08
Hey, how are you guys? Long time no talk. Tbh, I'm having a hard time getting back in the swing of things after the holidays. Sometimes, time off makes me feel refreshed, energized and ready to come back. Other times, it just makes me want to hold on to that relaxed, lazy feeling a little bit longer. This time, I'm definitely feeling the latter. :) But sometimes the best way to get motivated again is just to start with something...and since this is my first post of the new year, I thought I'd share a few of my goals and dreams for 2016, to kick it off. I know resolutions sometimes get scorned for being all talk and no walk, but I actually really enjoy the ritual of reflecting on the previous year and setting goals for the one ahead. It's fun to read the post I wrote with my 2015 goals and see how I actually did. No, I didn't accomplish everything I hoped to in 2015, but I still think my goals and resolutions helped to guide the year into a really good one. Last year, I had ten goals. This year, I'm cutting it in half. That's not to say there aren't other things I'm hoping for and working on, but these five are big ones so I figured it's better to simplify and focus on them, rather than writing down every little thing.
1. Prioritize the people in my life. I have a (terrible) tendency to put people on the back burner, and I'm realizing it's caused me to let a lot of relationships slide. I've prioritized blog projects over plans with friends, and chosen watching a show at night over calling my parents--too many times. This year, I want people to be my priority. I'm sometimes proud of being busy, but I'm starting to realize that all the success in the world would be really empty without friends and family. A similar goal I have this year is to take more pictures of people. When Ben and I started dating, I took so many photos of us, and they're super fun to look back on. But over the last few years, we've mostly just taken photos of blog projects and vacations. So I'm planning to take more photos of our regular, everyday life this year!
2. Buy a house. This one is a doozy. It's been on our minds for the past couple years, but I think this is the first year I feel comfortable putting it down as a goal and not just a far-off dream. We've focused on being intentional with our money and saving as much as possible ever since we started following Dave Ramsey a couple years ago, and I think we finally have enough for a down payment on a decent house. This is also the first year that I feel like we're at the right point in our lives, with jobs, age, etc. So we'll see! Fingers crossed. I'm definitely nervous about the house hunt, because I'm pretty picky and our price range is on the lower side for the Seattle area. But I'm also really hopeful and excited. I'll definitely keep you guys in the loop, once we start looking.
3. Start a family. Oh, man. If I thought the house goal was nerve-wracking, this one is three times more. Both Ben and I have always wanted kids, but whenever we talked about actually having a baby, neither of us felt ready yet. I'm not saying we feel ready now, because it's the sort of life-changing thing that I'm guessing you never really feel prepared for...but this year, we're both getting excited about the idea. So who knows, 2016 might be the year!
4. Travel as much as possible. In 2015, we used almost all of our vacation time (and budget) for our big Europe trip...which was so fun and so worth it. This year, we're probably not going to do another BIG trip, especially if we buy a house. But taking vacations is really important to me, so I still want to travel as much as we can. Not just weekend trips, either. I think it's important to take a good chunk of time off to decompress and forget about work--at least once in the year. I'm not sure what our longer trip will be this year (yet), but we definitely plan to take one!
5. Take care of my health. Last but definitely not least, I want to pay more attention to my health this year. Exercise, diet, personal care, the whole shebang. I made some efforts last year (got a gym membership, walked and ran pretty regularly, and tried to eat a little better), but I didn't focus on it. This year, I want to make it a priority. Especially when it comes to personal care, from things big to small. For example, I haven't gone to a doctor for annual checkups since high school. I need to do that. I also want to make sure I get enough sleep this year. And there are small things I want to do better at too, like moisturizing (I've been reading a lot about Arbonne), flossing, and taking vitamins and supplements. It's time for me to grow up and stop putting off all the practical things that aren't so fun!
The start of a new year always makes me feel reflective, and I was just thinking how 2006 was a huge year for me. I graduated from high school, moved to Seattle, and started dating Ben. Now ten years later, if I actually meet the goals on this list (especially #2 and #3), it'll be another major milestone year!
What are your goals for 2016, big or small?
I also didn't feel completely ready before we decided to try for a baby, but I agree - if you're ready-ish, that probably just means you're ready! After they're here, it's hard to think how they were ever not part of your life! All the best this year!
