2019 Goals & Word // Let's Do This!

Woohoo! It is 2019! The last few years have been a doozy. Really really. 2018 was definitely the year where I experienced the most positive change and growth. I was able to move from managing my anxiety (and holding on for dear life), to actively working on some new improvements and feeling a little bit of motivation again. I think the last time I felt that way was about 2015. This year, oh this year.. this year I'm feeling so ready to work on so many things and have a lot of fun. I want out of the shell even more. I feel prepared to do it, because I've spent the last few years learning to take care of myself. That is so exciting, friends! (I'm having trouble expressing myself... but I think you get it!)

Personal vs. Common Goals

This year KC and I set some common goals and divided them up first into categories, and then into actionable chunks through the months. The header goals are the main ones, and the little bullets are ideas that we have to carry them out throughout the year. :) In other words... this might look like a massive list... but it's really just an actionable list to be divided up over the next 12 months. This makes the blog post look crazy, but I enjoy knowing how people break down their big goals, and their specific actions toward tackling them, so I wanted to share them anyhow! :) A lot of these are things that I put on my lists year after year and have trouble tackling by myself. I think approaching them as a family will make us more successful, and make it more fun!

So... here are my goals for 2019!

Personal Goals

Word of the Year: 

Cultivate!

I really want to grow all of the things. From a flower garden and pollinator friendly yard to better habits, and more diverse experiences.

Personal Goals:

Plant a Garden (flowers, fruit/veggies that we will eat, bee-friendly plants)
Go Kayaking (as much as possible)
Try Family Recipes and Learn Their Stories (probably document it)
More Outdoor Adventures (horseback riding, SUP, camping, hiking, etc.)
Read 60 Books (more fairy tales, more non-fiction, a few classics, a biography)
Feed the Birds!
Make a Hummingbird Cake
Go to the Beach
Settle into our home!
Try a New Pie Recipe

Common Goals:

Home

Things Have A Physical Home
     -Craft/Scrapbook Items
     -Books (build built-ins)
     -Closet Storage (winter clothes x_x)
     -Entertainment System (built in, video games, etc.)
     -Laundry Area (storage, tiny mudroom spot)
     -Kitchen Organization (streamline, creative storage)
     -Pantry Organization

Yard Woes + Low Maintenance Landscape
     -Get Grating Done (Save Money, Schedule)
     -Add Stair Rail to Outdoor Stairs
     -Edge the Sidewalk
     -Repair Fence
     -Landscaping on Hill
     -Wood Pile (cut up into manageable bits, dispose or us)
     -Tree Management (take down more trees? :(, save money, etc.)
     -Hang Up Mailbox
     -Grow a Moonflower Plant on Our Porch
     -Get a Lilac Plant
     -Buy Garden/Lawn Tools
     -Consider our backyard/driveway (garage? shed? patio area/furniture?)

Plan for Home Updates (budget, timeline, wish list, etc.)
     -Living Room Floor
     -Stair Flooring
     -Tile (both bathrooms, laundry room)
     -Back Splash
     -Paint Burgundy Strip of Wall
     -New Stove (gas?)
     -New Dishwasher
     -Furniture (chairs for upstairs, dining chairs, card table, etc.)
     -Hang Things on Walls
     -Light for Landing
     -Basement Storage (shelves, what goes down there, light, etc.)
     -Get "last" of Things from KC's Parent's House
     -Paint Bathroom Sink Cabinet
     -Paint Bedroom Furniture

Health

Take After Dinner Walks
Go Kayaking
Go Hiking
Spend More Time Outdoors

Money

Save Money to Achieve Goals (and determine what those are, how to prioritize, etc.)
     -Meet Twice Per Month About Budget
Reliable and Accurate Budget Plan

Learning

Master One Loaf of Bread
Add 5-10 New Reliable Recipes to Our Go-To List
     -Go to Aldi
     -Try a Few New Recipes Each Month (both choose!)

Lifestyle

Have a Kitchen Garden (use it)
     -Get Tools
     -Plan What To Grow (how much, map it out, planting schedule, etc. etc.)
     -Learn Maintenance, Skills, etc.
     -Grow Flowers (which, where, etc. etc.)
Learn to Meal Plan (in some capacity) by End of Year
Have Cleaning Schedule (light) by End of Year
Keep Social Calendar Manageable
     -Set Off Limits Days (no plans!)
     -Set Scheduled Days (to do an actual thing together)
     -Meet Every Sunday about Social Calendar (for upcoming week)
Focus on Our Marriage
     -Go On Two Dates Per Month
     -Enjoy More Everyday Together Activities (walks, cooking dinner, baking, playing games) vs. sitting and reading/playing video games. :)

Experiences

Make Plans for Europe (even if it's a 2020 or 2021 type of trip)
Volunteer/Give Back
Go to Hawaii
Go to the Beach (could be in Hawaii)

Because I think it's fun to look back... here are my goals from 2018, 2017, 2016, 2015, 2014, 2013, and 2012!

