52 Weeks of Gratitude Challenge - Why Start This Challenge?

Like many other people, I can waste an obscene amount of time on Pinterest. Let's admit it, it's addicting. 

Well, I can across the below a couple days ago and thought, 'Hey, this would be a great writing prompt for my blog.' Plus I can write several at a time and schedule the post.

So, the first weeks challenge is 'Why Start this Challenge?' Well, this is two-fold. Like I said it gives me a writing prompt at least once a week. But the deeper meaning is that I will now be forced to really look at what I'm grateful for. Stop and smell the roses if you'd like. 

The past month and a half have been extremely rough on me, personally. I questioned a lot of my choices, been depressed, really felt that I'm just not doing life the right way. On New Year's Eve, it just came to me, I need to just turn my life over to God and let him lead me. (That is a whole separate topic itself.) After finding this challenge, I really believe it will help me to see what amazing things I already have in my life. Sometimes when you think things are just not going well in your life, that there is nothing to be grateful for. But once you actually sit down and think about what you DO have, you realize you really do have a good life and you need to see things from a different perspective. 

So, that's why I'm starting this challenge: to see things from a different perspective and appreciate all the good I do have in my life.

Have you ever done a challenge like this before? Let me know in the comments!

Happy New Year, Happy New YOU!!!

Treating Myself Better

It's good to be selfish sometimes.

 

At least, that's what I should keep telling myself. As a mom, sometimes it's very difficult to remember that I need to take care of myself just as much as I need to take care of my son. After all, it's hard to be the best mom you can be when your not at your best.

 

By nature, I'm more of a giver than a taker. Add a kid in there, and it seems that's all I do. Give. To everyone else. Well, this year, as part of my goals, I have decided to make a point to take care of ME better. I know that I will be a better mom, employee, friend and daughter.

 

1. I will not feel guilty about having a family member watch my son so I can have some time to myself. This has been so difficult for me. But I know that it's okay to have my parents watch my son so I can go get my hair cut or a pedicure. It's okay. In the end, he's not going to be mad because he hung out with his grandparents for a couple hours so I can get a hair cut.

 

2. I will buy things for myself. I usually put off buying myself clothes, shoes and accessories. So my wardrobe has been lacking for a while. But it's a fact that when you feel that you are dressed well and look good, it shows in the way you present yourself. I'm a big fan of solids, so it should be easy for my to accessorize. This is what I'm going to focus on, getting myself some good basic clothing items and getting some really cute accessories.

 

3. I will do my hair and make-up everyday. My normal routine is to just put on moisturizer and throw my hair in a bun. This goes along with #2. If I take the time to actually dry my hair and put on at least a little make-up it will make me feel better about myself and that will translate to the way I carry myself.

 

4. I will get my hair and nails done on a regular basis. I actually love getting my hair done and I love getting pedicures. But I always put them off because I feel like I don't have anyone to watch my son. So one of my goals is to make regular appointments and keep them. And as with my previous goals, it will make me feel better about my appearance and that confidence will project.

 

5. I will take the time every day to 'go to bed.' I often am so tired that I just lie down and pass out, often with the TV on. I should be taking the time to wind down every night, by enjoying a cup of tea and reading a book, then cleaning myself up before bed.

 

The main goal of all of my resolutions is to be a better me, so they somewhat intertwine. Like eating healthier and being more active are ways for me to treat myself better. But the specific goal I wrote about here, treating myself better, is really about my taking them time and money to spoil myself once in a while and not feel guilty about it.

 

On an additional note, as I started to write this post, I actually took a break to read my devotional. My devotion for the day was aptly titled 'Setting Goals for This Year' and talked about how we get so involved with meeting the needs of others and often forget ourselves. It talked about how, on airplanes, they advise you to put on your oxygen mask first then help others, realizing that if the adult isn't getting enough oxygen, then they cannot properly help the child and both will perish. Then posed this "Are you getting enough "oxygen" in your life to be of maximum benefit to those around you? It is not a selfish gesture to set goals allowing you to "refill your cup.""

 

I read that and felt it was a sign. A sign that if I can't be the best me I can be, how can I be the best mom, daughter, friend, employee? 

Becoming a Better Gift-Giver

If you read my post from January 2nd, you would know that one of my New Year's resolutions is to become a better gift giver.

 

I enjoy giving gifts to people. And I know people enjoy getting them. Even if it's just a simple card with a note inside. People like to know that someone was thinking about them. I know I do. I love getting home and seeing an envelope that's not a bill or a box. It makes me happy.

 

Anyway, back to me and my steps I will be taking to become a better gift-giver.

 

1. Keep a gift-giving list. I have already started to do this. I have a small notebook and I have given my closest family (kids, parent, sibling) each a page. As the year goes on, I can add things as I hear people say they would like them or I get a good idea for a gift and I can scratch things off if they get the gift or are no longer interested in it.

