Taking stock this winter
I am frequently inspired by something I read in a blog post. This time it was a Taking Stock post on Deb’s World.
What is Taking Stock?
To paraphrase Debbie, it’s a fun creative exercise in which you respond to one word prompts with a quick sentence. You give yourself a few moments to process the word and then write the first thing that comes into your mind. So it’s literally off the top of your head!
You can use prompts you find online or make up your own. I’ve seen people use the
A-Z approach or the letters in the current month. Since we’ve recently passed the mid-point of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, I went with a seasonal approach: WINTER.
Taking stock this winter
“Winter is a season of recovery and preparation.” ~ Paul Theroux
Wishing…Today I am wishing for spring. As I took my walk this afternoon, I so appreciated the fresh smell and clear blue sky that follows a rainstorm. Still, I couldn’t help wishing for the colorful flowers that spring will bring to the trail. It’s good to have something to look forward to, right?
Interested in…I am interested in so many things, but the first thing that came to mind was the functional nutrition course I am currently taking online. I find it fascinating how many ways there are to approach healthy nutrition and how the smallest things can have the largest effects on our minds and bodies.
Nibbling…Speaking of nutrition, I am currently focused on increasing my protein and fiber intake. It was a struggle at first, but like all things, it is becoming easier with practice. When it comes to literal nibbling, I thoroughly enjoyed mindfully nibbling on these Valentine sweets.
Tiring of…the circus that is United States politics. Every day it’s something new. I limit my news intake to one national and one local news per day, but you really can’t escape it. The circus is featured on comedy shows, daily conversations, and social media. For a long time, my approach was to dodge and ignore (when I’m not preaching to the choir that is). However, lately I’ve wondered if my silence could be mistaken as apathy or agreement, so I have more often been attempting civil discourse. I don’t expect to change anyone’s mind, but I hope to make sure people know where I stand on important issues.
Excited about…the rain we’ve received. We’ve gone months without measurable precipitation, so when it finally rained, I was overjoyed…even if that rain was preceded by a skiff of snow. Luckily that didn’t stick around.
I am also excited about a couple of trips we have started to plan: a trip to Los Angeles with my husband this spring, a girls trip…maybe to Clear Sky Resorts at Bryce Canyon…with my sisters this summer, and a cruise with friends this fall. Stay tuned for more.
Reading…Currently I am reading one novel and one non-fiction book. The novel is The Housekeeper’s Secret by Sandra Schnakenburg. (Thank you Leslie and Come Read with Me) for the recommendation. I am also reading a non-fiction book called Motivational Interviewing by William R. Miller and Stephen Rollnick. Next on the reading list: The Path Made Clear by Oprah Winfrey. Thank you Ashley for that recommendation!
Your turn
I hope you enjoyed this little Taking Stock post. I’d love it if you’d take one or more of these prompts and share your response in the comments.
Featured image by Deborah Hudson from Pixabay
Quote image by Jill Wellington from Pixabay
I agree with your W. I usually love winter, but this one has been really hard…cold and unending. I’ve been working on increasing my protein, too. Any pointers? As for politics, I had to stop the doom scrolling. But, it’s a very scary time for the marginalized communities in our country. I’m already seeing legislation to get rid of Section 504 plans. They are a pain, I know from experience, but they’re so necessary for so many students. Hurray fog your rain. We have had more snow and rain this winter than we’ve had for a couple years. I’m glad of that. I just finished a “dark” book so I’m reading a beach read.
https://marshainthemiddle.com/
Hello Marsha. My protein go-tos are cottage cheese, greek yogurt, and Core Power (a protein shake)…besides the usual, of course, lean meat, eggs and beans. Cottage cheese can be added to many other foods without changing the flavor much (eggs, mashed potatoes, some baked goods, and I’ve even heard taco meat). It truly is a scary time for all US citizens, but especially those in marginalized communities. As for your reading…I’m like you, if I read a heavy book, I follow it up with a lighter read.
Hi Christie – I still find it strange when I read posts about winter when we’re in the middle of a hot, dry summer. It’s almost refreshing to hear people complain about the cold or about the snow. Your taking stock using Winter as your prompts was really fun and a great way to catch up with all that’s going on in your world. x
That’s funny, Leanne, I feel the same way when I read posts from Australia about how hot it is!
I agree with you on trying not to read too much of the American news. It’s so awful. Bt there are bloggers I link with that are having their social security frozen and I just feel there’s a real problem with power if you go after the sick and the elderly. It’s just morally wrong.
