“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.”
― Louisa May Alcott

The Year of Discipline is three quarters over; how did September go?

General Motivation

Septmber was the Month of Getting Shit Done, kittens. Was it always as healthy or as efficient as it could have been? Nope. Did it get done regardless? Hell, yes. I actually feel momentarily caught up on work projects, settled into the new apartment, and more or less in charge of my brain. While I’ve not always felt that the Year of Discipline has been as successful a project as other annual themes, this month the habits and skills I’ve been cultivating for months now have helped break what could have been a really stressful month into much more manageable pieces.

Health

Exercise fell by the wayside again thanks to the move, and takeaway binges have not helped. I’d be lying if I said I was feeling good in my own skin this month, but that’s no one’s fault but mine. Perversely, our gym is now easier to get to so I have no excuse not to rectify this in October.

It’s not all bad. My new commute is quicker but actually involves more walking and our new apartment is on the third floor of a building with no lift so small lifestyle adjustments are working in my favor a bit. And about halfway through the month when I was able to start cooking again, it definitely made a difference in my general wellbeing. MUCH soup was made and consumed this month.

My mental health was mostly okay, with one really bad anxiety episode which was more debilitating than usual. Once I register with a new GP, I think this is going to be the next health project I tackle. I’m a million times more healthy in this respect than I was a couple of years ago, but it still controls too much of my brain and I’ve made as much progress as I think I’m going to be able to without professional help.

Financial

Let’s be blunt, money was tight this month! Between paying rent in two places, the costs of a move and setting up new utilities, and various associated fees, our bank accounts are frowning at us grimly. That being said, we knew this was coming and had prepared as best we could. Cash was king in September and was used in every situation possible. We spent too much on food because we had to move our kitchen in stages and it wasn’t until last week that I started fully cooking most of our meals again. Entirely too much takeaway has been consumed and we’ve mutually agreed to put the kibosh on all food delivery until about Thanksgiving.

It was also not an entirely virtuous month for shopping: I picked up a dress and two skirts from charity shops and then of course bought products from the newly launched Victoria Beckham beauty line. Then I had an oops moment at 282 Portobello Road when the estimable Claudia cut me a really, really good deal on a long-coveted Barbour wax jacket. I am but human, kittens!

Lest you think I’m detestable for my irresponsibility, we are being partially refunded for some parts of the immigration process (for Jeff at least, partners don’t get this benefit from his work) and I was paid a bonus this month. This got split across savings and debt payments in a heartily satisfying way. We are also due a return of our deposit from our previous apartment which will get the same treatment. The journey towards a significantly improved networth continues!

Grooming

A middling month for this, but I am finally wearing my hair down more and more, and thanks to work that has required me to be more client-facing than usual, I’ve had motivation to make more effort in my appearance. On the flip side, every single weekend has been a study in sweaty hair and yoga pants by contrast. We’re going to call September more good than bad overall. I’m delighted that fall has finally arrived. It’s easily my best and easiest season for dressing and I’m excited to pull out the jumpers and boots!

Other

We completed a house move!

Got my new passport.

Repotted my plants.

Read several books.

Stocked the kitchen.