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Rick and I were at dinner with friends last week, and halfway through a very fun evening, I glanced around their living room and realized there was something missing. No TV. Now, i’m a TV lover, I’ll admit, but even I have never gotten over the disappointment of moving to a land that gives you 400 channels as standard, yet rarely anything good to watch. Back in the UK, we grew up with three main channels, slowly expanding to five over the years (i know, crazy, right?), and even when cable became de rigeur, most people still just watched those five channels. With so little choice, the programming quality somehow seemed to be a lot higher, and there was always something good to watch.
Recently, it seems to have gotten even worse in the States. Apart from my top shows Lost and Top Chef (plus a few others that i’ll enjoy if they’re on, but don’t call ‘appointment viewing’), there’s nothing worth watching. So, why did I recently find myself delaying my Sunday by watching repeats of repeats of bad, cheesy shows? I had no idea, but i knew i didn’t feel good about it. Not when there’s so much in life that needs living! Rick kind of agrees, apart from his beloved sports of course…
So, we have a new rule that we’re going to try and stick to. The TV doesn’t go on, ever, by default. If there’s something we want to watch, that’s great. But if not, and the only option is a Lifetime movie starring a z-list actor, we’ll pass! It might be hard to go without the comforting background buzz at first, but we got excited by all the other things we might do if the tube stayed blank. Here’s our starter list:
- Go to the gym
- Take a walk together, and with Sophie
- Take a dance class
- Go to the movies
- Cook together
- Go out with friends
- Go to dinner
- Finish decorating our apartment
- Read more books
- Start writing our own books!
- Watch a great Netflix film or documentary (yep, this counts!)
- Get more sleep
- Take an evening class
Sounds like a pretty great list, huh? Of course, we do these things now, it’s just that the TV has a nasty habit of becoming a convenient excuse for being sloth-like. No more! Let’s see how we do, and hope i don’t get withdrawal symptoms…
Ok, my favorite TV show. Ever. (copyright: BBC/Adult Swim)
So, I couldn’t let too many days of October slip by without setting some new goals, as prompted by the fabulous Modite. Even though my goals here are purely lifestyle-oriented (no work stuff can really make its way onto a blog about what to do when you’re not at work now can it?), I can see the holistic benefits in my overall work/life balance if I can manage to stick to them.
To recap, here were my September goals:
- As I’m getting married in October, my main goal is to plan a stress-free, low-key wedding that Rick and I will both remember forever: Aaaah, only a few days to go, and all still good (barring a few minor emergencies that have shortened my life span a tad…)
- This is still a nascent blog, so I’d like to increase my readership by at least 10% this month: A big fat YES! Thanks to all of you, my lovely readers, and i hope i can continue the upward trend.
- Plan out fun trips with R to NYC in October and the UK at Christmas: Done and done!
- Finally harvest my herbs I’ve been nurturing outside all summer (basil, thyme and sage), then actually incorporate them into new recipes!: Still a hmmm next to this, I might have to admit defeat, but there is still time for those babies to grow!
- Remember to spend quality time with my friends, when I’m not a) working, b) working out, c) blogging, d) talking to the dog, Sophie, e) planning aforementioned low-key wedding, f) watching SYTYCD and Glee, g) practicing Lindy Hop with R: This I can categorically and happily say a yes to. For some happy and not so happy reasons, I’m proud to say I’ve been there for my girls when they’ve needed me. And of course, it’s been a ton of fun.
Onto to October! This is what I’m thinking:
- Overhaul and update my wardrobe for Fall/Winter: At the age of 32 (nearly 33, eeek!), you’d think i’d manage to have some sort of capsule wardrobe, filled with classics and the odd ‘wow’ piece, right? Wrong. I still lack even the most basic good quality T-shirts and layering jerseys, let along any other foundational staples. So this is the month. I need to clear stuff out, give s**t away to the Goodwill and build on what i have left. Promise.
- Conquer my nascent fear of flying: I have NO idea why I’m suddenly jittery about flying, after many happy years of short and long-haul trips. I mean seriously. I was that girl who actually looked forward to in-flight food. I’m not happy about it, so need to nix the problem. Being a generally practical and can-do kinda gal, I’ve invested in a couple good books/podcasts, and also a day long clinic in Dec, so I’m on the right track.
- Master at least one great new recipe: Rick and I have been so busy recently, that home-made turkey chili is about as adventuresome as it’s gotten. Time to break out something new.
- Spend at least one day this month completely and blissfully free of chores, admin, or ‘to-dos’: I get it, it’s kind of ironic coming from a girl who’s all about lists! But even with a small wedding, i just seem to have spent all my free time recently engaged in ticking stuff off lists. Time to kick back and enjoy an unplanned day. This might be the hardest thing i’ve ever tried!
- Oh, and last but never least – enjoy being married!
I know what you’re thinking, these are all a bit too easy. And i agree. (But ask me that in a month when i haven’t achieved and i might be weeping tears of frustration over them!) But I’m getting married this month!! So i’m planning one easy month, before getting back to something a little more challenging. Which I’ll explain in a month’s time!
