Nothing to disclose.

Well, I am sure there is nothing novel about this post but I am on a huge “this decade is going to be better than the last” kick. The past ten years sucked so I’m pretty sure the 20s will be a massive improvement even if I don’t try at all.

2010  to 2019 marked giving up my dreams, my life as I knew it and a part of myself. I spent the past decade ignoring my Rheumatoid Arthritis diagnosis and fighting against my body. I thought if I ignored it, my condition would improve on its own. Obviously, mind over matter didn’t work because my RA could be better managed.

This decade I want to do better. I want to get my disease under control. I want to learn how to manage a full-time life so that I can re-visit old dreams and make them realities.

Scroll down to see if you have any of the same resolutions as me. Maybe we can keep them up together.

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I just didn’t do enough of it last year. I had a lot to say but never actually put thought to paper. They kept swirling around my head and weighing me down. Honestly, I think part of the reason I was not mentally well was that I did not provide enough of a release for my brain.

Sleep more

My body needs the rest. It wages war against itself. I battle fatigue and pain daily. I tire myself out, even more, when I fight against my body. I need to embrace it, the nap and better my sleep hygiene. If I sleep more, I’ll experience fewer or decreased Rheumatoid Arthritis symptoms.

Drink more water

If it’s not summer I sometimes only drink 2, maybe 3, at most. That’s just not enough, especially with my autoimmune condition. If I want to feel better, I need to put in the work and hydrating is the best way to optimize my health.

Read more

I didn’t read enough last year. In total, I think I read maybe 10 books? Unacceptable. I love to read. I need to do it more. As of this post, I have already finished three books.

Spend even more time with the pets

My girls are getting older and I don’t know how much time I have left with them. I need to love them more, and more, and “the mostest ever”. Now.

Exercise more

I am not climbing right now so I’ve been exercising less. Exercising less means my joints are more stiff and painful than usual. If I want to increase my physical ability I better get moving! I’m building up my stamina with at home works outs (mostly dedicated to the abs so I can get back on the climbing wall!) I already feel more mobile and less like the Tin Man since the movement oils (no pun intended) the joints!

Make more videos

I like making videos. I have ideas I just need to film them.

Paint my nails more

I also love painting my nails. However, given my pets’ schedules, it’s hard to find a good chunk of time where I can sit and get them done. I need to include time for my hobbies because I enjoy them and they make me happy!

Eat better

I don’t mean diet or restrict. I just want to be more aware of the things I am putting in my body. My diet doesn’t completely affect my RA but eating better does reduce some inflammatory symptoms.
I take my daily Tumeric Milk Latte and am already noticing a small difference in physical symptoms.

Stick to a schedule

I think it’ll be better for my RA and my mind if I stick to a routine. If my body acclimatizes to a set schedule I will conserve energy and get more done.

Unplug more often

This is pretty self-explanatory. I spend entirely too much time on my devices. I don’t like that the first thing I do every morning is check my phone, log into email and Instagram. I should get up, open the window and look outside. Less digital, better mental health.

Listen to my body

I spent years fighting my body, hoping that if I thought about it hard enough my RA would just go away. Maybe it’s time to listen to my body and work with it instead of against it.

Be patient with myself

On the same note, I not only need to listen to my body but also not feel guilty when I take it slow. I am not able-bodied anymore. I have limitations. If I’m okay with them, maybe the mental change will positively impact my condition.

Stay organized

I have a tendency to live in organized chaos. Monica, repeat after me: clean space, clear mind!

Take something out, put it back

Same thread: putting things back where they belong is my first defense against chaos.

Waste less

I am already quite conscious of my waste. I recently started using washable, reusable cotton rounds. I use reusable tumblers for coffee and plastic or metal straws. They’re little things but I think I could do even better.

Reduce, Reuse, Recycle

When I thought about the amount of non-recyclable waste in my everyday life I was horrified (especially when it comes to shipping materials). I am making a cat tree out of old shipping boxes and trying to bunch items into fewer shipments.

Keep better track of my finances

At the moment, keeping track of my finances is basically only buying necessities. I want to do better and actually log how much I spend and where. If I budget properly I keep track of my money and probably save it in the process.

Live more

I have become the biggest homebody.  I am mostly an introvert and completely happy on my own. Also, socializing usually means dinner and drinks which are super expensive. And, I just don’t like spending the money on those things. I don’t really have an excuse as I live in a great city with other low-cost activities, always! I should take more advantage of them.

Think of, at least, one positive thing per day

I felt really bad at the end of last year and I was mentally in a bad place. At the beginning of the year, I told myself I would think of one positive thing a day. Preferably in the morning so I start out in a good mood!

So, what about you? Do you have any resolutions for the new year? Are you keeping up with them? Comment below!

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