Good morning from Bermuda! If you have been following along on Instagram, you know we have been spending Christmas vacation down here. The weather has been iffy – Bermuda has all four seasons, but it’s still a stark and pleasant difference from the picture below. I’ll be doing a full travel guide soon, so if you have any questions, let me know.
I woke up early this morning so I could get my blog post in before the New Year. 2016 was…interesting. I wouldn’t call it bad, there were just honestly a lot of bad times. I can honestly say it was one of the hardest years I’ve had in a while. I struggled a lot with self worth and doubt, with feeling awkward or unloved (a deep insecurity I’ve had since grade school), with the work/life/self care balance, and probably most importantly…with my marriage. (Newsflash – my life is not as perfect as my curated feed.) This year has been one constant roller coaster ride of the highest highs and the lowest lows.
With the good and the bad there has come great growth, though, and I’m grateful for that.
I recently read that a person goes through a deep change every 7 years. It was exactly 7 years ago that I moved to Colorado, and at that time experienced a great change. It seems fitting that this year of growth has led up to an overall restructuring, as well. There is pain and struggle that I had to experience this year, in order to shed its weight and move on – in order to grow. I’m not talking about a total personality change – that’s something that a person can’t change (and why would you want to). I’m just talking about a fresh and healthy perspective on things.
So, looking toward the new year and the new me, let’s talk goals.
I’m not one to make resolutions, but I think it is important to set goals in every season, and I tend to choose the new year as a season of change, and that works for me. (But, the planner in me starts thinking about my goals months in advance!) So what has 2016 taught me? What are my 2017 goals?
1. “Overplanning Kills Magic” – I am a planner. It is who I am. I think about mine and my husband’s birthdays, and what to buy/what to do, 3 months in advance. I am already thinking about buying the plane ticket to my cousin’s wedding 5 months from now. If you asked me out to happy hour during the month of December, I would have set something up for January because my calendar is so full. It’s who I am. There is a lot of greatness that comes from that, sure. But can it kill magic? Absolutely. One of my major goals is to not plan so much. To allow more time for me and my husband, and for spontaneity and self-care. To spend more and more time doing less and less. To let the magic happen.
2. Save more money – This is a big goal for 2017. We have a major house project that we are working on that is going to take a large chunk of change. Beyond that, I want to move into a bigger home in 2018, so I want to be strategic this year and save big. Doing less (a la #1) will likely contribute to this goal nicely.
3. Workout – I have recently fallen in love with cycling at a Soulcycle-esque local studio, which I’ll post about in my #SpringsFavorites one day. I am obsessed with how it makes me feel and am completely addicted. We plan to start trying for a baby at some point this year, so I really want to get in the best shape of my life before then.
5. Eat the donut – A friend said this earlier on in the month as a nod to forgiveness of oneself and one’s body. I LOVE donuts. I LOVE sweets in general. And I’m tired of beating myself up over every calorie and every fluctuating pound. I fully believe that a healthy diet is the key to quality of life, and I eat that way 80% of the time. BUT, I have also learned that the key to my own quality of life is allowing myself to indulge freely and without bearing the burden of guilt and shame – therefore, I’m eating the damn donut and moving on with my life.
6. Read a book a month – My love for reading was recently rekindled when I listened to “Love Warrior” by Glennon Doyle Melton on Audible. Actually, my love for reading for also in large part rekindled thanks to Audible (not sponsored). I spend most of my time moving from point A to B and rarely just sit down long enough to dive into a hard copy book, (not to mention my self diagnosed ADHD kicks in) so being able to throw on a book in the car or while I am cleaning is really the best way for me to “read”.
7. Joy – my word for the year. I started naming a word for the year, a few years ago, as a point to aim towards, but I have found it more so to be a great point of reflection throughout the year. Joy was my word for 2016, and I felt like I didn’t really attain it, so I am recycling the word and using it once again. The good news is though, that I really feel that I was able to recognize some things in my life that are keeping me from attaining joy. I got to the root of a few issues and realize what I need to do to get there, so I’m making it my word for 2017 and going to keep working on it. Do you have a word for the year?
Sweater, c/o Chicwish / Skirt (old) – similar / Booties / Beanie, c/o / Sunnies
Wow. I feel like so much of this post was written for me. I, too, have found 2016 to be one of the hardest years for me and am a huge over planner. Thanks for being so honest and encouraging 🙂 I hope 2017 turns out to be a fantastic year for you!xo, mikéla / simplydavelyn.com
Good luck with all your goals!Love your look !Happy New year!
So jealous you are in Bermuda! 2016 was in so many ways the worst year for many of us. Pain and loss. Looking for hope in 2017.I can't wait to see what's in store for you this year:)Heidi || Wishes & Reality