Tuesday, January 10, 2017

2017 New Year’s Resolutions

I know a lot of people aren’t resolution people.  Resolutions can be daunting, they can set you up for failure, and frankly, they can be scary.

I am not one of those people.  I love to challenge myself, I crave goals, I love list-making, and I live for checking things off of those lists.  I’m extremely self-motivated and I am a go-getter.  If I really, really want something, well, I don’t stop working until I get it.  It’s a blessing and a curse, but it’s something that I was born with, so I don’t see it changing any time soon.  Might as well make the best of it, right?

So with regard to resolutions, yes, I love making them and setting goals for myself to achieve.  I have quite a list below, but before I get into those, I want to share with you my word for 2017.  Last year was the first year that I chose a word for the year and I really loved it and stuck with it, so I’m hoping to do the same again this year.

I have been thinking about this for a while now.  I had my word picked out and ready to go a couple of months ago, but my mind kept drifting toward another word instead.  I decided that since I couldn’t stop thinking about the new word, then that must be where my heart actually is, so I decided to go with it instead.  My word for 2017 is GROW.

I want to grow in my relationships – with God, with Brian, with my babies, with my parents, my brothers, my grandmothers and other extended family members, my friends, my co-workers.  I want to reestablish deep and meaningful connections and spend more time with the people who make life worth living.

I want to grow as a person – my patience, my spontaneity, my relationship with myself, and I want to try to overcome and outgrow some of the things that I struggle with daily. 

I want to grow as a blogger – grow my relationships with other bloggers, grow my following, grow my traffic.  Now that I have found what I love to do, I want to continue to nurture this little hobby of mine and turn it into something amazing! 

Now for the resolutions/goals/whatever you want to call them…




Personal/Relationships

Start Reading a Daily Devotional.  I’m a spiritual person and feel like I have a great relationship with God.  I go to church and I pray daily, often talking to God multiple times per day, but I’ve never been a big bible reader.  I recently bought the daily devotional Jesus Calling, and I want to begin each and every day with an excerpt.  I think that starting the day this way might help me start each day off on a positive note, which will hopefully urge me to be more mindful of the things that are important each day – being positive, being thankful, and being kind to others.  I often find myself preaching about these things to our kids and thinking that I don’t always practice those things often enough myself.  How can I expect my kids to behave that way if I don’t set a good example for them?

Be positive, worry less, complain less.  These were all on my list for last year, and while I do think that I was more mindful of them, I still failed to make any major steps toward making this change.  I’m hoping my daily devotional will help me to start each day in a positive frame of mind.

Work harder to cherish Brian.  Let’s be honest, in this season of life, our relationship often takes a back seat because of the many needs of our two littles.  I want to work harder to bring our relationship back to the forefront now that Jacob and Olivia are becoming more independent.

Read The Five Love Languages with Brian.  Before we got married, we took a class at church, and it was highly recommended that we read this book together.  I put it in my Amazon wish list and just never bought it.  I’ve thought about it often since then, but my brother finally lit a fire under me a couple of weeks ago when he and my sister-in-law were discussing their positive experience with it.  Have any of you read it with your spouses?

Monthly Date Nights with Brian.  This was a complete success last year so we’re going for round two!

Monthly date nights with my girlfriends.  I used to have weekly date nights with my girlfriends, but then we all went from having zero babies amongst us to having ten!  And that’s not including many of my other girlfriends who have moved away or weren’t regulars at our weekly girls’ nights.  If we want to include them, then we all have at least 17 kids in our group.  Craziness!  But anyhoo, this goal is obviously dependent upon the other girls and their availability, but I’d like to start seeing them more often again.  And once a month is way more realistic than once a week these days…

Home

Clean out everything.  This was a success last year, so I plan on doing another round for this year as well!  Closets, cabinets, bedrooms, dressers, bookshelves, drawers… I’m coming for you!

Organize coat closet.  This thing has been a disaster for years.  It was one of the few spaces that didn’t get touched last year during the great purge of 2016, so this is my year to not only clean it out, but to turn it into a functional space.

Organize laundry room.  This is the other room that wasn’t touched during last year’s purge, so I want to make it functional again.

Sell old stuff.  We have loads and loads of the kids’ old clothes to sell, some of which we’ve been holding onto for years.  I’ve been wanting to sell them, but haven’t made the time, so I’m hoping to finally accomplish this in 2017 and free up some closet space.  Baby clothes, anyone?

Continue making the bed every day that we’re home.  I rocked this in 2016 and I plan on continuing it for this year.  A room with a made bed is a happy room.  ;o)

Clean out computer files.  This was something on my list for 2016 that was a major fail.  I hope to finally tackle it this year.

Cut Long-Term To Do List down by 1/4.  There are many items on this list and they are all off-the-wall things like “create a will” and “clean out outdoor storage room”… things that aren’t on my typical daily and weekly to do lists.  I’d like to check off at least 25% of these things this year.  That is a pretty lofty goal, but I think it’s doable.

