Monday, December 29, 2014

A Time For A Change!

Christmas Break came at the right time. Even though I didn't realize it, I was burning the candle at both ends. I've taken on a lot this fall, personally and professionally. I didn't realize how tired I was until it was two days before Christmas and I realized I hadn't even shopped yet! Fortunately it is just my parents and myself, so it was easy to knock out the shopping in one day. I had a great Christmas with my parents. We went down to Williamsburg VA. It is always a special place for us to walk around and people watch. It also is my time to sit in the Barnes and Nobles and read picture books. There were some really unique decorations this year. It was so nice to just have to do nothing but walk around and just have some family time.

Big Cork Wreath
Smaller Cork Wreath


Very simple, but surprising!
The flowers were made from shells


Great use of the gum balls!
But as the warm fuzzy feeling from Christmas is fading, I'm coming to some realizations. Every year I try to make resolutions, but I never follow through. As the year goes on, I start to feel guilty about not following through and I vow to do better. But "something" always seems to get in the way. Most of the time, that something is me. As I reflect on 2014 I had some highs and lows like most people. But I had no follow though for what I really wanted to accomplish this year. I start out good, but can't sustain it for months at a time. I think, I'm too focused on the big picture and not the steps to get me there. It is time for a change!!

I'm going to write down where I want to be in my life on December 31, 2015 and put it in a sealed envelope. After I seal the envelope, I'm going to put the big picture goals out of my mind. Knowing me, it will be a checklist. I think I'm going to then write down short term goals for January.

In order for me to accomplish those "big goals", I've come to some realizations.

  1. I need to make time for me! I can't just keep focusing on school.
  2. I need to make some healthier choices with food and exercise.
  3. I need to declutter some areas in my house. I keep a lot of "things" that I need to let go.
  4. I need to get back to being a presence on Twitter and blogging again. I've really missed it.
I'm going to be posting my successes and failures here, in between all the great books posts! Hope you will stay along for the ride. I'm going to start with number 4 first. As my phone and iPad blew up tonight with tweets, I was reminded how much I miss being a part of that online community.

Anyone else with plans for 2015?

Stacey (@libraryjo92)

8 comments:

  1. Stacey, I feel the same way. I usually have a few resolutions {or none at all} but this year seems different for some reason. I don't know if 2015 is going to be a "good" year or not but I really want to make some changes that will help me be more resilient and prepared for whatever happens. That means exercise {not really for weight loss, but more for strength}, more attention to spiritual needs {which I'm not sure of yet}, and a commitment to taking advantage of opportunities {not really work focused but the fact that I am so fortunate to live the way I do and can do so many things...If I'd just stop being so full of excuses}. So :: click :: to you Stacey! I'm right there with you!

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    1. Thanks for the response. Just getting everything out this year made me feel a little more accountable. Wishing you a great 2015!

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  2. Have you thought about one little word instead of resolutions? I let this OLW guide me and it is amazing how it has changed my year. I like your idea of putting a goal in an envelope and opening it the end of the year. I might have to consider this. Good luck with your goals and I hope to see more on Twitter and on your blog.

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    1. I have thought about one little word for 2015. I think my would is going to be balance. I need to find some! Thanks for reading!

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  3. These are great reflections! I think I'm in the same boat--more about goals and less about "resolutions." I'm excited to read more of your journey :)

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    1. I feel better about goals this year than resolutions. As Leigh mentioned above, I'm thinking about having one little word to guide my year. That word is going to be balance. Best of luck in 2015.

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  4. I've made some personal goals for the year, and I also wrote a letter to myself at the end of 2015, describing where I want my life to be by then. Not in checklist form, really, but more holistically. Good luck with balancing your goals!

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    1. My letter ended up being a letter with bullet points about where I want my life to be at the end of 2015. Best of luck to you in 2015.

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