There is nothing I love more than the one-word resolution ‘trend’. In 2013 my word was ‘Freedom’, in 2014 my word was ‘Still’, and in 2015 my word is ‘Intentional’.
I think that the fact that I remember my ‘resolution’ from 2 years ago is a testament to how well the whole let’s-just-focus-on-one-word thing works!
More specifically, back in January I listed a few goals for this year:
To read more. (Yep! I’m reading at least one book per week)
To write more. (Eh…. I’m trying to write in my journal more!)
To turn the TV off in favor of conversations and cooking and doing things around the house. (The TV is off but I’m not quite so sure any housework is getting done. But I am paying a lot of attention to Clara, so I think that counts)
To entertain guests more often in order to increase the amount of time we spend with loved ones and show hospitality. (Actively working on this one and I think I’m succeeding!)
To take pride in my home by cleaning it and decorating it and making it lovely. (Ughhhh. Baby steps.)
To dress in a way that makes me feel good, instead of putting on whatever is the easiest to get out of my closet/drawers. (YES. I have totally cleaned out my closet and am thrilled with the pieces I’ve acquired lately. I feel like a whole new person!)
To eat healthily (and cook more frequently). (Another yes! We have a lot of fruits and veggies on hand at all times and we make most of our meals.)
To exercise in order to feel great, but not to any extremes. (I could be doing better at this, but I have definitely been more active than I was at the end of 2014 and I haven’t been pushing myself too hard. Plus I went to physical therapy which has made a huge difference.)
To spend time thinking about things that need to be thought about, but not to waste time with thoughts about the past or future. (This is another area that I’ve really improved in! Of course, I could always do better, but I’m proud at the changes I’ve made thus far. The only thing now is that sometimes I find myself living in the future and not the present. Not in an anxiety-inducing way, but in the ‘Oh I can’t wait for…’ type way. Now I’m working on slowing my roll and being present RIGHT NOW, RIGHT HERE.)
These were pretty generic resolutions, but I think I’ve been successful thus far because I’ve remembered them and have been focused on the common theme of being intentional. At the beginning of 2015 I was uncertain about how this year would go, and I’m happy to report that (although it’s nothing like the excitement of last year) I’m enjoying my time with Clara and Tim immensely! We’ve done some traveling, we’ve spent a lot of time with family and friends, we’ve experienced so many of Clara’s ‘firsts’ and we’re getting some sleep here and there! Plus, I’ve crossed a major item off my bucket list by taking a few photography classes.
Part of me being intentional has been to invest more in myself, my family, my friends, and my community – and it’s been so rewarding. I’ve also been spending more time in the Word and listening to what God is calling me to do with this life of mine. It’s amazing how clear His voice is when I don’t have so many other things distracting me, and I feel like I have a better understanding of which things I need to be pursing and which things I need to let go.
I’m excited to see what the remainder of this year has in store for us. Now that it’s summer, I’m seeing all great things ahead!
Do you remember what your 2015 resolutions are? How have they been going?
I can’t believe that you read 1 book per week!
I’m currently joining you on the mission of cleaning my home and loving it … granted my entire home is still in boxes from the move 😉
I’m now reading ‘The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up’ so I’m about to get even MORE organized over here! I forget, have you read that one?!
Ah, I remembered what we were going to collaborate about now!!!! E-mailing you 🙂
YESSSSS. I promise I’ll respond to you ASAP.
Sounds like you’re doing great! I think being more intentional is one of the biggest challenges. Andrew and I started eating dinner at the table or kitchen bar with no phones or TV and it took a few weeks but it’s not as tough now to get used to it
Ohhhh that’s such a good idea! I can’t remember the last time Tim and I ate at the table phone-free, or just in general, really! I want to keep phones out of the bedroom, but I think that may be a lost cause.
I love the word “intentional”, I’ve been meditating a lot on that specific word this year too. For me it has been really important to be intentional in my goals, choices and actions rather than allowing life to just “happen to me”. Sounds like you’ve been very intentional so far!!
YES. I’m a bit of a control freak so the thought of ‘life just happening’ to me is terrifying in itself! But I am trying to spend my time wisely, and so far it’s going pretty well!
I’m so glad to hear that so many of these things are working out well and so helpful to you!!! It also seems like a lot of things that you’re doing are kind of steps to the other things you want to do — like, being in a routine of cooking at home makes it so much easier to entertain people (for me, it also makes it easier to keep the house clean, because it keeps me in the habit of at least looking around the kitchen and picking things up, instead of just completely ignoring my environment!!).
My resolution was to be more mindful and respectful of my own personal needs. Oh, my gosh. Enormous success. I still have room for improvement (especially when it comes to stepping back before or during time with patients, to make sure I’ve sorted through my own business and can effectively communicate and make the most of my short time with patients — which is a bigger and bigger issue, because my patient load keeps increasing which means shorter appointments >_<).
But in my personal life, it's been a complete and total transformation. I used to get horrible migraine headaches constantly. This year, I've barely had any… For the first time, I'm figuring out what's going on with myself and taking action before my whole system goes haywire – even communicating what I need to other people, and recognizing when others are disrespecting or trying to control me by invalidating my needs (also newly appreciating people who don't treat me that way, and deliberately avoiding any tendency to treat other people that way). My entire way of relating to the world is completely restructured. Such a huge change.
I love how much success you’re having in so many areas of your life! You continue to encourage and inspire me 🙂 Do you think you were getting migraines because of stress and overwhelming feelings? Tim suffers from chronic migraines and it is the worst, but he can’t figure out why he keeps getting them (and of course he isn’t the best at remembering what went on that day that could trigger it).
Fantastic resolutions that you have there. I’m not sure that I made any this year (I certainly can’t remember them, anyway). Your list is inspiring in and of itself though so I think I might make some “Rest of 2015 Resolutions” very soon. I may steal several of yours too. 😉 Sounds like you’re doing great! Keep it up! 🙂