If you read my post that was published on New Year’s Day 2019 (click here to read) you’ll know that I would rather set goals for the year as opposed to resolutions. This year, while I do have a long list of goals, I am also looking at the year in a slightly broader view. The following categories are where I am focusing my time and energy in hopes of achieving my various goals.

Spending

I spent way too much money on way too many things that were not necessary in 2019 and previous years. This year, I am considering the following two ideas before making a purchase: 1) What value will this bring to my life? 2) How can this make my life more efficient and save time and/or money? I starting using the budget tracker system Mint a few months ago and it opened my eyes in a way I didn’t think was possible. Starbuck’s, Amazon, and Target made me want to cry when I saw my year end report. I am committed to using this budget tracking system for the year in hopes of getting a better grasp on my finances. Once I have a better grasp on this, I’ll have a little more freedom to do more – such as travel, go to new restaurants, concerts, and events.

Fitness

I worked out like a champ at the beginning of 2019. I lost all of my baby weight, was in shape and felt energetic, and then I don’t know what happened. Life got crazy – Toasttopost.com started gaining momentum, work was more demanding, the twins were bigger and also required more energy (feeding, entertaining, etc.) and I moved homes towards the end of the year. Instead of working out on my lunch break (like I had for months prior,) I was working on personal stuff, finishing up PowerPoint presentations, making doctor’s appointments, etc. I have come to the realization that in order to be the best version of myself, I have to give my body (and mind) what it needs. Exercise, whole foods, and mental breaks are all essential and I am making sure to carve out time for them.

Comparison

Social media is a great tool when used correctly; however, it also has very negative effects as well. One of those effects is the constant comparison we make with one another. Comparing homes, clothes, food choices, pets, and even children. But one thing to always keep in mind is that social media (for the most part) is the highlight reel. I comb through my pictures searching for the perfect one, throw a filter on it, then post it. Our feeds are perfectly curated pieces of artwork, in a sense, that only describe the best parts of who we are. They are not always accurate and cannot convey feeling. This year, I am really trying to work on being ok with who I am right now. Do I wish I had a Rachel Parcell house? Um, duh, I think anyone would. But is that in the cards for me? Hell to the NO (at least not right now 🙂 )And I am ok with that. I have to accept who I am and where I am at in life.

Literacy/Journal

I listen to a lot of books. I have a long commute which gives me time to listen to books and podcasts. I love listening to my books and starting saving them to my highlights for you. This year, I am trying to expand this into reading actual books more. Instead of saying, “I vow to read a book every week or month” or something like that, I plan on reading several nights a week – 3, 4? And how long? It depends how much time I have available before bed. The same goes for journaling. I will journal a few nights a week. This isn’t an all or nothing and I want it to be something that I enjoy, not forced.

Environment

I’ve stated that for the month of January, I am not going to Starbucks. This not only helps my bank account, but also the environment. The amount of throw away coffee cups that end up in landfills and the ocean is crazy. I’ve also decided that I am not using the Styrofoam cups at work for coffee. I have my Camelbak water bottle and these cute little dachshund coffee mugs that I drink out of at work. I know these things are small, but they add up. I also bought a new recycling bin on New Year’s Day that should be helpful in getting recyclable items to their receptacle instead of the trash can. I’m definitely feeling the waste less, recycle more motto. Something else that bothers me is the amount of paper towels I use – so I’m definitely trying to cut back on that.

Something else that really bothers me is plastic grocery bags. One of my favorite mom hacks is to do HEB curbside pick-up; however, you aren’t able to use your own reusable bags for this. I’ve heard you can bring in your old bags and they are supposed to recycle them, but I would rather know I am just not using them at all. So, this leaves me with quite the conundrum…..in this situation, the more time efficient option is also the option that is worse for the environment, and honestly, I’m stuck on what to do. I might try to just cut back on curbside pick-up and only use it when absolutely necessary.

Family Time

One of my goals for the year is to do one big outing every quarter. For example, going to the zoo, museum, or something that requires more than just going to the local park. This accomplishes two things: 1) a chance to spend good quality time together and 2) it is a learning opportunity for the twins. When I was a teacher, I practiced the PEAK Learning Systems (performance excellence for all kids) methodology. One of the things that stands out in my mind from all of the trainings I attended is that in order for someone to truly retain something, they have to be exposed to it 28 times. For example, when Mom reads a book about the zoo to a young toddler and they talk about the zebra, that’s one time. When that toddler watches a TV show on safari animals and sees the zebra again, that counts as another time. And it just progresses on and on from there. So, for children who are not exposed to things like this (and it can be anything – animals, numbers, reading, music, math, science, etc.) they are further behind than the kids who were exposed to it. Because of this, I want to give the twins to have every opportunity needed to be successful.

Part II of this goes a little deeper. I already try to be on my phone as little as possible around the twins. I want our time spent together to be intentional, not just out of habit. I am a believer in family sit down dinners and conversations.

Well, friends, in conclusion, I’d like to point out that I am absolutely one of those people who gets excited by the new year. I am so motivated right now and excited to have a great year – it seems like more than ever for some reason. I think one of the drivers behind this is that I have accepted who I am as a person, and while I am always striving to improve myself to be more, I am also accepting of where I am currently (not permanently) at. And there is something really freeing in that.

Cheers – MP