2016 Goals + Priorities

Believe you can and you're halfway there

I’ve been a little out of touch with my inner goal-setter for the past few years between challenging promotions at work, getting engaged, planning a wedding, and all of the other living in between. Since about 2013 I would categorize my focus as very external, and I think it shows.

January is no better a time to set goals than July, but something about this January feels a little bit transitional to me. I’m ready to focus on myself again after a few years of focusing on things outside of me. Of course those external things are all still plates that I am spinning, but I am feeling a shift in priorities. I want to do some things that are just for me.

I’d like to spend the year doing relaxing things. Silly things. Celebratory things. Superficial things. Seasonal things. I want to spend my time embracing the awesome. Opening my heart and my mind. Learning new things. I want to stretch myself into something new, and at the end of 2016 I want to feel like I have shed a layer of sorts.

Physical + Emotional Health

I want this to be the foundation of my year. The thing that is most important. When I feel emotionally and physically grounded, most of my other goals easily fall into place. So this will be the priority.

*Be diligent about your morning routine
*Find a therapist (How does one do this? It feels overwhelming.)
*Prioritize mobility as much as exercise
*Walk the dog ALOT!
*Spend lots of time outside
*Continue to mix up CrossFit, Spin + Yoga
*Only do things that feel good in your body

Travel + Leisure

We don’t have kids right now (and it remains to be seen if we will) so I would like to take advantage of that fact this year and spend time traveling to new + beloved places. Also, I’d like to read significantly more than I read this year.

*Palm Springs
*Napa
*Central Coast
*Maui
*Yosemite
*Take a Girls Trip
*Read for 20 minutes everyday
*Read 50 books by the end of the year. DNF any books that you don’t find compelling in the first 50 pages.
*Find seasonal things to celebrate (Maybe bring back the bucket list!)

Family + Friends

I want to feel connected to my community of friends and family and the older I get the more I realize that this doesn’t happen unless you MAKE it happen. Here’s to making it happen.

*Take more photos, make more memories (This year was a bad year for photos and I actively missed it.)
*Send more care packages, and random fun mail.
*Send all family and friends Birthday Cards. It’s a small gesture, but always nice to receive.

Try New Things!

(below are some random ideas)
I read a great article last year about why time goes by so quickly as an adult. The cliffs notes were that it’s because we have less “firsts” after about age 20. So I want to try more things. Be a beginner. Have new experiences. See new places. In essence, slow down time. And appreciate it. I’m tired of always feeling like time flies.

*Take an OrangeTheory class
*Take a hip hop dance class (dude, I am DYING to do this but won’t go alone! LOL)
*Run a 5k, a 10k (and if you feel like it, something longer. No pressure.) While this isn’t new, it’s been a while and I want to approach it like it is.
*Go to Molokini and snorkel (YIKES, this scares me, but Garrett really wants to go.)
*Find some new “staple” recipes.

Financial

Ho Hum, but needs to be done.

*Get our finances a little more automated
*Buy new cars. (This *sounds* fun in theory, but I’m actually dreading it. But it needs to be done.)

Superficial

Because you must always have a few random, fun, superficial things to aspire to.

*Look into Invisalign
*Buy myself a fancy (but classic) handbag
*Finish your gallery wall
*Get a god damn headboard for your bed! (This has been on the list for 3 years in a row. Get it together, girl.)
*Re-decorate the home office
*Cut your hair. (It’s been like a year and I’m not sure this long hair is for me! LOL)

******

I feel good about that list and those priorities. Obviously I’ll add and delete things as the year evolves, but it’s a start. And I feel excited.

Look out 2016!

