I know, I know I’m totally late on goals for the year. But I thought it was better late than never. I don’t have the best track record for keeping with “resolutions,” but I’m not completely hopeless either. One of my goals in 2011 was to wear my hair down more and have still stuck with it throughout the years.
Anyway, I have some goals that I’m keeping personal, but also have some good ones to share here.
ONE // Prioritizing Mornings
I’m such a morning person. I’ve been better about staying up late and I do work at night better than I ever have. But it’s the mornings when I am at my best. I’m more alert, more awake, and way, way, way more productive. I try to take advantage of this and dig into my work first thing in the morning. (Seriously this is one of the best parts of working from home since I can work for four hours without losing my rhythm and then take a shower at 11am.)
Teddy is my very own natural alarm clock and if he wakes me up too early sometimes I’m tempted to crawl back into bed after our walk and all my productivity goes out the window, whether it’s 10 or 30 extra minutes of sleep. So I’m really putting my foot down on that this year. Even if that means I’m sipping coffee at 5:30 at my desk. Luckily that doesn’t happen too often.
But the real change is going to be how I spend my weekend mornings. I really want to savor those moments. Whether it’s taking Teddy on an extra long walk, reading for a few hours in bed, or cooking a nice brunch at home. Where I’m really productive during the week, I want to relish slow and easy weekend mornings. I find that when I do this, the day stretches out and I enter into Monday mornings feeling refreshed and ready to go.
TWO // Read Even More
I feel like I already read a lot, but I want to read even more. Books are the absolute best escape for me and reading has changed my life in such a huge way. I was never a big reader at all as a kid and it wasn’t until college that I think I truly got the magic of reading. Whenever I’m feeling stressed or generally out of sorts, getting lost in a story really helps me get back to normal. Picking up a book is generally my solution for all kinds of issues.
THREE // Drink More Water
This is a continuation off of last year’s goal. I try to keep a bottle of water with me at all times while working. Now that I’ve been drinking more water consistently since the summer, I’ve noticed that I don’t get as many headaches (and when I do they’re not as debilitating) and my anxiety doesn’t spike as much. (Did you know that dehydration can affect anxiety?!)
I’m making this a goal too because I’ve been working out a little bit more than usual (that is: I am) and I forget that I have to up my water intake when I do.
FOUR // Be More Financially Savvy
I’ve already mentioned this a few times and I promise a longer post is coming. I’m at a good point financially and have a good grip on my day to day expenses. That said, I really want to to be better about my finances from a higher level. Being smarter with money so that it works for me and not against me!
A huge part of this is also not being so nervous about money in general. I swear my accounting class at Georgetown scarred me. I ran into a few issues with my Quickbooks at the end of the year and it was all because I had spent the whole year panicking about it. (Switching banks* and states mid-year didn’t help.) Should have just dealt with the situation head on.
*Switching to Chase was the best decision ever though. The experience is so much better than my old bank. Phew!
FIVE // Stand Up Straighter
Working on my posture is a HUGE goal of mine for the year. I know I’ll never have ballerina posture. My shoulders naturally curl forward a bit, but my posture is totally terrible. I’m working on strengthening my core and really just reminding myself to stand up straighter. I’ve found that since I made this a goal and a priority I notice myself slouching a lot more. (I don’t mean that I slouch more than before, it’s just that now I actually notice when I do.) Even though I know have a terrible seated posture and remind myself all the time to sit up straight, it’s actually standing and walking where I’ve noticed the worst posture. Now I try to keep it top of mind to walk better and to not slump down while standing. I swear I feel myself getting a little better every day and noticing the nuances even more.
Upright sent me one of their devices to try. I thought it was something you wear throughout the day, but it’s actually a training device + app. You are supposed to use a little bit longer every day to train yourself to sit up. I think the app has a few kinks that they’re working out, I’ve already had to update to a new version, but overall it’s pretty cool. Whenever you slouch it gives you a little vibrate to remember to sit back up. I slowly switch from upright to slouching whenever I get in a good zone and like that it vibrates to get you back upright. If you work at a desk and want to improve your posture this is an interesting tool that can help.
SIX // Spend More Time Outdoors
Last but not least, I want to try to spend more time outdoors. I actually want to change this to: spend as much time outdoors as possible. If we’re talking about overall happiness, being outdoors is when I feel my happiest. I may not be happy about bundling up, but I’m always happy when I actually step outside. I think I spend too much time in front of a computer so when I get outside it’s just the best. Especially when I have Teddy in tow, it’s like life can’t get better. This year, I want to hike more, walk more, maybe run (maybe), ski more… Just relax and unwind in the fresh air more!
