Happy New Year!

Well folks, we are officially a few days into 2019. How are you all feeling? For me, this time of year has something of a split personality. On the one hand, like many people, I feel a renewed resolve to be a better me, to get things done, and to make a change.

But let's be real.

This is also that weird time of year when schedules are thrown out the window. Most of the time, I can't tell you what day it is, where I"m supposed to be, or what's going on. There is no rhythm to days like these and, if I"m being honest, I don't like it. By this point in winter break, I'm ready to get back to some semblance of routine.

Don't get me wrong, I love having our daughter home with us during this time, but I just crave the routine and rhythm that comes with getting back to a schedule. Blame it on the introvert in me.

This is also the time of year when many people make resolutions. Are you that person? I have mixed feelings about resolutions, to be candid. On the one hand, I feel like it's great to have a plan, to make changes and to be dedicated to becoming better people. But there's something about the idea of a resolution that seems to set me up for failure. It seems to put too much pressure on me, for some reason. More often than not, when I make a resolution, I end up failing before the calendar turns to February.

This year, I've decided to take a different approach, even if it's only in choice of words. Instead of resolutions, this year I'm going to set goals. So, instead of saying "I'm not going to eat junk food," for example, I'm going to make it a goal to eat more healthfully. Maybe it's silly to make a distinction between a resolution and a goal, but there's just something about the word "goal" that seems more positive, more proactive, more....attainable? A resolution is something to have to have the self-control to keep; a goal is something you have to have the motivation, drive, and perseverance to achieve. I don't know. All I know is that I have set some goals for myself for this year, and (at least for now) I am determined to achieve them.

“Far away there in the sunshine are my highest aspirations. I may not reach them, but I can look up and see their beauty, believe in them, and try to follow where they lead.”

― Louisa May Alcott

Here they are, for all of you to read. Maybe if I put them out in the universe here, I will better be able to reach those goals.

Better health:

I don't have a specific number of pounds I would like to lose, but I do want to be more healthy so I can be around as long as possible for my daughter and squeeze as much life out of however many years I have on this planet. This does include losing weight, but it's more than that. I want to start looking at food more as fuel, and feed my body more of the good stuff it needs. That's not to say I won't indulge in a plate of poutine or a fast-food burger here and there -- because life without indulges isn't worth living, if you ask me -- but I plan to shift the balance more toward healthful eating and less toward convenience foods and junk.

Part of that is meal planning. I already meal plan most of the time, but this year I want to make a routine of it (I also plan to make my menu plans available for you to download, so stay tuned for that!)

More productivity:

In my day job, my husband and I run two local magazines. I'm the editor and principal writer, he's the sales guru ;) We are also parents of a busy 11-year-old and we try to make time for each other a priority, too. It's easy to say that there aren't enough hours in the day to get everything done and still be productive, but the truth is, we all have the same number of hours in the day as everyone else. So, whether you are the CEO of a billion-dollar company or someone like me living a regular, small life, we all have the same allotment of hours in the day to get things done. Another of my goals is to use those hours more productively this year. Instead of endlessly scrolling through social media, I am going to dedicate even more time to this blog, to finding new and interesting opportunities for its growth, etc. I want to make the most of those hours I am given to reach my goals.

More reading:

I already read quite a lot (as you can probably tell by the number of book reviews on this site) but this year I want to read more. In other words, I want to take more opportunities to read instead of checking Facebook, scrolling through Instagram, or watching TV (are you sensing a theme in these goals?) I have set a goal of reading at least 26 books this year, which I think is pretty manageable even though I a notoriously slow reader sometimes! I tend to read thrillers, mysteries, crime novels, and the odd biography-type book thrown in for good measure. Have you read anything good lately? Let me know!

On a related note: Are you on Goodreads? I'd love it if you followed me.

I'll follow back :) Let's inspire each other to stick to our reading goals and to discover new books this year!

More organization:

Since the first of the year, my husband and I have each made it a goal to tackle a new project around the house every day. From organizing the pantry (me) to fixing a broken shelf in the kitchen (him) we have been making it a point to get to all of those jobs around the house that need doing. Again, it's about making the most of the hours we have been given.

More me time:

Or, rather, more quality me time. For me, that involves some of the things I've already mentioned (eating better, reading, etc.) but also journalling more, taking more bubble baths instead of quick showers, and enjoying more daily little luxuries like a cup of my favourite teas in the afternoon. Life is made up of a series of moments, and I plan to make every one count.

So there you have it: My take on new year's "resolutions" for this year. What are your goals? Let's inspire and motivate each other!

#2019 #Resolutions #Goals