Life Update 001: Shedding the dead weight, refocusing on what matters

I haven't posted in about 2 months. I'll put this down to writer's block - yes, writer's block is still possible in the age of AI, especially as someone who refuses to outsource their creativity to data and computing power. But with that out of the way, happy March! Time has flown by, it's scary, but a reminder that all things pass (I'm talking about the cold and dark winter months). I think we are due a sync up. I wanted this post to be fun, as if you are sitting at a coffee shop with a friend catching up. I've selected some images from my camera roll that also show the 'vibe' of my year so far. Let me know how you like this format. Anyways, let's get onto it.

My theme of the year

Last year was hectic - in good ways and bad. I was exposed to new opportunities like speaking engagements and brand partnerships. I ran a 10k and even became a governor at a school. But by the end of the year, during my reflection, I realised that I had designed what I like to call a 'pretty prison' for myself. A calendar and responsibilities that look great, make me look productive, but don't really move the needle. Don't really speak to what I want. That's a scary place to be in. This year, my goal is simple: to 'be still' more and 'shed the dead weight'. This has been fantastic so far. My philosophy is that if it's not a 'hell yes', then it's a no. And this has meant I have more energy to pour back into the things I love and the people I love.

March is the new January

I have tried, genuinely tried, to hit the ground running on the 1st of January every single year. And every single year, my body drags me back into rest mode. Don't get me wrong - it's been an active rest. I recorded a podcast (link here - go listen), and I've been doing ambassador work with Code First Girls. But there's a different energy that kicks in when March arrives.

I'm a self-diagnosed SAD girlie. Seasonal Affective Disorder is very real for me, and winter does something to my motivation that no vision board can fix. But March? March gives me a new lease on life. The days get longer. I actually get to commute to and from work in daylight, which sounds small until you've spent three months leaving the house in darkness and coming home in darkness.

So I revisited my goals, rewrote some of them, and set new ones with the energy this season was giving me. I'd recommend you do the same - use the natural momentum spring provides.

Healthier habits with the digital world

My weekly screen time report always scares me. Over 6 hours per day? Most of it spent scrolling on TikTok and Instagram. I must say, the investment these companies put into hacking human psychology and making you addicted is worth every penny because it works. But when you think about where you could be if you intentionally put those hours towards becoming the person you want to be - or even just resting, because I like to work hard but I am not a hustle junkie - it puts things in perspective. These two apps have been a game changer (not sponsored, however, I'm looking at you @Opal and @Structure, if you see this, please do).

Opal - an app-blocking app. I can set which apps I want blocked and for how long. This helps me with deep focus.

Structured - enables me to plan my day minute by minute. No time gets lost. It helps me structure my day and know exactly what it entails. I put my to-do list into Structured every Sunday.

Trying new things

I went skiing for the first time this year. Let me set the scene for you: I had one lesson beforehand and couldn't even nail slowing down or turning. So you can imagine what getting on the slopes was like. The first day was horrendous - I was just falling everywhere. There was a point where I had to take off my skis and walk because I was both physically and mentally done. I thought skiing just wasn't for me and considered staying indoors for the rest of the trip. The next day I booked a lesson and became so much more confident in just one day - I could turn, stop and slow down. Which brings me to my next point: there is something so beautiful about being a beginner, knowing that the only way from where you are is up. The more chances you take at being a beginner, the more evidence you give yourself that you can do hard things. It's a muscle that needs to be built, and it leads to a self-confidence that shows up in every area of your life. So what things could you be a beginner in?

Not waiting for life to start

I often find myself robbed of the present moment. How? By not giving myself full permission to be content until I've reached a certain milestone or point that can only come in the future. This looks like wishing the week away while you wait for the weekend, or persistently thinking about how happy you'll be once you move into your new apartment or finish your course. Don't get me wrong - visualisation and goal setting are important, but when they distract from the blessings that exist in the current moment, they can do more harm than good. The best way to overcome this is simple: gratitude. Being thankful for the here and now. Literally make a list of everything you're grateful for in this exact moment.

There it is - where I've been, what I've been up to and what I've been thinking. And if you've ever been thinking 'hmm' where is Ruth, shes been too quiet on her blog, I will always be making noise on tiktok or instagram so make sure you follow along there: @ruthfultech

Be prepared to be hearing a lot more from me.

Ruth