Wednesday, January 1, 2014

2014: Goals.

Happy 2014! I remember writing a goals post last January, and just how hard it was to come up with resolutions for the new year. It wasn't that my life was perfect (far from it!) but I really had so little meaningful direction. The result was some really generic, boring, broad goals that didn't really mean a lot to me and that (big surprise) I didn't make much progress with. This year seems different, though. I sat down to think about what I wanted out of this year, and the goals started flowing--so many that it's a little overwhelming for a post. Most of them are small goals, though, so they're very doable, but I decided to post only the most important ones (I mean, really, who cares about me cooking a new recipe once a month or paying down my student loans? Snooze.)  So here they are: (the best of) my 2014 resolutions.


1. Journal consistently: When I started blogging, I all but dropped the journaling habit that I had nurtured fairly regularly since I was in third grade. My journal basically just became an outlet for the venting I couldn't (read: wouldn't) do online. As a result, my journal is spotty and pretty negative, and I hate that. I really want to get back into the routine of journaling every day, but I would even settle for once a week.

2. Blog less consistently: So basically, the opposite of every other blogger's resolution. Here's the thing--I love blogging, I really do. I love the discipline, the creative outlet...but it's a little bit controlling. Blogging is not my job, so there's really no reason for me to post five times a week unless I really have something to say. Sometimes I do, and sometimes I'm struggling to come up with ideas...which usually results in sub-par (at least in my evaluation) posts. Also, stress. When we got a call about changing Christmas plans with Tyler's family fairly last-minute last Friday, one of the first things I thought about was when I was going to get my blogging done for this week. THAT IS DUMB. So I'm backing off a little bit, because when it starts to affect my *actual* life that much, it's so not worth it. Like I said, I really love blogging, so I'll still be around (probably quite a bit), but if I need to go a few days without posting, I'm not going to stress about it.

3. Go off-grid one night a week: My husband is going to hate this, but we need it. I can't remember the last time we had dinner without our phones, and it gets really annoying. I annoy myself, even when I'm doing it. I know there's no way I'm going to get him to agree a whole day without technology, so I won't even try for that. But one night a week, when we get home from work, the phones are down, the TV (and the Xbox!) is off, and we're disconnected from the outside world for the evening. I *might* let us use electricity instead of candles....maybe. ;)

4. Intentionally nurture friendships: This is sad and a little bit embarrassing to admit, but I do most of my interacting with friends online or in text messages. To an extent, that's necessary, because most of my friends don't live in Springfield anymore, but I don't want that to be all there is. I also really want to build new friendships with people around town, because sometimes you just need a good girlfriend around to grab coffee with, amirite? I actually have started making plans to hang out with a couple super sweet gals that I've "met" through blogging/Instagram/random run-ins, and it's a little pathetic how excited I am about it.

5. Stop comparing myself: The internet is a double-edged sword, I tell you. There is so much beauty out there, and so much to learn from other people that we would have never connected with otherwise, but sheesh. All these meticulously curated portrayals of other people's lives can start to mess with even the most confident of us eventually. I'm definitely guilty of it, even though I realize how ridiculous it is to be jealous of someone's flawless skin (almost certainly thanks to Photoshop or a bajillion Afterlight filters) or feel "behind" because I don't have a house and a baby yet. Again, DUMB.  So I'm going to work on knocking that off.

Those are the biggies. I'd love to hear what you're working on this year, so feel free to leave a link!




16 comments :

  1. Good luck! I completely agree with 3 and 5. I want to stop turning to my phone when I can't sleep or don't want to get out of bed on the weekend and pick up a book instead, and I definitely agree with realising people on the internet are actually not at all perfect!

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    1. My phone is definitely my default. It's also the first thing I pick up in the morning. I'm completely addicted, so it's going to be hard. That's why I'm starting small! ;)

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  2. These are great goals, I hope 2014 is a great year for you. I'll be reading!

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  3. Right there with you on the friendship thing! Cassie was in town from LA last week and I *almost* said no to her coming over to hang out... because I was TIRED. I mean, come on, Haley! She lives over a thousand miles away, I can hang for an hour or two! That was a punch to the gut when I realized how lazy I've become in my friendships.
    Also: yes, all these perfectly crafted lives on IG.. so not real life. I get caught up in reading blogs of people in NYC, and find myself so jealous of their lives.. which is stupid. I've got a perfectly fine life here in little old Springfield. Ah, so much to work on this year!
    Good luck on your goals!! <3

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    1. Lazy is exactly the word I would use for me too! I think a lot of my problem is that most of my friends have moved away, so it's a lot easier to justify not keeping in touch as well, because grabbing coffee or whatever isn't really a possibility. But those relationships require MORE effort, not less! Get it together, Jess. :)

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  4. I love your goals!

    Hello, friend. I wanted to stop by and thank you for being a part of my blog in 2013. You have been a blessing to me. For the coming year, I have a few wishes for you.

    May 2014 bring you much joy.
    May we all have peace in our homes,
    laughter by our firesides,
    time spent with family,
    and contentment in our hearts.
    Be well, my friend.

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    1. Thank you so much, sweet friend. Hoping 2014 is a wonderful year for you!

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  5. These are beautiful Jess. Really really love them. So heartfelt and I know they'll be rewarding for you as well as others! :] I'm also glad to kinda be a part of one of them!! Because in just a few months we can hang out! And I really think it'll be a blessing to both of us to form a new friendship, drink too much coffee, and encourage eachother in our dreams and passions!!

    xo sharon

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    1. You are definitely one of them! I can't wait for this summer!

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  6. These are all GREAT goals my dear. I hear you on every single one, but especially #3 and #5... I could use a little more off-grid time with the hubs, indeed. You're great. I enjoy reading. XOXO

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    1. Aw, thanks Michelle! Yours is one of my favorite reads. Hope 2014 is an amazing year for you, Jeff, and Elias!

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  7. Wonderful goals!! I am definitely right there with you on a lot of these. I think unplugging one night a week would be a great idea... but is it sad that this is so hard??

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    1. I KNOW! I crave it, and yet I'm terrified of it! And it's not even a whole day!

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  8. I so enjoy just being with people without all the technology--my own family is pretty good about that...and then for my husband and I, we've just made a rule that no phones, ipods, tv, xbox, computer shall ever cross the threshold of our bedroom. :P It's just for the two of us, not to be shared with all the entertainment available via internet!

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  9. The internet comparison thing is a terrible beast- I love social media and the huge source of inspiration, but my jealousy bone can get out of control if I don't really work on keeping it in check. I mean the whole not coveting thy neighbor thing has always been a problem. I hope all your goals are gettin' rocked and that you are having a fabulous 2014 so far.

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