Week 15/2022: Hey and away we go

Week of 11 April 2022

Hey and away we go

This was a short week leading into the Term 1 school holidays and the Easter break and I really needed that break.

We had a holiday booked to the mainland that I’d been nervous about ever since Slabs suggested it and I hadn’t been sure if I was even going to go. The thought of being in an airport and on a plane and around large numbers of people was making me extremely anxious.

But I knew the alternative was to stay home by myself and, while a week by myself would normally be something I would jump at the chance to have, right now I don’t think it would have been good for me. I know I’d most likely have spent a lot of the time worrying about things I couldn’t do anything about and making myself upset.

So, despite my nervousness, I went, with a large stash of masks, and I’m glad I did. It was great to see Slabs’ family and to see some things I’d never seen before. That included this fascinating artwork by the late abstract surrealist painter Paul Vlcek at the Art Gallery of Ballarat.

An abstract surreal painting by Ballarat artist Paul Vlcek
Paul Vlcek – Dance of the infidels (Mindscape no. 9) 2002, oil on board

What did I want to do this week?

  1. Finish the exercises for TAFE module 4 (thing 8)
  2. Review part 2 of Mindspot Week 3 (part 2)
  3. Pick up my library holds before they expire

Did I do it?

I finished the activities that were mandatory to get a Statement of Attendance for the TAFE course. I’ve now finished the course work. After Easter, the course moves into the assessment phase. It’s not compulsory but if I want to get the qualification, I have to do it. It’s a very intense 10-week assessment and my plan is to at least start it. If I don’t get it done, then there’s an option to re-do it later in the year. So I have a backup plan.

I didn’t make time to review the Mindspot work but I did pick up my library holds. One of those was the most inspiring book I’ve read in a long time and I want to write more about that later.

What worked well this week?

I’ve been sticking to my shutdown times at work pretty closely so I think that’s working well.

Combining the evening shutdown routine with a very short morning planning where I list the things I want to do during the day is also working well.

What didn’t work so well?

There were a number of things at work that were incredibly frustrating this week, and all of them were beyond my control. Some of them might need me to rethink a few things but I’m on holidays now and I’m not going to worry about them for the moment.

22 for 2022 summary

  • Things completed to date: 5 (10, 11, 13, 18, 22)
  • Things completed this week: 0
  • Things I worked on this week: 3: (8, 12, 21)
  • Things in progress: 4 (1, 8, 12, 21)
  • Things not started: 13 (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 9, 14, 15, 16, 17, 19, 20)

What do I want to do next week?

Next week I’m still on holidays so I want to take care of myself as best as I can and find new photo opportunities. I also want to not catch Covid.

When I get home, my plan is to sort out my photos as quickly as I can so I don’t just leave them sitting there in a folder like so many from other trips still are.

Weekly summary

What did I learn this week?

The gestation period for a dog is about nine weeks.

What was the best thing about this week?

Being on holiday, going on photowalks, having new experiences, and seeing family.

What I’m reading this week

  • The Dance of Anger by Harriet Lerner
  • The Love You Deserve by Jen Morris
  • Four Thousand Weeks by Oliver Burkeman

Habit tracker

  • Days I went for a walk in the morning (Goal = 7): 7
  • Days I did my morning planning routine at work (Goal = 4): 4
  • Days I did controlled breathing (Goal = 7): 7
  • Days I did jaw stretches (Goal = 7): 0
  • Days I did my post-work pack up routine (Goal = 4): 4
  • Finish work by 5.30 (Goal = 4): 4
  • Days I worked on my art (Goal = 2): 4
  • Days I read a book (Goal = 7): 7
  • Days I went for a walk or did other physical activity in the afternoon (Goal = 5): 5
  • Days I shut my computer down before 9.30 (Goal = 6): 6
  • Weekly review at work: Yes
  • Weekly review at home: Yes, but I was late doing it
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