And just like that it’s 2018. I like to use the first week of each new year to reflect on the previous twelve months and set goals and intentions for the year ahead. The last couple of days I’ve spent focusing on what went well in 2017 and where I can make changes to make 2018 an even better year. I know this is a little backwards as most people use the week leading up to the new year to do this, but I like finishing the year out strong and without expectations.
2017 was a pretty great year – Jackson grew into his own with a big personality, we traveled often as a family, got our Airbnb apartment up and running and I was able to establish a pretty solid work/life balance. There are definitely things that weren’t so great, or didn’t go as well as I would have liked – I wasn’t as healthy as I wanted to be, we made some impulsive decisions like changing Jackson’s daycare (although this did end up being for the best!), and at times I overcommitted myself (and Ryan and Jackson). So looking to 2018 I’ve decided to focus on a few broad goals:
- Saying no more and setting boundaries – We’re a very social family and I get excited to entertain, hang out with friends, go to brunches and dinners, host out-of-town visitors, and travel as much as I can. But sometimes I am just overcommitted – so this year I want to set more boundaries and be more intentional about my schedule…having more downtime and time with just Ryan and Jackson.
- Be more healthy – Generally speaking I am pretty healthy, but there’s definitely room for growth here. As I get older, when I make poor eating decisions or have one too many glasses of wine, I feel it more and this is about being aware of these decisions. I’ll still have the occasional ice cream cone, but I want to focus on drinking more water, being conscious of what I eat, drinking less and working out more.
- Read more – I love reading, I just need to find more time to do it.
- Less social media – This goes hand-and-hand with reading more. When I have 20 minutes of downtime, rather than picking up my phone and scrolling through all of my social feeds I want to pick up a book, or call a friend and catch up. I am by no means quitting social media, it’s just so easy to get sucked in and I want to try and avoid that.
- Be more positive – I read an article a while back about how just making the effort to smile more will inherently make you happier. In the world we’re in today there is so much negative news and happenings that I think it’s important to focus on the positive and try to see the best in each situation.
Now I just need to hold myself accountable – here goes nothing! What are your resolutions/intentions for the new year?
2018 will be the best year yet! I hope you all had a fun time ringing in the new year. We’ve started hosting an annual NYE dinner party and I wouldn’t have changed a thing about the way the year started…except maybe less confetti next year 😉
xoxo, Nicole
Source of featured image: here
Nicole Guess | Drink. Dine. Discover 