Happy 2014

I have to admit this is one of my most favorite and least favorite times of the year. Why? Because A) Its acceptable to contemplative, reflective, to promote growth and progress in your own life and learn about what other people want for themselves, its a fresh start, a new normal, a re-evaluation period, and a clean slate. (Ok, maybe that qualifies as more than just A...) I just feel an equal love & dislike for the same reasons. It kind of makes me cringe in a way because it's a little cliche (ok a lot..) and fad-like, and I despise doing things simply because that is what society decided was a good idea at the time. At the same time, it is quite nice to have the reassurance and justification for such thoughts and actions...especially when its a inevitable that we would feel like the start of a new year is a refresh point. How is that for a lengthy run-on explanation?
There are just so many things I want to do, and it seems like this is another new start where I can re-evaluate what I want and where I want to go from here and how far I have come. Anyway. The point to all of this little rant is a post from Pinterest that I have decided to participate in.

THIS YEAR 

A bad habit I would like to break.... I want to learn how to put things away instead of putting them down as a way of de-cluttering my life, maybe in more ways that just the literal...increasing the organization in my life.

A new skill I would like to learn... I fail at being consistent with  most things. Especially being consistently healthy. I want to learn how to be consistently active, how to consistently eat healthier. Of course that is a hard thing to achieve...and a lot to expect of myself. But the thought comes to mind--everything in moderation. It doesn't have to be all or nothing & I need to realize  and remember that.
Less philosophically... I want to learn how to knit animals, practice yoga, and cultivate life in my garden :)

A person I would like to be more like... I am really good at closing into myself instead of opening up to people. There are a lot of people I would like to be more like but I think traits are something I would rather focus on than just being like someone, because I want to be more of Myself rather than pretending. Adding in those traits that make me a better person... like strength, loving, peacemaker, forgiving..

A good deed I am going to do.... pay it forward to a stranger, donate my couponing extras, learning medical Spanish.

A place I would like to visit.... hands down, North Carolina & the East coast.

A book I would like to read... I truly don't read enough anymore. This is another place that consistency needs to play a part in. I want to read at least 12 books this year. And on top of that I want to know better the most important book of all, the bible.

A letter I am going to write... I'm not sure I have just one letter to write. Although I have always wanted to write one of those letters to yourself in 10 years, or a letter to Us to open on our 10th anniversary? That would be fun. Writing letters is an art form I would love to add back into my life. If nothing else at minimum I want to write 1 love letter and many thank you letters :).

A new food I want to try... I want to challenge myself to do a 21 day cleanse. But besides that for Christmas my sister put together a binder of recipes.... I want to add to it so that I can add in the special family recipes that I always want to remember. I want to try at least 5 new recipes.

I am going to do better at... Allowing growth, managing my stress/worry/anxiety, being minimalistic, allowing change, making more consistent healthy choices, learning about the 2nd year of marriage, increasing organization, de-cluttering my life and home, worrying less about things I cannot change, communicating my thoughts and feelings, not taking things personally, doing things halfway and not to the best of my ability, starting too many projects.