Joining Modern Mrs. Darcy for this meme.
I actually had to think long and hard about this post. Typically, February is a low month for me. I’m usually suffering the effects of light deprivation and feeling sluggish and a bit blue.
This year, however, things have been very different, which I’m chalking up to a few different factors. I’ve been using my light box on darker days, walking every day, and I think quitting sugar has also done good things to my outlook.
Lately we’ve had so many beautiful days with sunny, mild weather, one could mistake it for spring. Here’s a pic I snapped of my 3 year old enjoying a 70F day this week.
My bullet journal.
You guys.
This lifelong paper journal geek has finally found the ideal to-do listing/calender/journal/everything-in-my-brain-on-paper solution. I’ve been using my bullet journal since late December and I LOVE it. I ordered a beautiful Leuchtturm (the “official” Bullet Journal notebook) and have been anxiously awaiting the arrival of my UPS man.
In the meantime I have been using my Bullet Journal several times a day, every day and don’t know how I Ever Lived Without It. (I decided that I wouldn’t order the Leuchtturm until I had used a cheapie notebook as my bullet journal consistently for a couple of months first to make sure I was committed to it. My notebook is now getting threadbare so I’m glad I made the upgrade to a nicer product.)
When I first heard of the idea of Bullet Journaling, I thought, “what’s the big deal? A notebook filled with bulleted lists?” But people, it’s SO much more than that. I’ve literally been addicted to journals, planners, notebooks, calendars since I was a child. I could never make a “system” work for me because it wasn’t customizable enough, or it was too complicated. Bullet journaling solves all these problems. For an overview, watch this video.
I’ll be talking more about how bullet journaling works for me in future posts. Suffice it to say that I use mine for everything, and it’s never far from where I am. I created a Pinterest board to save the best ideas I come across (I’ve become fairly obsessed with following Bullet Journal-ers on Instagram. Mine doesn’t look as beautiful as theirs, but I’m working on it.)
Stevia
I mentioned last month that I gave up sugar in December. I haven’t had any sugar since then, an accomplishment I’m proud of. But I don’t think I could have done it on willpower alone. The ability to make little treats from time to time, sans sucre, make it sustainable.
My kids are rejoicing over the fact that I have suddenly turned into a Mom Who Makes Desserts. I rarely made dessert before because… well, my kids didn’t need the sugar! But since I’ve been experimenting with baking with stevia, even my picky, stevia-hating child has given the big thumbs up to several of my creations. The cheesecake, for one. Also, the peanut butter brownies I made yesterday. And the banana nut muffins. And the peanut butter-chocolate bars. And the volcano mud slide muffins in a mug.
I buy the Trim Healthy Mama Stevia products because they’re the best quality I’ve found (and I’ve been using stevia, trying different brands, for at least 15 years) and have no aftertaste. (My affiliate link.)
What I love about stevia products is that they don’t create low blood sugar nor do they cause me to crave more sugar (or struggle with portion control, a problem with “real” sugar).
What’s saving your life this February?
What’s keeping me alive this February is knowing our family will be all together for a few days. Nothing makes me happier! February is always a special month for us as our eldest daughter and eldest granddaughter were born in February.
My mother was born on February 29th, which meant she only had a birthday every four years! This year since February has 29 days, I’ve been thinking about her. I’ve lived 18 years longer than she did. We weren’t close and I’ve always wished we could have been.
Keeping my dearest, dear husband healthy and happy is also keeping me alive this beautiful February!
Thank you for asking!
Miss Lila