 

2. Buy birthday cards in advance. The first birthday I have to worry about is my nephew's towards the middle of the month. So, my plan is to buy birthday cards for people having birthday's in the next few months. I also have a Greeting Card Case from the Container Store.

 

 



I purchased it a couple years ago with the intent to use it. Yeah, it didn't work so well. It probably didn't help that I kept it in the back of the closet. So I'm now going to keep it in a place more accessable.

 

3. Put a monetary value on gifts to people outside my immediate family. I have several close friends with children and depending on the amount in my bank account, I will spend different amounts for their children's birthdays. This isn't exactly fair. I'm putting a $20.00 limit on cash and a $30.00 limit on physical gifts.

 

4. Send more cards. I want to start sending cards to my friends and families on Mother's Day or for other occasions that warrant them.

 

5. Actually mail out holiday cards. My intention has been to get my son's Christmas pictures done and use those for the cards. (I like doing picture cards.) But this year, I think I'm going to use pictures from things we've done over the year.

 

So this is my plan of attack, per say, to be a better gift giver. I'm sure I'll think of more to add to this list and possibly modify some of it. But for now, this is it. I will be following up on my progress with this goal.

 

I hope everyone is having a safe, happy and healthy 2014 so far this year.

 



My New Year's Resolutions

HAPPY 2014!!!

 

I hope everyone's 2014 is going amazing so far.

 

Since my son was born, in 2010, I've had a really difficult time finding balance to my life. It's a very difficult task balancing being a mother, employee, daughter, friend, woman and significant other. I have so much respect to those who can do it. I have not been able to. And I'm finding that not only am I not able to balance my life out, but that I'm not excelling in any area either. So I sat down the other day, thinking about my resolutions and what I wanted to accomplish in 2014. And I decided that I wanted to work on balancing out my life the best I can. So I have made some goals for myself for 2014.

 

 

1. My goal is to eat a healthier diet, primarily cutting out high fructose corn syrup and fried foods from my and my son's diet. I actually want to eat a more 'clean' diet and have been doing some research and I am trying to plan child-friendly meals that sync with clean eating. I am also trying to drink more water. I won't give up the coffee though. Sorry, not happening.

 

2. My goal is to be more active. For now that will be primarily walking while my son rides his new bike. Eventually, I would like to get a bike and ride with him and join a gym. The only reason I'm not planning on joining a gym right away is two-fold: we all know gyms are very crowded during the month of January and February and because I currently feel very self-conscious about being in a gym. I am comfortable with using the equipment, but with the way my body looks now, I don't feel very comfortable.

 

3. My goal is to be better organized. I used to be EXTREMELY organized, almost to the point that I felt a bit OCPD (which is different than OCD). Honestly, I like being that way. I do like having that control over my life. When things get messy and disorganized, I just sit there and feel helpless and like I just can't function.

 

4. My goal is to be a better gift-giver. Before my son was born, everyone I was close to would get a birthday card, mother's day card, father's day card.... You get the picture. My close friends and family member's got a thought out gift for their birthday's and holidays. I sent out Christmas cards. I want to do that again. I've already started this goal by keeping a gift-giving list in a notebook. I plan to keep an ongoing list of gifts for my immediate family and as an event comes around, like a birthday, I will look to my list and pick an item or two for that person.

 

5. My goal is to be a better friend. Not that I'm a bad friend, I just think I can be better.

 

6. My goal is to treat myself better. I have this mentality that my son is my responsibility and that having anyone watch him when I'm not working is pawning him off. And his father works 12 hours days, for a few weeks at a time and often out of town. So the majority of the hands on parenting is left to me. I need to learn that it's okay for him to go to his grandparents or to one of my friends how while I get a haircut or my nails done or whatever I want to do for a couple hours a week. I also want to spend more time reading books and I would like to learn how to knit.

 

7. My goal is to be a better, more consistant blogger. I think blogging can be a good way to help someone be accountable for thier goals. That's one of the reasons I set up my other blog, Imperfectly Healthy, to help my chronicle and be held accountable for my health and fitness goals. I also enjoy having a creative outlet that I can get feed back on.

 

 

I plan to write a post about each of the non-health/fitness resolutions on my list. This will give more detail about my plan of attack for each one.

 

What are some of your New Year's resolutions? Leave some in the comments below.

It's Monday & 5 for Five

It's hard to believe it's already Monday. Where did my weekend go? It was nice, however for it to stay lighter a bit longer yesterday.

It's been a long time since I've posted one of these link ups with Jessica @ Fantastically Average, so I don't have my successes from last week to post. So here are my five for the upcoming week:

1. Take a multi-vitamin and biotin everyday. I'm trying to grow my hair out and both my hairdresser and eyebrow-waxer told me on Saturday to be sure I am taking them RELIGIOUSLY!

2. Drink more water. This goes hand in hand with my first goal for the week. It's necessary to drink plenty of water to allow the vitamins to be absorbed by your body. And my hair dresser told me that taking vitamins without drinking plenty of water can cause break-outs. Yikes!

