Hooray for 2013!

New year, new goals. It's official. It's happening. I can't push it off any longer!

Here's a list I've compiled with some things I want to work towards this coming year. Every month I'll look back, and update how I'm doing, and possibly even add some new endeavors. The times, they are a-changin'...

Personal
+ Pick a workout program and stick with it!
+ Keep breathing. Keep loving. Keep living.
+ Just say yes. Thanks to Zoella for inspiring me with this amazing post.
+ Save that money, honey!
+ Take more pictures and videos.
+ Grow hair, GROW!

Professional
+ Further my career, and let myself grow organically.
+ Use the inspiration from Dana over at The Wonder Forest and make this blog grow, grow, grow!
+ Start my five faves videos. Actually, start it.
+ Develop my design skills, and maybe make a part-time career out of it?

Well, there you have it. My hopes and dreams for 2013. This year will be a good one, I can feel it in my bones.

Getting there

While 2013 is heading my way, thinking about 2012... not so much has happened. Well, I take that back, because I say that without actually thinking. I'm making it a point to reflect on my past - good and bad - and truly become inspired to brighten up my life. I want to start doing more of what makes me happy, and now at twenty-six, grow as the person I truly am meant to (and want to) be. This past year has been filled with wonderful relationships with so many many people, including myself. I've grown so much with Mike these past few years, in fact, what we have has turned into more of a relationship than I ever could have imagined even I wanted. He's my number one best friend, my confidant, and my rock. We always ask each other things like "Did you ever think five years ago that I'd be the one taking care of you while you're sick?" or "Could you ever have imagined us spending our summers on LBI together?" I wouldn't even want to think about my life without him, but I secretly do love thinking back on those silly little encounters we had years ago before we dated, and were only casual friends. I'm so happy I decided to go cut his hair that random cold night in December.

Looking back on a few of my goals from this past year, I want to giggle at myself. I truly am the queen of being totally gung-ho about something, putting my heart and soul into it, then just crapping out and forgetting about it a month later. I truly hate that about myself, and it's something I want to change! In order to succeed, I've realized I need a set schedule. I always have to remind myself to breathe, and not let the small things bring me down. Having a set schedule, and continuing to blog with some semblance of regularity should help. I'm going to come up with a list of 2013 goals soon, and once I do you all better hold me to them!


Have you accomplished anything amazing in 2012?

Uh oh... Happy July?

Has it really been a month since I posted my June goals?  Where does the time go?  I feel like a somewhat of a failure, but I guess one of my personal goals is not to let the small things get me down!  So, let's see how I've done.  I'll keep working toward these for July, wahoo!


Personal
Eat consistently healthier - I've been somewhat true to this.  I try people, but sometimes I just need to have a bacon egg and cheese for breakfast and cookies for dinner.  My main kudos to myself with this is that I snack on fruit instead of candy.
Don't let the small things bring me down - I feel like I should cross this off, but it's something that bugs me on the reg, so I'll keep working at it.  Meh.
Remember to breathe - Life is outrageous sometimes, and I've officially decided there's nothing I can do about it besides breathe and smile. 
Keep at my gym/running routines - I've been good, but not as good as I should be.  
Be more crafty, take more photos - Maybe I should start carrying around my actual camera with me??  iPhone, you are great, but you are not inspiring me.  Sorry.
Stop spending money like I'm a millionaire! - Yay! Go me.  I've even gone one step further and made a pretty little spreadsheet on my iPad to keep track of my budget and expenses!


Professional
Get a big girl job (...) - Ha, I can't take this goal seriously.  I will never make it in the corporate world.  I've gone to college, gotten my degree and my real passion is in the hair industry.  I just have to work hard to make myself great.
Continue to further my personal passion for hair - I'm doing what I can do right now.  I want more.  Hopefully a recent job application to an amazing and inspiring salon in New York will mean good things for me.
Keep this blog going! - Am I doing a good job?  I think so?  Maybe?
Get awesome business cards - Thanks to Mitzi and her lovely Etsy shop, I have wonderful and professional business cards!
Start my 5 faves video - I might nix this goal.  I don't really feel too inspired to make a video, and every time I turn on the camera (twice) I feel like an idiot and just want to hide in the corner.  Sorry Five Faves, I'll save you for another time.


