Baby Steps

      May was a very difficult month for me. I was feeling trapped. Every time it seemed I was taking a step forward, I ended up falling on my face. Towards the end of the month I came to a realization. I'm trying to take adult sized steps. I need baby steps. If I don't work on me first, nothing will work.

       Up until about 2 months ago, my house was a disaster. It still isn't perfect by anyone's standards, but it no longer looks like I need my very own episode of hoarders, and possibly a maid or 4. It started small. 6 little things a day, written down with a few friends to help motivate each other. Eventually, the 6 things that were on my list became habit. I no longer needed them on my list. So I started adding in larger things. One room at a time, one tiny step at a time. I spent probably 2 weeks just getting my front room in shape. A long time, but I wasn't rushing. Little things here and there. Then I moved onto the hallway. Spent a good 3 days there. Then the girls room, etc. I still have the bathroom to finish, but I know I can do it, and I'm happy with how easy it is most days to simply maintain my house. So, using that as a model, I'm going to work on a few other things that I've attempted before, but never succeeded with.

Step 1: Soda.
          This is a personal demon, and it ties in with another of my larger problems: My weight. I am hopelessly addicted to caffeinated drinks. Dr. Pepper is my favorite, but I cannot always get a hold of that, and will drink whatever else is caffeinated. I'm tackling this slowly. I'm not even limiting myself. I'm the kind of person that wasted 3 hours on that stupid online big red button that says do not push. I've blown up the world 26 times now according to that. If someone says I can't have it (even if I'm the one telling me I can't have it) I'm just going to try harder to get it. And I will get it. Trust me. So, instead of trying to limit myself, I'm adding something. 3 liters of water a day. I know they say two is good, but I live in a sauna these days, so 3 is better. Ice cold, preferably flavored water. It works. I'm too full from the water to look at the 2 liter of Pepsi in the fridge most of the time.

Step 2: ??
          Think up a step two. Baby steps, remember?