Zone oo patterns & observations

2011 Observations Area of Life Historical Patterns Positive Negative Interesting Health & Wellbeing: Diet & Nutrition Exercise & Movement Vegan from 14, veggie from 9. Generally quite healthy, developed stronger interest in nutrition 20+. Always slim & fit but never totally involved in exercise. Prison I become very exercise focused, with running, pilates, weight lifting & more. Non-stop lifestyle for years, always very busy organizer. Generally only stopping when ill or completely burnt out. Never been insecure in any way that has limited my confidence or affected my work but have often felt I have neglected my appearance e.g. having same hairstyle for 6 years! Generally very strong & well coping. Occasional PMT. Lots of home grown organic veg! Opportunities to design for increased selfreliance. Amazing variety of local herbs & wild foods Lots of outside, physical labour especially over summer months. Hardly any foraging at all except nettles. Failing to make nourishing lunches for work (no heating facilities) end up snacking. Main time that I eat non nourishing food is during travel time e.g. getting bus to Bristol or at the end of working days as I peak in tiredness. New job brought new sedentary lifestyle. Stopped running after 3rd week. No weight lifting, classes or any formal training. Still got close to burn out especially during October! Find I live in extremes e.g. two whole days of computer work followed by 4 days in the garden. Very difficult to find balance. Still comparing myself to others and feeling unattractive/creative. Still occasional challenge with spots & hair. Very little alcohol.

Am craving to become fit again!

Rest & Rejuvenation Body Image

New relationship has brought better patterns of rest. Generally more balanced lifestyle due to license restrictions. New tattoos! A few new items of merch & clothing.

Emotional & Mental Health

Feel I have coped well with license conditions & readjusting to outside world. New relationship brings security, comfort & support. Amazing emotional support from family.

Energy & Momentum

Always led high-energy lifestyle.

Have generally sustained energy throughout the year, managing to achieve a lot with high activity levels. Am still an early riser & able to generally keep energy going throughout the day. Maintained early starts & constructive use of time in terms of getting things done.

Time Usage

Always had so much to do, felt like Im racing the clock.

Finances

Brought up on income support with scarcity attitude. Financial stress has always been a clear pattern.

2011 was certainly an abundant year! Inherited small sum from my Auntie Edna (RIP), Dad & step mum also helped me out. Received 3 grants for courses & learning opportunities & financial support from Uncle for Gaia Uni. New well-paid job!

Still patterns of PMT, most particularly the week before Im due on. Occasional feeling of stress/anxiety/feeling overwhelmed with how much there is to do. General constant underlying awareness of license from prison e.g. dreaming about it, missing my friends who I cant talk to & feeling unable to honour this without becoming very upset leading me to block it out entirely Since starting paid employment, can feel difference in energy levels, for example feeling more mentally drained. Managed to sustain energy through 2012 but there were weeks where I was on edge feeling at my limits of energetic comfort, where I also was definitely not operating at strongest capacity due to exhaustion & tiredness. Lots of energy leaks on bus. Not enough time in garden, inner longing all the time. Being super busy. Often pushed to near edges of energetic exhaustion, by the time I get to see my partner and have a lie in I am absolutely shattered. Spent large amount of year on job seekers allowance with financial limitations & dwindling savings. Job only has one-year contract.

I need to be working all day outside at least 2 days a week to recharge myself & support my mental health

How different I felt having gone from benefit to a wellpaid job brought up so many different feelings relating to wealth & class & so forth. Really interesting.

Nicole Vosper, Wild Heart Permaculture 2012

ZONE 00 DESIGN