What are your goals for this year? If you have a post, send me the link!! I'd love to read it... and get back into blogging and blog reading a bit more regularly this year!!

Do you break up your big goals to make them more actionable or manageable?

XO,

Alexandra

Goals & Word of the Year 2018 // FINALLY

Whew, this year is off to a slow start, but I am feeling back to my old self more or less. I want to stay up late to finish books or projects, I want to go out and do things, etc. So, I finally have some finalized goals for the year, and some thoughts on my word of the year as well.

2018 Goals:

"Invest" My Love, Money, and Time (see below for more)
Go to the Beach
Treat My Body Better
Watch 12 New (to me) Period Dramas
Buy A House - BUT DON'T SETTLE!
Eat Advenurously
Read 50 Books
See Family More
Get Warmer Socks
Have Adventures

Elaboration:

Where You Invest Your Love (& Time & Money), You Invest Your Life

This is something that I have been thinking about SO much lately. My word for the year is Invest, and here's why. Our world is kind of a mess sometimes. The news is terrifying, the internet is full of trolls, and sometimes I feel really really hopeless. One thing I thought of at the end of the year is this quote, which funnily enough was one of the first things I posted on this blog:

"Every time you spend money, you're casting a vote for the kind of world you want." - Anna Lappe

Wow, right? Its so true, and it is so easy to forget. I think that this quote definitely extends to the way you spend your time, and also your love.

This year I want to be more intentional about supporting the kind of world that I want.

Money: 

I've been thinking a lot about the word "invest". Not just in the sense of money, but in the sense of every resource and attention that I have. I want to invest my money in quality products, sustainable products, creative ones, things that will enhance my life and help me live a better one. Things that will allow me to create: paints, glitter, paper, and notebooks. I also want to invest my money in experiences, in learning, and in seeing new places. I want to hear live music, learn new skills, take classes, and see more of the world. I want to spend my money on sustainable goods, to sustainable companies. More quality clothing, more things made in the US, more things that are recyclable, used or ethically made.

Time, Love, and Attention:

I want to invest my time and attention in things that make my life and the world better. I want to spend more time an attention on taking care of my body. I want to move, stretch, get stronger and healthier, and get outside more. I want to have fun doing it, I want to start just doing it because it is what is good for me. What is necessary for me. An investment. I want to cook and eat better. Foods that I like, that my body craves, and that I need to remember to eat, because it is what is best for me. I want these things to help KC too by extension. Maybe there will be a fun hobby or means of exercise that we could both benefit from. 

I also want to invest my time in my marriage with KC. Over the years it becomes clearer and clearer that our life is about us. The two of us and our small family. We are so happy together, and I am so grateful for that, but putting more time and effort into getting quality time together, focusing more on his needs, and teamwork, etc. will only continue to make our relationship better.

As I learn new things, try new things, and explore I want to expand my world view. I want to gain perspectives, and become more involved in making the world a better place. I want to get involved in the community, volunteer, and have solutions or at least words or actions that can come at times when I don't know what to do or say. The world hurts so much right now especially, and I think that each person can make small differences if they try. I just need to come up with some practical and useful ways to do so. 

There you go only a month and a half late. heheh but I am happy with what I have. I have more elaborating to do on my own end, but it isn't necessary to post here.

What about you guys? What are your goals for the year and how are you doing with them?!

XO,

Alexandra

2017 Goal Update // Halfway Through!

Wow, we are over half way through 2017. That's crazypants!

I thought I should do a quick recap of my goals, progress made, and strategies for the months ahead. Thanks for the reminder Torrie! :) Updates are in bold. :) 

Reflections & Goal Planning/Explanation: 

I did some reflecting on 2016 and a lot of what I realized about my anxiety is that it often stems from a lack of space. Whether that is physical space, mental space, or a sense of freedom. So a lot of my goals are centered around those ideas. :) This may seem like a giant list, but a lot of it is written to accommodate specific ideas, and *trying* things... even if I don't end up implementing them longer-term. Some of them are also things that I am currently doing, that I want to continue with. I've been thinking hard about all of my goals and issues I want to work on, and what those big and small moving pieces are. So, I am choosing the word "space" this year for obvious reasons. I don't usually pick a word, but I think it will really help me focus this year! :)