:) So glad to hear that! Thanks, and best wishes to you this year too. I have good feelings about 2016!
Lovely goals! My goals are small, yet pretty vital. I really don't "set" goals, but just pay attention to what needs taking care of. As a list maker, those lists might be considered goals. A new year does make you reflect with a promise of a new year beginning. I love that!
Loved seeing you when you were home with your family. A kissy face smiley to you.
It was so great to see you too!!! I am a list maker also. Lots of little goals and to dos within these big ones.
these are big girl goals, love it! my little bit of advice is download zillow amd zillow mortgage calculator if you havent already. when we bought our first home as newleweds for $205K, we didnt really realize how much $10k would come out to in taxes. so zillow is helpful over trulia because it includes tax info. and the calculator lets you add taxes which really will allow you to see how much you are going to pay. also, pmi is $ penalty paid each month if you dont have 20% for a downpayment. the difference between 4.9% and 5% is big, 9.9% and 10% etc. so again play around with those numbers, youll see if you go from putting down 9.9% to 10% youll save like $100 a month. so its worth checking out. we just bought our 2nd house as 31 year olds and we had more for a downpayment. the house was $352, but with $5400 taxes so we actually pay $14 less a month! also ask about closing costs ahead of time so you know what to expect.
as far as babies go, good luck. they are absolutely amaxing and im so happy we started our family earlier, we were just ready. we now have a 5, 17 month old and im 34 weeks pregnant. youll never be ready, its a huge life change. but it is such a blessing. dont feel pressured by family or friends, when you are ready its all youll think about. and quite homestly i didnt feel it until after we bought our first home, after we were all settled in and unpacked, then i finally felt like we had the nest all ready for the chicks. and remember having kids doesnt mean you cant go on vacation. we tend to go more locally, but we have gone to phily, boston, NC, nj beach many many years, youll figure it out
hood luck, im excited for you guys!
Aww, thanks Jen! I really appreciate your comment. I definitely had the Zillow app before (I'm addicted to checking it), but I downloaded the mortgage calculator after I read this. It's super helpful! I really hope we find the right house that we can afford this year. And I also hope that we can start our family AND continue to travel and take vacations :)
It's definitely not going to be a cheap year if we do all that (haha)...but hopefully it'll be a really good and memorable one. Best wishes to you this year, too!!!
Some really big and exciting goals for 2016! I need to be so much better about putting people first too. I get so caught up in everything I have to do that I think scheduling a dinner with friends will set me back.
We just recently started the Dave Ramsey total money makeover program! I've never been so excited to talk money and start saving.
amandakatherine.com
Ahh, I know! I am both really excited and really nervous about this year...I've definitely set some big, scary goals for myself. Haha. But no matter what, even if I don't accomplish anything else on the list, I do want to make a much better effort with my friends and family. That's why it's the #1 goal on my list! In fact, if I was to pick "one little word" for 2016, I think it would be "people."
And yay for Dave Ramsey! Making monthly budgets has been HUGE for us. We're able to save money so much faster than we were ever able to before, and it feels sooo good to be in control of our finances instead of the other way around. We don't follow him to the letter (we still use credit cards for the points, but we pay them off 100% every month), but his principles have been super helpful for us.
I can really relate to your first goal of putting people first. I often find myself guilty of not developing friendships when they have the potential to be really strong. I attended a 10 week course last summer and met some great people, fully intending to stay in touch - but needless to say I have allowed life to get in the way and not pursued this. I am also pretty guilty of failing to put the effort into maintaining life long friendships and relationships and just taking it forgranted that they will always be there. I have had a revelation! God I am such a lousy friend but vow to do better ;-)
Well, I'm glad to know I'm not the only one! I think it's pretty common, especially as we get older and busier. It really does take time and effort to keep in touch with people! And it's not so easy when you don't see them every day or have the same schedule, etc. But that doesn't make it excusable. Let's hope we both are able to put people first this year! Thanks for your comment and thoughts. xoxo
I hope you enjoy achieving your resolutions! And find the right home for you! I and my husband purchased our house last year and it is still in progress decorating it. I can't wait to see your new home decorated with your talent and care!!
Aww, thank you so much Elena! Congrats on your new home, too! xoxo