lessons for 2010

unfortunately, the only thing about grad school that remains consistent is that it breeds inconsistency. and i know... this is a horrible excuse for why i haven't blogged since november 19 (eek!), but it's the only excuse that i have! once finals roll around, i can't be bothered with anything else and then once they're over, i'm too worn out and busy trying to put my life back in order. and now that it's back in order, i've not blogged for eleven weeks. so, i'm sorry!

i'm going to try and be a little more consistent this year.

and that starts today. it starts with a couple of lessons i've learned that i think will help me get through 2010:

lesson # 1: get ahead. yep, it's a lesson i'm learning. i don't always follow it, so "get ahead" is not a rule, but it definitely works when i do it. "get ahead" can apply to anything. one example: finished your readings for the week early? read ahead and save future you from falling behind. in that same mind, i've got a few different things to say to whatever faithful readership i've got, so i'm going to try and blog them ahead of time to get it all out there while i'm in my right mind and then time release it for your reading pleasure.

lesson # 2: take care of yourself. this seems so obvious, but it ends up not being that way once i'm in the swing of things. i'll come home from work determined to get some reading done and in the process, i'll forget to work out or eat dinner, or i won't get enough sleep at night. i definitely want to finish my program "on time" (this doesn't mean THAT much to a part-timer, but still), but i know that i want to get out of my program feeling healthy and happy and loving myself. what that means is that sometimes, i just have to prioritize my health and wellness, whether it means skipping my readings for a night and doing some yoga instead, or opting to get 8 hours of sleep and hoping to wake up early the next morning to write before work. this year is teaching me that i have to prioritize me, no matter what.

lesson #3: take care of your relationships. this kind of goes along with lesson #2. in my first year of school, i barely made time for myself. i also didn't make much time for my friends and husband. i'm not making that mistake again. not having time with friends and family can really make life hard and it's important to nurture your support system and to give support just as much as you want to get it. this year, i'm going on a date with my husband at least once or twice a week. plus, i'm hanging out with friends almost every day, even if it's just a quick coffee break or meeting someone to study together.

so, that's where i am right now. i hope i can make it last.