Earlier this month, I declared that 2013 is the year of monthly inspirations: goals I focus on for the month and then decide whether they’ve become a habit I will continue into future months. For the inaugural month, I focused on three inspirations: exercise, journaling and money. Let’s see how I did.
Exercise 3 days a week: I continued with the Couch to 5K running program and Sweets and I started a push-up challenge. Last week wasn’t good in the exercise department, but all other weeks I did really quite well. I consider this a win and also just the start to going forward (I always intended to continue this goal well into 2013).
Write a sentence a day: With the help of The Happiness Project One Sentence Journal, I was able to capture a moment or feeling each day in January. I had started this journal in late December and successfully journaled everyday in January (win!). I am definitely going to continue this one throughout 2013.
Be intentional with money: Continuing with our 2012 theme, January delivered to us more medical news: we’re going to have yet another monetary setback related to our health in 2013. It’s a minor procedure (more on this in a future post), but it will entail a hospital visit, anesthesia and other things that just ring dollar signs. That said, Sweets and I had a very solid conversations about money and put off a couple larger purchases until later this year. It was a good start and we need to stay focused in this area.
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So, what about February, you ask? Well, I kept a running tally this month of ideas for February … so, by the time I started putting this post together, it was obvious what my focus would be next month. Let’s take a look at what’s inspiring me in February…
Exercise 3 days a week. I got off to a good start in January, but want to ramp up momentum in February. I might not be adding to the number of days a week that I want to workout, but I did join a gym earlier this week and plan to add strength training to my workouts this month.
Read everyday. It’s pretty bad when your hair stylist asks what book you’re reading and it’s the same book you were reading the last time you saw him … and the time before that. This month, I’m going to read for at least 15 minutes each day. Books and magazine articles count; online content and flipping through magazines don’t.
Be brave with photography. Last month, Erin voiced a goal of being brave, which entails trying new things, experimenting and not getting discouraged when things go wrong. Although her goals are related to food, cooking and the kitchen, I think they parlay well into photography. With that in mind, along with help from many of you, I came up with a list of 28 inspirations to guide my photography throughout the month.
{Special thanks to Angie Mizell, Lisa’s Yarns, HappyascanB, Walking with Nora, Expandng, Marie’s Blog Cafe, Glam-O-Mommy, Letters of a Muse, In the Parent ‘Hood, The Home We Make, The Speckled Palate, Musings, Graces and Fate, Jen, Knowing the Difference, Sizzle and ‘S Wonderful for your contributions to these inspirations!}
As you can see, some of the inspirations reflect the holidays this month: Chinese New Year, Black History Month, Fat Tuesday/Mardi Gras, Ash Wednesday, St. Valentine’s Day and Presidents’ Day. But, every inspiration is intended to be an open-ended lead that can be interpreted in many ways.
If you haven’t caught on, the idea is to take one photo each day of the month using these prompts to inspire the photos. For example, on February 1st, I will take a photo that reflects “beginnings.” This photo might be of a newborn (beginning life) or the time on my alarm clock when I wake up (beginning of the day) or even the first snow flakes (beginning of a storm). See how easy it is to interpret each word in many ways??
Doesn’t this sound like fun? Don’t you want to join me in this little photo-a-day project? (Some of you already have!) Don’t you want to share your photos with me? Don’t you want to see how others are interpreting these words of inspiration? AWESOME! Join us over at the SoMi Speaks Facebook Fan Page, where you’ll be able to upload your own photos and view those of others (and even if you’re not participating in this project, please consider liking my page – I’ll have frequent updates and information I might not post in this space). Super easy, right?
What is inspiring you during the month of February? Have you ever participated in a photo-a-day project? Have you ever done anything that stretches you out of your comfort zone?
{ 12 comments… read them below or add one }
Good job exercising so much in Jan! My workout plan failed in Jan so I’m hoping for a better (and warmer) Feb. And kudos on journaling every day. I couldn’t do that. Sorry about the unexpected upcoming medical expense! We also have those unexpected expenses but they mostly deal with car repairs :(. Well, your health first! Speaking of reading, I’m reading “The Host” with two bloggers. I started last night and it was quite good, shocking since the author also wrote Twilight (blah!).