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11 Responses to 2016 Goals + Priorities

  1. Abby says:

    One of the best ways to find a therapist is to ask around for recommendations. The second recommendation I have is to find a psychologist with a PhD or a Nurse Practitioner if you think you may need medications. Psychiatrists aren’t always great for talk therapy, but excellent for medication management. PhDs can’t prescribe, but NPs can, and sometimes they are a happy medium between the PhD and the MD. Look for someone who is knowledgable with Cognitive Behavioral Therapy, since that’s one of the most effective approaches. Dialectal Behavioral Therapy is a little newer and also effective. It depends on why you are seeking therapy, though, and what you hope to get out of it. CBT is great for helping you retrain your thinking patterns. I don’t have much experience with DBT. And then lastly, don’t waste your time on a therapist you don’t like. Neither of you will get anything out of the sessions. Interview them and don’t be afraid to say it’s not working and ask them for a reference to someone else.

    I hope that is helpful, and not assvice!

    • Holly says:

      Very helpful, thank you! All of the different options are completely overwhelming but I think CBT sounds like a fit because I am most concerned with retraining thinking patterns, and am not really concerned with medication management. I’ll have to look into DBT as well just because I’ve never even hear of it. Thanks so much!

      • Abby says:

        Jeez, I re-read my comment and realized how scattered I sound. Thanks, sudafed! Anyway, if all you want is talk therapy and some skills training in a method like CBT, definitely look up a PhD psychologist. If no one you know currently sees a therapist, or you don’t feel comfortable asking, check to see who’s covered under your insurance and interview those first. Be warned, though, it can take a LONG time to get in to see some therapists. 🙁 In the meantime, there are some great CBT workbooks to help you get started. I would google some suggestions for you, but I have Comcast and my service is making me utter many, many expletives.

      • Abby says:

        Uh, I also posted another reply, and it’s disappeared…? Anyway, the short version of the thing I lost is that it sounds like you want a PhD psychologist, so the first place to look for referrals if you don’t have any friends/family you feel comfortable asking or who see a therapist, check with your insurance to see who is in-network and start there. Be warned that it can take a LONG time to get in to see a therapist due to demand for services, but be patient. And check out the workbook link or google other resources for CBT in the meantime. Good luck!

  2. Lizscott says:

    Hi friend!
    Does your work have an EAP? I bet company of that size as that or similar- I be you actually qualify for three (or more) free sessions with an in network therapist as well as having the same network help match you with a therapist that meets your needs as well as your insurance. It’s worth looking into–I know many people, myself included, who have gone this route

  3. sarah says:

    I love when I see central coast on your travel list!! Also, can we meet you in Yosemite? I’ve been itching for some national park.

  4. Amber says:

    We’re planning a trip to Hawaii this year too 🙂 I’ve only tried snorkeling once and I hated how it felt so I quit… but I feel like I’m going to have to suck it up and deal for that trip lol.

    I chopped my hair off after our wedding, like literally in the hotel room the morning after (my friend is a hair dresser)… and I regretted it for the entire year after lol. I love long hair!

    You’ll have to let me know when you find those new staple recipes! I love your take on food. I just made your Carmelized Italian Pork Chops with Onion Jam last night! They are SO good 🙂

  5. Mary says:

    I just wanted to chime in that I have appreciated each of your new years’ resolutions/goals/intentions. I remember the first time I read your blog, I was thinking- who is this gal, so considerate and thoughtful about her preferred future?! I have not yet taken that very small step to articulate or write any down to make my life what I really want it to be. Currently, I am more in the mode of “Hmmm…”what she said sounds great!,” and we have very different lives! Maybe I’ll get it together by Chinese New Year, or September (new school year!).

  6. Maureen says:

    I loved reading your list-I always feel inspired when I read them. I’ve never had a therapist, although there have been times when I felt I could really have used one-I have some thought patterns I think could use some changing. One of the reasons I have never gone is just what you expressed, it seems overwhelming to even start looking-and I didn’t know what I was even looking for! So Abby’s comment was great-and I will definitely be checking out that link.

    Yosemite has always been a dream of mine-I’m lucky I live in Alaska so I have wilderness very close to me-but there is something about Yosemite-and the history of being a national park. It is one of the first ones, isn’t it?

    Wishing you, Gareth and the pup the best of new years!

    • Maureen says:

      WAIT! WHAT? Garrett not Gareth! My only excuse is I am still working on my first cup of coffee-my apologies!!