an amazing month, Sue. You are a real inspiration. Toni x
Thank you, Toni xx
The words I found on your table then were: breakthrough; strength; health… so all great. But then… man. So perhaps I’ll meet the man of my dreams this year?! I’ll have you to thank Sue if that’s the case.
I saw the pics of you with your grandkids on social media and you all looked so happy.
And thanks (not!!!!) for reminding me I need to repot a heap of plants. I’ve been ignoring them for months. Years perhaps.
Hi Deb, glad I could help out and if you do meet the man of your dreams I expect to be invited to the celebrations! Have a great February. x
Hi Sue, Thank you for linking with my Weekend Coffee Share blog party. Your blog is a gem to be shared more widely in the blogging world. I extended the end time of my blog linkup to midnight on Sunday Toronto time (which is Monday your time) so that gives 7 extra hours to participants.
I’m glad you had a great January, resetting what’s important to you and accomplished a lot out of the month. The ocean, the rainbow, the green plants are all good nourishing sources from nature. Congratulations to you, Mike, your son, and his fiancee on his upcoming wedding. I look forward to seeing which dress you choose for the special day. #weekendcoffeeshare
Hi Natalie, I was a little late but am really impressed with the numbers you are receiving in the link up – well done! xx
A fabulous month – and thanks for the reminder re Natalie’s link-up. I really enjoyed The Cuckoo’s Calling and have requested The Book Woman from my local library. I’m also getting off my fat arse and finally checking out online yoga. Let it flow.
I love Yoga with Adriene she is fun and not too much pressure to have a perfect ‘downward dog’ x
What a lovely month Sue. Family is such a joy – and I love that you and Mike are being there for each other as you process the grief of Louisa’s passing, and the photos of your grandboys. You’ve certainly packed a lot into January and congrats on joining the 6yr blogging club! Judging from all those January posts, you won’t be having any problems getting to another anniversary next year xxx
Hi Leanne, I was really surprised at how much I actually did in January so I’m glad I wrote the post. Blogging as usual is up and down but I’m still hanging in. x
I looked at that chart and it took me AGES to see any words! I wondered if it was a joke. Ha! Then I saw four….so I wonder what that says about me??!! Congratulations on your son’s wedding! That is so exciting! And I want to see what you wear. I like the back and white one but some people are still funny about black at weddings…What a wonderful start to the year. I’m glad your husband adn you are finding comfort sharing the grieving together. It is such a strange and difficult time. I’m glad you have some joys close at hand to revel in. #Lifethisweek
It has been a lovely start to the year Lydia and I’m very grateful. I’d be interested to hear what your four words were – that meme has been very popular all over social media. Have a lovely February and thanks for stopping by x
Hi, Sue – Congratulations on your 6-Year Blogging Anniversary. Congratulations also to the Mother of the Groom! I love all of the dresses that you have shown here. I look forward to seeing which one you wear.
Thank you for the monthly catchup — you are always inspiring and uplifting!
Thanks Donna, I’m not sure where the 6 years has gone but I’m still plodding along. Thank you as always for your friendship and support xx
Oh how lovely to see those blue skies and sunny days. It’s so good to see that normality has returned to your part of the globe – it’s a real glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel to those of us still in a hard lockdown! We will get there!
It’s so nice that you have a wedding to attend, it will be interesting to see which outfit you choose, all are lovely.
Hi Deb, I’m very lucky to live where I do for many reasons. I feel for you in lockdown but keep strong, surely it can’t last forever and I am very grateful to have the freedom at the moment, although that could always change. The wedding is small but it should be lovely and yes, I’m still deciding on what to wear.!x
Hi Sue, it’s always great to catch up with what you’ve been up to and your January sounds very busy and loads of fun! So much to love, your 6 year blogging anniversary, your time with your grandsons and the upcoming wedding. I love those dresses and all 3 would suit you perfectly. And that cake, oh my it looks fabulous! Great work on joining a bookclub, I enjoy the 2 clubs I’m in and the women are all so much fun to meet up with. We talk of other things apart from books some of the time :). Well done on a brilliant first reset and review post for 2021 xx #lifethisweek
Thanks Deb, when I started writing I didn’t think I’d done much in January. Looks like I did! I’m really enjoying the bookclub and the friendships I’m cultivating with the women in the group. xx
I have never chosen a word of the year but am always intrigued what others choose and their reasoning behind it!