Health 

Work out 3x's per normal week (at least)
Put Healthy Meals on Rotation
Try 25 New Healthy Recipes (add them to rotation if we like them enough!)
Get new mattress = sleep better
Continue to take stairs and walks at work
Try out at least one active hobby (ideas: SUP, kayaking, boxing, etc.)
Get dental work done - not sure I can finish this year, just financially... but making really good progress on this!
Visit a dermatologist
Attempt grazing - I'm the WORST snacker...
Focus on healthy breakfasts & caffeine sources

Stress

Limit & be intentional with plans that we make - doing well with this so far!
Do one de-stressing activity per day (yoga, coloring, reading, meditating, etc.)
De-clutter (physical clutter = mental clutter)
     -sort through boxes and tubs in storage at KC's parent's house - ALREADY STARTED!
     -coat closet
     -wall hanging items
     -kitchen cabinets/kitchen craziness...
     -under bathroom sink
     -bathroom linen closet
     -jewelry box
     -vanity!!
     -boxes of un-homed junk...
     -things I hide in the closet....
     -filing paperwork....
Reduce amount of technology that I have to deal with
     -limit notifications
     -unsubscribe from email lists
     -delete drobox from laptop...
     -have "un-reachable" times?
     -etc.
Check long-standing items off my to-be-done list. I love Gretchen Rubin's 1 hour per week idea!
     -being healthy (folded in above)
     -dentist (same) - doing really well so far!
     -DSLR skills -re-thinking this... my phone has a better camera than my current DSLR.
     -sewing skills
     -reading classics - 2 so far!
Make a point to listen to music!
Purchase an essential oil diffuser
Look into getting a weighted blanket

Brand

Populate my Etsy with invite templates
Do a bridal show (maybe)
Make Flyers and put up around town #oldschool
Re-brand blog
Continue/improve with Youtube - getting better! Need to work on lighting and sound...
Scheduling items (see scheduling section below)
Learn more about what y'all like reading about in this space!

Creative

Take a cooking class
Pick up (try) either: sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery... something NON-paper! - working on it, but have not "picked one up".
Do a 2017 PL/scrapbook album (monthly highlights, as the year goes on) - keep sharing the progress! - working on it! Check out my Youtube to see! :) 
Attend more non-concert live performances - 2 so far!
Do some type of photo challenge (even a short one)
Apply to be on 2018 creative teams with documenting brands! - 1 so far, and I did not get it.
Take a DSLR course - re-thinking this...
Food in Jars challenge with Rachel (flexibly!) - 2 so far.
Make a new dessert - pavlova
Get a better/more versatile printer for documenting

Scheduling

Set up a rough guideline for using my Tuesdays well (or a rigid schedule)
Make a social media posting schedule (because I forget and it stresses me out!) - working on this for IG, and it's going well so far!
Make a cleaning schedule
Try some meal-prepping schedules - find something that works pretty well

Cozy Family - inspired by the ideas of hygge and minimalism

Learn about Hygge and apply some ideas from it to our day-to-day life
Create more traditions with KC as our own little family (seasonal, holiday, weekend, little things, etc.)
Make a point to enjoy and experience each season
Be at home more - so far, doing well, much better nearly every month!
Take our time and be slow

Books

Read 50 total books - 29 so far!
Read at least one book from each category:
     -biography/memoir
     -poetry
     -graphic novel
     -horror
     -science fiction
     -thriller
     -mystery
     -historical fiction
     -short story
     -essay
Complete a reading challenge - it's looking good for Erin's 7.0
Read 5 Non-fiction books, not including cookbooks/craft books that are just skimmed
Read 5 Classics - 2 so far!
Continue with book ban - I've only sold a few so far, but I've read a lot that I own (including Netgalley!)! Definitely more of each than this time last year! :)

Travel

Go back to NOLA
Plan out NYC!
Visit at least two other new places (even if they are close-by)
Travel with friends
Try a new food

Entertaining

Find a dress for SIL's wedding
Plan bachelorette/shower night for Juliet
Continue having game nights - 2 so far!
Epic KC bday week
Have a "Galantine's Party"! - I MISS THIS EVERY. SINGLE. YEAR. 
Give 6 little gifts - 2 so far!
Spoil the heck outta Jess's baby - yes, so far! :P
Swap GG nights for Movie nights with close friends - this isn't probably going to happen
Generally plan more things with my girlfriends (because they're pretty amazing)

Bottom Line: I think I am doing pretty well with my goals so far. All of my reading ones are more or less on track, travel is nearly done, and I have a lot of things that have been started. Some of the ones related to stress/organizing may have to change.... I didn't plan on us moving when I made the list... and now our living/storage situation is quite different! Pleased with the dental progress I've made, but not sure if I will be able to finish it this year. It gets so expensive. I think we've been doing ok at seasonal things, but summer is really tough because it's just too hot for me, and KC doesn't like it much either.  We did pretty well at seasonal things for St. Patrick's Day and springtime. :) Hoping for more hygge/cozy/traditions this fall and winter. It's about time that we buckle down budget-wise, so that should mean being home more and also cooking more. We've not been cooking anything new, if at all, for most of the year. Hoping to improve on health, cooking, and organizational goals before the end of the year! :) 

How are you doing on your 2017 goals so far? 

