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Some Goals For the New Year

I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas and a happy New Year's Day! I had a wonderful time being off, and just getting to spend whole days with my little. Honestly, there's nothing better than those cuddles, and days spent in PJ's. All of that goodness aside, I've also been thinking a lot about the future. Reflecting on what's important to me. Thinking about the things that I want to accomplish, things that I'd like to attain, and weight goals that I'm wanting to reach. I've been thinking about changes I want to implement in my life, and how I want to focus more on my family. On being a good mom. I want to opt outside more and embark on some of the adventures Emery has been wanting to go on. The past year was a bit of a rocky one for us, and it's taken a lot for me to finally feel like we're finally getting settled. I also feel like I'm making some real progress in living a life that I want. A good life. One that isn't constant stress, anxiety, and struggle. One that will benefit my daughter in a positive and healthy way. So, what better time than now to start putting those long-term changes into motion? No more "just thinking" about them it's time to start doing.

For 2019 I have four main goals I'd like to focus on. The first goal is to get myself a vehicle. Since Beau had that accident with the deer and the car was considered a total loss I let him have my vehicle. He needed one, and my parents have allowed me to use one of theirs for the meantime. He has stated that he will be giving it back as soon as he can get another one up and running. His work isn't consistent during the winter so it's easier for me to be the one who saves money in order to put a down payment down on a vehicle. I have my heart set on two particular ones that I would love to get, and either of them would be great for when Emery starts driving too. Yes, I'm thinking that far ahead. So, God willing, I'm able to save a good chunk in the next two months to be able to afford one or the other. 

The second goal I have is to explore more trails and national/state parks. I'd also like to finally summit a mountain by the end of the year. I may even consider attempting Wheeler Peak again. I know that I can do it, and even if it takes me a whole day I want to see the view from a mountaintop. But first, I want to explore some more. I want to take Emery on more of those outdoor adventures she's been asking to go on. I'd also like to finally take her on that California vacation I've been promising for the past three years. Each year started with the financial ability to do so, but there was always something that would come up. Now, I may not be able to afford a whole week, but maybe we can head out for a weekend. The last time we were out there she was barely walking, and she's constantly asking me when we'll go back. She tells me she's wanting to be able to go and actually remember the visit this time. To remember the ocean. So, I'm praying that this year I'll finally be able to give her that experience.

The third goal for the year is to do away with the majority of social media. I recently went through my accounts and deleted/unfriended people that I haven't been in communication with in a few years. I unfollowed pages, celebrities, and inactive accounts. I plan to narrow it down even farther over the weekend too. I'm just so tired of all the noise, you know? I get that a lot of these platforms are wonderful, help spread our words, and keep us in touch. But it can also be really harmful to our mental health. It can start to chip away at your self-esteem, and make you feel like everyone else in the world is living these perfect lives except for you. It can be divisive, and full of passive-aggressive racism. And while I totally have no issue with people expressing their opinions or outlooks because it's their right, I can choose to not give it my attention because that's my right. So, the end goal is to become less active on social media. I want to write more on my blog and finally get the camera I've been wanting for a while now in order to take pictures. I feel like this will help me limit my phone use as well. Fewer distractions and being more present. This year I want to focus more on writing and navigating this new chapter of my life. And I don't want to be dragged under by all of the negativity that you can find on social media. 

The fourth goal is weight based. I really would love to lose about 40 lbs this year. No fad diets, or weight loss supplements though. I don't mind having some pre-workout or protein shakes when needed, but nothing else. No keto or intermittent fasting. I want to start incorporating more fruits and vegetables into my diet. I also want to get on a consistent workout schedule again and make water my "go to" drink. I also want to be more aware of what I'm putting into my body. Emery's as well. Once I was given answers about my hormones and thyroid it really opened up my eyes to how much our food, and products play a role in them. I mean, I knew that a lot of the food and products we consume are harmful to us in the long term. I just didn't realize that it was playing such a huge part in my imbalances in the here and NOW. And even though, for me, the cost of products has always been a factor in what I choose to buy there were a few things that I was recently able to switch. Deodorant, facial products, and toothpaste. Pairing that with the vitamins and the topical treatments that my doctor instructed me to start I've felt much better overall. My energy is still on the lower side, but I was told that it would take a minimum of six months for my Vitamin D to fully replenish itself. On the physical side I recently had a small setback in the form of back problems. This is why I haven't been able to really hit the gym like I wanted to back at the beginning of December. But my chiropractor finally gave me the green light to start back up with low impact stuff for now. Once I'm back to feeling 100% I plan to make exercise a priority again.

Now, there are several other things I'd like to achieve this year too. I'd like to beat my last years' sales at work. I want to spend more time with my family. Those near and far. I want to finally get out of unnecessary debt, or at the very least get it down to about half. I have about $8,000 to go. I'd like to be able to afford vaccines, and flea treatments for both dogs consistently all year long. I want to repaint my living room, dining area, and kitchen if possible this Spring. I want to install new flooring into two of the rooms in my house that desperately need it. And maybe (fingers crossed) get a dishwasher installed. I want to learn how to cook authentic Mexican food. To learn and incorporate more of the Mexican traditions into our life as well. I also want to make my church a priority, and possibly get more involved with it. I've always had ideas on how they could improve the catechism class and ways for it to raise more funds for mission trips. I've had ideas on how to get younger people involved again, and ways to seek out some help from the students at our local university. I've just always felt like I was "too busy" to make the time or not "important enough" for anyone to listen to my ideas. Lately, I've felt this pull to finally speak up though. And this is just the beginning really. There's a lot more I'd like to achieve, or set into motion this year. There's a lot I want for us. I know that I may check several of these off of my list or none at all. But I at least want to start. I want to be working towards creating a better future for my family. Most importantly though, I really want 2019 to be a good one. I want it to be as healthy and happy as possible for all of us. 

Wordless Wednesday