WINTER WINDOW

It's January 3rd, and I'm in the process of figuring out my goals for the year. I have most of them figured out, they're in a Note on my phone, and I feel good about them. Most of my goals are professional (I got into real estate last year, if you didn't know), but there are a lot of personal goals on there, too.

One of the personal goals is to get into a much better routine when I wake up. I spent so many years working the morning shift at a restaurant that it's really, really hard to change what I'm used to doing. Since I had to be at work at 7 every day, my morning was really just waking up 45 minutes before, getting dressed, brushing my teeth, and heading out. Since the first thing I did at work was start coffee, there was no need to make any at home, and it's a restaurant, so breakfast was easy.

I've been pretty good at implementing a new routine, but once the temperature dropped, and it started getting really cold (it was 12 degrees when I woke up yesterday), I stumbled. Add in that it was the holiday, and I didn't really have anywhere to be, it got even harder. 

This week is going to be a bit of a learning curve though. I've got a new apartment workout that takes about half an hour, I like making coffee, and breakfast is pretty important. I'm also trying to journal (writing with a pen in a physical notebook) when I wake up. I stumbled on that this morning because my arms were trembling from the workout. I also really like making coffee and breakfast at home now, so figuring out how to do all that stuff before showering, getting dressed, and taking the 20 minute drive to my office is a little challenge. I'm getting better at it, but that's the first thing I want to check off my goal list this year.

Last night while I was starting to plan my week, I got sidetracked—as I often do—listening to music. I made a playlist to listen to first thing this morning. It's mellow, and reminds me of a winter drive where everything is quiet, cold, and peaceful. It's not the stressful snow squall drive from last week. This is for when you don't have to worry about black ice, because the sun is out, and the fresh snow is glittering through the window. It's been on all morning, and I might change it up a bit because there are a couple of songs that, in my head were a good fit, but don't work so well in practice. Anyway. Here's Winter Window.