So it's 2013. Um, duh. Since I was sick on New Year's Eve, I didn't really get to do the whole "yay for the new year! Auld Lang Syne! thing. So eleven days into the year, I'm thinking about some resolutions. I'm not a "stick your resolutions on your bathroom mirror and review them everyday type of person," but I do think the new year is a great time to reflect and dream about ways to grow and improve.
Normally, my goals are just a journal thing, but one of my blogging goals for this year is to get a little more personal, so I figured this might be a good first step. Without further fanfare or drumrolls, here are my "goals" for 2013:
- Take it deeper and closer with Christ. Truthfully, this is a goal every year. My salvation in Christ is my everything. It's the reason that I live, my purpose, my strength. Despite that, I haven't been building my relationship with Him like I want to. So, that is what I hope to do this year.
- Become a morning person. Eric and I have some lofty goals to eventually start waking up at 6am, workout, do a devotion, eat a nutritious breakfast, etc. Here's the thing: we LOVE sleeping. We're, like, really good at it. So this one will be tough.
- Learn Spanish. I'm know a little, but I haven't focused on it since High School. Eric and I are going to do Rosetta stone together, which I'm excited about. Bonus: my sister-in-law is Honduran so I'm sure we'll be getting some in-person conversations/pointers too!
- Exercise 3x a week. Eric and I suck at exercising. I'm convinced it's because we both played sports our whole lives, so it's just hard to understand why anyone would enjoy running without holding a ball in their hands. But, since it's really difficult to find adult women who want to play sports (that's a whole other topic), we're going to focus on running and strength building.
- Do a 30-day cleanse. Eric isn't in on this one ("heck no! I'm not giving up bacon!") but I have been wanting to do something like this for a while, solely for my skin. I've read a lot about what we eat being a direct reflection of our skin, so I'm cutting out dairy and processed grains for a month. I've been doing it for a few days now, and just like I figured, I'm not very good at it.
- Read 6 spiritual development books. We have a whole bookshelf of great books about faith, but I'm a tried-and-true fiction reader. Last year, my goal was to read 12 of this type of book and I read... one. Fail. So, I cut the goal in half so maybe I can fail less hard.
- Journal more. I write a journal because after I become famous, it will be worth millions of dollars and keep generations and generations of my family wealthy. Juuuuust kidding. Journaling helps me focus and it often leads to times of prayer and thankfulness. I have kept a journal for the past 6 years, but I am more of a "once a month" journal. I want 2013 to be a "once a week" journal kind of year.
These are great goals! If you're looking for a good development book, "Search for Significance" is pretty amazing.
ReplyDeleteAnd I have been dairy-free for about 2 months and my skin has never looked better. I've been using vanila coconut milk as coffee creamer or in cereal, so it's not that bad, once you get past the first couple of weeks.
Thanks for the book rec - I've heard of that one but I haven't read it so I'll definitely add it to my list!
DeleteI'm SO glad to hear that being dairy-free has helped your skin. I've read a lot about the correlation between dairy and acne but I've been too nervous to give it up (I mean, I LOVE cheese!). Have you been really strict about it (i.e. no butter or anything that was cooked with milk) or more like giving up obvious things (milk in cereal, creamer, cheese, etc.)? I'm finding it really hard to be super strict about it :(
A few things:
ReplyDelete1) I really love your blog and am excited to see where you're going to take it in the next year. :)
2) I really cannot, in any way, relate to your exercise goal. "Running" freaks me out and I nearly pass out just thinking about it. Although, we are trying to find some room in the budget for me to try out yoga...we'll see...
3) 2012 was my year for reading non-fiction, spiritual development type books! If you need recs, I got 'em coming out the wazoo! :)
1. You are the sweetest. I'm so glad you've been reading, Ash!
Delete2. Haha, you and Hanna both! I used to convince her to come to the RAWC by reminding her that there were cable t.v.'s on all the machines!
3. Yes! I've read about some of them on your blog, but I might contact you about them as I add them to my list!
P.S. I really want to come visit you in Cali!
Ashley, it was great to meet you at the EngageOKC event as well. I always get a kick out of meeting fellow bloggers.
ReplyDeleteFor spiritual development books, I recommend "Cold Tangerines" by Shauna Niequist. (Her dad is Bill Hybels, pastor of Willowcreek Community Church). It's more about her spiritual development, but I found it very encouraging as she shared the different ups and downs of her life and how God has seen her through them. I'm also reviewing a devotional called "Unglued" soon, so I'll let you know how that is!
It was awesome meeting you too, Lindsey!
DeleteThanks for the book recommendation - I will definitely look into "Cold Tangerines!"