Are you slacking on any? What are your plans to make them a priority?

Have to checked any off? What are you most proud of so far?

XO,

Alexandra

2017 Goals & Word

Wow, Happy Wednesday friends,

I don't know about you, but 2017 has started with an explosion... and not a good one. I'm not really ready to get into it, but let's just say this explosion has caused some after booms for me and KC (and plenty of others). Most of which are confusing. But KC and I are trying to use our energy in a positive way, if not getting little intensely motivated/extreme. More on all this later...bleh.

Reflections & Goal Planning/Explanation: 

I did some reflecting on 2016 and a lot of what I realized about my anxiety is that it often stems from a lack of space. Whether that is physical space, mental space, or a sense of freedom. So a lot of my goals are centered around those ideas. :) This may seem like a giant list, but a lot of it is written to accommodate specific ideas, and *trying* things... even if I don't end up implementing them longer-term. Some of them are also things that I am currently doing, that I want to continue with. I've been thinking hard about all of my goals and issues I want to work on, and what those big and small moving pieces are. So, I am choosing the word "space" this year for obvious reasons. I don't usually pick a word, but I think it will really help me focus this year! :)

Health 

Work out 3x's per normal week (at least)
Put Healthy Meals on Rotation
Try 25 New Healthy Recipes (add them to rotation if we like them enough!)
Get new mattress = sleep better
Continue to take stairs and walks at work
Try out at least one active hobby (ideas: SUP, kayaking, boxing, etc.)
Get dental work done
Visit a dermatologist
Attempt grazing - I'm the WORST snacker...
Focus on healthy breakfasts & caffeine sources

Stress

Limit & be intentional with plans that we make
Do one de-stressing activity per day (yoga, coloring, reading, meditating, etc.)
De-clutter (physical clutter = mental clutter)
     -sort through boxes and tubs in storage at KC's parent's house - ALREADY STARTED!
     -coat closet
     -wall hanging items
     -kitchen cabinets/kitchen craziness...
     -under bathroom sink
     -bathroom linen closet
     -jewelry box
     -vanity!!
     -boxes of un-homed junk...
     -things I hide in the closet....
     -filing paperwork....
Reduce amount of technology that I have to deal with
     -limit notifications
     -unsubscribe from email lists
     -delete drobox from laptop...
     -have "un-reachable" times?
     -etc.
Check long-standing items off my to-be-done list. I love Gretchen Rubin's 1 hour per week idea!
     -being healthy (folded in above)
     -dentist (same)
     -DSLR skills
     -sewing skills
     -reading classics
Make a point to listen to music!
Purchase an essential oil diffuser
Look into getting a weighted blanket

Brand

Populate my Etsy with invite templates
Do a bridal show (maybe)
Make Flyers and put up around town #oldschool
Re-brand blog
Continue/improve with Youtube
Scheduling items (see scheduling section below)
Learn more about what y'all like reading about in this space!

Creative

Take a cooking class
Pick up (try) either: sewing, knitting, crochet, embroidery... something NON-paper!
Do a 2017 PL/scrapbook album (monthly highlights, as the year goes on) - keep sharing the progress!
Attend more non-concert live performances
Do some type of photo challenge (even a short one)
Apply to be on 2018 creative teams with documenting brands!
Take a DSLR course
Food in Jars challenge with Rachel (flexibly!)
Make a new dessert
Get a better/more versatile printer for documenting

Scheduling

Set up a rough guideline for using my Tuesdays well (or a rigid schedule)
Make a social media posting schedule (because I forget and it stresses me out!)
Make a cleaning schedule
Try some meal-prepping schedules - find something that works pretty well

Cozy Family - inspired by the ideas of hygge and minimalism

Learn about Hygge and apply some ideas from it to our day-to-day life
Create more traditions with KC as our own little family (seasonal, holiday, weekend, little things, etc.)
Make a point to enjoy and experience each season
Be at home more
Take our time and be slow

Books

Read 50 total books
Read at least one book from each category:
     -biography/memoir
     -poetry
     -graphic novel
     -horror
     -science fiction
     -thriller
     -mystery
     -historical fiction
     -short story
     -essay
Complete a reading challenge
Read 5 Non-fiction books, not including cookbooks/craft books that are just skimmed
Read 5 Classics (ideas: Jane Austen & F. Scott Fitzgerald, War and Peace, and Wuthering Heights)
Continue with book ban (specifically reading mostly owned books, and selling them once I am done reading!)