Health

Improve water intake.  I drink a lot of water, but I’m bad about not meeting my quota on the weekends and during the chilly months and I can always tell when I haven’t gotten enough.  I’m going to try to stick with it all the time.

Tone up.  This will probably be on my list every year because it’s so important.  I don’t really ever set super specific goals for myself when it comes to working out, but I do know that there’s always room for improvement!

Vitamins.  Finding a daily vitamin was on my list last year and I never did, so I’m currently on the hunt again.  If you have one that you swear by, let me know!

Find a new doctor for my chronic back problems.  I don’t mention it very often here on the blog, but I have had some chronic issues with my SI joints for the last five years.  I’ve seen numerous local doctors and pursued many different treatments and nothing has worked.  There is a treatment called “prolotherapy” that sounds like it could be right for me, but there is no one locally who does it which means that it would require many visits to Atlanta.  (Hence the reason I’ve been putting it off for so long.)  I’m sick and tired of the pain, though, so it’s something that I’m ready to pursue.  On a side note, if anyone happens to be reading this, and you have had experience with prolotherapy (positive or negative) please shoot me an email!

I also have one that I'm keeping to myself for personal reasons. I'm putting it on here as a reminder to hold myself accountable since this is the list that I will be referring to throughout the year.  Although, I may eventually discuss it on the blog because I would love some opinions from you ladies!

Kids

Get Olivia completely potty-trained.  Well folks, we are already pretty much there!  I’m happy to say that she is fully potty-trained during the day, so now we just have to work on nap time and bed time. 

Get Olivia accustomed to her new toddler bed.  We switched Olivia over from a crib to a toddler bed this past weekend, and although naptime went well that day, bedtime was a complete disaster.  We have a lot of work to do.

Get rid of Olivia’s paci.  She only gets it at naptime and bedtime, but that girl loves her paci.  If she’s anything like her brother, this is going to be a nightmare.  But it’s long overdue.  Don’t judge.

Give Jacob some responsibilities around the house.  Right now, both kids have it pretty easy, but I’d like to implement some kind of chore chart, mostly for Jacob since he’s going to be six this year.  Obviously it won’t be anything complicated since he’s so young, but I think a little bit of discipline will be good for him.

Blog

I set some pretty specific goals for the blog for this year, and since there are so many, I’m not going to elaborate on any of them.  Instead, I’m just putting them out there in list form to hold myself accountable.

1.    Buy domain
2.    Revamp or rebrand website
3.    Revamp media kit
4.    New email signature
5.    Host or co-host a weekly link-up
6.    Host a giveaway
7.    Connect with new bloggers (I already have a list of a few who I want to connect with!)
8.    Possibly sponsor a fellow blogger for more exposure (still on the fence about this one, though)
9.    Post more recipes because I always love doing them, yet I rarely do
10. Update old posts (watermark pictures, create Pinterest worthy images)
11. Change Instagram account to a business account
12. Instagram – increase following to 5k
13. Pinterest – increase following to 2k
14. Facebook – increase following to 300 (I am struggling with FB, y’all)
15. Twitter – increase following to 1k (and actually start using it… I just don’t like it)
16. Utilize BlogHer and Social Fabric… groups that I’ve been a member of for months and have never done anything with them.
17. Join Amazon Associates… because I heart Amazon so freaking much!

Whew!  Well there ya go… 17 bloggy things for 2017!  And I didn’t even plan that!  And boy, do I feel really vulnerable putting all of this out there for everyone to see!  I am pretty much always an open book, though, so I don’t think anyone should be surprised.

Now to get down to business!  It's time to watch me GROW, y’all!

If you want to see goals from prior years check out the posts below!


*Linking up with Our Pretty Little Girls for Tuesday Talk.


34 comments:

  1. Great resolutions. Goals are a wonderful thing and working toward something as positive as all of yours is going to be easy for you I think. You've got this girl.

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  2. What great goals and resolutions! I love your word Grow. So fitting!! I've get many of the same blogging goals as you! :)

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    1. Thank you, I love it too! Good luck with your blogging goals... I'm excited to be on the journey with you!

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  3. Girl you better get to the doctor! Take care of yourself! And love your blog goals too--I think we all have goals to make our blogs grow! It's so exciting to think about!
    Sarah at MeetTheShaneyfelts

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  4. I think goals are a great thing. Something to strive for & to work at. Looking forward to seeing what you accomplish.

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  5. I love all your goals and your word - perfect for this year!

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  6. You've got a great list of goals!! I have no doubt you will crush them throughout the year!

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  7. This is such a great list of resolutions and goals Lindsay! I know you'll rock them all!

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  8. Ugh, I struggle with FB too. Love reading your specific goals: it gives me motivation (and some really good ideas) Thanks!