3. Make a real dinner at least 3 times this week. Normally it's just me and my 2 year old son eating dinner together, so it's very tempting after a long day at work to throw some chicken nuggets in the microwave and call that dinner. But I want us to eat better and healthier.

4. Get up earlier. This will actually assist in helping me with a lot more! By getting my butt out of bed earlier, I'll have more time to not feel so rushed in the morning. I tend to be very short with my angel in the morning when I'm rushed and I know that's not fair to him.

5. Follow the cleaning chart on the fridge. I copied an idea from another blog and that was to put a laminated chart on the fridge, listing all the things I need to do daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly and yearly. Should keep me more organized, but it won't unless I follow it!

Hopefully next Monday I can report back and say that I was successful. I've had a lot of struggles lately feeling like my world is spiraling out of control, mostly because I allow other people to make me feel this way. So the best way to start feeling like I can reign back in control is to start small, get control of something that no one else can have an effect on, like taking a vitamin.

5 for Five

Happy Monday Morning!!!

 

So, it's Monday and time for my second week of 5 for Five. I'm not even going to go into what an epic fail last week was...

1. Walk at least 3x's this week. My sister wants to sign up for our local Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, so I need to get my booty in shape!

2. Send out Thank You cards for my son's birthday party, which was October 1st. I'm usually really good about sending Thank You cards, but this time, not so much!

3. Put away ALL my clean laundry. I'm terrible about putting away laundry. I usually just fold it and keep it in the basket, or leave it hung up in the laundry area.

4. Rearrange my bedroom. My poor headboard has collecting dust in my garage for the past 8 months.

5. Organize my Pinterest boards. It totally bugs me that I have so many 'likes' and not nearly as many 'pins.'

 

So I'm just going to copy my goals from last week and hope they stick this week.

1. Walk at least 3x's this week. I mean it this time. No excuses... the weather is perfect! At least I know I'll get some walking in Wednesday night.

2. Send out Thank You cards for my son's birthday party, which was October 1st. I might just have to resolve to thank you e-mails.

3. Put away ALL my clean laundry. I almost accomplished this.... Almost.

4. Rearrange my bedroom. My poor headboard has collecting dust in my garage for the past 8 months.

5. Organize my Pinterest boards. It totally bugs me that I have so many 'likes' and not nearly as many 'pins.'

 

Hope you guys have a great week! Thanks for visiting!

 

5 for five

I love making lists! I am a list fanatic!!! And I love setting goals for myself. So anytime I come across a chance to combine the two, I'm all about it! When Jessica at Fantastically Average decided to start a new weekly link-up, 5 for five, it was like a match made in heaven. (Well, almost. Peanut butter and chocolate ice cream and me are a match made in heaven. LOL)

 

 

1. Walk at least 3x's this week. My sister wants to sign up for our local Turkey Trot on Thanksgiving, so I need to get my booty in shape!

 

2. Send out Thank You cards for my son's birthday party, which was October 1st. I'm usually really good about sending Thank You cards, but this time, not so much!

 

3. Put away ALL my clean laundry. I'm terrible about putting away laundry. I usually just fold it and keep it in the basket, or leave it hung up in the laundry area.

 

4. Rearrange my bedroom. My poor headboard has collecting dust in my garage for the past 8 months.

 

5. Organize my Pinterest boards. It totally bugs me that I have so many 'likes' and not nearly as many 'pins.'

 

Hopefully I will be able to report back next Monday with 100% completion. 

Monthly Goals

I love making lists... I just find it hard to follow them. (Something I want to do and I'm working on). I make a goal list in my planner at work, this is for stricty work-related goals, like a completely clean desk each morning. This means, that my water cup was emptied, everything was put away, no personally identifiable info was left out, etc..... But I don't make too many for my self. This one will going on the fridge.

 

Walk 3x Week - I neeeeeed to walk more. My son is getting bigger and it's more fun to walk with him, so I need to 'get ta gettin.'

 

2 Full Tervis Tumblers of water a day - I will speak all the glories of the Tervis tumbler! The one I have on my desk is 24 oz and I should be drinking at least 2 per day. At the very least.

 

Make a budget - Notice how I didn't stay 'stick to a budget.' Baby steps Y'all, baby steps.

 

Put a positive picture on my desktop each day - I'm not big on some crazy picture on my desktop at work, but I know that if I put an inspiring message on it, I will be forced to read it. Everyday!

 

Counselor -  I have a few meltdowns this past week and I know it's time for me to see somone who can help me get all the ish worked out in my head.

 

So there you have it, my monthly goals. These are pretty obtainable goals, no reason why I can do it. :)

 

I also joined Day Zero Project and set up a 101 in 1001 list. (Although mine's a bit longer that 101.) It's more like a bucket list, but it is a list of things I want to do. I gave my list it's own page, so check back for my progress...