I can't say that I was necessarily looking forward to 2014 until the end of December. Now that the new year is here I am invigorated and excited for the days ahead. I could be jazzed about this year because I am turning 30 (eek!), or because I am signed up for a few longer and more challenging races; but it is more likely that I have many new people in my life who are just also excited about 2014 and have similar goals as me.
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| Pooh and Mousey |
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| A Christmas nap by the fire |
Not to dwell on the past, but 2013 ended up much better than it started. I had a wonderful Christmas with my family. We chose not to do gifts this year, instead we spent the day hanging out. We watched a few holiday movies, we ate food and didn't worry about what time it was or when the ham needed to go in the over (ok, maybe Mom worried about that a little). It was nice to not have to deal with wrapping presents and going out and buying presents, or finishing a homemade gift. Overall it made the holiday season much more enjoyable. Also, my parents recently adopted 3 cats from the humane society, so much of our time was spent cuddling around the fire with the cats and all the dogs as well. But 2013 was last year and I am looking full steam ahead to the months ahead!
No More Resolutions
One thing I am not doing this year is making resolutions. I have tried making those all my life and have found that I don't stick with them. Instead (at the suggestion of a friend, AF) I made a vision board. It turned out being more fun and more inspiring than I thought. I also love making collages and cutting things out of magazines! What is a vision board you ask? To put it simply it is a poster board covered with pictures, quotes, and words that you want to focus on (at least that is how I see it). I ended up cutting out way way too many things from magazines, so spent most of my time trimming each piece and picking out exactly the best words and pictures for 2014. Here is my result:
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| my 2014 vision board |
My vision board ended up with about 5 "zones". The upper right hand corner had to do with friends and family, getting creative and being myself. The lower right hand corner is all about the Benjamin's. I want to get my finances in order, pay off bills and save save save! The lower left hand corner is about running. I thought about why I run, and what I want to get from running in 2014. The upper left hand corner is about food and eating locally and healthy. The center of the board is all about my overall goals for the year and for the years ahead.
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| the 3 books i am reading right now! |
I found that making the vision board made me really think about my goals for the year. Since I have been little I have always made resolutions and to no surprise, never stuck with them. So for 2014 goals it is!
My Goals for 2014
- Run a full marathon (I am signed up and registered for 2!)
- Travel out of state 3 times (am headed to San Francisco in April!)
- Eat more local foods, by:
- Shopping at the farmers market more
- Signning up for a spring/summer CSA
- Get rid of 1/3 of my clothes (and try not to replace them)
- Read at least 2 books per month
- Make all my own cleaning products
- Start an IRA (it's about time!)
- At least once a month call a friend or relative who lives out of state
- Save at least $2000
- Get off the couch and get outside more (especially during the winter)!!
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| out for a nice long winter walk |
- Go sledding!
- Ski!
- Go on a moonlight snowshoe
- Go hiking!
- Go for a long walk with the dogs!
- Have craft nights with friends
- Host a game night
- Run, bike and swim!
The list could go on and on. Many people might look at this and say wow, isn't that too much? But I say no. They are goals. I hope to achieve each and every one, but if I don't, I don't. In the end I just hope to have a happy and healthy year!
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| trying not to blow away at the top of Spruce Mtn. |
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