And you know, there are many reasons why I like the Independence Days Challenge. I obviously think it’s good for us to push ourselves in those directions of learning new skills and moving toward more self-reliance and a smaller energy footprint. But I also like the challenge because, as you point out, when you list what you’ve done in the past week, it looks like a lot and it feels good to recognize those accomplishments! I will try not to beat myself up too much about what’s not getting done, but I do want to keep focus on trying to move those things forward as well. I can easily let a project slide and then it becomes just clutter (both mental and physical) for years until it’s taken up again and accomplished, or consciously abandoned. I just don’t feel like I have time to let too many things drag on, if I want to be as prepared as I can be when things change. But you’re right, I’m pleased at the progress I’m making! And unlike anyone else reading this, I know where I started from, an urban/suburban shmoe (shmoette?) who didn’t know ANYTHING about being self-reliant! If I look back that far, even I am impressed with how far I’ve come!

Wow, you are an ambitious person! I don’t think you are lazy and I totally get the computer addiction, as I have it also. But I’m impressed by your endeavors and think you should just lighten up some more on yourself and take credit for what you have done. It’s good to tally your accomplishments and read them to yourself sometimes, really!

Where are you, anyway? Susanville or north or ? Looks pretty and also desolate and dry.

My approach is to keep an electronic “journal” that’s sort of like a diary — I describe the day’s primary activities, plus anything else I want to record — plans or brainstorm lists, what errands to do the next time I go to town, thoughts, feelings, personal stuff. I’ve started to note in particular anything I’ve done that should go into the IDC tally, such as “ate peas from the garden today”. Then when I’m composing an IDC update post, I open the journal and review the last 7 days (or 14 if I’ve been neglectful) and see what I did that’s worth mentioning. If I remember to update the journal at least every couple of days, then it’s no hassle to sum it up into a post. It’s when I’ve forgotten everything that’s happened in the last week, that making a post gets challenging…