Good ol’ New Year’s Resolutions…

I know there are plenty of you that hate NY’s Resolutions and all the hype they get and while I get how overdone the ‘new year, new me’ thing can be, I think there is also something really positive to say for intention setting and creating goals for yourself. What better time to write those goals down than the start of a new calendar year? Plus with many people closest to us doing the same sort of thing around the same time, I like to believe that there is a power to that too. A ‘team’ mentality. I mean I know I’m more likely to stick to something if someone else around me is striving for something similar; the same way we gravitate towards some of the negative things those around us do. If everyone orders pizza, I’m probably not going to be the only one to order a salad. But the same is true in reverse that if everyone orders salads, you probably won’t go for that pizza. Hence why we are supposed to surround ourselves with others who lift us up, encourage + motivate us and support our goals and aspirations. Ain’t none of us got time for people who bring us down! {Side note: The Style Collective Community is the PERFECT example of surrounding myself with those who are on similar paths and who are ALWAYS there to build one another up. Total boss ladies for real!}

This year instead of listing 10 resolutions or putting together anything overly detailed, I chose to stick to my 5 favorite categories and flow from there: Faith, Family & Friends, Fashion, Fitness and Food. I think by doing it this way this go around I will be able to look at everything as a whole instead of being so narrow-minded. Instead of ‘I want to be able to do 50 push-ups,’ I focused on how I could attain that. So ‘I want to be stronger’ for example. Aspects of each category trickle over into one another which will allow for balance which is my word of 2017. Last year’s word was JOY and I can see why it was put on my heart at the beginning of 2016 because I had to choose joy in some really difficult times and situations. Hopefully this year’s BALANCE mantra will give my heart and mind the break it needs. Below I’m sharing just a small snapshot of what I hope each ‘F’ to look like over the next 12 months.

Faith

Stop setting timetables for God. Rest in the assurance He provides when He says that He knows best. Instead of just saying I have Faith in the processes of life, actually allow that Faith to guide my decisions. Quit trying to control every situation but instead live each day with a grateful and joyful heart. Don’t just pray FOR things but pray in ALL things. Celebrate the good, learn from the trails and be a light in the darkness. Remember God doesn’t judge and neither should I: always love and never hate.

Family & Friends

Treat every relationship individually and spend time genuinely trying to grow and build upon each and every one. Be present at all times. Remember that it is OK to say NO and that it won’t offend people–if it does, then that is on them. Do more ‘little’ things like praying for a friend, writing letters, sending thank you cards, giving small gifts, telling someone I appreciate and love them. Never forget to say I LOVE YOU. Hug a little tighter and spend more time just spending time together.

Fashion

Quit trying to keep up with everyone. Just because 50 bloggers get a new pair of jeans doesn’t mean I have to too, even if they are really cute! Unless I personally want them, then get them because it’s something I WANT and not what I think others want me to want. Take more risks. Try new styles. Expand where I shop. Pay more attention to how it looks and feels on rather than the brand name or price on the tag. More expensive doesn’t always mean better just the same as less expensive doesn’t always mean cheaper quality. Donate more. Clean out my closet at least once a season, if not more.

Fitness

Get stronger and build more muscle. Sculpt and define my abs more. Be able to do the splits consistently. Incorporate even more yoga into my routine. Give myself true rest days and relish them. Push myself hard but don’t overdo it. Quit relying on fitness to ‘fix’ things. Stop obsessing over numbers on the scale and instead concern myself with how I feel inside. Try out new classes, studios and instructors. Ask more questions in class. Encourage others around me. Run 10 races and improve my PRs in a 5k, 10k and Half Marathon. Focus heavily on stretching, foam rolling and warming up/cooling down properly. Get massages regularly and incorporate more cryotheraphy and other methods of recovery into my regime.

Food

Quit eating when I’m not hungry. Pay closer attention to labels and what is really in what I buy. Buy organic, grass-fed and natural foods whenever possible. Indulge every once in a while. Don’t count calories but practice portion control. Try to incorporate more red meat into my diet. Do a juice cleanse at least 2x/month. Be consistent with taking vitamins and supplements. Drink more smoothies. Swap my 2nd cup of coffee for fruit-infused water. Buy tall {or grande if I really feel like I need it} drinks from coffee shops rather than a Venti. Continue to keep alcohol-intake to a minimum. Try at least 1 new recipe each week. Attempt to seek out healthy restaurants/juice bars while traveling. Enjoy more.

What are your resolutions?? Did you spot any of mine that you’d like to add to your list? Have any that would flow well with mine? Share with me in the comments below! Happy last-day-not-having-to-go-to-work! xox