Here’s what happened at Planted Life in January

Self-Realisation

We convince ourselves that the start of a new year means we are renewed, we have somehow set a reset button and come the 12:01 on the 1^st January everything is somehow better, happier and easier.

Then just like that mid-January rolls around and we feel frustrated, our motivation have waivered just a little and some of the goals we set for the year seem unachievable and out of reach. You are now saying to yourself….if only and I just need…but deep down you know these words are just leading to excuses.

You are the most motivated now

Time to step up, take responsibility and get sh#t done. It’s all about what you can do today. Please don’t focus on what you didn’t do yesterday or what you may have to do tomorrow, it’s today that counts, today is where the magic happens. It starts now.

Strive for the Magic

As we draw to the end of January, ask yourself? “What have I achieved in the past 31 days to make magic happen for the remainder of the 335 days?” When you sit down and journal it, you have done a hell of a lot. Let’s think about all that you have achieved in the month of January.

Taking the lead

Days 1 – 5

• Recovered from a gin induced hangover (thanks Adelaide and your new-found obsession with creating some of the finest gins in the world)
• Ran the Adelaide Hills to help blow off the hangover all the while discovering some new untouched trails around the Mt Lofty area
• Discovered Artisa handcrafted plant based cheese; Ben Lomond nut cheese with a traditional white mould rind layed with Tasmanian vine ash
• Realised I can’t live a plastic free life and instead settled for living a life with less plastic
• Trained more indoors due to smoke pollution (please continue and support our volunteer fire fighters and Animal Rescue centres)

Days 6-12

• Received notification I was ‘rejected’ for the second year in a row to run UTMB in 2020 (everything happens for a reason, right?)
• Reflected on how far I have come living a life with less plastic and realised, I am not doing too bad after all
• Signed up to a new class at the gym, TRX and think I have found my calling

Days 13-19

• Was successful with a ticket to run UTA100, Blue Mountains in May only to realise running 100km is too close to another race I have happening in June 2020 (the highs and the lows)
• Learnt from the Master himself, Mason Taylor first-hand the benefit of medicinal mushrooms and tonic herbs as sourced by SuperFeast (it takes years of commitment to reap the benefits, no quick fixes here – just how I like and live)
• Continued to self-educate with good reads from authors who feed my interest in mindfulness, running and plant-based health
• Discovered you can’t just pick up where you left off; roller skating is hard especially when the last time you did it was over 35 years ago!
• Continued to support local and shop at small independent shops for items that will make a difference in my life (thank you The Staple Store)
• Spent more time in my Planted Kitchen making delights such as sushi and dumplings
• Discovered trails in the Dandenongs only to uncover a few favourites, such as Birthday Track have been closed due to trails being ‘created illegally’

Days 20 – 26

• Had a self-realisation whilst reading Dylan Alcott book ‘ABLE’ that when we take risks we must be willing to accept the consequences…life doesn’t always follow the plan you think you have in place
• Drove from Melbourne to Adelaide to soak up the atmosphere of the Tour Down Under for 5 days; so worth it
• Brushed shoulders with the giants and greats of modern cycling and got a little fan struck; namely Romain Bardet, Caleb Ewan and Luke Durbridge
• Saw first-hand the devastation of the fires that engulfed the Adelaide Hills before Christmas
• Questioned further the celebration of Australia Day as it is celebrated today
• Proudly guessed the #1 song in the Triple J’s hottest 100, actually who didn’t? Duh.
• Continued to work towards next month’s running goal by treading lightly the sweetness that is the Adelaide Hills
• Realised hummus, falafel and fermented veg is still one the more delicious and nutritious plant-based meals you can eat

Days 27-31

• Became a bike commuter and realised it really is one of the best ways to get from A,B and Z
• Confirmed that cooking your own meal is way better than getting take away or eating out
• Realised I eat more than the recommended amount of fruit servings per day (2 serves and I eat around 6-7 servings per day)
• Reflected on how I eat and confirmed I eat 99.9% real plant-based foods (more so now that I am cutting down on my plastic consumption)

What’s ahead/planned in February?

• Learn and start to compost my fruit and vegetable scraps (long overdue I know)
• Attend a Transcendental Meditation information session
• Start my 13^th 100km race, Hut2Hut, Mt Buller on Valentine’s Day (so much love)
• Continue to work on my 2020 trail race running calendar further becoming accountable to my own personal goals and growth

Set obtainable goals

The plans for the next month don’t need to be many, they just need to be highly achievable and obtainable. By doing so, I will feel a great sense of satisfaction and avoid the trap of feeling disheartened and disappointed.

The year will unfold as the universe has planned, I am just going to ensure I enjoy the ride and are mindful of every moment, that is what is referred to as the power of now.

Welcome with an open mind, heart and hands the tempestuous month February.

[Note: this blog forms part of my accountability promise to myself]