Repurposed Kate's Weekly Update #5
Where Does The Time Go?
Hello, Amazing Subscribers... all TWENTY-FOUR of you brilliant humans!!
I’m so glad to be invited to your inbox!!! If you are new to Repurposed Kate, WELCOME! If you’ve been with me for a while, WELCOME BACK!
There’s a little something extra at the end of the update. Don’t miss it!
I hope this email finds you well as week #5 of 2024 comes to a close. If you have been with me from the beginning of my Substack journey, you know that a short list of intentions created monumental changes for me in 2023 and inspired me to start Repurposed Kate. The ultimate goal for 2024 is to design a life (with limited resources) in which I am happy, motivated, and self-sufficient. If I can do that at 51 years old, anyone can do it. Thank you for subscribing and holding me accountable for living my intentions and sharing my results in real-time.
Last Week's Intentions and Results
Here are a few of my achievements and setbacks from last week:
1. Write:
This week, I published once, not counting the update. That’s once more than last week, so I’m going to call that a win. I’m also giving myself some extra credit because I have been working more hours at the ranch because we’ve been having such wonderful weather. And then, there’s this:
Last week, I mentioned that I would probably benefit from setting a writing schedule, but I didn’t do it. I’ve thought about where I can block time each day, and the obvious place in the planner is the early morning. I’m not sure I’m mentally able to write at 4:30 in the morning, but I think I’ll give it a go. I’ll probably have to do it for at least a week to make an honest evaluation.
I’m curious to know what time of day you do your best thinking and writing/creative exercise. Let me know in the comments. Also, did you have to train yourself to be successful at that time?
2. Be assertive with men who say all of the wrong things:
It turns out that this intention is like praying for patience. The only way to get it is by practicing it.
Maybe I’m only noticing it because I’ve put it to the front of my mind that I should do better in situations like the one I mentioned last week. but I think the volume of inappropriate questions, comments, and offers that are coming my way is going up.
The guy I mentioned before has not stopped messaging me every damn day, even after I told him I don’t like it. I haven’t responded to him in days, but ghosting him isn’t doing me any favors because it’s a small town, and my boss does business with his employer, so I see him in the course of my job a few times a week. On Friday, I stopped where he works to get some supplies. I was cordial and said hello on my way into the office. When I came out, I’m sure he had been waiting to ambush me. He told me to go home after work and get ready for him to pick me up at 8:00 to take me out to dinner. Told me.
I’m so mad at myself for politely making a lame excuse for not going, but that’s exactly what I did. Then, I spent the rest of the day wondering why I did that. Was it because I was raised to be polite always? Was it because I was working and at his job (my boss definitely overheard me talking to him), and the whole conversation was completely inappropriate and unprofessional? Or is there another reason I am not aware of?
A couple of other men have asked me inappropriate questions or made comments this week, and I treated them the same way. I made a polite excuse for declining an outrageously vulgar proposition.
Weekly score for “Be more assertive”: Zero Stars.
I put my heart into these intentions. Some were a success, others a learning experience. Each experience, success or failure, is an opportunity to grow.
This Week's Intentions
Looking ahead, I'm setting up new intentions, leaning in on practical, daily living needs:
1. Sugar Detox:
I am consuming so much sugar!
When I was in rehab, we were served a luxurious diet of 1,200 calories per day, which included 1-2 pieces of fruit and no processed sugar. When I was released from the six-month program, I stayed off sugar other than an occasional sweet treat.
Since my surgery in early December, I have craved sugar all day, every day. I have a feeling that the pudding, jello, and ginger ales are responsible for getting me hooked again. I ate and drank little else for close to an entire month.
Regardless of the culprit, I’m officially hooked again and need to do something about it.
Detoxing is the worst! I hate everything about detoxing, even if it’s just sugar.
2. Work on My Budget:
Yes… Once again, I’ve got money on my mind.
I’ve managed to pay off two of my very small balance credit card accounts since the beginning of the year. (Yay!) But I still have the big balance cards breathing down my neck.
My method of budgeting isn’t working. It’s probably not working because I haven’t written it down. I just think about it a lot (aka worry). I know the concept of making a budget, but I’ve never done it. Thinking about it gives me anxiety.
That’s not true… the part that gives me anxiety is the part where I have to hold myself accountable and stick to the cold, hard numbers. I’m afraid of letting my brain know the cold, hard numbers. My brain is an a-hole. If it becomes aware of any “do not cross” lines, it tells me to cross them. If I don’t cooperate, it tries to trick me.
Wow! I just realized that my brain acts like almost everyone I’ve ever had an intimate relationship with. Now, I have to break up with my own brain. Seems about right.
I am committed to these intentions and will put all my effort into achieving them.
Who I’m Reading on Substack (and TWO bonus intentions)
I haven’t had much time for reading this week, but I have been listening to podcasts when I’m able. Who I’m listening to most frequently is
and her Substack Writers at Work workshop replays. If I hadn’t waited so long (I’ve only been on SS a month), I wouldn’t have floundered for 3-4 weeks figuring out some of the tech on my own. I will be focusing on this publication quite a bit for the foreseeable future and (bonus intention #1 incoming:) finally customizing all the pages and SS pre-set emails I have been putting off (there are a couple I wasn’t even aware of).In addition to the usual suspects, I have been reading
. During a long drive, I asked my phone assistant to select and play a podcast about the writing process. The result was a podcast I’ve forgotten the name of, interviewing Jami about her book 1000 Words of Summer. I wondered if she’s on SS and searched her out as soon as I got home. To be honest, I’ve gone down the rabbit hole, binge-reading 1000 Words of Summer on Craft Talk. That leads to bonus-intention #2: participate in the Spring Mini 1000, March 2-7. Check it out and join me!The Little Something Extra
Along with my intention of posting more often, I would like to produce what you would like to read from me. If you don’t mind, I would appreciate some feedback from you.
Specifically:
Subscriber: What about Repurposed Kate led you to subscribe?
Subscriber/Reader: The ultimate purpose of this newsletter is to inspire hope— to demonstrate the ability to overcome any adversity a step at a time. I often struggle to find a balance between inspiration and the darkness that comes with trauma, abuse, addiction, and codependency. Where do you think I get it right? Where do I miss the mark? What would you like to see more/less of?
Of course, feedback of any kind is always welcome and appreciated.
Your Turn
I would love to hear about your intentions and how you're progressing. Please share your thoughts, your wins, and your lessons in the comments. Let's grow together and support each other. We’re all on this journey of growth and self-improvement together.
Thank you for being a part of my journey and for walking this path with me. Remember, it's not about perfection; it's about progress. See you next week with more updates and reflections.
Stay Motivated,
Kati Kate Katherine
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Remember, your journey is unique, and your story is important. Keep setting intentions, keep striving, and keep growing.
That part with the guys trying to insert themselves into your lives. So frustrating to read. Of course that kind of thing never happens to me, since I’m married AND a guy. If you were a cab you could just turn off the light on your roof and everyone would know you weren’t accepting passengers. Unfortunately men are clueless and they probably try to hail cabbies that are off duty too
My intention this week: find time to write during the week. I’m up at 4:15 already, but I’m working a full 12 hr day. So my options are: lunchtime, or after supper. I have been flopping after supper and I COULD write then. Maybe.