New Year, New Goals & a 2017 Bucket List

Happy New Year, everyone! In true “new year” fashion, I wanted to kick off the year with goals, resolutions, and bucket list items to inspire us (myself and anyone else who would like to join in!) to be our best selves this year.

Now, obviously a huge draw for resolutions would come back down to “losing weight” and “getting fit”. It would be easy for me to say that my main goal this year would be these things–but I’m going to be honest with myself about what goals will constitute real & measurable change to create positive overarching effects in and for my life.

While getting healthy and fit are part of my self-improvement strategy this year, there is a much larger picture at work. Being healthy and fit has as much to do with one’s mind as it does the body. I’m a firm believer in getting your mind in the right state before your body can react and follow suit.

Being the last day of my winter break, I’ve had to come to terms with a few things: sleep in will no longer be an option, eating home-cooked meals for lunch will become a thing of the past, and I’ll be spending more of my free time grading and planning than visiting and relaxing.

My parents have been staying with us this holiday season and it’s been a nice change having family around. Getting new perspectives on things, chatting, and having meals mom made has made for a fun & relaxing vacation! [This baseball cap was a gift from my parents a few years ago complete with my old softball number]

My FitBit has served more of a time & sleep purpose rather than “step counter” this holiday break. Good news is that once I get back into my work routine, I’ll be seeing those steps climb again which should help to tire me out and help me get back on a normal sleep schedule. I’m a huge fan of sleeping in, but without any work to account for wake up times, I tend to stay up all night watching movies like “The Martian” and “The Intern” on HBO about 4,000 times. (as my husband as he’ll tell you that’s a pretty accurate number).

Today, Nate and I had the pleasure of walking around the lake at Celebration and I got to try out my new duds from Reebok. I’m loving their Perfect Never campaign as it furthers the message that perseverance and never giving up makes a woman stronger rather than being “perfect”.

Outfit: Mix it Up Camo Tight c/o Reebok | Full zip track jacket c/o Reebok | Combat bralette c/o Reebok | Hayasu sneakers c/o Reebok

1. Plan a trip somewhere outside of your home state.
2. Read at least 15 minutes of educational material pertaining to your business/life goals per day.
3. Challenge your personal style by attaining 3 new “signature” pieces.
4. Learn 3 go-to hairstyles that are simple to create & flatter your face.
5. Create a chic but simple makeup routine that takes 5 minutes.
6. Make plans with a friend at least once per week (even if it’s just to have coffee).
7. Read 10 books you’ve been dying to read (or classics you feel you’d benefit from reading).
8. Say 3 nice things to 3 different people a day.
9. Create a relaxing morning routine to set your mind right to face the day.
10. Get outside for 15 minutes a day.
11. Listen to an album outside of your normal musical taste that a friend suggests.
12. Try out a new/work on developing your hobby/side hustle for at least 15 minutes per day.
13. Try a new restaurant every month.
14. Make an effort to return emails/calls/texts in a reasonable amount of time.
15. Learn to cook 5 new dishes well.
16. Find a workout routine that doesn’t make you want to cringe.
17. Learn a new skill that you’ve been putting off or have always wanted to try (surfing, music lessons, making sushi, woodworking, knitting…).
18. Become reasonably conversational at a new language.
19. Cook at least 80% of all meals at home.
20. Spend more time with your pet.
21. Visit the beach (or another peaceful & serene outdoor place) once or twice a month.
22. Make an effort to “unplug” when it’s friends/family/couple time.
23. Visit a tourist attraction in your area that you’ve never been to.
24. Create a mantra and make an effort to repeat it to yourself daily to stay focused on your goals.
25. Take up meditation and/or yoga.
26. Come to grips with your career/job and whether or not it’s making you happy (the majority of the time). Make any necessary changes.
27. Evaluate where you spend the most money frivolously and cut the spending by half.
28. Break a bad habit.
29. Find your favorite poem.
30. Learn 3 new jokes to tell at parties.
31. Become the kind of friend you’d like to have (if I’m not getting too Tim McGraw on you).
32. Attend two live concerts (bonus points if they’re outdoors!).
33. Try a food you never thought you’d try.
34. Get up early enough to experience a sunrise (and not just “see it” while you’re driving to work!).
35. Do one thing that scares you.
36. Help a stranger.
37. Forgive someone when you don’t feel like doing so.
38. Make an effort to make a new friend as an adult (make the first move!–it’s so hard sometimes!).
39. Ask a friend to help you make a list of the 25 things that make you “you” and adjust your life accordingly so that you are proud of that list.
40. Have a movie marathon.

Whew! That’s a list!! What would you add? I’m always open to putting some more on there!!

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