These are great goals! I always did morning devotions before my son was born, not I can't seem to make it a priority like I used to. It's definitely a goal of men for the year too :)
ReplyDeleteGinny
mynewfavoriteoutfit.blogspot.com
Gah, it can be so hard to get into a habit of getting up early for a devotion. But I just have to remind myself that it is so worth it - my days always get off to a better start when I do!
Deleteall wonderful goals! sounds like you are going to make it a great 2013!
ReplyDeleteThanks, Helene! Thanks for visiting my blog!
DeleteI recommend A Praying Life! And those are great goals!
ReplyDelete"A Praying Life" has been on my list - I know you really enjoyed it and I've heard from others that it's great too!
DeleteLove your goals for the new year! As an athlete myself most of my life I definitely feel your struggle with running without a ball or after a ball or toward a goal line. I'm trying to get in on that, too!!
ReplyDeletexokatie
www.ncdots.com
Seriously! It is just NOT fun! I'm hoping I can get into running, but I've been trying for about 5 years now so we'll see what happens :)
DeleteJournal more. Such a good one. Sometimes I try to convince myself that my blog is enough of a journal, but I really need to make sure I'm writing down the things that are just too personal for a blog. It's so important to do that.
ReplyDeleteGood luck with all your goals!
I agree! I love that my blog covers all the "fun things" in my life, but writing down my personal thoughts really helps me reflect more seriously on the day-to-day. I'm hoping I can stick to it!
DeleteI've never tried a cleanse. You will have to tell me if it is hard. I'm not sure I can give up certain foods!
ReplyDeleteAmy
Fashion and Beauty Finds
I'll admit it's been tough so far :( I just love cheese and bacon - put them on anything it's delicious! I'll let you know how it goes!
DeleteI'm always trying to become a morning person, but it's so hard! Sleep always wins.
ReplyDeleteMan, sleep does always win! This past week was our first week to try and it didn't go very well :( I've got a whole 12 months to make it happen, so I'm not too worried yet!
DeleteThese are great goals and most of them are reachable. I love especially the last one about the journal. That is good. I might do that this year too, weekly. I definitely plan to keep some sort of journal where I document my baby's first year of life, weekly. I will update with photos, too.
ReplyDeleteI didn't make any resolutions this year except told myself to 1) Be The Best Mom Possible and 2) Save Up Money and be a Thrifty/Cheap Shopper.
Good Luck with all your goals in 2013 and stop by later tonight on my blog to see something.
P.S. I would love for you to Guest Post whatever you like. If so, E-Mail me that post no later than Jan 25th. ada.furxhi<@>gmail.com is my address. =) Thanks.
You should definitely do a journal for your baby's first year - I think that will be amazing to go back and read someday!
DeleteI like those resolutions, Ada! You are going to do #1 so well!
I hope so. That is my main priority now = to be the best mom I can. And I definitely intend on keeping a little diary.
DeleteThese are all great! You'll have to blog about the cleanse because it's something I've been wanting to do for a while, I'll be anxious to hear your thoughts!
ReplyDeleteAhhh the cleanse is SO HARD! I'm having a little trouble sticking with it so far :(
DeleteHey! I like your goals!
ReplyDeleteSleep is one of my very best friends too-and I am trying to get on a better schedule with it too-but last night was a fail, seeing as I took my allergy medication too late, which kept me half awake all night--which means today has SLEEP in the schedule for me! =)
Best wishes on your cleanse--I did a juice fast for 8 days, and I do believe I benefited from it-I'm going to do another 3 days fast in the sometime near future.
Have a great day!
Waking up early is so difficult - especially in the winter when your bed is so warm! :)
DeleteI'm glad to hear the cleanse was good for you! I'm having a little trouble sticking to it!
Hey! Great goals - we have very similar ones this year too!
ReplyDeleteIf you're interested there are 2 language learning websites I would (well mainly via Orrey) recommend: http://www.memrise.com & http://duolingo.com/. Both sites ease you in a little at a time and it doesn't take a huge time commitment each day/week unless you want it to.
Also, if you're looking for a workout routine/video I can highly recommend Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred & Ripped in 30. They are hard, but so worth it!
I love keeping up with you via little glimpses on your blog :)
Ok, I'm definitely going to check out those sites - I have Rosetta Stone, but it's level 1 so hopefully I'll be able to move on to something else soon!
DeleteHaha, I've heard that Jillian Michaels is INTENSE! I'm trying to get into running outside, but I need something else for days that it's just too cold!
I'm so glad you follow along, Kristi! I love when you blog too! Oh and Eric and I are planning a little UK trip this summer, so I might email you for some recommendations :)