The Due Date is the Do Date! It’s the doing date! D-O-I-N-G-I-N-G! | Day 43 of 90

What's working in my personal life right now?

One of the things that I found really effective so far this year is pairing all of my boring items with something else. 

Usually it's something fun and enjoyable, but not always, for example, if I know I have to call Target or Fast Track or something, I would much rather do it in the car while I'm already driving because I can't do anything else but drive. Would I rather wait on hold at home and only be doing that? Nope. I much prefer to do it at the same time as something else to be efficient and get other things done. 

This year I decided to do my taxes when I was at a lovely, very overpriced cafe with an expensive $7 coffee. I was able to do that a couple of times since I didn't get it all done in one go. 

I've also had luck with doing small batches of things within times when I'm waiting, for example, when I would be charging the car I would often be cashing checks. Or when I had to do something really boring like bookkeeping, I would be playing a game at the same time in between waiting for my turn. 

Something that I learned about myself is that I don't take into consideration how much of a barrier boredom is for me. My expectations for myself should include a boredom tax when it comes to getting started on something for the first time. 

If I can simply eliminate some of that boredom by either changing the task itself or pairing it with something else fun if the task is inherently boring, I'm able to not only get that task done but it's not as much of a daunting barrier for me to start it since the other activity that I am pairing with is enjoyable. So I've been able to be a lot more productive in that way. 

Obviously I can't always go to an expensive cafe every single time I need to get something done. It's always not feasible in every situation but it is effective so instead of just expecting myself to be able to do something because I have to or it's the right thing to do or I have to be responsible or be an adult, I want to think of maybe some more creative ways that I can get some of these things done, like listening to an audiobook that's kind of dry while doing a puzzle for example.

What's not working right now?

I've been in a more negative frame of mind lately and I feel like I could list many things for this category. 

One thing that isn't working is household chores/tasks and not having a system for putting things back that I am still working on.

I've also been struggling in consistently exercising.

What were my most energizing life-related activities in Q1 2025?

I'm not sure I know the answer to this question. Travel was really great and I enjoyed being really busy with work in the beginning of the year. I always enjoy watching good comedy and lately have fallen in love with Mythic Quest.

Knitting has been energizing as well.

What were my most draining life-related activities in Q1 2025?

Not sleeping early, eating well, or exercising.