Travel

Go back to NOLA
Plan out NYC!
<3 p=""> Visit at least two other new places (even if they are close-by)
Travel with friends
Try a new food

Entertaining

Find a dress for SIL's wedding
Plan bachelorette/shower night for Juliet
Continue having game nights
Epic KC bday week
Have a "Galantine's Party"!
Give 6 little gifts
Spoil the heck outta Jess's baby
Swap GG nights for Movie nights with close friends
Generally plan more things with my girlfriends (because they're pretty amazing)

What do you do specifically do de-stress?

Do you have an essential oil diffuser? If so, which one, I'm on the hunt... but there's tons to sift through! #overwhelmed

Likewise, there are a ton of books on Hygge, have any of you read them? Also sifting through TONS of those!! 

Healthy/easy breakfast ideas? Send them my way!! 

What do you do for little traditions with your family/SO/Roomie/etc.?

What types of posts do you most like to read here? Which ones don't you love? What do you want to see more of, or added to this blog?

I know most of you have posted your goals for the year, and I've loved reading them! But feel free to tell me more about them below!!

Let's do this 2017!

XO,

Alexandra

Twelve Months In // 2016 Goal Review

In order to keep up with my goals for 2016 a little better, I have been trying to do monthly mini goals. :) See my 2016 goals here. 

December Goals:

1) Finish Christmas Gifts (planning, purchasing, wrapping, sending/delivering)

Whew, you guys! I feel like a Christmas miracle in terms of getting this stuff checked off! :) Our plans went quickly, mine for KC just rabbit holed into this great idea! The purchasing was overall easy and met with lots of lovely holiday discounts for Cyber Monday, etc. We spent a few days wrapping and knocked that out quickly. How cute is the fox paper?! I even got Olya's blog swap gift shipped out a full day early! :) We got small gifts shipped a few weeks into December, and the big ones shipped out in time to meet their folks. I feel good about it all! :) 

2) Do some reflecting on 2016 goals, and set goals for next year!

I did a tiny bit of thinking about goals early in December, but most of the big thinking came at the beginning of 2017.... and I'm excited to share my goals with you soon! :) 

3) Decide what project life size and method I want to do next year

Blegh, I was waffling between another 6X8 and a 9X12. Leaning 6X8 because it was fun and easy.... now I'm thinking I'll decide as I go, but each month will probably end up being a book. I got a mini 4X4 album that I think will be fun to use. :) 

4) Watch 2 Disney Movies - almost there!!

We did it! We watched Big Hero 6 and Frozen. Big Hero 6 is the stinkin' cutest thing I've ever seen. Baymax is my favorite. KC even got me a Funko Pop of him for Christmas! :) We watched Frozen on a snowy day.. .so all was right with the world.

5) Get an essential oil diffuser

Nope...

6) Decide if we want to buy a new bed or not....

WE DID THIS ON THE LAST DAY! Yay, 1 year later on our anniversary (again!) we actually made the purchase. SO. JAZZED. CANNOT EVEN TELL YOU! :) Hello, decent sleep. Let's be BFFs!

7) Read some fairy tales! 

I read half of The Snow Queen... LOL

8) Find a way to celebrate the holidays with our friends. :)

We ended up having a New Year's Day game night. It was fun and basically counts. :) hehe

9) Work on Simply Alexandra Stationery holiday cards & giveaways!

I finished up my three orders... and didn't do any giveaways. Perhaps new year giveaways. :)

10) Finish KC and I's holiday Cards!

Yes, I did this and I think they turned out super cute! :) After doing everyone's holiday cards we end up doing New Year's letter type post cards. :) These are not our cards... just my thank you notes... because I'm feeling #lazy . 

Overall Total: 7/12

Overall December was a calm month as expected right up until the holidays. Work was relatively low-key, we didn't have tons of events to plan or host, we didn't even have lots of social stuff on our calendar. Praise Gouda. However... I was being kind of lazy... or like random busy... ? Like my friend and I hung out longer after dinners in December. We slept in more... I didn't want to spend my nights designing our cards.. or coming up with TONS of giveaways like last year... so it's a mix of laziness and that most of my goals only benefited myself and had no urgent timeline! HA.

2016 Goal Review:

Where did the year go??!?!?!??!

• Read 50 books 57!
• 7 classics - just 1!
• 2 eco friendly books - zero!
• 25 fairytales, folktales, myths, legends, etc. (some of which may not be full books, could be short stories, poems, etc.) - 17

Calling this a pass! I finished the 50 (passed it actually!) woot! I only read 1 classic, and 17 fairy tales. I didn't read any eco books. Overall I am pleased with the variety and number of books that I read. I tried to read diversely... but I am hoping for even more in 2017 (including classics and non-fiction!)