Do you have any goals this month?

Happy June

Yay - summer is here!  I love the start of a new month, and I love the prospective of new goals.  I am always looking to better myself, and although I often fall off the train way too quickly, I was inspired by EEF Etcetera and her monthly goals. Here are mine...cross your fingers for me.


Personal
Eat consistently healthier
Don't let the small things bring me down
Remember to breathe
Keep at my gym/running routines
Be more crafty, take more photos
Stop spending money like I'm a millionaire!


Professional
Get a big girl job (...)
Continue to further my personal passion for hair
Keep this blog going!
Get awesome business cards
Start my 5 faves video



We shall see!  Also, I just realized that it's June 8th, and I had this post in my drafts since the 1st.  Off to a great start people...

+++

I recently read an article someone posted on Facebook.  I try NEVER to do that, considering the entire Facebook world would see that I'm interested in knowing what Sami Sweetheart looks like without makeup, or just how much weight Pauly D put on.  Super embarrassing.  But with this post, I made sure there weren't any suspicious Washington Post Yahoo Social Reader Viddy Cam nonsense link, or whatever it is that spams the hell out of you anytime you click it.  So anyway, the article kind of hit home.  I'm sure I've read a million of these positive inspirational writings over the past 10 or so years, but I actually took the time to let this one sink in.  Some of the points were so freakishly relevant to my life.  I need to start living in this positive mindset and enjoy the now.  Do yourself the favor of reading it, let yourself be happy.

15 things...

"Nobody can make you unhappy, no situation cam make you sad or miserable unless you allow it to."

Holy goals.

I don't particularly like to set public goals for myself, or even personal ones, for that matter.  I somehow never seem to keep up with them, and before I know it I'm looking back on the past 4 weeks and haven't made any progress.  I usually start strong, but I'm quickly overwhelmed and just turn my attention elsewhere.  I always have had HUGE aspirations for myself - which can be a good and a bad thing.  I always put too much on my plate at once and that somehow leads to the looming thought of unattainability, and I give up.

I'm about halfway done reading The Happiness Project, and from the minute I opened the first page, I knew I needed to start something of my own.  I made it a point to try not to copycat the author, knowing everyone's happiness is based on different facets of life.  It was a struggle reading and not doing, but now I'm at the point where I can read a bit, live my life with new realizations, and then come up with ideas for myself.  I'm still waiting until I'm done with the book, to go back read my notes (yes, I take notes and highlight even for pleasure reads.  I'm an excellent researcher thanks to those long college years...)  But I'm excited to get the ball rolling on making ME happy, and according to Gretchen Rubin, making yourself happy in turn makes those around you happy.  See, I have learned something.

To make a, well, long story even longer... the mister and I had a mini-goal of getting our lazy butts to the gym more often.  We are the complete opposite of anyone you'd see at the gym, but Planet Fitness has a no judge policy, so why the hell not.  It's been about 3 months, and though I will apprehensively say I have not been as diligent on my end, I can't believe I've gotten there as many times as I did.  And it all paid off because I ran my first 5k today!  Outside, no buttons on a treadmill to keep my pace, just me.  I know it's only 3.1 miles, but HELLO?!  I never thought I'd see the day.  I have to give myself the silent clap in my head - or maybe even the arena full of screaming fans - either way I'm impressed with myself.  Hopefully this can be a new "thing" of mine, and the idea of being a runner won't just fall somewhere into the black hole that is my mind.



PS. my little tomato project was kind of a goal, looking back on it.  Now I'm just crossing my fingers I won't kill them once they get the boot outside.