The Obligatory New Year Post

It's my first post of the new year! And I'm only a few days late, holla!  I hope that is a sign of what's to come in the new year!  

I wanted to make this post all about my hopes for this year, for myself personally, and for this blog of mine.  

Of course, we all know that the first lesson in goal setting is to plan.  What better of a way to plan out my oh-so-will-be-fabulous year than with my new Simplified Planner.  I think I've had this thing sitting in a box since, probably September.  I waited until it was actually necessary to open the box and I can't wait to start writing in it! 

This planner is currently sold out, but there are still some available in another adorable pattern.  I've gone through a couple planners, and I can say that while I loved creating a personalized Erin Condren planner, there just wasn't enough daily writing space.  Funny enough, what I wrote about the Simplified Planner back in 2012, still holds true today!  Next year I'll be able to update on my experience, but for now, I'm just enjoying her beauty. It's now, that I should just admit that for awhile last year I ended up using a Target planner, which worked out great! I should probably quit these expensive planners, but I'm just not there yet.  The truth is I've always been obsessed with organizing.  When I was younger I went to a carnival and I used my winnings to buy a portfolio like calendar-I was in elementary school.  Therefore, it has been concluded, that I actually need a legitimate planner.  

As I was perusing this blog for resolution posts, I realized I've only done it once.  Humph, what a let down.  BUT, that one time I did do it-I wrote down two very important goals that I can say, have been accomplished this year, hey, better late than never, who cares it's only three years late!  

I wrote about a parenting class I bought.  I can happily say that I take this class with a close friend once a week.  I spoke about it very briefly here, and it has been a blessing in almost all areas of parenting.  Maybe I'll share more about it in future blog posts.  I am also super proud to say that my husband has gotten back into running.  He had some down time in his schedule back in April, and since then realized the importance of exercise.  He always supported my crazy exercise schedule, often times forgoing his own in order for me to get mine in probably because he knew I wouldn't be a good person to be around otherwise, but the point is-we both realized how important supporting each other was.  This is something that has benefits across the board.  It's not easy fitting in all the exercise, and sometimes sacrifices are made-be it a little less time spent exercising, or volunteering to wake up earlier so both people can fit in their exercise, but it's all totally worth it.  

And this year, this year's goals are all about that are attainable, realistic, helpful.  I could put all sorts of lofty goals-but that wouldn't be attainable, realistic, helpful OR fair to my family.  I'm already spread so thin.  

1. Eat more fruit and vegetables. 

That's right!  Mama always said to eat more fruit and vegetables!  My exercise and nutrition has reached a new high point this past year, and I could't be more proud. But, I need to fit in those important nutrients before fitting in the candy! I hope to blog a lot more about my fitness journey this year. 

2. Create a cleaning schedule.

This seems so simple. But, to be honest, I really struggle with deep cleaning.  Day to day tidying is a no brainer because I hate waking up to a mess and a sink full of dishes, but cleaning floors and moving my kitchen appliances, not so much.  I want to create a cleaning schedule that's realistic for me-not what someone else has created.  Of course, I'll share that here!

3. Meal planning. 

I'm a creature of habit and can eat the same thing for breakfast lunch and dinner day in and day out.  And with my husband so often away for dinner time, we've gotten into the habit of eating the typical rotation around here: cereal, pasta, pizza, chicken nuggets. While  I don't have a problem with that, at all, I just want it planned out so my kids don't eat the same thing for dinner several nights in a row.  Now for me, I can eat the same thing for dinner!  I created a meal planning system several months ago, but haven't found the time to really utilize it.  I hope to find a good time each week to meal and grocery plan which will make it or break it.  

4. Up load my technology pictures once a month.

I've always been a picture gal.  My mom printed pictures and what's really cool about what she did is that she didn't only print one picture, she printed enough pictures for there to be family albums, AND personal albums for my brother and me.  I followed in her footsteps, but fell behind back in 2012.  I recently spent the month of December, as it was my goal to complete by the end, uploading all three years' of pictures.  I uploaded almost 10,000 pictures to Costco! Many won't get printed, but because there was never any proper technology organization, tons were saved many different times.  My goal is to upload all pictures into monthly folders, and then erase them from our phones and/or cameras so we don't have to go through this ever again!  Printing pictures, and giving the family and each child an album is very important to me, and it needs to be organized!

For this blog, I have a few goals.  

1. More consistent blog posts.

Some posts will be on a schedule, other posts won't,  The content of this blog will obviously vary based on what is going on in my life. This isn't a fashion blog, or a DIY blog, this is my life blog.  So, if you were guessing that I plan on sharing, you know-my life...you guessed correctly.  

2. I just said this isn't a fashion blog, but, the truth is, I'm like fine wine if I do say so myself-I get better with age.  It's been a long 28 years, but I finally feel like I'm getting a hold of the fashion scene.  I'm not a fashionista by any means, but I'm learning to create fashion-friendly looks, to utilize what I have to create a fashionable outfit, and I look forward to being creative.  Of course, I want to share my amateur fashion with you too!

3. Look up at goal 1-I'm going to share my life, and if it's a good find, or an organization tip, or an epiphany, I want to share it here.  

And for a moment, I'm going to take a look inward.  Self-growth isn't for anyone to necessarily see or acknowledge, but it's something we should all strive to do. After all, no one is perfect.  I have seen self growth in my ability to simply say, "I'm sorry." Admitting mistakes is not easy, at all.  But, it's entirely necessary.  It has really become a great feeling to know that playing defense doesn't have to be the first move, and getting in the last word, being right all the time, isn't something I have to do anymore.  I've also gained self-confidence, even when I feel like I'm lacking, I know how to self-talk and I know my worth.    Not everyone will like me, but I know that I am liked. 

I know that I am loved.

I know that I am appreciated.

I know that I matter. 

#goals2016 #truthbomb #qualityoverquantity