• Get TSA Pre Approved - (Oh, the time we'll save!!)

We decided not to do this mid-way through the year.

• Get a New Bed

We decided with everything else going on this year that we would just get a new mattress rather than a whole new bed. Plus our apartment is so small. Thinking about how to fit a huge bed into our tiny space was stressful! We had lined up to purchase it at the same time as KC's sister so we could share the IKEA delivery (~$150). Unfortunately we got home from Savannah and they had already finished all of that. Pretty disappointing... but we did all the deciding on our anniversary.. .so we technically passed. YAHOO! :) We just got a mattress/box spring thingy... but it counts! :)

• See Coldplay / Get Tickets to See Coldplay - if they ever announce their North American tour dates...

Check! We purchased tickets for August and it was a great show. We took a short weekend trip to Tulsa, and a road trip with my friend Jessica so we could check Coldplay off of her bucket list! :) See the trip, here.

• Visit 6 New Places
• 1 on our list for a long time
• 1 road trip

Check, check, check! We have more than completed this one! We visited Houston,Galveston, San Francisco, Carmel, Big Sur, Weston, Missouri, Savannah, Tybee Island, and Jekyll Island and Las Vegas and Boulder City, NV. We also went back to Nashville - which was a true road trip. 

• Try 50 New to Me Recipes

Check! This goal was surpassed! Lots of new favorites, and a cake book I will NEVER give up!

• Plan 12 Date Nights

Check! I did this. Most of our date nights were concerts, movies, dinner, nothing too creative. I hope to get more creative about it in the future... but it's still a pass.

• Watch 12 Disney Movies

We were doing really badly at this one, until June. Oddly enough, we were very busy, but managed to stay home some nights for Disney movies. We are also adding Disney DVDs to our collection which is good! We finished this goal right before Christmas, this year we watched: Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Finding Dory, Tarzan, Mulan, Tangled, Pocahantas, Beauty & The Beast, Cinderella, Big Hero 6 (OMG!), and Frozen.

• Do Yoga / Dance / DVD Workout 150 times

Fail! My friend Rachel and I tried to use a google doc to track our workouts and/or text about it. We did SO well at this in April, and I did OK in May... but June was a wash. Rachel has still been doing fine, but I fell off the wagon. Since then I did pitifully at DVD workouts. One weird discrepancy is that Rachel and I count walking... but my 2016 goal doesn't include it. I also count a good day as taking as many stairs as possible (I work on 7!) And that doesn't count either. So, we shall see how it all shakes out. I only did about (a pathetic) 30 DVD workout sessions. Walking and stairs happen multiple times per week now... so I really don't know how to count this. But it's basically a fail.

• Make a Point to Eat Lots of Veggies at least once per day

Check! This is a poorly written goal, but overall I think we have been making veggies more of a priority. We've been doing mason jar salads, some meatless meals, and even eating more fruit. So, I think we are reasonably on track here in terms of progress, I hope to do even better in 2017!! But I want to keep eating more veggies. The end of the year has been worse... but overall I think this is enough improvement to constitute a pass.

• Get All Dental Work Done - I'm a big baby, and I'm TERRIFIED

Fail! None of this yet. I just need to suck it up and make the appointment!

• Learn About (or how to do) 5 New Things

Check! I learned how to make Vanilla Extract, Blackberry Jam (canned it too!), how to use Airbnb, a little about the history of lingerie at a WWI Museum event, and about Halloween Trivia for a work party. Also, you cannot deny the awesomeness that is learning to do a crockpot hot chocolate. :)

• Get an essential oil diffuser and eco-friendly candles

Half way on this one. I did get some lavender vanilla candles from The Honest Company. I also bought a few more Aura Cacia oils from Target. I now have Lavender, Orange, Vanilla, Peppermint, Tea Tree, and I can't remember the others off the top of my head. Now I just need to find a diffuser - and eventually a case to put the oils in.

• Save Money - we did great at this in 2015!

Check! We did way better at this than we did last year! (and we did pretty well last year!) Mostly because we didn't really start last year until August/September. We have been able to set aside money every other paycheck, and most of that is still in our account. We do take some out when we travel, but we try to limit that. Half way through the year, we adopted a key strategy in intentionally planning the fun things we'll do... and having that limit there for our wallets as well as our sanity. We have not been home enough and it really takes a toll! I did not start at a new grocery store yet, and I still have some other savings goals. I am happy with where we ended up. Even if we lost a chunk of change on the mattress. #investments Also, yay for that book ban! :) (even if I'm only doing so/so on it.... :P )

• Find a Treasure

Check! This one was written ambiguously on purpose. What a romantic notion to find a treasure. As it turns out, treasures are everywhere when you look...  so I may just have to do a post on finding treasures. :) 

• Seek Out Water - drink it, be near it, hear it, look at it... you get the idea, as much as possible.