In Australia we had a terrible thing called Robodebt where they just made up (computer decided) debts and started hounding poor and sick people – the most vulnerable in the community – to pay it back. It was illegal and people died but very sadly, no one went to jail that I’m aware of. It breaks my heart every time I think about it – even typing this. THAT is our lesson to DO BETTER, especially for those that can’t stand up for themselves. #WWWhimsy (and you know what? In Australia, there are MPs giving grants to their friends and families so I’d rather that money got chased up rather than some young kid with mental health struggles that limit their ability to get a job…
You are spot on, Lydia, we need to do better…both on an individual level and on holding those people that are in power accountable.
Hi Christie, I love Taking Stock posts. I do four of them per year (each quarter). They originated with Pip from ‘Meet me at Mikes’. I’m actually looking forward to our Autumn and Winter – very mild compared to yours though. Our summers are too hot for me. I’m envious of the course you’re studying (functional nutrition course). Nutrition is a huge area of interest to me. I did look at some courses but all so expensive! Thanks for linking up with #WWWhimsy and hoping you have lots of happy and inspirational days ahead! xo
I have a hard time wrapping my head around it being summer across the globe from me, but I know it’s true. I am enjoying the Functional Nutrition course. I am fortunate in that it was provided to me at no additional charge when I purchased the health coaching course. Otherwise, I might not have done it either. I am learning a lot.
I love both sharing and reading Taking Stock posts – it’s such a fun way to catch up. We too are looking forward to spring, it’s been a very chilly winter! I make it my business to avoid the news as much as possible, I find it quite stressful. Your trips sound a lot of fun – isn’t it great to have something to look forward to?!
I agree, Sammie, that Taking Stock posts are fun from either side. Planning these trips has been a much-needed distraction from all the stressful news swirling around. As you say, we all need something fun to look forward to.
Christie, I always appreciate ‘taking stock’ posts as they reveal insights that allow us, your readers, to get to know you better. I write a month-end post that does the same, without your creative format. If I were to borrow a letter from WINTER it would be W for wishing, as in wishing our impending move goes smoothly and we resume our contented lifestyle.
Wishing you a smooth move and much contentment, Suzanne!
Wishing: I feel Mother Nature needs to get over this snow stuff and move us onto spring. A few daffodils in the front yard would look nice.
Nibbling: Girl Scout cookies. It is February and they are a source of solace during gray days.
Excited about: I’ve gotten more organized since returning to blogland in January which is making it easier for me to keep writing blog posts without digging through piles of scribbled notes. I feel more like I know what I’m doing again.
Thanks for sharing your mini Taking Stock, Ally. I love daffodils…they are so pretty, and also they are one of the earliest pops of spring color. Enjoy your Girl Scout cookies and your improved organization!
I’m reading a book about functional nutrition right now too and really enjoying it (though I know my family really wishes I’d stop reading any sort of nutrition books at all!). All of those trips sound wonderful. I keep trying to get a few in the books but no one in the family seems interested in any of my ideas!
We seem to be on a similar nutrition track, Joanne. I love it…even if your family doesn’t. I hope you can come to a travel agreement soon. It’s always nice having a get-away to look forward to.
Hi Christie, I’m just back from a week of taking our visitors around our lovely area so it was great to come and read your Taking Stock post! I’m so thrilled to have inspired you and love your WINTER take on it all. Your words are spot on about the news cycle, and not speaking up can be seen as acceptance so good on you using your voice this way. Have a great week and thanks for the shout out!
I’m glad to hear you enjoyed your time with friends, Deb, and thanks again for the inspiration and the encouraging words.
Hi friend,
Spent the weekend and some of today catching up on blog posts. Like old home week with friends. Enjoyed this taking stock post.
A bit jealous of your rain. Glad for you, just wish we could get some. It has been so long. We worked in the yard today and I realized how dry the ground is, even though we have sprinklers and water regularly. Hope you soon see the spring colors on your daily walks.
Our plum trees are blooming. The blooms look like tiny ballerinas on the branches.
Your travel plans sound delightful. Can’t imagine going to sleep looking up at the wide open sky from a bed in one of the sky domes at Bryce Canyon. You will be able to see ALL the stars!! Where are you cruising? We are going to Alaska in May. Hope we don’t freeze!! But so looking forward to the experience.
Thank you for joining the book club and your kind mention of it above. I just finished reading The Many Lives of Mama Love and I think you would like it. Looking forward to seeing what the book club selects for March.
Hi Leslie! I just love your description of the plum tree blooms: tiny ballerinas.
I am pretty excited about our star gazing trip. Here’s hoping the skies are clear. We are considering a Caribbean cruise…not sure which part yet. I bet you will love the Alaska cruise. We want to do that one some day too. We’ve been to Anchorage and Fairbanks, but we haven’t experienced the cruise, and I’ve heard it’s breathtaking.
I had insomnia last night, so I got up and started reading the March book club selection. So far so good!