Behind The Desk April 2019 - Japan Trip, University, Good Habits + Goals.

Hello! Welcome back to my blog. You might remember that in my last 'BTD' update I took a break from blogging for a couple of weeks to refine my focus and restructure new content for the blog. 

It was a super productive period off where I feel I narrowed the blog content and style to suit where we're headed in 2019.




A few of these changes you might already notice such as;
- Additional guest posts to create a wider breadth of topics and opinions are covered on JBS.com
- Blogger Broadcast is your go-to guide for all advice blogging, YouTube and social media. Providing advice and hacks for growing your business and brand.
- The Travel Diaries kicked off with my feature 'The Ultimate Traveller's Guide to Airlie Beach' http://www.jordysbeautyspot.com/2019/04/the-ultimate-travellers-guide-to-airlie.html

University
Something that has been taking up a lot of my time lately is University! Between my classes, pre-readings, workshop notes, revision and assessment - I have been swamped under. Something I would highly recommend for flashcards is the app 'Quizlet' which allows you to design your own and create decks for each particular topic. This has been super useful in familiarising myself with terms I will need to know throughout my PhD and learning many different research methods that will become very meaningful to me starting next year. There is a lot of paperwork involved in a PhD and so much to keep up with - this is an area of my life that has been quite demanding lately.

Japan
I have a trip planned for Japan at the end of May and I can't wait! I have been playing around with a bit of an itinerary and exploring all of the awesome things in do in Tokyo! I have been loving travel lately so am very excited to be able to go somewhere I've never been before! More on this to come, I'm sure...

Good Habits 
I have been very focussed on incorporating good habits into my daily routine. After all, we are the result of the habits we have. We are what we repeatedly do, and I have been putting my focus on ensuring the tasks I do every day are positive rather than destructive patterns. Something that has been life changing is adding daily meditation to my morning routine. I have known of the benefits of meditation for years and fall in and out of patterns using the technique. I am determined to have this habit stay because the benefits I receive from some mindfulness in the morning is unbelievable. I have also been stretching my body out with some morning yoga! This slow movement is also a mindfulness practice that makes me feel fantastic. Last but not least, I have been getting back into the gym and going for strength, cardio, barre, pilates, yoga and boxing classes. I always feel at my best and much more comfortable and confident whenever I have been working out.

Goals
Considering we are already in April, I figured it was crunch time on my goals. I had a little first quarter round up of where I am at, and I am either on track or ahead of schedule with my goals progress for the year. I have been focussing on reading, learning Italian and even tampering around with more photography. I also need to get a start on my painting, but I think I am going to hold off until Semester 2 classes start, so that I don't overwhelm myself with everything I currently have on my plate with Uni.

So that is all that has been happening in my life! It looks a lot like; work, uni, gym, read, meditate, yoga, photography, painting, pilates, class, assignments and studying flashcards. I'm super busy but loving every minute!