All of these (good and) bad habits

Last Monday I decided to get my act together to overcome some of my bad habits, revive some old habits and develop some new ones. Instead of just deciding to get up earlier, exercise more, read more and nap less, and then just muddling my way through, I've gone and got all systematic about it.  

Nothing complicated - I have a list of all the habits and I get a tick for every day that I do what I'm meant do (or don't do what I'm trying not to do).  I know that sounds tedious, but I like seeing the ticks piling up and missing out on a tick does motivate me to do better.

So far I'm doing a good job of getting up earlier (and getting to work early), walking 10,000+ steps a day, rebounding for 15 minutes most days, stretching, reading a book before bed (instead of the internet), flossing and not whining on social media. I'm doing a reasonable job of not napping  - I was doing well until an epic nap on Sunday. 

I'd like to say I feel great, but actually I'm utterly exhausted (and I'm not even waking up earlier!) and my body feels sore and stiff. Mentally though, it feels good to be taking action to get my crap together, and I'm pleased with my progress so far. 

I really do function better with routine. Boring, but true.    

JBPM: day 8

A friend at work shared some happy news with me today and it made me happy too. Brigid, the graduate lawyer in my team, was keen to do her next rotation in the Intellectual Property (IP) group, but HR was adamant it wasn't possible. She was quite glum about it - and a few other things going on in her personal life - but yesterday she was notified SHE'S GOING TO IP AFTER ALL! 

It means she will be moving back over to our Bourke Street office from Monday and I won't see her as much. I'll miss her. She's so lovely. All the grads who've rotated through my team have been lovely actually.  

I somehow managed to go from bed-to-desk in just over an hour this morning. I missed it by only six minutes. I'm not quite sure how I managed it.  I don't think I missed any parts of my morning routine and I walked most of the way (I caught the tram the last four blocks because it was there). 

I saw a Nankeen Night Heron on my walk home tonight. (Today's one of the few days this year I've walked both to and from work. I've been slacking off.)

Tis my birthday eve! 

New fruit, summer fruit, on the dot

I have eaten dragon fruit. To be honest, it wasn't a taste sensation, but it's nice to try something new.

Speaking of fruit, summer fruit is starting to creep into the fruit deliveries at work. I had a nectarine today.

I got up at 8.00 this morning and arrived at work on the dot of 9.00. My routine is finely tuned...

Yay for routine! No, really.

Having a daily routine isn't usually something that inspires glee - bor-ring! -  but I'm actually enjoying settling into a regular routine with my new job. I'd been feeling undisciplined and unmotivated in my old job and I'm happy to see the end of that.

Most significantly, I'm back into a decent sleeping pattern - I'm going to bed hours earlier and I'm getting up earlier without giving the snooze button a work out every day. I still want to hit the snooze button, but obviously I can't arrive at work up to 30 minutes late in my new job. (I am starting at 9.00 am though.)

It's not cool to be a creature of habit, but the truth is, I feel happier and more effective at life when I have a routine - at least during the week.

For anyone who's wondering, the job is still going well.

The new beginning begins

I've been in my new job two days and while I'm not sure yet if I'm going to like it enough to want to stay, the change in my demeanour since leaving my old job is remarkable. I feel so much...lighter. The change in routine and new challenge are working wonders. It's so good to be out of the rut and feeling motivated.

The people at the new firm are very nice and it seems a great place to work, it's just the job itself I'm still uncertain about, but I want to like it. There's Tim Tams on Fridays! A lolly jar in the kitchen! Weekly morning teas! Tim Tams on Fridays! (Hmmmm, there seems to be a pattern here...)

While I was told by the agency my hours were 8.30 to 5.00, I've since been informed it's up to me whether I start then or at 9.00. My initial reaction was "Yay, an extra 30 minutes in bed!" but then I thought, "Hmm, I do like finishing half an hour earlier....I'll stick with it!" Yes, I'm choosing to be out of the house in the morning more than an hour earlier than I used to get out of bed in my old job. 

Although I don't like getting up early (nothing to do with winter - my flat is always warm), I do enjoy it once I wake up. I've been rising just before the sun and I love that warm orange light streaming in my windows and the hot air balloons floating past. Very peaceful. (My enthusiasm might wane after a week of early starts, however...)

I went to the gym after work tonight and felt great afterwards. I've done about 2.5 hours of exercise today (including 1.5 hours of walking) and I feel good, in a slightly weary way.  

I arrived home to find a card in the mailbox telling me I have an item to collect from the post office. Yay. It's my copy of Peter, Paul & Mary In Concert.

The street less travelled

I'm generally a creature of routine, but every now and then I like to shake things up, even if it's only in a small way.

I walk to most places I go in my day-to-day life, but I tend to follow the same routes each time. Occasionally though, I like to take a different path to explore laneways and streets I've never been down before. Just for something different, and I'm often rewarded.

Yesterday, on my way to do my grocery shopping, I took a different street and found the Cottage that Time Forgot (above and below). I was captivated. It's in one of Melbourne's oldest suburbs, which still retains many of its old buildings, tiny terrace houses and grand houses, but most have been renovated and modernised. This one is a little time capsule, a relic in a bustling, inner-city suburb of a modern and rapidly growing city of nearly 4 million people.

It's also unusual because it's a detached timber dwelling - not a common sight in the area. I love the lichen-covered tiles on the roof and the way it's partially hidden by shrubbery, which adds an air of mystery.

I half-expected a grey-haired, wizened woman to come out and screech at me as I was taking photos!

Are you a creature of routine? Do you like to shake things up sometimes? Have you discovered anything captivating on a path less travelled?