It's March 23, a date with a "3" in it, so I'm doing another "3 things" slice (a little extra structure to help me write all month). March 3 HERE, if you're interested. AND in looking for a visual, I found Jason Mraz's song "3 Things" and it's just lovely.
Here are 3 things I don't pay attention to, even though many other folks do. And #3 is one I'd like to change, sooner rather than later.
1. I don't eat a good breakfast. Sometimes I get on a role - my latest was Trader Joe's cinnamon oatmeal, prepared in the microwave in a mason jar, and doctored up with giant blueberries and crushed almond slices... soooo good! And this morning, I had the final scoop of a decadent, sunshiny marmalade. I'd been saving it, because it's pure joy, and I had fresh bakery bread and a few extra minutes, so it was a match made in sugary heaven. YET despite these two breakfast stories, I usually grab a small diet coke and perhaps a granola bar (but rarely eat it til almost lunch). I'm going on a vacation with myself this summer, and one thing I'm going to do is eat breakfast each day, and stop eating fairly early, and see if that shakes up my almost-60 metabolism. But for now, the habit is set, and please don't judge me!
2. I don't do a good job of birthdays. I'm so sorry, everyone who thinks I should be good at this skill! I have an amazing sister-in-law who always pays attention and sends you a perfect gift for your birthday - those shoes you complimented someone else on; a project kit for something you said you were interested in exploring. She is awesome, right? My husband has a birthday book that he checks every morning and gives us a heads-up of nieces and nephews we should call, and of course, I'll join him and sing my heart out. But even with my Google calendar commitment, I just stink at birthday card sending, birthday remembering, heartfelt birthday Facebook posts. The good thing is that I will never, ever judge you for not remembering my birthday. I don't take the day off, don't want a party, and while I love cards and presents (I mean, who doesn't?), I don't get caught up in my or your annual birth celebration.
3. I'm on my phone at night. I have read a dozen (or more!) articles about how this habit harms me, my brain AND my body. But I'm still holding it in my hand, addiction confirmed because I'm making excuses to myself (I didn't play Wordle yet; I want to check the news; I have an article saved that I need to read; these videos are helping me relax; I love looking at LinkedIn updates). The answer to all of these things is no-no-no, and I'm feeling the impact more intensely the past 2 months. So that vacation with myself (where I'm eating breakfast!) will be tech-free (it's a part of the requirements at the resort I'm going to - and one of the main reasons I picked it!), but here's the admission I'm making here: diet coke for breakfast is OK(-ish). Not remembering your birthday is OK. But if I can make this phone-at-night change, I think I'll feel better every single day. If you've kicked this habit or have an idea for me, please share it!
I like your list of 3's. I tried plugging my phone in my bathroom, and that has helped! I think your next list of 3's should be more positive ;) What are some things you are really good at that make you unique? :)
ReplyDeleteI definitely need to get the phone *out of the room* as a strategy! I will maybe do a braggy post on March 30... I think every Slicer will have at least 1 big brag by then - making it through March!!!
DeleteI love this three things list idea! I think I will try it today! I like your list as well...number 1 is hard for me too. Actually, so is number 3, but I'm still in denial about that one. ;)
ReplyDeleteI think many of us are in denial about #3 - we're in good company, and maybe if we all committed to "no phone at night" the same way we commit to Slicing ;)
DeleteI love your honesty in this post!! No judgement here!
ReplyDeleteI love the Slicing community - no judgement is the best feeling!
Delete1. This is a great writing tip that I'm saving for later.
ReplyDelete2. We must be cut from the same cloth. Coffee for breakfast and a handful of almonds, or a spoonful of nut butter, or granola bar also eaten almost at noon. Your bread looks delish. Birthdays, I send gifts two, three, sometimes four months late, but not one has ever been declined because it's so late.
3. I've tried setting my phone to grayscale for a week. Switched it back to color for spring break vacay & pictures. Now it's back. Has it helped? I think so. A little. And I also have to be extremely careful not to take it to bed with me. I plug it in to charge in my closet and my goal each night is to put it away at 8:30. (That one I'm still working on).
Alice, 1. I'm glad you're saving it! 2. The toast & jam was heavenly. Great idea about late gifts! 3. I don't even know about grayscale, I will be looking that up immediately TY! And I do think a "put away" alarm is a great idea. I might have to start with 10:00 and work backward to 8:30... but it's a great idea and appeals to the exacting side of my personality.
DeleteLisa, thanks for your honest reflections. The "sunshiny marmalade" sounds and looks delicious. I am so with you on #2! " I don't get caught up in my or your annual birth celebration." Me too! All the best to you as you establish new habits and a tech-free resort this summer. I don't always put my phone away, but I have gotten better. I used to have it automatically turn off at a designated time. (I didn't like that because inevitably, I needed to send one more text or something after it went off, so that didn't last too long.)
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