New Years feel like a slate that’s been wiped clean, ready for new possibilities and opportunities.
Each year people scoff at New Years Resolutions knowing that they’re 9 times out of 10 never fulfilled. I do believe we all start out with the best intentions, but if you’re not putting plans into action and creating space for the resolution, it’s just not realistically going to be achieved.
I decided that this year I’d choose a word that will run throughout 2018 for me.
That word is: IMPROVE.
I want to improve on everything – improve in my health and exercise, improve on being kind to myself, improve on keeping my home tidy (clutter free), improve my posture, improve on my skills in my career, improve my skin care regime, improve friendships and relationships, improve on remembering names and not just faces, improve on being present in the moment, improve on being less on my phone and so on…
I feel like it’s a great word to take with me as it really can be used in every aspect of my life.
Since I’m a visual person, I’ve decided to create a Habit Tracker in my vision journal for each month. I’ve jotted down the habits I want to develop and as I complete each days habit, I colour in each block. At the end of the month I hope to have every block coloured in.
I mentioned in my New Years post that I sat with a bottle of bubbly, my brand new journal and I created a vision board. Here are just a few of the inspiration pics that have been pasted inside under various sections like health, family, home, career, travel and so on.
I also really want to simplify and declutter my life.
I hate to admit it, but I am a hoarder. I hate it.
The irony is when I look at my Pinterest boards for the home, it’s all minimalistic – homely, not clinical. I am anything but minimalistic, and I really want to be. If I look at our shelves, for example, instead of there being one candle and an ornament, I have about 5 candles and 8 ornaments. Each time I try to do a clean up and I try to be brutal and just get rid of things, I can’t. I remember who gave me something (sentimental) or I remember the cost of it. Argh.
Solution: I’m getting external help. I was chatting to my mom about it and she googled. Yip, I couldn’t believe it when we found out that there are companies who come and help you declutter. On the 22nd of January, I have a woman coming to help with the process. I think this is going to be awesome because she’ll be able to steer me in the right direction, help me create a home for everything, as well as help me be brutal. I really don’t need 6 body butters. 😉 I’ll keep you updated.
I’d love to hear about your goals – perhaps they are something I can add to my list.
9 Comments
Hi Bailey, I too am such a hoarder. Everytime I think about decluttering, I notice how much clutter there actually is and I give up Do you know if this particular company that is helping you, has a Joburg Branch? I could use some help too? Thanks a ton xxx
January 8, 2018 at 7:55 amHey Megs, thanks for reading! The woman I’m using is only in Cape Town, but I’ll be doing a blogpost about the process and will include some companies who do this kind of work. x
January 8, 2018 at 11:08 amHi Bailey! Oh my gosh, I’m also a hoarder! I’m also the one with 7 hand creams, 5 body butters, 6 body washes, etc. Lol!
January 8, 2018 at 8:51 amHey Rene, it’s the worst! I’m also trying not to buy something new, until I’ve finished the old. I’m such a sucker for packaging though – a real magpie! Thanks for reading x
January 8, 2018 at 11:06 amHi Bailey. I love the idea of picking a word a theme for the year, and Improve is such a great one – I haven’t put down my goals for the year but I think I should do something similar.
Last year I was pregnant for the most of the year and our baby girl was born in September, so my focus was completely on that. This year I need to focus on myself again and like you said, look at everything that {I} need to improve in my life. I believe that if I can become the best version of myself, I can also be the best mother to our little girl and the best wife to my husband.
January 8, 2018 at 9:21 amHi Nadia! I completely relate… Last January I never did a vision board because my focus was on becoming a Mom and since what to expect was all unknown, I didn’t want to plan for things. This year feels different… I want to focus on being an amazing Mom, but also realising that becoming a Mom doesn’t mean my career dreams/personal dreams no longer exist! Good luck with your year ahead x
January 8, 2018 at 11:05 amOh my gosh, my WORD for 2018 is simplify. I kid you not. I had this word floating around my head over New Years Eve. I also want to totally simplify. But then…I go shopping.
January 8, 2018 at 1:29 pmMy word for the year is ME. I know it sounds selfish but this year, I just want to focus on myself. Reach for my own personal individual goals over and above my family goals. I want to try something new, rest and relax more, grow spiritually and the list goes on. But it’s mostly about ME this year.
January 9, 2018 at 6:52 amLOVE this word Bails and your intention behind it – may it be a fabulous 2018 for you!
January 15, 2018 at 1:18 pmI love your images too, hoping to share my inspiration images and goals this week too x