Can we all just take a moment to all feel really old with the coming of the year two-thousand-and-freaking-fifteen?! I am kind of a number-fixator sometimes (in the healthiest way possible, I assure you) and that number somehow represents big things for me.
I’m not huge on setting measurable goals for the new year or new year’s resolutions. They usually feel forced and contrived, and way too easy to rebel against or abandon entirely. What I love doing though, is reflecting on the changes that have developed over the year, and dreaming up what might be brewing for the year to come. What will this next year be defined by? The fun part is that I can never really predict it, but it’s always something that seems to take my life to the next level, or the next phase.
Change is happening constantly, even when you feel like you’ve been standing still for a while. Don’t let that feeling fool you, because you are actually collecting experiences that are shaping you and creating growth in all facets of your life. And while we can’t predict where we’ll be in a year, it’s fun to dream and it’s motivating to spell out what we want to do and where we want to be.
So what’s just over the horizon for me for 2015? While I can’t be certain (plans never go as planned in my experience) I’m feeling like this will be a year that moves me to a new phase, one where my days are no longer “just trying to survive” (like they are for so many moms of young kids!) but where I’m asking for more and better of myself and my family. Striving to be “better” is always a theme in my life, but it will look different this year than it has in the past.
I will find fulfillment in new ways.
For the past several years, I have turned to “stuff” (running gear is a weakness) imagining it will help me feel “fresh” and fulfilled in some way. As much as I love a new outfit, I realize that “stuff” does not fulfill anything at all and I don’t want to spend my time or money buying things. I truly want to find a place in myself where none of that matters. I want to feel fulfilled just by being, not by having or acquiring.
I will stop using running as an escape.
Look, I love running, and that’s not changing anytime soon. But, the motivating factor is key. I have written about the balance between running as a healthy way of coping and running to avoid difficult feelings. I have made a big leap in this area over the past year, and I would love to make more progress here. There was a time a couple of years ago when I needed that time spent running away from home to collect my thoughts, but that time has passed, and I want running to be something I only do when I truly crave it. Moving will not help me grow unless I’m also okay will being still.
I will continue forming individual relationships with each of my children.
In 2015, my children will turn 8, 6, and 4. And yes, I just cried hysterically for 30 seconds after writing those numbers. My husband and I were talking about how each of our relationships with our kids has grown and changed over the past year or so, and it got me thinking about what I want to work on going forward. Kids grow so fast in the scope of an adult frame of mind. It is really necessary to meet them where they are today because it’s so easy to fall behind and wonder what happened. I hope to nurture each of our developing relationships this year, and chill out on the angry mommy stuff. Yup, I can be an angry mommy.
Yoga will become a new norm.
I’ve been doing yoga for a week and already I’m wanting to do it almost daily. I know I said in a recent post that I’d like to practice yoga twice per week, and if there is any measurable goal I’m setting for the new year, it will be to stick with that. This is probably more for the psychological benefits than the physical.
Blog blog blog.
This blog has really defined the past year in many ways, and helped me keep things honest with myself and with the world. There is no doubt in my mind that it will be coming along with me, full force for 2015!
The food.
Will I still be eating sausage in a year? I think so. I don’t foresee any big changes in my food happening this next year. If it ain’t broke, no need to fix. Physically I am feeling really well, my digestion is good, and I’ve mostly mastered the little tweaks in my diet to the point where it feels natural. One “goal” I have for the new year is to make my own darn kombucha already! I did the bone broth, now must move on the the ‘booch.
2015. Still can’t quite wrap my head around that number as the actual present day and not some fantasy sci-fi movie year. If I’m feeling this way now, 2050 might really get my granny panties in a bunch (assuming I’m lucky enough to be mentally and physically present at that point.) But now’s not the time to be thinking that far ahead, I suppose 🙂
Thanks to Jill Conyers and Jessica Joy for The Fit Dish Link-Up – happy to join you guys today!
Do you set measurable goals or resolutions for the new year? Do you reflect on changes over the past year and try to predict what’s on the horizon? What’s one area of your life that you’d like to work on this coming year?
