I love the start of a new calendar year. I know there is nothing magical about it, but I just feel like it’s a nice time to set new goals and start new habits.
Last year, my main goal was to get sleep! I was still very much in survival mode after having Savannah a few weeks prior. I can say that I did achieve my one and only goal from last year! I am a well-rested momma these days and I am so thankful! I know it can always change, but I’ll take it when I can get it!
I tend to be a futuristic person in general, so goals help me to keep moving forward. Here are a few that I’d like to work on over this next year. I’ve broken them down into different areas of my life. I’ve also tried to just stick to one for each category so that I don’t get overwhelmed!
1. Spiritual
Read through the Bible in a year using the reading plan provided for our students at church.
I’ve made this goal before and I am embarrassed to admit that I’ve failed every time so far. The one thing I like about this particular plan is that there is wiggle room (it’s chronological too which I really like). For instance, January only has 25 readings but the month has 31 days. I have to be honest with myself (and now you guys) and just admit that I need some flexibility or I will totally feel defeated and give up. In the past, if I missed a day and got behind, it was so challenging to catch up and it just became too much. I tend to struggle with guilt in my spiritual life anyway, so the last thing I need is a plan that allows legalistic thoughts to creep in. So far, it’s going well! Keep me in your prayers on this one!
2. Marriage
I haven’t talked to Kevin about this one yet, but I think we need to be more intentional about having date nights. Money is an obstacle to overcome for this one, but we have friends who are willing to help watch Savannah for us free of charge and we can be creative on low cost date ideas. We haven’t been on a real date since the students at our church did Parent’s Night Out last April! That’s pretty bad!
3. Financial
Start using a cash only system for most areas of spending. I’ve been working on reducing our spending all of last year, but I still think we can tweak some more. So, after reading so many good things about it on Moneysavingmom.com, I convinced Kevin to give it a try. Other than major bills and a couple of budget categories (such as gas), we are using all cash! I’ve already seen how it changes the way we shop and think a lot harder about what things we “need.”
4. Blogging
I really enjoy blogging, but I’m thinking about how I might better use this little piece of the world-wide web that I have. I’d like to blog more regularly about all the things I’m passionate about and am wondering the best way I can do that while not letting it interfere with my family life and duties at home. I tend to need structure, so I have thought about blogging about certain topics on certain days while obviously giving myself freedom for other random things I may want to post about. We’ll see! If you have any ideas, let me know!
5. Reading
I’d like to read at least 1 book each month. I posted this summer about my summer reading list and have to admit that I have not completed the final book! It’s terrible! I need to finish up that final book and then move on to all the others that I’d like to tackle (including Angie Smith’s book “What Women Fear” that I won from Kristin at The Smith Family Journey)!
There are so many other goals I could write about, but I will totally get overwhelmed if I don’t stop here. I have some ministry goals that I’ve been praying about as well, so we’ll see how that pans out. Have any of you made any goals for the year? Or even just for this month? I’d love to hear about them!! I am always inspired by hearing from others!
