Resolutions and Goals for 2018

Happy 2018, everyone!  A new year, a fresh start, right?  Up until a few days into 2018, I had no set resolutions or goals for this year.  I had a few ideas that had crossed my mind, but nothing that I was really setting out to achieve.  After the go-go-go of the holidays, hosting a New Year's Eve party, and so on, I took a little time to decompress and jot down goals for 2018.

My first, I was going to attempt dairy free 3 days a week.  After 11 days into the new year, I'm pretty sure this is my first day without dairy so far (until I just remembered that I added a splash of milk in my eggs this morning, so I'm back at the beginning).  So, I'm going to aim for dairy free 1x a week until the end of the month, then possibly bump it up to 2 in February...January can sorta be a trial month, right?

In the past, I have considered the whole Dry January thing but never ended up partaking.  It's supposed to be good for your health, weight, cleansing, give you more energy, and all these other benefits that I don't know without Googling (also since I've hit my 30's, I can get some absolutely TERRIBLE think I'm legit going to die hangovers and thought it might be nice to have a month without losing those battles) I decided to attempt this month, but the weekends are a little difficult for me.  I had a few drinks last Saturday so I cheated the whole dry MONTH, but figure significantly cutting back and a few drinks one night a week can't really harm anything.

Also, since we're talking about liquids, a resolution is to DRINK MORE WATER.

For Christmas, I received a Cricut machine so made a set goal of how much I would like to sell per month through crafting.

Another goal is to COOK a meal a week.  Like actually find a Pinterest recipe, go to the store, get the ingredients, and make dinner rather than grabbing a Boca Burger out of the freezer, tossing that in the microwave, adding it to greens and calling it a night.  On Monday, I made some Creamy Tortellini Soup and it was SO GOOD.  Here's the recipe I based the soup off of:  Creamy Tortellini Soup

While we're on the topic of food, another goal is fewer carbs, fried food, and reduce sugar intake.  Sugar is a big pitfall for me...I love sweets but find that when I reduce eating them, the craving goes away.  Focusing on upping fruits and lowering cookies.

I always say I would like to read more so I'm aiming for 1 book a month.  :)

And lastly, but probably most importantly:  Be more present.  Put technology down for a bit.  Spend time with my boyfriend, watching a show or movie, and not look at my phone every few minutes.  Learn to take a break from social media.  Stop getting caught in the black hole that is Instagram and Facebook, scrolling mindlessly for who knows how long through things that don't even really matter...and by doing this, I hope to find the time to accomplish all the things that do matter.

Here's to 2018!  What are your goals and resolutions for this year?

♥ always
Allison

New Years and New Goals

Never have I been a fan of resolutions.  In my mind: resolutions are made only to fail.  If you're one of those people who make them and are able to stick to them for an entire year, hats off to you.  You're definitely one in a million.  Every year, I like to set goals.  Last year, my main goal was to do something at least once a week that I've never done before. Cook or bake something new, visit a museum or park, eat at a new restaurant, drink a beer I've never had, go to a new fitness class, and so on.  I jotted down everything I did and found new things I enjoyed and things I didn't enjoy.  For example, I absolutely hated cardio kickboxing (so much that my friend and I actually walked out 20 minutes in to the class).  I absolutely fell in love with yoga.  I went to a Monster Truck Rally and I never care to do that again.  I traveled and experienced more this year than I probably ever have before.  If you don't try or go, then you'll never know.

Honestly, I don't need a Facebook "Year in Review" to remind me that I had a pretty fucking awesome year.  There were moments I amazed myself and wondered how some of the things I was actually capable enough to pull off.  Of course, it was filled with some low lows, meltdowns, hard lessons learned, and stress but the high highs, laughs, self-discovery and good madness made it worth it.

Along with continuing my goal of last year to do at least one thing new weekly, I've added a few new goals to the list:

• Get a tattoo that I've wanted for years

• Give more compliments

• Read more (my goal every year)

• Be more organized (another goal every year)

• Take better care of myself (i.e. wash my face every night.  A third every year goal)

• Learn to shrug off things that ultimately don't matter better

• Travel

• Start saving for Coachella (one of my bucket list experiences)

If you need some inspiration for goals to set for yourself:

49 New Year's Resolutions Every Twentysomething Should Consider
100 New Year's Resolutions

What are your personal goals you hope to achieve in 2015?

