A New Year & New Goals
It’s hard to believe that January has wrapped up. It kind of flew by! Ever since the holidays ended I’ve been trying to find my groove again. It always feels clunky getting back into the swing of things. My oldest just started her fourth week back at school (we’re thankful it’s been in-school learning here!) and that has for sure helped with routine again, which has been really nice.
This past month I’ve also been working at figuring out some goals for myself this year and kickstarting those. Are you a resolution or goal setter when it comes to a new year? I stick more to the goal side. I always love seeing & hearing what everyone likes to work on so I thought I’d share a quick glimpse of my own goals for the year. They aren’t anything earth shattering and some are more changes in rhythm for me & our family. No matter what, I believe it’s always a good idea to evaluate and think of things you may want to work on and accomplish every now and then. And what better time to do this than the beginning of a brand new year?
2021 Goals
My health - Spiritual health, physical health & nutrition. This may seem like a lot, but breaking it down into categories helps me with what I need to focus on. For instance, in the nutrition aspect of my health, I’m going to work on more meal prep, get back into meal planning, and make sure I’m not just “picking” or eating my kids leftovers at lunch time (any other mommas guilty of this?). Take the time to plan and make things for myself.
For my physical health I’m really going to try and set aside time to workout. This past month I’ve been doing this in the mornings once we are all up. My kids are up anywhere between 5am & 6am (insert eye roll). So, my husband and I have been switching off; meaning, I generally start off and workout for 30min and he starts getting the kids ready and then it’s his turn. So far it’s been working great and I’m hoping to keep this up! When the weather gets nicer I’m hoping to start running again.
For spiritual health I’m wanting to be sure I’m taking the time to read the bible, do a bible study with friends (if restrictions allow), and just be really taking the time to nurture & care for my soul.
Read More - I enjoying reading but, to be completely honest, reading has been one of the last things I’ve really wanted to do the last few years. With three small kids I’ve been somewhat exhausted and at the end of the day (or even in the smaller pockets of time I’ve had) I just haven’t been feeling it. So this year, my goal is to read more. I’m not putting a specific number of books out there that I want to get through, but I am challenging myself to read at least 2 parenting books, 1 marriage book, and then aiming for at least 2-3 other books in there. No lofty goal (said all the avid readers out there) but it’ll be better than before. And who knows, maybe I’ll surpass what I’m setting out to accomplish!
Parenting - Some things I’d like to work on in parenting are intentionality, patience (slowing down and eliminating the need to “rush”), and more play with my kids (have fun & be silly). And let’s be honest, I’m sure there’s lots of other things! I mentioned I’d like to read a couple of parenting books. I did start reading Boundaries with Kids by Dr. Henry Cloud & Dr. John Townsend. So far there’s lots of practical and biblical advice and I’m really enjoying it. I’m about halfway through! If you have any parenting books you really love, let me know in the comments as I’d love to check them out!
Marriage - I also mentioned that I’d like to read a marriage book at some point this year. I’m trying to hunt down a really good one (again, send your recommendations along!). Also, we’re going to try and be more intentional with date nights and time for just us. Date nights this past year were few. Let’s just say, a new baby + a pandemic + not living near family can been hard. So, even if we’re just more intentional about at-home dates after the kids go to bed and the occasional “go-out”, it’s something we need to work at.
A couple of other things that I’m going to work on. 1 - I’m hoping to blog more, because I really do enjoy it. 2 - I’m hoping to create a wardrobe I love this year. I know that might sound silly to some, but my third baby just turned one and I am definitely feeling like my wardrobe needs an overhaul. I know there’s got to be some other mommas out there who understand ;)
And that’s a brief look my goals for the year. I said that I just finished my first book and it was one that helped me really evaluate and take inventory for the above. It’s by Rebekah Lyons and it’s called Rhythms of Renewal. I’d definitely recommend it as it walks you through things to think about & asks great questions in a variety of different categories of your life.
In all of the above there’s some reoccurring themes that I find best describe what I’m really wanting to work on this year: intentionality, investing, joy, simplifying & letting go. Will I be perfect at executing these? No. But I do know that if we never try, never start, then our rhythms & life will many times just stay the same. Here’s to a new year, new goals & growth!