I’m that nerd who makes New Years resolutions. Keeping them is another matter. I don’t think I’ve ever hit all of them (I make a lot!), but that doesn’t stop me from trying, year after year. My life is such a whirling dervish, taking this time to set some intentions is something I cherish. For me, it’s not just about setting dreams and goals. It’s thinking what I want to get out of the year ahead – much of that has to do with connecting with family and friends vs. finding a new media outlet.
Here’s a look at my 2018 goals are how I fared. Read on and I promise you won’t feel discouraged, as I missed the mark on so many of these.
× Organize family photos. Get prints and put in some sort of albums (online OK)
× Attempt a modest reno (paint, recover chairs, replace stair carpet, etc…)
√ Write that pesky media kit for my blog
× Find a work space away from home and work there at least once a week
? Organize my finances in a way that makes me feel more comfortable
× Run regularly on a treadmill
√ Buy said treadmill
√ Go skate skiing
× Take Eve cross country skiing several times this winter
√ Do more hikes in summer
× Host a Canada Day BBQ (yes, you’re invited!)
× Host a board games night
√ Use scents more
√ Use up all those awesome beauty samples I keep hoarding away
√ Get a perfect black handbag
√ Read more (aim for a book a week, but realistically two a month)
How to make your dreams and goals a reality
As part of my year end review, I go through my calendar and jot down the significant happenings of the last year. Then I highlight the events and projects that really stood out for me.
What stood out for me in 2018? A few highlights were:
- My trips to Jordan and Brazil and sneaking in three perfect days in London to see friends.
- Spending a winter weekend in Edmonton (at this amazing home) to reconnect with even more fabulous friends.
- Doing the Via Ferrata course at Mt. Norquay with Eve.
- Going to New Brunswick for our summer vacay and staying in this amazing glamping dome.
- Finally finding the right configuration and a wall unit (!) for our living room.
- Nabbing a national award for an article about this experience.
- Scoring a regular newspaper wellness column.
Then I rank what’s significant, without analyzing why. Finally, I take a look at what I’ve highlighted to glean what’s important to me. A few of the things that are important to me are:
- Spending time with Eve and setting her up for success.
- Purposeful time spent with The Huz.
- Having small trips to look forward to in winter.
- Making the effort to see friends who live out of town.
What’s apparently not important:
- House renovations.
- Organizing get togethers.
- Work projects that don’t jive with my lifestyle vibe.
- Working out of the house.
What’s on my list for 2019
When planning resolutions for the year ahead, I begin by asking myself these questions:
Q: What do I want more of in my life?
A: Meaningful time with family and friends – doing effortful not effortless things
A: Better work productivity
A: Lightness
A: Time off
A: Fun
Q: What do I want less of in my life:
A: Feeling bad and/or guilty
A: Wasted time
A: High volume, low paying work
Then I ask: What steps do I need to take to get what I want? These become my the resolutions. So, here’s my intentions for 2019 divided into the categories I care about most:
Health and wellness
- Cut sugar and dairy. Allow myself 10 pre-planned exceptions for the year. Obviously, I’m not including alcohol in this.
- Focus on exercise that brings you joy – like dance.
- Do four hard workouts a week. Try new classes and studios.
- Start using rosehip oil, which is apparently what Kate Middleton uses and is the secret to her glowing skin. I shall report back after my Amazon delivery arrives!
Relationships
- Take a family beach vacation.
- Make the effort to see friends who’ve moved away. Frequency is more important than duration.
- Go cross country skiing at least once a month in winter.
- Take a class with Eve. Perhaps we’ll learn how to make a succulent terrarium.
- Strive to be kind.
Personal
- Get clothing that needs alterations finally fixed.
- Make one family photo book.
- Celebrate something every month – like minor holidays.
- Learn a new card game.
Work
- Make my own editorial calendar.
- Batch!
- Sort out affiliates on this blog.
- Better analyze work opportunities to determine if they’re a fit.
And that’s me for 2019! Do you make New Year’s resolutions? What are you striving for in 2019?
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