The Attaction and Distraction of Busy (y02W03)

Phew, it’s been quite a workweek, and it’s only Wednesday.

This isn’t a busy badge of honor post. I promise. I’m not looking for sympathy or a pat on the back. It is just a busy time of year for me as I prepare for the semester while teaching a winter session course and attending all the required meetings this month.

That said, I’m finding busy to be an attractive distraction right now. It offers a bit of relief from the current state of affairs.

My goal is not to fully disconnect, but I do welcome this small escape as I do my best to engage another batch of passive, disconnected students. Frankly, helping the next generation become more tech-savvy and digitally literate feels more important than ever. I am more motivated to design and implement some new strategies in the classroom.

I gave a presentation on one of those new strategies and I was really well received so that was motivating.

Anyway, let’s get to these goal updates. I did a lot this week!

2026 Goal Tracking

Cooking/Food

#SaladTime

Goal: Once a Week ✅ 

I’m happy to say my greens consumption is back up! I was able to post two #SaladTimes this week…

• A deconstructed Maryland Crab Cake #saladtime with tips and a menopausal moment.
• A beet, orange, mint, goat cheese, walnut #saladtime FTW!

To be frank, I have no idea what I’ve already posted. I just use what I have on hand and have fun. Doing these has reminded me to keep good things like nuts, canned fruit, and cheeses in stock.

Weekly Soup

Goal: Once a Week ✅

This week’s soup was a complete experiment and I’m happy to say it worked out!

I’m calling it Cheesy Cauliflower with Mushrooms, Beef, and Quinoa. It’s delicious! Even though it doesn’t look that appetizing. lol

Sourdough

Goal: Once a Week ✅

I made my first ever Ciabatta with my sourdough starter!

I can’t believe it actually came out. I will be making it again. I’m getting more confident working with high-hydration loaves.

Homemade Pasta

Goal: Once a Month ✅

• January 1/9

The Husband, Ry, and I had a blast making ravioli on Friday.

I documented the journey in an IG story. These were filled with crab, ricotta, Old Bay and parsley.

Evan in the Kitchen

(Note: I will no longer be referring to him as Ev. Little Bean has informed me this week that he “hates” that, so I’m going with his full name from now on.)

Goal: Once a Week ❌

Failed AGAIN!

But, in my defense, he had his braces tightened, and he’s miserable. Food just isn’t fun for him right now. We plan to make simple fried rice together tomorrow because he enjoys it and it’s easy to eat.

Fitness/Weightlifting

Oly Training

Still battling side pain, and it’s getting frustrating at this point. I’m pretty sure it stems from my hips. So, nothing to report here except I’m just chugging along, working with my coach and looking forward to getting over this little speed bump.

Handstand Progress

I didn’t practice once this entire week! Too distracted.

Pull Ups

Nope

Jump Rope

And NOPE! Impact was bothering my side. 🙁

Daily Walks

Walked every day this week!

Hikes

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/3

I was hoping to go today, but ran out of time. I still have time to get out there this mont,h and I want to. I really enjoy winter hikes. (There are no bugs. lol)

Hot Yoga

• Goal: Twice a month
  • January 1/4, 1/11  ✅ 

This is pretty much a Sunday morning routine for me now, and I love it.

Pickleball

Waiting for our league to start on February 10!

Creative/Other Pursuits

Music

I practiced guitar 4 times again this week! And I’m now tracking my score on this silly little chord game on the app I’m using. My goal is to play the game at least once a day to get a high score and then record the score in my calendar journal.

So far:

• 1/12 – 28
• 1/13 – 32

I thought this would be a cool way to see if I’m progressing because I know from experience that it doesn’t always feel like you are when you actually are. Then you quit instead of continuing… all because you didn’t recognize your own progress.

I’m trying to prevent that from happening to me again!

Painting

I painted twice this week again!

The penguins were a tutorial from @rebelunicorncrafts, and the citrus slices were my own creation! I’m trying to get more confident to paint without following a tutorial.

Acting Class

Serendipitously, I met a theater faculty member today during our in-service conference and talked about my 2026 goal to take an acting class. She made me feel even more excited about finding and taking this class!

Spanish

Keeping up with Duolingo still. No update on a class or anything.

Alcohol Reduction

• Goal: No more than two days of drinking a month.
  • January 1/1

Looking Ahead

Next week, the shit really hits the fan as it’s the last week for me to prep my classes before the semester begins. I’m the kind of teacher who tries to get all my classes completely mapped out before the semester starts. So it’s a lot of work in a short amount of time, but then the semester runs smoothly, and I am able to focus on interacting with my students instead of prepping for classes because the prep work is done.

That’s about it. It’s Jeopardy time. Gotta run!

Oh! I almost forgot… please check out Everyday Consistency: The Hidden Power of Showing Up by my friend and longtime #wycwyc/Fitbloggin’ collaborator, Carla Birnberg.