Where to start?
By: Diary Of The Averagely Healthy
Tags: Lists, Goals, Achievement, Money, Positivity

The best way to start anything is with a list. I love a good list.

This year I bought a standard, squared notebook to use as a journal, before I realised that I really don't do enough or have the type of job where I need to always be on top of things. However! It's been great for making all sorts of lists and plans wherever they actually come about. Or just random ideas pages. Whatever comes to mind. Maybe you'd find it easier to type a page on your phone, get a fancy notebook, or just sheets of paper you find?

I have pages such as a chart of all the birthdays during the year so I won't forget them, a quick glance at the month ahead and I'm on track! This is handy to plan for gift budgets, where you might need to travel, or just making sure you're a good friend/family member without necessarily buying a big gift - you'll never forget their birthday or anniversary.

I have a page for a wishlist, covering things from a new phone to the type of new jeans I want, a new washing line to a necklace I kind of want. I do a little doodle, because why not add a little fun or interest to the page, even if it's not a great work of art. I even draw a little bubble around it so one day if I make the purchase, I get the satisfaction of colouring it in or crossing it out! However what this also does is make you think about what you want to buy, and seeing all the items on a page you can try to prioritise. Just taking a second to jot it down can sometimes create a cooling off period where you might decide actually, I dont want it that much. Maybe not at all. Other times you might have a bit of extra cash, find the list and remember something you really wanted or needed. This stops the cash being blown on something new and impulsive! (Hopefully). It's not fool proof, but having a physical list I can see stops things getting forgotten in the back of my mind, or stops one thing from dominating. Maybe a similar method can help you?

A related page is the budget page - I have a target amount for the year, with a pleasing thermometer image I colour in at the end of the month to create a visual for my progress. Each month I write the new total as well. I find it easier to visualise with a graphic, but you might prefer to use numbers or a percentage of the total savings target, for example. This is the amount in a seperate savings account that I aim to not touch unless in a proper emergency situation, and a set amount goes into it at each payday. Not always the same amount as my finances change with a lot of factors, but whatever I feel I can afford that month. Got some spare at the end of the month? Put some extra in! Not got a savings account? Make sure a set amount remains in your account each month, and this should increase as the year goes on.

Budgets and financing are maybe not something obvious to start a healthy lifestyle on, but nowadays money really makes a big impact on every aspect of living. A large part of this is also connected to mental health, as many issues can stem from a lack, or bad management, of one's cash flow. It's a good place to start. You don't need to create a bunch of excel charts to do basic finances, and it can really help to see where you're at. Sit down, write your monthly wage against monthly bills and outgoings. Your leftovers can be split between savings and everything else to make sure you're using realistic proportions. Simples!

I have a page in my notebook that plans the perfect day. A good breakfast, lunch and dinner, keep to the skincare routine. If it's a day off do something creative or a bit more exercise. Walk the dog. Do the most necessary housework. It won't all get done every day - but maybe most of it will, on most of the days. Every day is different, and sometimes we can control this but other times we can't. Try to see what you have the potential for each day, and aim for it!

Most importantly for any list that you make, whether a food chart or a budget, an exercise regime or a daily plan, remember that it is only a guide and sometimes won't be achieved.

That is not to put a downer on all this positive planning! Things happen, issues come up, plans change. Some days I feel like cleaning the whole house or going for a jog (rarely), and some days I don't want to get off the sofa. I try to accept this, and on those sofa days aim for at least one productive thing.

Celebrate what you have achieved, rather than what you have not done on those lists.

It can be an easy trap to fall into with trying to be productive - and I have fallen into it - to see a huge list on a day where I'm at work, or on a down day, and think to myself how little I've done. But if you have done one thing, that's still better than nothing. If it’s something I get to physically tick off, then there’s a bit more added satisfaction — it seems tiny but trust me!

Saved £10 rather than £100? You're still better off! Ate a good dinner but a not so good breakfast or lunch? You could have done worse! Washed one plate and left the rest? At least you can eat off it!

A bit like this post, lists can ramble on and on about what you could be doing, but if you lack the motivation then none of it will be done and the whole thing is pointless. Being averagely healthy means making small, achievable changes that are therefore more likely to become habit and easy to pull off everyday (or most days). Make some easy and realistic lists. Make some ridiculous lists that make you feel extra good if you get close, or even achieve them!

Is there a tiny thing you could do right now? Drink some water? East a piece of fruit you like? Just walk around the room in a few circles to get the circulation going again? Do it!

I am going to go and put the washed pots away when I post this. Maybe I'll even wash the dirty ones. The possibilities are endless!