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January Goals and Monthly Experiment

     I've been really enjoying the monthly review and overview pages in the Wonderland 222. Many thanks to Sarah's recommendation on her podcast Best Laid Plans because I don't think I would have picked it out myself, but I've been really loving it. 

    I enjoyed filling out the review pages with monthly highlights, habit reviews, and favorites! December was bittersweet for me--lots of holiday festivity and fun memories, but also a bit lonely being away from my extended family and all the traditions. Looking back at the highlights made me realize how many positive moments we had together as a family this month even if there were hard moment where we hit the wall too. 



    This month, I want to focus on one of my 21 for 21 list items that I think may be the hardest and most challenging: experiment with shutdown rituals and less distracted parenting. Going back to work with all students back to in-person learning (and the various safety protocols that accompany this transition) will be a big change and consume a lot of my attention. I want to be intentional about shutting down at the end of the day, so when I'm home I can enjoy deeper connection with Avi and not be mentally running through my to do list. 

    My January experiment is in support of this goal. I'm experimenting with more intentional phone use. This month I am trying out leaving my phone in a basket by the door any time it is not in use. I'm hoping that having it away will inspire me to use it less and be more intentional about when I'm using it rather than scrolling mindlessly. I'm also going to write down the number of minutes on my screen time app in my planner each day and mark each day when this number is below 30 minutes on my habit tracker. 

    Lastly, our family is experimenting with Shabbat (which is from Friday sundown to Saturday sundown). We want to embed this ritual as part of our family life and a way for Avi to develop her Jewish identity. In the Orthodox community there are many restrictions on technology and labor on Shabbat, but we are trying out being screen free on Friday nights. 

    I'm hoping all these tweaks help me to be a more connected parent this year, and I'm excited for this month. 




Comments

  1. putting the phone down is really game changer, it frees up so much time! Good luck with your plan for January :)

    ReplyDelete

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