What’s one of your top goals for the year?
xoxo
These are all such fantastic goals! I love the way you presented them too – so pretty! I so agree about making the most of mornings, and I love the idea of making more of weekend mornings – too often I have the temptation to just sleep in (and then I wind up feeling groggy all day). Miranda xxx http://mirandasnotebook.com/
I loved reading through these and definitely think they're attainable! Working on posture is on my list, too. But one of my biggest goals for the year is to embrace ordinary, everyday life more. Often times, I find myself wishing away the mediocre days to get to something better (the weekend, a trip, an event, etc.).
26 and Not Counting
These are great goals. I especially like 'prioritize mornings' and will definitely try to keep it in mind – it's definitely something I could work on too. Good luck!
Lx
http://lucyeyf.co.uk
Wonderful goals! Some of these are mine too!
Her Heartland Soul
herheartlandsoul.com
Becoming more financially-savvy has been (and probably always will) a continued yearly goal of mine. I have even started blogging a couple times a month about personal finance. There are so many blogs that inspire and teach me to be better with my money, but I would recommend Money After Graduation above all others because it works for everyone at ANY stage of life. The author Bridget Casey dives into a variety of topics, the only downfall being that she lives in Canada so our retirement funds work a little differently in the US. Otherwise, it's a great read to add to your blogfeed. I wish you the best of luck with your goals, Carly! And I also invite you to check out my blog when you need some personal finance motivation!
xoxo,
Lauren
http://laurenhooperetc.wordpress.com
Love your goals for the year Carly! I can totally relate to them. Standing up straighter is something I need to work on too! I always hunch over and my husband says I look a lot better when I stand up straight lol. Being more financially savvy is also one of my goals this year. I use Mint and it's super helpful to keep track of everything there. I'm from CT and I know you've been living there for a little while… here are some parks to help you spend time outdoors (not sure if you know about them already or not): Devils Den in Weston, Mianus Park in Stamford, Waveny Park in New Canaan, Cherry Lane park in Wilton. (Devils Den is the only one that Teddy wouldn't be allowed to go to).
Oh! Thanks for the tips! We had been taking Teddy to Mianus Park in the fall for some hiking… so much fun. Will have to check out the rest!
Love your goals! I like making goals rather than resolutions because you can begin them at any time and modify them accordingly. It's always a good time to set new goals for yourself. I'm working on becoming a Starbucks shareholder this year (since quitting Starbucks has been futile), focusing more on my health, and working to remove technology from my bedroom. Good luck with your goals!
http://www.livinginsteil.com
Vanessa
I've been following your blog since my before my freshman year of college (I'm now a senior) and have really been enjoying your recent posts!!
BTW: I read some food blogs, but your blog is the one thing I check every. single. day. Seriously. I never miss a day of logging onto collegeprepster.com for a little feel good inspiration!
These are all great goals and mine are very similar! I would love to prioritize my mornings more, it's so hard to get ready and get breakfast for my husband and I before we have to be out the door. It would be nice to have a few minutes just to sip coffee and relax!
xoxo, SS
The Southern Stylista
Try doing yoga on the beach! That's a great way to get back into a hobby you love + spend more time outside.
Great list – I especially love the prioritizing mornings goal! Definitely the best time to get things done before things during the day get too hectic. http://www.keepingupwithkahla.com
Wow your posts have been on point recently. Mornings for me are a big struggle. It is soooo hard for me to be a morning person, but it's been on my goal list for years now! haha Maybe 2016 will be the year I become one. Thanks for the tips and keep it up 🙂
Taylor Anthony // College, Caffeinated
http://www.collegecaffeinated.com
I feel like I would enjoy waking up earlier than I currently do if I worked from home. It's funny that I don't roll out of bed on weekdays until 7 am, but I'm happy as a clam to be up at 6:15 am on a weekend morning, because I'm home and home is where I'll stay.
Aimee
http://www.intherightplaces.com
My top goal for this year is to be more consistent! In every aspect of my life. Loved this post by the way. Reading more is another one of my goals as well!
http://Www.chicresilience.blogspot.com
I love your goals for the new year, Carly!
xoxo,
Katie
chicincarolina.blogspot.com