Tag: resolutions

My word for 2019

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It’s that time of year.  Resolutions and planning.  If you are into that sort of thing.  (I am into that sort of thing.)  If you don’t think January is an arbitrary start time.  If you find planning and goal setting helpful.

I initially thought that this would not be a big goal year for me.  We’re having a baby any day now.  My main goal is enjoying the baby and figuring out how three kids works.  Seeing if we can move from surviving to thriving in this new scenario.

BUT, after some discussion with a fellow resolution loving friend, I started to think that this could be EXACTLY the time to have some clear goals.  Things are going to get a little crazy.  If there is anything I can be doing to clarify mission, that is probably good.

I put together some priorities for the year and noticed a theme.  Are you ready for the word?  It’s . . .

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18 for 2018

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Argh.  This annoys me.  I was writing this post and it somehow didn’t save.  So I’m trying again, but whatever I’m writing probably won’t be as good at all.  This is just a haphazard, sloppy second effort.

Or MAYBE it will be even better because I’ve had time to think on the topic more.  Really craft my sentences in a way that will be pleasing to all of your senses.  Sadly, we’ll never know because I can’t ever show you the posts side by side.

Let’s get this one published before it somehow deletes again, shall we?  Moving on.

This is one of my favorite times of year.  I love love love talking about goals, resolutions, dreams, and all that stuff.  I like to talk about these things any time, but in January most people also want to talk about that stuff too.

As we all know, there are about a million ways you can do resolutions.  A one word theme for the year.  A straight up list.  Monthly goals or themes.  Quarterly goals.  You name it.  Someone is doing it.

On a recent Happier podcast, Gretchen Rubin and Elizabeth Craft talked about a list of 18 for 2018.  (You can see their lists and hear the episode here.)  I like this.  18 is manageable.  You can have a mix of big things and little things.  Fun things and serious things.

It took me longer than I expected to put my list together.  (You’ve already seen some of mine if you follow me on Instagram.)  I have TONS of things I want to do, but I realized that I didn’t want to put something on the list unless I actually want to do it.  Maybe want isn’t the right word.  I want to do all of these things.  But if it’s on the list, I’m GOING to do it.

I also wanted to only put things on the list in my control.  For example, “Get a Book Deal” does NOT belong on the list.  I can work on this, but I can’t control the outcome.  You’ll notice for some of my fitness stuff that I’m just trying to work on it.  I wanted to put “nose to the ground in a pancake straddle stretch,” but I can’t control that.  I’ll work really hard on it.  Hopefully it will get better.  And THAT’S the goal.  That’s all I can do.

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January Goal Check In

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goals-for-2017

You know what’s SUPER weird?  Groundhog Day.  Try explaining that to a two and four year old.  Seriously.  You sound like a crazy person.

First, what is a groundhog?  Uh, it’s like a beaver without the tail.  They live in the ground.  I don’t know why we call them hogs.

Yeah, yeah, we grab this groundhog out of the ground and he predicts the weather.  That’s legit.   But Batman is fake.  Go figure.

Happy Belated Groundhog Day everyone.

A little bit late, but I’m trying to do a check in on my 2017 goals.  Accountability!

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ICYMI: Jet Lag Edition

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Hi friend!  How are you?  Are you having a good February?  Also terrified of puppy monkey baby?

Sorry for the radio silence ’round these parts.  We’ve been battling jet lag, and I feel like we are just kind of mostly getting back to normal.

I’ve been kind of insufferable lately.  I have so many things I want to do that I feel like I’m going to jump out of my skin.  We did have excellent family time in January, but it was hard to get going on things while on the road.  Then the jet lag is setting us back.  I know it will just take time.  But I never claimed to be a patient person.  I want it ALL.  And I want it NOW.

I should give myself a little credit.  We have booked 2/3 of a Sicily trip for this spring.  I won my January Diet Bet, and I’ve been sticking to fairly strict paleo.  I just signed up for the Spartan Run in April (EEP!), but I still need to get officially signed up for the half marathon in March.  And then train for it.  NBD.

We are psyched to be back in Italy.  Carnival has been in full effect.  Confetti on all the playgrounds.  Children in costume on the reg.  We hit up the parade in Piazza Navona this past Saturday.  It was quite the classy affair compared to our raucous Tuscan Carnevale last year.  Picture lots of people on horses and in period costumes.

We are also in the throes of trying to apply for Italian public preschool.  I’m still not sure if we want to do it, but we are trying to even see if we can get a space before we have to decide.  Let’s just say the process has been VERY Italian.  I promise to share more on this later in case it helps anyone else who wants to try it.

On the Blog:

What I was into in January.  I should have also mentioned seasonal squash.  They don’t really have winter squash here, and I was LOVING all the butternut and spaghetti squash.

I also finally got around to putting pen to paper on 2016 resolutions.

After an awesome free first Sunday museum in December, you’d think we’d have hit one last Sunday, but not.  😦

Those boys keep saying the darndest things.

I threw down the fitness gauntlet.  But then I did some thinking on how to feel good without diet or exercise changes.

On the Internets:

My latest stroller obsession.  I’m very tempted by the fact that my friend says this fits on Roman buses and trams.

Anyone want to buy Michelangelo’s Tuscan Villa?  (Hat tip PK)

Want to see where Beyonce (apparently) stayed for the Super Bowl?  (Hat tip JRW)

Hope to be back more frequently soon.  In the meantime, anyone have any cruise line recommendations?

5 Ways to Feel Good this Year that DON’T Involve Diet or Exercise

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Blargh.  You guys.  The carb flu is real.  I feel gross, but I’m persevering because I know I’ll feel better.  Eventually.

(I’m not doing an official whole30, like here, but I’m trying to be as close as possible while traveling.  Gotta get that cheddar!)

Maybe your shiny resolutions this year involve diet and exercise.  But we all know that is a long con.  You have to stick with it, possibly for weeks or months, before you hit real pay dirt.

Maybe you have resolutions that have nothing to do with fitness.  How un-cliche of you!  Get it, gurl.  I can’t wait to hear all about the new vegan taco truck you opened for dogs.

Or maybe you think resolving to be better at an arbitrary time of the year is for complete suckers.  You are living in a higher state of enlightenment and resolve to be your best every day of the year.  Good for you.

Whatever camp you fall in, I have some thoughts on things you can do for yourself.  These are all low effort, low cost, and can help you start the year on the right foot.

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