Last year I set a few measurable goals and a few broad goals. I think they were challenging but I was able to accomplish them all. The hardest one was “run a marathon in under 3:50” because really, I only had 2 chances to do that and a million things can go wrong during a marathon- its a lot of pressure! But once i stopped worrying about the number goal it happened. This year I may make a race-time goal but I definitely also want to set more general life-improvement goals. Even though I posted about some of my goals today, right now my focus is pretty much all on running. I usually use the last few weeks of the year to reflect and think about how I want to be different/better the next year. Its so crazy thats its gonna be 2015!!
That’s awesome that you accomplished your goals for this year! Race time goals are tough and I think at the end of the day I realize they’re not that meaningful for me! The process of getting there is always where the most change happens.
I -do- feel really old with the new year! Mostly because I’ll be turning 30 a few days into it, and that kind of feels like a big huge deal. I’m looking forward to it, though. I wouldn’t trade all the “wisdom” and experience for the chance to go back to a younger, more insecure, me. And I have a feeling that most of what will define this year will be working on growing my business and finishing up another area of schooling. I have a feeling that 2015 will be a good one 🙂
30 and 2015 are big things! I turned 32 this past year and the 30’s are really different than the 20s in good ways. I have a good feeling that big things are happening for you in the year to come as well!
Beautiful goals, and thank you for your statement on not setting measurable/absolute goals. In my mind, setting goals should not set you out to feel like a failure, or doomed from the start. There is plenty of that in the world. And like you say, change is inevitable, and a necessary (and wanted!) part of life–to be welcomed–thus our goals should be able to change too! What is most important is not the numbers but the quality–time with children, bringing back what makes us and the world around us happy and healthy.
I think for some the measurable goals feel manageable, but I do better with general areas I want to improve on. Completely agree that focusing on the quality of interactions with people and the world is a good start!
Yay yay yay for more yoga in 2015! I’m hoping for the same.
So glad I finally got myself to do it because I’m really loving it!
I usually set measurable goals, but I really like the outlook you have taken and may have to try something similar!
Glad to inspire ideas! Hope the year to come is a great one for you!
It’s interesting to read how differently people view goals. Definitely more yoga for me in 2015!
SO with you on the yoga! Glad I finally got myself to actually do it because it’s awesome!
I think your goals are awesome! You have every category covered and sounds like you are in a great place. One of my goals is to incorporate more running into my workouts for the next year. I
Awesome! I will always love running. it’s a great way to zone out mentally and just enjoy time alone.
Thanks for sharing, I am still working on my goals. I just finished my first 15K this past Sunday and that was a goal this year. I am enjoying reading all the link ups this morning, truly inspiring! Beautiful children, mine are grown and you can never spend too much time with them, they will always be my biggest accomplishment!
That’s awesome! I actually love racing that distance – it’s the perfect long-short distance 🙂 That’s so sweet you feel that way about your kids, and it’s nice for me to hear as well now that they’re still so young 🙂
as I read this post, I feel very introspective. I am an analyzer, thinker, soul searcher on a continuous basis. I am always looking for the meaning in everything. Amazing I have not driven myself crazy. I don’t do it in a negative way just always seeking, exploring, researching, reading watching. I am not a know-it-all. I like to learn from others and never force my opinion upon someone. I have always been an inward striver. You would never know it on the outside. My dreams and goals I always keep within and achieve quietly. Once I set my mind to something, it becomes a part of me. I was raised in a very intellectual home where stimulating subjects and the things we did grew us as individuals. That’s why I like your blog. You are a thinker and write often about the things I contemplate that nobody I know even thinks about let alone wants to discuss so it is always locked up within my own mind. It is so awesome to see you think these things and discuss them. One goal I have always pursued is travel and I have traveled extensively. The world is such an interesting place. We travel every five months to some far away places. I plan on covering the world. Things have never driven me and never will. I buy what I need and am finished. Like nice things but can’t contemplate it on a daily basis. Thanks for this thoughtful post and sharing your deep feelings and as usual your beautiful soul. We probably would have been friends had we met at another time in life. You are a real quality individual. Funny I am always giving you a compliment. You don’t realize I am not one of those constant complimenters. Never have been. You are just a soul mate to me in the way your mind works and the way you dig deep within yourself for the true meaning of things and life. I have been thinking about 2015 and my plans for it quite a bit. Hope it is a healthy, great year for all of us and our loved ones.
