My Goals for the New Year: 2019 Edition

 

I always like to say, I never make New Year's resolutions. Resolution. That word makes me want to go at whatever I "resolved" with gusto, then of course, crash and burn before the end of January is even in sight. I still do, however, relish the thought of a clean slate that each new year seems to bring. I like to make goals. Which are probably the same as resolutions, but whatever! The word "goals" makes me think of something that needs to be worked on or worked toward over a period of time. I may not see the end product by the end of the year, but usually I tend to consistently keep working on whatever it is when I call it a goal. Instead of a resolution.

I have 3 main goals I want to work on in 2019. Actually, I've already been working on them, but I'm bringing them front and center. Being more intentional about them.

1. Declutter my home.
2. Declutter my health.
3. Declutter our finances.

My Home

A couple of years ago, I went through much of my home and did a pretty good surface declutter. This past year, I intended to go through again but deeper. Our family had a pretty emotionally stressful year, and my heart wasn't in it. I was in survival mode a lot of the time. With the fresh start of a new year, I think I'm ready to dig in and get a lot of clutter out of our home!

My Health

On top of the Multiple Sclerosis I've already had for 13 years, I found out about two-thirds of the way through this year that I have a few other things on my plate concerning my health. Nothing that can't be fixed or at least controlled with a bit of hard work and diligence. I'm thankful to have good doctors! I'm also thankful that around 6-ish years ago, I found an eating plan called Trim Healthy Mama. Now, if I would have been more consistent with that than I was, these other issues wouldn't have come up. But, I digress. I've been consistent since this past September and things are speeding in the right direction! I'm praising God for that! With His strength, I will persevere and say good-bye to these issues.

Finances

This year, I really want to refocus on being intentional about our finances. Hubby and I have been following Dave Ramsey's plan and doing really well. With some of the stresses of the past year, we've slacked a little on being as diligent. We're not even near talking disaster here, we're still moving in the right direction. It's just time to buckle down and speed up again. I'm going to be diligent in sticking to my grocery budget, as that's one area where I haven't been great. We'll go back to tracking everything we spend for awhile. We also sometimes do what we call a "spending fast," where we pick a certain amount of time and only buy what is absolutely necessary. Between the fast and tracking, we will be able to nix all the little frivolities that have crept in.

Those are my general goals for the New Year. Do you make any goals at the beginning of each year? Or resolutions? Do you have any other special ways to acknowledge the fresh start of another year beginning? Let me know your thoughts!

Have a great New Year everyone!