Read on for my favorite outfits from 2015 along with my resolutions for the new year! 😀
My 2015 Year in Review
Holy smokes! 2015 flew by so fast! Every year has it’s ups and downs and 2015 wasn’t any different.
My 2015 Year in Review: The past year brought about many opportunities. I had finished one very long term sub job and ended up with two more. That is crazy because long term jobs are hard to come by. In May, I was offered three teaching jobs (2 high school, 1 junior high), but somehow none of them quite worked out. I started an online clothing boutique (my second business) and closed shop a week before the new year. I grew my guitar lesson clientele so much that I currently have a waitlist for perspective students. I started my blog and have had the most amazing journey so far getting to know others, learning new things and thinking creatively when it comes to styling. In the past few years, both families (my husband’s and mine) have been challenged with serious health issues. It has been a roller coaster since right before our marriage and it finally seems to have calmed down a bit. So incredibly thankful for that!
I have decided to make this year a bit different than the past few years. In the past, I realize that I have always done for others and not taken a lot of time out for myself. Therefore, I’m making 2016 about ME. Yes, you heard me right. This year I am going to be selfish. I’m making it a priority to make this a happy, healthy and eventful year!
So far, 2016 is looking bright! This is looking like another big year for my husband and I. I will not say why because I don’t want to jinx anything (it does not have to do with babies so that narrows it down haha!). We have worked very, very hard for the past few years to get to this moment and I am ecstatic to see what God provides for us in this arena!
Resolution #1: Make health a priority!
Another resolution/goal that everyone has at the top of their list is to lose weight. Mine isn’t so much to lose weight, but to create and maintain a healthy lifestyle. In the past, my work schedule has not allowed me to go to the gym as much as I’d like, but I have decided that it is important and I need to make it a priority (without compromising other things of importance). I will continue to grow through yoga and hope to learn even more challenging poses. I’d like to try out a new class such as barre or zumba to gain a bit more confidence in myself. My main problem isn’t working out though…it’s eating. I eat like an 8 year old. I love pizza, mac n cheese, chocolate chip cookies and cake. I have found healthier alternatives to my favorite foods which is amazing, but it’s simply not enough. I am the pickiest eater and I LOATHE vegetables. Like…I’d rather eat bicycle tires. I know I need to eat them though and I am finally ready to get over my fear of bad tasting food and make it tolerable for the sake of my health.
#2: Take time for myself!
Another goal for this year is to take time for myself and do things I enjoy….and learn to say “NO.” Since I started working over a decade ago, I have ALWAYS worked 2-3 jobs. Looking back, I have lost out on so much, but sometimes working that much is not really a choice and is just something you have to do to survive. I have gotten to the point, where it really is my choice and I don’t NEED to work all of these jobs or all of these hours. Closing down one business was the first step in this process. It has opened up a lot of free time to work on the blog, my other business and spend time with my husband. I will finally be able to do things that I have simply never had the time for, such as learning to use my sewing machine…or even going back to school. Yes, it is less money in my pocket, but happiness and quality of life are so much more important to me.
#3: Explore new places and experience new things!
Lastly, I am hoping to make this the year of adventure. In the past, my jobs have always gotten in the way of going anywhere. No more! We have a long bucket list of places we’d like to visit and intend on crossing out as many of those as we can! One of my favorite things to do is to jump in the car and drive aimlessly, finding new places to explore and admiring the beauty of every little thing that makes life so wonderful. I have no idea where we will go and it doesn’t really matter…as long as I’m going somewhere….wind blowing through my hair, rolling hills in the distance, my husband by my side. That’s a life worth living.
HAPPY 2016!!!! What are your goals for the new year?
Hey Liz,
Seems like we share some of the same goals for 2016. I have a post up right now about it. I’m especially excited to spend more time on myself and take a real vacation. I always tell myself that I’m going to take a vacation but never do. I’ve always worked, non stop too. I feel like when we concentrate on doing for others more than ourselves that we can become mentally and physically drained. Not that it’s a bad thing, because it’s who we are, but others tend to take advantage, not so much in the sense that they think you’re a sucker, but in the sense that they know they can always count on you. It’s a hard thing when you have to let them down, but how can you be your best self if you haven’t given yourself the time to refresh. So, I totally feel you when you say that 2016 is the year of “me”. I wish you all the best this year Liz!
Xan
charmingxanadu.blogspot.com
My goals for 2016 are to visit more historical and educational places as a family – we have such rich history in the UK just waiting to be explored and also to eat healthy food.
In 2015 I achieved a goal of finding a better job and also a goal of wearing trousers more regularly – I used to be a skirts/dresses only person
you have such great style! love all the outfits
Oh thank you so much for that! I appreciate it so much <3
YES! I do the same. Always same I’m going to take a vacation, but then never have the time. Everything you’re saying is 100% of what I feel. I do so much for others, but it takes up all of my time and does drain me. How can you do the very best you can at your job or help anyone else, if you don’t make time for yourself? Thanks so much for this reminder! I’m very much looking forward to a year of “Me” and hope that you do too! <3 Happy New Year Xan!
Amazing! We share the same goals. I hope to do that with my family one day too 🙂 So glad that you made your goals for this year! I am definitely a skirt/dress person too, but do wear pants occasionally.. you know, when it’s cold lol!