goals for the new year

overall, 2015 was pretty good to us.  this past year saw a lot of changes, some good, some not so good, but i did (mostly) stick to the goals that i set for myself last year.  i'm really not one for "resolutions," however, i do like to set a loosely-structured list of goals for myself each year.  here are a few things that i want to be conscious of moving forward in 2016 . . .

1. drink more water
2. do yoga more often
3. be kinder to myself
4. take better care of my body
5. be flexible
6. be nicer to my husband
7. leave work stress at work
8. take time to "unplug" from the cyber world
9. keep a positive outlook
10. have fun

what are your goals for 2016?

love, laurie

. . . 

ps: this sunflower picture is one of my favorite photos that i took in 2015.  click here to download it as background wallpaper for your computer, tablet, or phone.

goals for the new year

i have never been one for new year resolutions.  instead, i have typically just made a loosely-structured mental list of goals for myself at the start of each new year.  however, last year i decided to take the time to write down a few goals for 2013.

there were six goals that i set for myself in 2013:
1. continue to eat healthy
2. keep going to the gym
3. shift my outlook
4. learn more about photography
5. continue blogging
6. have fun

i'm happy to say that i actually did all of those things in 2013!  over the past year, i really made an effort to continue to eat healthy and to keep going to the gym.  both turned into a wonderful lifestyle change, and i feel so much better because of it!  i also worked on shifting my outlook during this past year.  since it's so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life, it's all too easy to lose focus of what's really important, so i really made a conscious effort to shift my outlook to be more positive.  i certainly still need to work on this more, but overall i found myself taking time to appreciate the little things and trying not to take certain things and people for granted.  that little shift has really made such a difference for me.

in the past year, i tried to learn more about photography too.  i'm far from an expert, and i still have a lot to learn, but i can definitely see a difference in my photos.  i kept blogging during 2013 (my blog turned two years old in october!) and i have really enjoyed blogging as a hobby.  i also had fun this past year.  we went on some amazing trips and did some really amazing things.  (2013 was the year that i got to cross "go to hawaii" off my bucket list!!!)  now, i can't wait to see what this new year has in store for us!

in 2014, i plan to continue my healthy lifestyle by eating right and exercising.  i hope to be a bit more disciplined about doing yoga, and maybe even get myself back into a dance class too.  i want to remember to stay positive and to not dwell on the negative.  i want to challenge myself with my camera, and learn more about photography/videography and photo/video editing.  i plan to continue blogging (and maybe i'll finally even get around to giving this blog of mine a much needed redesign and face lift).  i want to remember to unplug from time to time, and to get better at keeping in touch with friends.  i hope to explore new places, try new things, and carve out a bit of time for myself to learn new hobbies too.

. . . and, of course, i want to have fun and take time to enjoy life and my wonderful family!

what are your goals for 2014?

love, laurie

goals for the new year

i'm not one to make new year resolutions.  i find it silly that so many people resolve to make a list of changes to their lives each year, just to abandon ship a few weeks (or in some cases even a few days) later.  so, in the past i never took the time to write down a list of what i planned to do/change in the new year.  instead, i have always made a loosely-structured mental list of goals for myself.

there were three big goals that i set for myself in 2012:
1. pass my doctoral defense
2. graduate with my Ph.D.
3. become healthier

i'm happy to say that i actually did those three things in the past year.  i worked hard in doctoral school and persevered through some ridiculous challenges and obstacles.  it all paid off in the end, and i am really proud of myself for completing it.  however, working a desk job and being in doctoral school really took a tool on my body since i had little time to exercise and to eat healthy.  after graduation, i made changes to my diet and to my daily routine, and i feel so much better because of those changes.  while working at each of these three goals, i learned a lot about myself and really grew as a person.

now that it's january, it's time to reevaluate what my plans are for the new year.  here are a few of my loosely-structured goals for 2013 . . .

continue to eat healthy: for a good part of 2012 i was busy writing my dissertation, which meant that there was little time to cook.  often, i ate whatever was quick and easy so that i could get back to writing.  after graduation, ryan and i made a conscious effort to eat much healthier than we did before.  so, in 2013 i want to continue to eat healthy.

keep going to the gym: i have had a gym membership for years, but i only went every once in a while.  since the summer, along with eating more healthy, ryan and i have been going to the gym regularly.  i feel so much better and i have so much more energy.  (i have actually lost 18 lbs. since july!)  so, in 2013 i want to keep going to the gym and hopefully reach my goal weight.

shift my outlook: it is so easy to get caught up in the hustle and bustle of day-to-day life and to lose focus of what is really important.  it's also easy to take certain things and people for granted.  so, in 2013 i want to make a conscious effort to shift my outlook in order to be a bit more positive.

learn more about photography: i was lucky enough to get a digital slr camera as a graduation present from my family this past may.  since then, i have been really interested in photography.  i am far from a photography expert, but i do find it fascinating, so in 2013 i want to continue to learn more about my camera and about different types of photography.

continue blogging: this little blog of mine turned one year old this past october.  when i started my blog, i didn't know how long i would stick with it, but it has really turned out to be something that i love and it is a great hobby for me.  so, in 2013 i want to continue blogging.

have fun: it may sound silly, but sometimes life gets in the way of having fun and enjoying yourself.  so, in 2013 i want to take time to enjoy myself and to have fun.

of course, there are a few other small goals on my list for 2013 too.  but these are the main ones for this year.

what are your goals for 2013?

love, laurie