2022 Intentions – February Reflections

I wrote about my 2022 Intentions (as an alternative to resolutions) during the new year. After wrapping up February it’s time to reflect again. As a reminder, “intentions” are the behaviors and attitudes that I intend to promote and champion within myself each day. The intent is to do (be) my best on any given day…in any given moment. There are no rules. No broken promises. Just good intentions.

As I write this I’m recovering (I hope!) from a pretty nasty cold which has me in a bit of a downer mood, but I fully expect this to be a temporary situation and I’m putting the work in everyday to get through these periodic troughs.

#1 Intention: Rise and Shine

My first 2022 Intention was to ”Rise and Shine”. To get up when I (first) wake up. Given my normal sleep patterns I decided to wake and get up at 5 a.m. (with a 9-9:30 sleep target to ensure I got enough sleep to feel rested). In January, I had lived into this intention every day and the same is true for February.

How do I feel? I’m still feeling GREAT (aside from the darn cold, that is)! Waking up early is the gift that gives back as it gives me the time and energy to do anything else that I want to do in any given day.

#2 Intention: Move

My second 2022 Intention was to “Move”. To get my body moving daily whether it be doing yoga, or taking a walk, or going for a bike ride or swim it’s all good. The idea here was whether I feel fresh or tired, I‘ll choose to move.

In January, I had made significant gains in my movement with exercising in some fashion everyday. For the most, part I’ve continued to increase my rate of movement in February. I did have a couple days (yesterday and today) that I didn’t clock any exercise, but I’ve got a cold and it’s perfectly reasonable to rest my body. That’s the great thing about intentions vs. resolutions. Missing a day is just a minor blip. No worries.

I averaged just over 9300 steps per day in February (about double my six-month average).

I averaged 1.5 hours exercise per day in February (about 30 minutes longer than my six-month average).

For the most part my day included 20-35 minutes of yoga, 45-60 minutes of walking, and I also added indoor bicycling this month as I got myself a “semi-smart” exercise bike as a new toy to play with this year. I look forward to more rides during March.

How do I feel? Still GREAT! Definitely feel the exercise is improving my overall mood and resilience both physically and mentally.

#3 Intention: Be

My third 2022 Intention was to “Be”. To meditate each day. In January, I meditated every morning for about 10 minutes and I kept that up during February. According to my tracking App, I’ve now meditated for 57 days in a row. Not bad.

How do I feel? At this point I think you know…I feel GREAT! I know. I know. It’s getting repetitive (again), but it’s the truth.

#4 Intention: Create

My fourth 2022 Intention was to “Create”. To write and or create art each day. In January, I wrote every day at least once and often created an illustration as well. The same has been true for February. In, fact I’ve generated over 100 written (often illustrated) pieces so far this year.

How do I feel? Inspired! (Thought I was going to say great, didn’t you?). There is nothing like creating something from nothing. I love it. Some of the poetry pieces I feel good enough about to try and publish. Fun stuff!

Well there they are. My 2022 February reflections. I’m feeling very positive about my intentions and I don’t have any adjustments to make at this time.

How about you?

Be well,

Monty