Check! I have always been pretty good about drinking water. I carry around a 20 oz tumbler of icy water every day and always finish it, and usually refill it multiple times. Our new strategy of freezing a bit of water in the empty tumbler and then filling it full with water in the morning works really well and is saving on ice. Though it does make the straw float as the ice melts hahaha! 

We are fortunate that many of our travels have taken us near water this year. In Galveston, San Francisco, Carmel, and Big Sur it was too cool to actually get in the water... at least in the passing amount of time we had there. But just being near it made me feel good. & it never hurts to dip your feet. When we went to Georgia, we made sure to plan some beach time. We really enjoyed swimming at Tybee's north beach and getting caught in a seriously scary/exhilarating storm afterward. We also swam in Jekyll. Just being near the water so much has been really nice!

Even though I feel good about my water goal for the year so far, I'd like to try some of these things in future years: going to our apartment complex pool more, visiting the local lake, trying SUP, trying kayaking, having some type of water fountain, etc. in our house. Or maybe listening to those nature sounds.

Bottom Line: I think I did pretty well with these goals this year! We abandoned the TSA Precheck, which is ok! I didn't enjoy the struggle of getting a new bed (but we did it!!), going to the dentist was a fail, and DVD workouts were pitiful...... But I think that chunking out my yearly goals into monthly goals helped... and that possibly doing it more intentionally into weekly goals will help in 2017! Another thing that majorly helped was my ECLP and using it to plan better and be more organized! Because you all were interested ... I filmed a goal setting video using my 2016 ECLP. It is coming soon if you're looking for planning inspiration! :)

How did you do on your 2016 goals? 

How does your progress influence your goals for 2017?

Have you made your lists for 2017? If so, I'd love to read them! I promise to share mine soon! :)

Anyone else doing a 101 in 1,001 list? Check out my 2 year progress HERE.

Linking up with Kristen and Gretch for, What's New With You?

XO,

Alexandra

2016 Goal Update // Halfway Through!

Wow, we are over half way through 2016. That's crazypants!

I thought I should do a quick recap of my goals, progress made, and strategies for the months ahead.

16 Goals for 2016

• Read 50 books
• 7 classics
• 2 eco friendly books
• 25 fairytales, folktales, myths, legends, etc. (some of which may not be full books, could be short stories, poems, etc.)

So far I have read 31 books, and 11 fairy tales. I haven't read any classics or eco books yet. In the months ahead I am hoping to build classics into my reading challenges and focus a little more on non-fiction to reach those eco and other books. :) At least I am ahead, and if I need to spend more time on those classics it will be worth it!

• Get TSA Pre Approved - (Oh, the time we'll save!!)

Reconsidering this... the year is half over... and we are only planning to fly once more that we know of right now... Seems unlikely!

• Get a New Bed

We decided with everything else going on this year that we would just get a new mattress rather than a whole new bed. Plus our apartment is so small. Thinking about how to fit a huge bed into our tiny space was stressful! We had lined up to purchase it at the same time as KC's sister so we could share the IKEA delivery (~$150). Unfortunately we got home from Savannah and they had already finished all of that. Pretty disappointing... but maybe we can figure out another way.

• See Coldplay / Get Tickets to See Coldplay - if they ever announce their North American tour dates...

We purchased tickets for August! I'm so excited to see them again, and to check this off my friend Jessica's bucket list! :) 

• Visit 6 New Places
• 1 on our list for a long time
• 1 road trip

Check, check, check! We have more than completed this one! We visited Houston, Galveston, San Francisco, Carmel, Big Sur, Weston, Missouri, Savannah, Tybee Island, and Jekyll Island. We also went back to Nashville - which was a true road trip. We are planning Vegas for August! Have you been? I'd love your suggestions!

• Try 50 New to Me Recipes

Though we have been very busy and not cooking recently... we have managed to try 32 new recipes so far. A lot of that is due to having game nights or baking cakes for occasions.... but hey, we are cooking more! We've even been doing a lot of healthy recipes and mason jar salads. Hooray for progress on this friends!

• Plan 12 Date Nights

We've been doing ok at this! Many of our dates have been watching movies, but I think that's ok! We so far have had 10 dates of 12. I figure that way there's still more time to have more planned out dates throughout the rest of the year too. But movies can be dates too... hehhe What's your favorite type of date night?