Seems like we have a lot in common and are on the same page in many ways. I was also raised in an intellectual environment and my parents valued learning, spirituality and good morals over anything else. I would absolutely love to be able to travel the world someday, can’t be my goal for the next several years but perhaps when my family is older 🙂
Moving made me so aware of how much “stuff” I do NOT need. I haven’t bought any clothing in a loong time. I’m not walking around in rags or anything. I mean when the clothes get ratty, I’ll get new ones. But my wardrobe including running gear is fine as-is. Packing all that “stuff” just made me realize “really, i need 5 of these (x) things?” No. And you’re right, it doesn’t make me any happier to have 5 running shirts versus 10 that all look pretty much the same.
Of course, house renovations will eat up funds but I do NEED a place to live 🙂
So anyway, for 2015, my goal is also to just focus on appreciating what I have now and not accumulating more “stuff”.
I’ve heard George Carlin (deceased comedian) had a great bit about “stuff”. I haven’t watched this yet (at work) but it’s supposed to be pretty funny. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4x_QkGPCL18&noredirect=1
Love George Carlin and I’ve seen it! Completely agree with you on the “stuff” and although it’s a temptation, I think I have to be mature enough to just say “no” to extra stuff!
These are great goals! I can’t believe it’s 2015 already in just a few weeks, how in the world did that happen??
I also need to start incorporating more yoga into my life..i’m horrible at doing it! I know it will make me a better runner..even if it does bore me to tears! Its soooo good for our bodies!
I always thought it would bore me because it’s so different from running, but it’s great in a completely different and complementary way! Definitely good to mix things up, glad I finally made the push.
What type of yoga are you getting into, and where do you get your routines from? I myself like vinyasa yoga, currently working on backbends and handstands.
In 2015 all I want to do is quit my newspaper job and find a better parttime job, settle down on a school, and find inner peace. The latter, I’m not sure how ill do, but I think it’ll work itself out next summer and fall.
Question, michele: would you have the time to put together, or participate in a january resolution kickoff calendar challenge to shake off the holiday gluttony and get back into the health groove?
I am starting with some basic vinyasa but definitely not doing headstands yet! I went to myfreeyoga for a few and also youtube. I was also thinking about putting together a kickoff challenge but have no actual plans yet! I was thinking more like February though, because I think that’s when people wind up needing it even more than January. feb is a dreary month!
I love the depth of your goals. You are amazing! Thank you so much for sharing the part about developing relationships with your kids. I love that perspective, and needed to hear it! Also, I love how you mentioned we’re never really staying still, we’re always changing. Michele, you are a thought-provoking person, and I love it. You have given me so much to think about. Way to go, blogger! Take care! Thanks for linking up!
Thanks for the link-up! Whenever I reflect it’s amazing how much change I see, when all the while I felt like not much was happening. Same with my kids growing – time is an incredible thing!
I try to reflect and set goals for the year, but it’s really one of those ‘conquer every day’ kind of things going on for me. Trying to learn to live in the moment and enjoy each day!
…oh, except my goal of doing my first Marathon in March. That’s a ‘conquer every mile of you’ll die slowly’ kind of thing going.
Yay for that first marathon! It will be a life changing experience, and the process of getting there is where a good chunk of that change will happen. I believe that taking the most out of every day brings the best kind of growth and change. Ultimately, it’s whatever feels the most meaningful for you 🙂
I think your goals are all realistic and can only make you a better person. I still haven’t decided what mine are. So far this year had been a bit too crazy for me. Just looking forward to a new year, a new beginning.
No need to decide what your goals are if it doesn’t feel right. A new beginning is a nice way to look at it 🙂
I’m pretty excited for 2015. I usually set (somewhat) measurable goals for myself for a new year. This past year it was to stick to paleo and get into heavy lifting. Mission accomplished 🙂 My goal for 2015 is to start my own business. I’m toying with the idea of starting a blog as well, but haven’t decided one way or the other yet. I used to have one, but it fell by the wayside a couple of years ago. I’m also getting married in 2015, so it will probably be one of the best years ever 😉
Go you with starting a business! So awesome! Plus getting married, you have a seriously amazing year ahead!
