New Year, Part One: Looking Back
Green Tie Studio - New Year's Goals 2017
Like many of you, I'm spending these last few days of 2017 reflecting on my attention and growth from the year and defining my focus for 2018. Last year, I wrote this post about my personal goals for 2017 and I thought it would be fun to walk through them and honestly share my progress. My word for the year was "margin" and my intention with these goals was to focus on certain areas, grow slowly, and move forward after inevitably slipping up (#human). I'm so proud of this mindset and how it has kept me from crippling anxiety about "accomplishing" resolutions.
1. Consume Less: I made really great strides on this. I've had a handful of online yard sales this year that have helped me minimize unnecessary possessions and I love that everything goes to a new home. I've pared down my wardrobe to versatile pieces that I consistently wear and (I'll touch on this in the next post) would like to continue minimizing and focusing on ethically and sustainably-made pieces. We are selling over half of our possessions before a big move in March of this year and have already moved it all into the garage for a sale before we go. I'm feeling so free from things. What we have in our home is useful, intentional and meaningful and - for the love - I don't need another dish towel.
2. Stay on budget: This is probably what I'm most proud of. We started using Dave Ramsey's Every Dollar app in January and it really has changed the way we view money. Based on the averages of what we had been spending in 2016, we made a reasonable budget for every category: groceries, gas, eating out, spending money for Jon and myself, student loan repayment, savings and miscellaneous spending (looking at you, Amazon). It has really forced us to watch where every dollar (ha) goes and wait on certain things that didn't fit into the budget. Loan repayment is something we feel very strongly about and by adhering to our budget from January - August, we paid off TWENTY THOUSAND DOLLARS of student loans.
3. Protect mornings and evenings: Evenings have gotten way better since I transitioned from Citizen Supply back into freelance design in February. I stop work around 5pm and plan for the next day, workout (eh, sometimes), cook dinner, and spend time with Jon before bed. But mornings? Guys, it's so bad. My alarm goes off at 7:30 and I typically don't get out of bed until 8:45 or 9 because I scroll through my phone. WHY? On the days I get up at 7:30, make coffee, spend time with Jesus, work out, and get the house in order before starting work, I feel amazing and accomplished by 10am. My fix last year was putting my phone in the bathroom overnight. Gonna give this one another go.
4. Care for my skin: Also super proud of this one! I wrote about finding the skincare Mecca, Urban Oreganics, and still love it just as much. I do a cleanser, toner, moisturizer regimen every night (bye bye, face wipes) and in addition to switching my skincare, also overhauled my entire self-care lineup and our home products with non-toxic products. You can see that post here. Confession, I found this mascara a few months ago and ditched the safe-for-you option because it's just so damn good. If my eyeballs fall out, at least my lashes will look good. Jk.
5. Carry a journal: Technically, I did carry a journal. The point of this was to be inspired on the go and make note of new ideas outside of my phone. I didn't do well. I think the pencil broke in February and there are gum wrappers and crumbs in the notebook. Maybe notes in my phone are the best bet after all...Stay tuned in a few days for a look into my 2018 goals and intentions. And just for fun, some of my favorite trips and memories from the year are below!