I am sorry for your grieving but I can see where walking along the ocean brings you peace! How lucky you are to have that view!
(I am new to this link up – It was nice visiting your page)
Hi Meranda! Lovely of you to visit. I have chosen a word of the year for a few years now and like you I always enjoy hearing what words others have chosen. I’m very lucky to live where I do and gain a lot of peace from walking and running by the ocean. Thanks again for visiting and look forward to connecting with you. x
Your cheesecake looks fabulous! How exciting to have a wedding coming up; I’m sure you’ll look lovely in whichever dress you’ve chosen.
Hi Joanne the cheesecake was so easy to make only about 15 minutes to prep. The wedding will be small and is today so we are all very excited. Thanks for stopping by and leaving a comment. Have a lovely week. x
Hi Sue, this was a great post to read and catch up with you. January has been busy!! I appreciate that you may not realise that only a post can be linked up for #lifethisweek not a link up. I had to say no a few times in past years to other bloggers, and whilst I love your list of fellow bloggers, there it would be best just to add your post, not the link up itself.
Thank you for joining us this week for #lifethisweek. Next time, the optional prompt is 6/51 Decision. 8 Feb. and I hope to see your next blog post there too. Cheers, Denyse.
Hi Denyse, sorry about the link I never even gave that a thought as I’m not hosting the link up Will remember for next time though. I’ll need to put my thinking cap on about Decision – thanks for #lifethisweek see you Monday x
You’ve had a busy month, Sue. Congratulations on your blogging anniversary! You’ve certainly published a lot of motivational and useful information in that time and started some good conversations. Of course, as you mentioned, that’s only one aspect of blogging. The connections we make are the real glue that binds. I’m happy to hear that you and your husband have turned toward each other in this time of grieving. My mother passed just over a year ago, and I fear my mother-in-law is quickly slowing down. We are taking it one day at a time and being with her as much as COVID will allow. When it won’t, we do phone calls and visits through the window. She’s been vaccinated with her first shot, so we are hoping there are still opportunities to take her for a ride to see some of her favorite sites. As for what I’ve been doing in January: we’ve been playing and working with our new puppy, Buddy, had dinner with two of my sisters, and celebrated our 22nd wedding anniversary. It was a good month. Here’s to a fabulous February!
Hi Christie, lovely to hear from you and yes I was surprised to see how busy my January was. It must be so difficult for you being in lockdown especially when your MIL is starting to slow down. Happy 22nd wedding anniversary there is always so much to be grateful for, isn’t there? Enjoy your February and lovely to reconnect with you. x
The rainbow is lovely. What cute curls your grandson has. One of my Grands has curls & he says RIP curls when he gets his hair cut. I have a Christmas cactus that needs to be repotted. Your plants look like they’re thriving well.
Hi Karen, oh your grandson sound so cute! I’m not usually a green thumb but the succulents are really thriving. Have a lovely week and thanks for stopping by x
So excited to see your post linked up for Sentence a Day. Glad you and Mike are moving beyond your grief at the passing of your darling MIL. She would want you guys to hold each other tight and carry on.
Congratulations on your son’s nuptials. I am sure whatever you wear, you will be pretty as a picture. Sure enjoyed seeing your granddarlings in photos. And I know you enjoyed being with them. I seem to be able to see my babies for a few days and then not for weeks. Got a dose of them today.
The words I saw from the WOTY graphic were: miracles, family, health and money. Hmmm.
Yes I’m glad I could post for SaD and hopefully will now be back each month. The wedding was lovely, simple and intimate and I’m so happy my son is happy and settled. I love your four words! Hope you are going okay through COVID and sending hugs. xx
I’m enjoying linking up again Leslie and hope to do it monthly. You’ve inspired me again. xx