Corky Bloom Studio
Grinding to perfection.
Travelling To Emerald Lake
It’s always great to get away. I would love to travel to places around the world, but instead I have to travel the great land of Canada. This weekend, I was able to go up to the mountains of British Columbia. I really do believe that British Columbia is a beautiful province with amazing sights. One of the places that I went to was Emerald Lake.
The lake was so green and clear. I wish I could stay there forever.
Never in my life have I ever seen the end of a rainbow. I thought it was amazing to see.
To explore British Columbia has been an experience. Next, I will have to explore the east coast of Canada. I will plan to do that next year.
Just Biking Around
The weather outside has been amazing. The sun has been shining and the sky is clear. Sure, there are still a few things I can’t do like last summer. Yet, I can find ways to keep myself busy. During this pandemic, I have found the love of biking again!
For a while, my bike has been sitting in the garage. It would collect dust and the air in the tires has slowly deflated. Every time I parked my car, I would look at it, sitting against the wall. I would say to myself that I would get back into biking again. The truth is I was lying to myself. I had no interest of ever getting back on a bike.
During the pandemic, I have been keeping myself fit. I really didn’t want to pack on the quarantine pounds and let my mind rot away. I did everything to fight off the pounds. It has been working, but I did notice something. My cardio wasn’t the same as a couple months ago. That had to change.
Once the weather was nice. I cleaned up my bike, put some air in the tires and oiled up the bike chain. I got on it and headed to the bike paths. I will say that I am glad that I did it. I love that I am strengthening my legs and improving my cardio. At times, I feel that I have been in the apartment for too long. Once I am outside riding my bike, I feel like I’m my old self again. I can’t express how much I love riding my bike.
I know that everyone cannot go for a bike ride where they live. I would say that getting outside is something you should do for your body and mind. Just remember to social distance if possible.
Intermittent Fasting For This Guy
I’m a person who likes to try new things that will help improve my body and mind. At times I may act a little stubborn towards trying a new process. After some time, I will give in. If I don’t like it, I will move on. There is no harm in trying. So I decided to give intermittent fasting a try, so far, I like the process.
First, I’m not a person who going to say you have to try intermittent fasting. I wanted to try it out for myself. I don’t really care to lose weight. I was looking to see the other effects of fasting on my body.
The plan that I choose was the 16/8 plan. I have found that the inflammation in my knees has gone completely. I notice that my head is clearer the morning. I did lean out a bit, which I don’t mind. The biggest change has been my appetite. I use to get hangry. Since I started fasting, I don’t feel like that anymore. I believe that because my insulin levels have been lower.
I’m still doing the fasting and I don’t mind it. I find that it has helped my body so far. I’m going to stick with it a little longer to see the bigger results. If you do think about trying intermittent fasting, I recommend a little more research. Everyone’s bodies are different, so you want a plan that is right for you.
Here some helpful resources.
Getting back with Nature
Your mental well being is important. Especially, since we are living through the pandemic. How are we going to pay our bills, will I get COVID or will I still have a job? These questions has consumed our lives. I can tell you that I did go through this process. I had fears that seem to grow each day. At times, I was afraid to go outside. Since summer has rolled around, I did subdue some of my fears.
My wife and I wanted to get away, so we rented a cabin in the woods. The Cabin was in British Columbia. That area of the province has beautiful mountains and forest that I believe is unmatched.
During our stay in the mountains, we went on hikes to enjoy the beautiful scenery. We sat near the fire while having some drinks. Just listening to the sounds of nature, relaxed my mind from the fears that seem to be gripping me.
While on this trip, I was able to talk to my wife about how I was feeling. We discuss all about the fears we were having during this pandemic. I realize from our conversation that everything thing was going to be okay. Our bills were being paid and if I do lose my job, it did not define me. We were going to make it.
On this trip, I realize that talking about my doubts with someone else helps. It is a burden to carry this around by yourself. I’m so fortunate to have a wife that is caring and always willing to listen.
I know that not everyone has someone to talk with. Here are some resources to help you find someone to communicate with.
National Suicide Prevention Hotline (open 24/7): 1-800-273-8255.
United Way Helpline (which can help you find a therapist, healthcare, or basic necessities): 1-800-233-4357
Goal Creating in Isolation
While in isolation, I have been watching a lot of shows on Netflix. Other times, I have been on online getting lost in the countless YouTube videos. My days have been blended into each other. The reason is because I was laid off. After a few days, it got me thinking. This is the perfect time to set some goals.
I started to plan out my 1, 5 and 10 year goals that I want to do. I recently, listen to Dorie Clark. She is a marketing and a strategy consultant. I know that a lot of these life coaches can be unbearable. I tend to find them a bit of a turn off. What I will say is that some of them do have some great points.
I decided to give Dorie Clark’s philosophy a try. What I like is the planning of monthly goals to reach my yearly goals. This has helped me to focus. It is very easy to do and not a stressful process.
I’m going to share some of my goals but not all. The reason is that they are personal to me.
Year One Goal: I would like to be a multimedia designer in eLearning. I did work on an eLearning program at Football Canada and would like to focus on sports again.
A monthly goal: Learn more about eLearning techniques like gamification which I have been doing.
It is a tiny sample of my goals, but it is a thought out list that I created for myself.
It will be hard trying to follow my goals. At times, it will be frustrating. As long as I try to accomplish them, I will feel proud of myself.