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  9. You have some amazing goals sweet girl! And I know you are going to tackle so many of them with gusto! Oh sweetie, wait til you get a little older, that tone up becomes even more important and is a huge one for me too! I'm drinking water as we speak, I volley coffee than water thing coffee than water ha ha.

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    1. Haha, gotta do what ya gotta do! And thank you as always for the encouragement, Andrea! It really means a lot!

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  10. I love your #olw!
    What amazing goals you have set for yourself!! I have big plans for my blog and etsy shop this year!!
    Good Luck! :)

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    1. Good luck to you, Heather! I'm excited to be on this blogging journey with you!

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  11. We totally created a will this past year.... it was kind of hard to think of but we did it. I've actually been meaning to write a blog post on that for a while now. Also I hate Twitter too, never use it other than my daily post or when I have some campaign going. I need to revamp my email signature this year. Also I think you should just buy all new computers so you don't have to clean the old ones up, HA! Just kidding on that one. Happy Tuesday. Can't wait to see you grow this year.

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  12. Great goals! I feel the same way about posting goals and feeling so vulnerable. I don't know why. I love your word and I love all of your blogging goals. Have a great day and I am excited to see and read where this year takes you!

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  13. Connecting with my husband, lovin' him more and giving him attention is on my list. Motherhood and being parents take control most days so I need to be more intentional in showing James how much he is loved and appreciated.

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  14. Amazing goals and love your world of the year!!! Toning up is definitely on my list. You got this girl!

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  15. These are all great goals! I've been wanting to grow my IG to 5,000 along with my Pinterest (and maybe Twitter). FB is def. challenging to grow tho! I am also wanting to do more for my husband and to cherish him more! I used to be so good about taking vitamins, but stopped... now I have been taking the gummy vitamins, they are like candy to me! 2 a day, every day with lunch! You have so many great goals this year!

    Carrie
    curlycraftymom.com

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  16. Love your list, especially the blogging goals! If you are looking for a new read in the new year, my book is a FREE download through end of day today. Read my latest blog post for more info at sarahgeringer.com. Blessings to you! From your neighbor at #tuestalk

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    1. Thanks for letting me know, Sarah! I will check it out!

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  17. Wow lots of good things here. I want to revamp my blog as well. And put more effort into it. I want to grow my followers too. It is tough. I also want to cherish Rory more. More date nights and more time with my friends!

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  18. You go girl!! Can you come make my goals too?!? ;) And Jesus Calling is a great way to start the day for sure!

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  19. So many great goals and resolutions you have to look forward to. It's so true, our examples to our children are so important. I've wanted to start my day with a devotional for years, but I can't seem to get a handle on becoming a morning person. I always end my day with it but at times I find myself practically falling asleep. The bible app also has a lot of great devotionals with specific topics for whatever you would like to focus on. Keep being amazing and I'm sure 2017 will have great things in store for you! Beautifully Candid

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  20. Such a great list Linds! I think identifying real things you want to tackle is so admirable. Plus you're so organized with it all! I love Jesus Calling, which has been a big help to me (especially this year). Hoping the very best for you this year and your beautiful family! I love everything about "grow!" What a positive, forward reaching and challenging word!

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  21. Amazing resolutions! I like setting them too, I made a whole list for myself and ten days in, so far so good!! :) I love your blog ideas! A link-up would be so fun!

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  22. I've been following your blog for awhile now and love it. What a great list that is and sounds a lot like mine. My Jesus Calling book has gotten me through some tough times and don't know what I would do without it......:) I've gifted it to many!!!
    Blessings from Ohio.........

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    1. Thank you so much, Jodi! I love hearing from long-time readers who I don't normally interact with! I'm glad to hear that you love the book... I'm 13 days in and I'm loving it so far as well. It is really speaking to me in a way that I didn't expect! Have a wonderful weekend!

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  23. Great goals all around! Totally understand your frustration over your back. I've been dealing with a chronic hip issue on and off since 2011 and in 2016 it flared up and was pretty much a constant all year. I finally found a new doctor and have been in PT and having dry needling done which seems to be helping. I'm crossing my fingers!

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  24. Oh..and if you ever want another great couple book...Keith & I both had a copy of The Love Dare years back when we were in kind of on the struggle bus and it seriously made our marriage flourish.

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  25. This is awesome, Lindsay! We are so in line with the house tidying :) And you are reminding me that I need a multivitamin, too!! I loved the Garden of Life raw prenatal vitamins while I was expecting but stopped ordering after I finished breastfeeding. They make a normal Women's one, but I know gals that just take prenatal anyway regardless of whether they are pregnant, so maybe I'll go back to those! Love all your blog goals :)

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  26. These are great goals! And if there is one person that could totally crush their goals it would be you! Can't wait to see what 2017 has in store for you!

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  27. Great goals to have - I love following you and learning from you in the blogging world. I love the word "Grow" you chose. I am anxious to see all your accomplish this year! Blessings to you in 2017! xoxo Erin

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