March 2023 Recap
A shared diary of my highlights from the Month and my anticipations and plans for the month to come.
I wanted to start a series of monthly recaps on here. Partially to share what I’ve been up to with y’all but also because with my ADHD and depression, it can often feel like I’ve done nothing in my life. I don’t always remember the little things, the mundane joys in life. This way when I’m feeling down or feeling like I haven’t done anything, I can look back and see exactly what I was up to.
My month in photos
My favorite moment from the month
These are really my favorite moments from the month since there are a few.
Sasha came to visit again which was of course a huge highlight for me. Sasha is one of my very best friends and being around her and her energy always brightens my day. I’ve said it once and I’ll say it again forever and ever, she is truly such a wonderful, golden human.
While she was here we had multiple dolphin encounters which was my first time seeing them in Florida! She brought the good luck I guess! We saw some in the river during our sunset walk near the Halifax and then we also saw one body surfing in the shore break at the beach. It was incredible to see the dolphin fully breach and then continue on surfing within the waves all the way down the beach. Felt super magical.
5 things from March that I feel gratitude for
I’m trying to make a regular gratitude practice again. I had one in Maine that was daily and with life stressors, I strayed from that practice which I feel is truly essential to my well-being and happiness.
I am grateful for good friends who truly uplift and support me. As an adult, it can be so hard to find genuine, meaningful connections. It makes me even more grateful for the amazing, close-knit group of pals that I do have.
I am grateful for the home we are currently staying in and my parents who are affording us the ability to live very cheaply and get our lives sorted in a safe place.
I am grateful for the wildlife in Florida. Initially, I was worried moving here that there wouldn’t be enough for me to do in nature that wasn’t exclusively going to the ocean. Florida has really shown me that there’s so much here to offer than just coastlines. The abundance of wildlife on and off the coast is amazing to see.
I am grateful for you and the community that has followed me over to this new platform and endeavor. I’m so lucky to have folks like you who care enough to want to see what I’m up to and what I’m creating.
I am grateful for the abundance in my life and my ability to support myself and my family over the past year and a half. I have been able to take a break from work to focus on my mental health and recognize not many people get this opportunity. I can honestly say, I’m not sure I would be here if it weren’t for that ability.
March Monthly Reflection
The beginning of this month was spent getting settled with our new pup Ares. We also had Sasha visit for a week, as I mentioned above, which was great and much needed. We had such a fun time together exploring and going on photo walks and making future plans together. It was such a nice relaxed way to begin the month.
The latter half of the month was when I realized I wanted to commit to a dopamine fast. After increasing my consumption of cannabis after Sasha’s stay I realized it just wasn’t making me feel as great as in the past. I recognized I was leaning heavily on things like video games instead of getting work done and knew I needed to make some changes for my future self.
Once I committed to the idea of a dopamine fast I started reducing my intake of said things just based on the idea and already started to feel better which drove me to where I am now.
My endometriosis was honestly the worst it’s been in a little while which made me feel pretty defeated and sad. It can be so mentally, and physically, draining to live with chronic illness and chronic pain. Especially when your illness is so misunderstood and understudied.
I try to smile through the pain but the above photo has been an accurate representation of my body most days. So bloated from the inflammation that I look like I’m late term in pregnancy. So much pain that I can barely move or eat. It’s frustrating and disheartening to deal with and to understand that there are no good treatment options for us out there.
My main reflection from this month was that I wanted to feel more present and in tune with my day-to-day life rather than continuing to dissociate and check out like I honestly have been for a while now. The tides of change were calling and instead of fighting the rip current, I’ve let it take me out to sea.
Book/Podcast/Show of the Month
My book of the month was Dopamine Nation by Dr. Anna Lembke.
My podcast of the month was the Huberman Lab Podcast.
My show of the month has been the newer season of Love Island Australia on Hulu. (A guilty pleasure of mine.)
Energy Givers vs Energy Takers
Energy Givers
Time spent with friends
Being out in nature
Reading
Working on this here substack
Working towards my career goals
Energy Takers
Overconsuming cannabis, media, games, etc
Coffee (when will I learn with this one? lol)
Focusing too much on things that are out of my control
Listening to others opinions on my life
April’s Intentions and Goals
My intention for the month of April is to focus on doing the work with my healing and moving forward on my path.
I took a good long break from healing work when life became too overwhelming, and though I probably could have used it the most then, I abandoned it and as a result myself. This month I’m focused on getting back into better spirits, working on the parts of me that need attention, and moving forward instead of staying stuck in the past.
My goals for this month are to…
complete my dopamine fast/detox
publish a minimum of three posts to substack and prepare 3 more drafts for next month (I’m aiming for consistency baby!)
limit/eliminate impulse shopping/spending
chose an associates program for HIM so I can obtain my RHIT and work towards my career goals
I know this was an incredibly long-winded post so if you’ve made it this far thank you so much for still being here. ;,) I appreciate you always.
If you feel inclined share your favorite parts of March and your intention for April. Together we can continue to grow and move forward on our paths.
xoxo,
Roo