Hello! Long time no see. The end of the school year has been keeping me busy, but it's (finally) winding down, so here I am!
Since we'll shortly be kicking off the sixth month of 2019, it seems like a good time to check in with my 2019 Intentions. (You may remember my issue with calling them New Year's Resolutions...if not, you can refresh your memory here.)
I think I've had more success with my not-resolutions than I have with any resolutions that I've made in previous years. (Remember the great Whole30 failure of 2017, anyone?)
Anyway, the whole point of me writing this here blog post is to 1) celebrate the progress that I've made thus far and 2) take a look at what I still need to work on:
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| Ta-Da! |
I think I've had more success with my not-resolutions than I have with any resolutions that I've made in previous years. (Remember the great Whole30 failure of 2017, anyone?)
Anyway, the whole point of me writing this here blog post is to 1) celebrate the progress that I've made thus far and 2) take a look at what I still need to work on:
- Fill my cup. ✔
- I resolved to be more fearless about putting myself out there and trying new things. Taking dance lessons has been a major accomplishment in that area. I basically signed my graceless self up to make a fool out of myself in front of other people three times a week--which is a healthy little ego-check for me--and I'm having a blast. 😃
- Lots more climbing and a little more reading and way less bingewatching...definitely all positives. I've also made a conscious effort to have more intentional moments where I am entirely present, like drinking my morning coffee out on the deck and leaving my phone inside.
- Part of this goal also includes letting shit go. I'm not saying that I have managed to completely stop beating myself up over things I can't change, but I'm definitely not holding on to stuff for nearly as long. I'm also making fewer excuses for myself. If I screw up, I'm trying to own it rather than find a reason that it wasn't my fault. I've found that once I take accountability for a mistake I've made, it's actually easier to fix it, and eventually let it go. Personal growth? I think so!
- I also resolved to let go of people who don't value/respect me and people who bring out the worst in me. I've been able to do that in a lot of ways--which wasn't always easy, but definitely for the best--but I've also realized that there are some instances where cutting someone out of my life isn't an option. For example, at work. But I'm happy to report that I'm finding ways to deal with these people. I'm not getting into specifics, but I am super proud that I've upped my confrontation game and been able to have somewhat productive conversations with problematic (for lack of a better word) people in order to actually solve the problems, rather than just accepting how these people act toward me.
- Pour from my cup. Less success here...
- Baby Step #1: Actively trying to think more of others. Unfortunately, I think I'm still fairly oblivious. I am maybe slightly more aware of others' needs/wants/expectations since I set this goal, but it tends to be in an after-the-fact kind of way. Like, we third grade teachers will usually pool our money when we need to buy a gift for someone (which happens a couple of times a month). But when I chip in my money, it never occurs to me that maybe I should volunteer and say, "Hey, I'll buy the gift this time," until after someone else has gone ahead and done it already. Then I have a moment of, "Oh, it probably should've been my turn to buy it."
- Baby Step #2: Acting on my awareness of others' needs. Baby Step #1 is kind of a prerequisite for this one, so...not so much progress in this department. Yet.
- Get on top of my finances. 👍 Making progress!
- I've started actually budgeting! *GASP* I've had a few false starts with budgeting in previous years, but I think I've finally found a system that works for me. An app, believe it or not. (If you know me at all, you know I generally prefer low-tech solutions, for Terminator-related reasons.) I use Everydollar to plan out my money each month, and then track my income and spending as it occurs. Am I always able to stay within my self-imposed limits? No, but I have realized that if I overspend, the money has to come from somewhere. If I buy more clothes, the difference might come out of my dining-out budget for the month. Or maybe it means that I can't put as much into my travel savings. This app has really made it easy to make sure that I'm not spending more than I make, and to work toward my savings goals. (So thanks Rachel for sharing your budgeting tips!)
- I've also discovered Mr. Money Mustache, who has changed the way that I look at buying things. Am I living his uber-frugal lifestyle and planning to retire at age 30? No, but I am consciously trying to buy less/be more intentional about what I do buy, and am beginning to look into investing to make my money work for me. I've also decided to put off buying a new/new-to-me car until I really need to, which--knock on wood--hopefully won't be for a few years, and by that time it should be completely paid off.
