It has been a CRAZY two weeks!
I don’t want to repeat myself from last week, but I will… every semester, when classes end, I think it’s going to be this great big relief, and it is, to an extent, but then meeting and planning season begins.
Unlike last week, however, I’m energized, not fried. I presented on something yesterday that I’m super passionate about: online course design. And it was really well received! Here are a couple of quotes from the end of my session:
“This was easily one of the most helpful sessions I’ve attended at any conference in years. Thank you!!!”
“Best session of this event. Well designed. A pleasure being here.”
As someone who has struggled with imposter syndrome their entire life, there is something happening, and I don’t know what to credit… age? hormones? (or lack of?) Experience?
I don’t know, but I’m starting to feel more confident, more competent, and more convinced I am doing what I’m supposed to be doing.
That’s a good feeling. And even though I’m busy and I’m working hard, life feels balanced at the moment. I have this space to get out of my head. I’m pursuing creative endeavors. I’m working hard and getting through to some of my students. My marriage is strong. My kids are doing well.
It feels like I spent a lot of years doubting myself, and I’m just done with all that. I have this immense feeling of gratitude and purpose right now. I wish I could bottle it.
Is this menopause??
Ugh.. but I hate my brain! Because now, as I proofread my own post with tears streaming down my face, I get this feeling like… this is when the ball drops.
Why can’t I ever truly let happiness just be there? KWIM?
I guess this is what we call anxiety, right? I’m working on it!
Let’s do a goal check-in. 🙂
2026 Goal Tracking
Cooking/Food
#SaladTime
Revised Goal: 5 Big Salads a Week ✅
Yet again, killing it in this department.
Again, let me see if I can remember them…
Top left: Mixed greens topped with cubed Pork Shoulder, apples, leftover peach relish, and an apple cider vinaigrette.
The leftover peach relish was from this weekend’s dinner party. I added the menu and photos on the Sommelier Deathmatch site on a new page called mini matches.
Top right: is a cauliflower and pea salad I made for Memorial Day. I love this salad! Recipe is on the GreenLiteBites site!
Bottom left: I turned the Memorial BBQ chicken and bean leftovers into a salad by putting them over mixed greens and adding spicy cheddar.
Bottom right: Last night’s tuna and rice turned into a salad with romaine, avocado, cucumber, and microgreens!
I’m planning a fun salad tonight with chicken! So that will be 5!
Weekly Soup/Stew/Prep
Goal: Once a Week ✅
I’m going to call this one a success because I made a HUGE batch of homemade stock. So prep is underway, and I have the start of next week’s soup.
Sourdough
Goal: Once a Week ✅
Made this loaf over the weekend and have another one in the fridge to bake tonight!
Homemade Pasta
Goal: Once a Month
- January 1/9 ✅
- February 2/15 ✅
- March 3/1 ✅
- April 4/18 ✅
- May 5/14 ✅
Reached this goal last week, so I’m all set.
Evan in the Kitchen
Goal: Once a Week ❌ Retired
Revised Goal: Weekly Teen Sanity Check-In
This kid. He is so awesome. I can’t even put it into words. He’s wrapping up his freshman year, keeping his grades up, working a part-time job, and has a budding social life. He’s funny, smart, and respectful.
Even at 15, he came into my room the other day to ask if he could stay up later. I told him I trust him to regulate himself. He knows sleep is important. We talk about it, and he makes his own decisions, which are usually pretty good.
He still doesn’t like food, though. What a disappointment! lol
Fitness/Weightlifting
Olympic Lifting Training
I’m snatching again!! And it was so fun!
Handstands/Pull Ups/Jump Rope
I’m on schedule with these now! Tuesday is pull-up work. Friday is handstand and jump-rope day.
Hikes
- Goal: Twice a month
- January 1/3, 1/15, 1/23 ✅
- February ❌
- March 3/21, 3/28 ✅
- April 4/3, 4/12 ✅
- May 5/9, 5/24 ✅
Did a muddy 3 miles on Saturday with a friend. It was nice.
Hot Yoga
- Goal: Twice a month
- January 1/4, 1/11, 1/18 ✅
- February 2/1 ❌
- March 3/1, 3/15, 3/22, 3/29 ✅
- April 4/12, 4/18, 4/25 ✅
- May 5/9, 5/23 ✅
Got to go on Saturday and it was glorious!
Pickleball
The Husband and I are planning to play with friends on Sunday. We are making it a double date! I’ll keep you posted.
Creative/Other Pursuits
Music
Guitar is going great! My new favorite thing to do is play on our deck now that the weather is nice. I also posted about it.
Painting
Not this week. 🙁
Acting Class/Drum Lessons
Acting class is next week!!
Spanish
I’ve been keeping up with Duolingo, but MAN, finding the energy to devote to learning a new language is tough.
Alcohol Reduction
- Goal: No more than two days of drinking a month.
- January 1/1, 1/31 ✅
- February 2/1, 2/21 ✅
- March 3/21 ✅
- April 4/1, 4/2, 4/18 ❌
- May 5/16, 5/23
Drank during our dinner party this week. NO more alcohol this month for me!
Looking Ahead
Well, I have two summer classes that start Monday, a calendar full of meetings, and poker night this coming weekend. So.. busy.. but in a good way!
I’m working on allowing myself to just be happy in the moment. 🙂
4 replies on “Passions Converging (y2w22)”
Love the clip of you playing!
Your comment on imposter syndrome really struck a nerve with me. Are you by any chance the oldest daughter or only daughter? I can SO relate about feeling as though one is an imposter! If we were to watch or listen to ourselves, as if it was another person, would we EVER be so hard on them??? I think not. Yes, it’s part anxiety, but it’s also something deeper and possibly related to our upbringing. I look forward to finding out about your position in your family, because of my beliefs about that.
Anyway, you go girl! You ARE kicking it, in all sorts of endeavors!!!
Yup, Only and oldest daughter. 🙂 Never really thought about that connection before.
I am the oldest of three girls. My sisters were 4 and 8 years younger than me. It’s a fascinating correlation between birth order and what type of adult we are. No wonder I resonate with a lot of what you write about!
I have one younger brother who was 4 years younger. So, yes, lots of responsibility at a young age. Especially in a single parent household!