I’m still drinking (too many) oat lattes, but you know what? I’ve decided that if good coffee a few days a week makes me happy, then why would I stop? The only difference: I started bringing my reusable mug. That may not change the world on its own, but if we’re all more aware of the collective impact our daily actions have – that can add up to something BIG.
Anyway, I hope you’re enjoying a good cuppa coffee or tea or kombucha and having a lovely fall (or winter because at feels like 0F, it certainly feels like winter in Minneapolis). Here’s what’s been up the past couple months.
choosing better
Along the reusable mug lines, I’m a big believer in quality over quantity (something that can be applied in all areas, including training!). So I’ve been choosing better products – for our home, my skin, what I wear. It usually means paying more, but it also means you probably won’t have to replace it nearly as soon (or maybe ever?!). A few examples:
- saying no to fast fashion or not shopping at all (I instead make lists and then wait awhile to see if I really *need* it)
- supporting small and/or women-owned businesses
- shopping local
- better beauty (currently obsessed with Beautycounter)
- cleaner home products
And while I haven’t entirely given up places like Target and Costco and occasionally Amazon – because let’s be realistic: sometimes you just need convenience and toilet paper – being a more conscious consumer is so important.
Oh, and an update on real deodorant from my last post. I tried Native and loved it – until my underarms broke out. Such a bummer because it smells and works great, but apparently, my skin doesn’t like baking soda. So I’m still using Kopari and picked up some Megababe rosy pits, which I’ve really liked.
screen-free time
And now bouncing off being a conscious consumer, my new iPhone has made me a more conscious smartphone user. But that doesn’t mean it’s helped me improve (i.e. lessen) my screen time – yet. The new OS breaks down your screen time by app and shows total time you’ve spent on your phone each day. And the real zinger: how many times you’ve picked up your phone. Yikes. I’ve currently set my social time at two hours and 30 minutes. In reality, that seems like a long time, right? But what’s frightening: I hit it every. single. day.
Another great tool of the new OS: it locks your social apps once you’ve hit your time limit. And though I’ve been trying not to, I occasionally extend by 15 minutes here and there. But it’s hard! Forever a work in progress 🙂
working
A good distraction from my phone: working! And by work, I mean keeping my hands busy, not working at my day job (because let’s be honest: that means staring at a screen for eight hours, and that’s not enjoyable). After nearly a year of living in our house, we started some new projects. First up: our office / entry. When we moved in last year we painted the entire house grey, which I loved – until I didn’t. It’s too cool and gloomy and reminds me of the cold grey sunless winter, and I don’t love it with the wood floors. So, starting with the office, we’re slowing painting the entire house Sherwin-Williams alabaster, a creamy white. I love it. Nick is still on the fence (he’ll love it eventually… ha!). So far, we’ve finished the walls and all the trim in the office and hallway. And next up: the bathroom and guest room (we haven’t touched the latter at all – the original wallpaper’s still up!).
Wanna see our house renovations? Find us at @1925Standishbungalow on Instagram.
autumn sunset runs
It’s too dark now to catch the sunset (wahhhhh!), but before Daylight Saving Time ended in early November, Luma and timed our runs to catch the sunset over Lake Hiawatha. It’s these little things that make life beautiful ♥
training
I’m not training for any specific race (yet), but there’s a plan in TrainingPeaks, and that makes me happy. Not having to think about my workouts frees up mental space for other things. And the structure helps keep me sane, productive and motivated in all areas of my life (not just training).
Two main training notes from November:
1 – we took a swim technique class. This was the best thing to happen to my swimming since I started swimming consistently and then swimming masters. A big thank you to Scott Tripps, one of the best swim coaches out there.
2 – a bike-every-day block. I did this in April with great results, so coach thought it would be a good idea to do it again. It felt harder this time around. Maybe more so mentally? Staying laser focused and stretching almost daily to hit big watts every workout is hard. So is compound fatigue. Oof. I wasn’t super stoked about my bike tests (the 5- and 20-minute ones) at first – I’ve been on the edge of a sinus infection so haven’t been sleeping great – but after looking back at tests from this year and 2017, I’ll take ’em. That said, I keep reminding myself it’s early December – tri season doesn’t start here until basically June – so so much time to grind away on the trainer.
not drinking
Alcohol and I have had an interesting relationship. There was the low point: when I drank too much beer right after high school and gained so much weight you wouldn’t recognize me if I showed you a pic (thankfully only a couple pics from that time even exist!). My self-esteem was pretty much zero, so I stopped drinking and started working out. Then I swung the other way, barely drinking for a big chunk of my 20s. When I hit 30, I started to enjoy a glass or two of good red wine.
But the common thread through everything: that more often than not, I’d get a wicked hangover – even off two glasses of wine – that usually relegated me to the sofa all day in between trips to the bathroom to throw up. Fun times. So after that happened again in September from one glass of wine (WTF!), I decided to just stop drinking altogether for awhile. And you know what? I don’t really even miss it.
And another pic of Luma ♥ Dogs rule.
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