And tks for the mention in helping you fill-in your photo-a-day gaps :). This project is inspiring me this month. It’s wonderful to participate with a new bunch of people, instead of the same Instagram ppl. Not that there’s anything wrong with that b/c I met so many that way. Maybe I’ll meet more with your group! Yay for FB fanpage. I probably will post photos once a week instead of daily b/c I can’t edit them that fast. Can’t wait!
Oh, I shot some photos in a studio with artificial lighting. Definitely out of my comfort zone, but the pics turned out pretty good, so that was an awesome time of new photo experience.
I really like the idea of monthly goals. Much more simple, less overwhelming than forever or yearly goals.
And I love your photo challenge. I have been inspired to do them before, and even did a 365 day challenge once upon a time. It is a fun way to capture your daily life. I look forward to seeing yours!
Hello! I just posted on your FB fan page, but wanted to comment here. You seem like a wonderful blogger – just like Lisa. New follower, for sure. :) I love reading new blogs and meeting new, inspired, people!! Looking forward to getting inspiration from you and your blog in the future.
Sorry to hear about the unexpected medical expenses. I hope it’s nothing too serious.
Is everything ok with you guys? I hope whatever the medical issue is, it is sorted out and that you are all ok and healthy.
Unintentionally in 2012 I did the 366 picture a day thing just to see if I could. There’s something in the everyday that is photo worthy but yeah that was hard. Not doing it again anytime soon for a whole year. A month though? I can totally swing that!
I also ran a 5K and 8K last year which is WAY WAY WAY out of my comfort zone. That too was unexpected and done on a whim. (This is why I don’t plan any new year’s resolutions. They just sort of happen.) I need to get back into running though if this psycho weather would calm down a bit.
I’m so excited to do the photo project; i think i can actually DO IT becuase, well, I know you and you are my friend and I’m better at follow-through that way.
Since Jan 1st I have managed to work out four to six days a week. There were two weeks where I managed six days and I have to say it feels pretty good. I know it will take some time to get the body that I want back, but I can see changes already, I’m sleeping better, I’m more conscious of what I eat and it feels better across the board which is really all I need!
I tend to binge read: two hours on a Sunday and then nothing for a few days. I need to fix that!
Sorry to hear about the medical procedure. I hope everything is okay!
I am excited for the Feb. photo challenge! Are you on Instagram or Twitter? Would you consider joining those? So you would like us to post the pics to your FB Fanpage, right? I shall try my best to keep up! :) Oh, and thanks for the mention to Letters of Muse! Much appreciate that!
Great goals for February and good job with your January goals. I’m trying to come up with my February ones and having a hard time. What is my deal haha.
Okay I just realized it’s February tomorrow and I haven’t even finished writing my New Year’s “resolution” journal entry. I don’t even know what I’m intending to do this year! EEk. I do know that my word for the year was “Balance.” I need to catch up to you – you are always so good about setting goals…
Can I randomly participate in the photo challenge? It does sound like fun and I love the open-endedness of the words each day. I may just occasionally photo bomb your FB fan page. :P
I have participated in a photo a day challenge, but it’s been awhile! I am looking forward to playing along this month!
In February, I am trying to get inspired by the little every day moments. I get so overwhelmed by life, sometimes I don’t stop to notice the little every day moments that make life great. I also want to enjoy my birthday, have fun celebrating Valentine’s Day, and soak up time with my mom on our apt hunting trip at the end of the month. I have never traveled with just my mom so I am looking forward to it. One-on-one time is kind or precious since I have such a large family!
You’ve read my blog so you know I’ve done photo-a-day projects for the better part of the last three years. This is my first year off and I gotta say it’s been fantastic not feeling the pressure to make sure I take a picture. Although I will also admit that my Nathan photography has dwindled through January.
I liked your page! I may throw a few photos on, but even if I don’t, I will be checking out what others have put on as their inspiration!
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