• Watch 12 Disney Movies

We were doing really badly at this one, until June. Oddly enough, we were very busy, but managed to stay home some nights for Disney movies. We are also adding Disney DVDs to our collection which is good! So far we have watched 7: Snow White, The Little Mermaid, Finding Dory, Tarzan, Mulan, and Tangled.

• Do Yoga / Dance / DVD Workout 150 times

My friend Rachel and I have been trying to use a google doc to track our workouts and/or text about it. We did SO well at this in April, and I did OK in May... but June was a wash. Rachel has still been doing fine, but I fell off the wagon. Now that KC and I will be home more... (blegh June)... I am hoping to hop back on this train. The two issues ahead: 1) I am WAY behind, 2) Rachel and I count walking... but my 2016 goal doesn't include it. So, we shall see how it all shakes out. I am currently at about (a pathetic) 30 DVD workout sessions. In the coming weeks/months I hope to be more intentional about doing an extra workout on my day off, as well as trying to make some type of reward system for KC and myself to do yoga at home. A new gym just opened by my house, so it may turn out that I do the DVDs and KC goes over there. We'll see.

• Make a Point to Eat Lots of Veggies at least once per day

This is a poorly written goal, but overall I think we have been making veggies more of a priority. We've been doing mason jar salads, some meatless meals, and even eating more fruit. So, I think we are reasonably on track here. But I want to keep eating more veggies. So it's good to have this goal open ended so I can keep my mind trained to grab more vegetables at the store. Since it's been summer I've just been wanting to eat #allthefreshthings so I think I'll be good through September at least. :)

• Get All Dental Work Done - I'm a big baby, and I'm TERRIFIED

None of this yet. I just need to suck it up and make the appointment!

• Learn About (or how to do) 5 New Things

I think I'm doing ok with this one as well. I learned how to make Vanilla Extract, Blackberry Jam (canned it too!), how to use Airbnb, and a little about the history of lingerie at a WWI Museum event. Since I am already to 4, I hope to surpass my goal of 5. :) 

• Get an essential oil diffuser and eco-friendly candles

Half way on this one. I did get some lavender vanilla candles from The Honest Company. I also bought a few more Aura Cacia oils from Target. I now have Lavender, Orange, Vanilla, Peppermint, Tea Tree, and I can't remember the others off the top of my head. Now I just need to find a diffuser - and eventually a case to put the oils in.

• Save Money - we did great at this in 2015!

So far, we are actually doing better at this than we did last year! Mostly because we didn't really start last year until August/September. We have been able to set aside money every other paycheck, and most of that is still in our account. We do take some out when we travel, but we try to limit that. I'm feeling extra thrifty this summer, (is it turning 26? is it the "make do and mend" nature of making jam?), so I am thinking up some new ideas on how to save even more money in the second half of 2016. A key one will include intentionally planning the fun things we'll do... and having that limit there for our wallets as well as our sanity. We have not been home enough and it really takes a toll! I am also considering changing up our grocery shopping locations and strategies. Maybe selling some un-used items as well. Another good idea is keeping me away from bookstores... (help!)...

• Find a Treasure

This one was written ambiguously on purpose. What a romantic notion to find a treasure. As it turns out, treasures are everywhere when you look...  so I may just have to do a post on finding treasures. :) 

• Seek Out Water - drink it, be near it, hear it, look at it... you get the idea, as much as possible.

I have always been pretty good about drinking water. I carry around a 20 oz tumbler of icy water every day and always finish it, and usually refill it multiple times. Our new strategy of freezing a bit of water in the empty tumbler and then filling it full with water in the morning works really well and is saving on ice. Though it does make the straw float as the ice melts hahaha! 

We are fortunate that many of our travels have taken us near water this year. In Galveston, San Francisco, Carmel, and Big Sur it was too cool to actually get in the water... at least in the passing amount of time we had there. But just being near it made me feel good. & it never hurts to dip your feet. When we went to Georgia, we made sure to plan some beach time. We really enjoyed swimming at Tybee's north beach and getting caught in a seriously scary storm afterward. We also swam in Jekyll. Just being near the water so much has been really nice!

Even though I feel good about my water goal for the year so far, I'd like to try: going to our apartment complex pool more, visiting the local lake, trying SUP, trying kayaking, having some type of water fountain, etc. in our house. Or maybe listening to those nature sounds.

Bottom Line: I think I am on track for finishing all of these goals aside from: the TSA Precheck (which we might just scrap all together!), getting a new bed, going to the dentist, and DVD workouts, as of right now. I think with some of the plans I listed out above, I can still make most of these happen. It's definitely good to review my progress and think about how to make the lagging things a priority post-June.

How are you doing on your 2016 goals so far? 

Are you slacking on any? What are your plans to make them a priority?

Have to checked any off? What are you most proud of so far?

XO,

Alexandra