Simplicity

Making resolutions for the New Year is something most of us do, whether it's intentional or not.  We all have things we'd like to accomplish, places we'd like to go, habits we'd like to break/cultivate.  While the new year isn't the only time we can/should work on these things, it is a useful jumping off point, especially since most of us our so busy during the holiday season that there doesn't seem to be time for anything extra. 

This year my goals are slightly different although seemingly similar to past goals.  I'm not hoping to be 100% come January 1st and I don't expect to be perfect by December 31, 2014.  My goals this year are simply to be a little better than I was last year, especially considering that the end of this year also falls only slightly after I leave my twenties.  I'm actually looking forward to my thirties and looking forward to leaving those confusing, frustrating, painfully immature days behind me.  Not that I expect my thirties to magically transform me into an all-knowing, put-together, mature adult... I doubt there's ANYTHING in the world that can accomplish that!  But my priorites are much different now than they were 10 years ago, 5 years ago, and even slightly more focused than they were just a year ago.  The difference, I believe, lies within my ability this year to really narrow in on what I want from life, at least for now.  The difference lies within the fact that I was given the gift this year of realizing who I am, what I'm capable of, and what I can do with my potential.  I've discovered a little bit of my self-worth, something that has eluded me for years!  It was an amazing gift to be able to recieve, and I'm so grateful for it because it has changed my life.

Now, for 2014 my goals may seem very similar to previous years.  However, the execution will be somewhat different.  I am not expecting, nor do I want, perfection.  I simply want improvement.  And this time I really mean that.  I'm okay with being flawed and okay with having weaknesses!  I just want my strengths to be able to come forth in a more dominant manner to help move me forward in my own personal direction.  Not compared to anyone else, not according to anyone else's expectations or desires.  Simply according to the dictates of my own conscience and according to the things that I have decided are priorites in my life. 

These goals may be fluid, and will probably develop and evolve as the year goes on, and that's okay.  In fact, that's welcome! 

1) Embrace Minimalism-  This one may seem a little strange, but let me explain.  I do not mean that I want to live in a barren home with only my toothbrush, the clothes on my back, and beans and rice for dinner.  Minimalism means something different for everyone.  To me, minimalism means a less-cluttered, less-distracted, more-priority-centered lifestyle.  So really, this first goal encompasses all the others.  I want to diminish the "stuff" in my life- physically, mentally, and emotionally- to allow room for more important things.  See following goals for more details.

2) More Quality Family Time- This is pretty self-explanatory.  I feel like this last year I have not been the best wife, mother, daughter, sister, and friend that I could be.  I just don't think I was trying very hard, and if I was I may have been putting my energies into the wrong things for the wrong reasons.  I would like to take some of the time that I've cleared by "decluttering" my life and commit that time to the people I love.  I want to take pictures, create memories, grow relationships, forgive, apologize, laugh, play, listen, TURN OFF THE TV.  I want to be a present presence in my life and in the life of my cherished ones. 

3) Clean Eating- I want to cut out the junk from my diet that is weighing down my mind and my body.  I want to fuel my body rather than my guilt.  I want to have the energy needed for Goal #2.  I want to feel sick less and healthy more.  I want to take care of the body that God gave me and use it for what it was meant for.  I want to stop using food as a coping-mechanism.  I want to know that I've done everything I can to prevent disease and illness in my body in order to be there for my family now and in the future. 

4) More-active, less-electronic lifestyle- This goal can be a part of Goal #1 & #2.  By cutting down on the electronic distractions in my life, I leave more time for active living and quality time with family and friends.  I can use that time with family to get outside more, play more, keep my home neat and clutter-free, therefore becoming more active and less lazy.  I also pair this with Goal #3 as being more active will motivate me to eat better, and vise versa.  More energy, less blah-ness.

5) Save Money- This also is part of Goal #1.  I want to build up an emergency fund, take care of the money we have, save for a home, pay off debt.  I want to stop spending money on things we don't need, food we don't need.  A lot of the more-active family activities are actually cheaper than the less-active ones (think hiking vs going to the movies).  Finding more creative and active family-oriented activites will help to save money for the things we really want/need and also help us to be more proactive when a crisis arises, therefore minimizing stress and maximizing happiness.

So that's pretty much it.  I will be setting certain mini-goals for myself to accomplish the bigger goals above.  As you can see, most of these goals roll into each other and accomplishing one can help accomplish another.  I simply had to discover what my priorities are and then boiled them down into these 5 categories.  The goal is improvement, not perfection.  The goal is priorities, not obligations.  The goal is to be proactive, not reactive.  The goal is simplicity.