More Fun, Less Fear

"Today I realized that I actually enjoy doing things by myself. My goal for 2014 and years on is to do at least one thing a week that I've never done before. I went thrifting and got tea alone, found 3 amazing gems, and made friends in fitting room hallways that would give honest opinions and vice versa...as bad as I wanted these shiny thread embroidered GORGEOUS shorts to fit, they made me look like I had a diaper on (nobody likes a chick in a diaper..and my "friend" told me straight). So I finally found my life resolution: To do whatever I want, be more independent, always enjoy the little things, and smile...a lot."

Suddenly, it hit me.  I realized I've missed out on so many things I really wanted to do, due to no one to go with, whether it was schedule conflicts or I just felt uncomfortable going alone since I wasn't familiar with the area.  Had I not decided to go yesterday, I would have missed out on black sequin harem pants...every girl needs a pair, right?...along with 2 other items I've been searching for.

Granted the tea thing may not be a big deal for many people, but the fact if the matter was that I had no idea what I was going to order or if I was even going to LIKE my drink.  I'm typically "I like to study the menu before I decide to go somewhere" type of person.  That's a decent accomplishment, a step out my boundaries and I enjoyed my bubble milk green tea very much.

 

I want to better myself and spending time focusing on insignificant matters is just a waste of life.  Every day, adventure and chance to live is a gift.  Meeting new people and learning new things is an adventure in itself, after all, if you never try, you'll live your life without knowing.

This year at least once a week, I'm going to go somewhere or do something I've never done before (insert a little influence from Breakfast at Tiffany's).  I plan to document every milestone, whether it's a new fitness class, new restaurant I've tried, new meal I prepared, and so on...This way, looking back a year for now, I can recall all the things I did and how far I have come.

.Here's to the New Year.

For me, as I'm sure it was for many others out there, 2013 was a year full of triumph, tribulation, discovery, and adventure.  As hard as some of the times were, it taught me a lot...to take the good with the bad, stay strong, keep your head above, and remember that no matter what you're going through, there are still those who genuinely care.

Overall, I’m not one for resolutions that can’t be kept.  Some people set their resolutions too high and are only left with disappointment and guilt when they're not achieved.  I like to think of my resolutions as more of goals to live by and ultimately, end up with the decision to be a better person than the year before.

Take better care of yourself:  physically and mentally
Whether it is taking your makeup off every night and using fancy schmancy skin care products religiously to not stressing out over missing a day at the gym.  The realization of when you need to stop, take a deep breath, nap, or could use a good laugh.

Pay closer attention to relationships with family and friends, the ones you can always depend on at the end of the day...Genuinely appreciate the time spent with them, because one day, you may not have the chance.

Read more.

Stress less...especially about petty things.  Stop and question if what you're getting worked up about is going to matter an hour, week, month, or year from now.

Be polite.  It was drilled in our heads as children to always say "please, thank you, and excuse me"  So many adults forget that these simple manners can go a long way.

Never miss the opportunity for a new adventure.

As hard as you try, sometimes you just can't do it all and will end up spreading yourself too thin...and as difficult as that can be to accept, it's occasionally the damn truth.

It's okay to be incredibly selfish now and again in order to focus on yourself and what you love.  After all, if you're not happy with yourself, you won't be happy with anyone.

As okay as it can be to be selfish, know when to be selfless.

Don't waste time on the people that don't matter-If they honestly want to spend time with you, they'll make time for you.

Be more kind than necessary.  The strongest people are sometimes fighting the hardest battles.

Get organized and better at time management.

Stop being so hard on yourself about things you can’t control.

Always, always be you and know that you are fabulous.

This list is full of great and attainable resolutions to live by in 2014...and it made me giggle a bit. 
25 New Year’s Resolutions Every Person Should Actually Make For 2014

Now, I'll leave you with some words of wisdom and wish you health, happiness, and for 2014 to be everything you could dream of and more.

xo,
Allison