I really respect how honest you were with yourself and reflecting on 2014 and what’s next for the future. You seem like a great mom! I think that twice weekly yoga is a fantastic goal for yourself, since you have already seen some benefit from it. I think where a lot of people go wrong at New Year’s Resolution time is trying to do too much at once and that seems like the perfect amount of challenging yourself to do something new, but still being something realistic for you. My number one goal for 2015 is to be able to turn personal training into my full time career.
Thank you so much 🙂 I think realistic is all I have room for right now, and I’m really only interested in setting goals that are truly meaningful rather than arbitrary – just feels right for me at this point!
That is a great career goal, and I’m sure you will crush it! Go for it!!
I love you goals! They are are real, important, and reasonable! I have a few things I hope to go in 2015, but I never like defining goals. More like guiding intentions I like to call them.
Guiding intentions – I love that! Measurable goals feel like pressure for me often, I guess I don’t function well that way. I’d rather try to put more focus on what’s close to my heart. I guess that is sort of a lifetime goal as well 🙂
Hi Michele! I love your goals. I strive to go to yoga once a week, and it’s not that easy to maintain but does wonders for me. I love the thought of reflecting on little changes. Great post! Here’s to 2015!
Great to hear you really feel the benefits of yoga over the long term, I’m really looking forward to making that a bigger part of my life 🙂
hahaha, I’m feeling really old with the coming of 2015 too. :[ Striving to be better is always a constant theme in my life as well! I like the idea of constantly improving myself! 😀
I like having a mix of general and more specific goals, just to keep things interesting. A lot of my goals are continual things that I want to incorporate into my life and eventually turn into an actual lifestyle change, which is awesome, but never gives me the satisfaction of being able to cross it off of the list! (I’m big on lists. 😛 )
That’s a nice balanced approached to goals, at the end of the day you have to feel that your goals are invigorating rather than pressuring you. I’m not really one to cross things off lists, I think I do things at a pace that feels like it fits.
I have really fallen in love with yoga this year so plan to get certified in yoga in 2015. I don’t know if I will want to actually teach it, but am leaving that decision for afterwards.
That’s really amazing and whether or not you decide to teach it will be a great accomplishment! I hope to be consistent with yoga this year because I just know I will enjoy its benefits.
such a lovely and meaningful post, hard not to get sentimental indeed. i even get a little teary thinking about forming relationships with kids – mainly because that’s one of my goals is to start our own family in 2015. i’m really trying to be more mindful and balanced and not get too fixated on stuff, like you said, and also not get too fixated on to-do lists as well. i tend to love a list, and get sorta obsessive with checking off everything. and secretly like to add bonus items, and give myself high fives and all the crazy works – drives the man bonkers, lol.
2015 is going to be so incredible and so incredibly meaningful for us – we’re getting married! then running a marathon together 🙂 then taking a week off to visit Santiago, Chile – and do some major chilling, hiking, and explore a part of the world i’ve always wanted to see. and i’m aslo kinda sorta really hoping we’ll make a bebe, LOL but of coures that’s not my only goal. i swear… 😀
aside from that, i’d like to possibly explore working from home (maybe 2015 – 2016?) and starting a blog. i’m going to put it out there and let the universe do it’s ‘thang’ but also do my part, while maintain sanity and total zen… over achiever even at being zen, yep.
happy days!
You have some really exciting goals for this coming year! I really hope you start a blog, it will fabulous! Starting a family is a huge thing, and whenever it happens in will impact everything else. It’s impossible to plan for life after kids. I never thought I would be a stay at home mom, but it happened. I was thinking all in terms of my own career goals and also what I thought would be practical financially, but the year I worked after my first daughter was born was one of the worst of my life! You just can’t predict anything. Life is amazing that way 🙂
great post! i too think resolutions are not for me. Kudos on trying to form individual relationships with the kiddos hugely important!
I feel like they grow and change so fast that I need to focus on keeping up 🙂 glad you enjoyed this! New Years resolutions in the traditional sense are not for everyone.
i’m excited to see what comes in 2015. all good things. realness, rest, passion, and of course.. RUNNING
Absolutely!
I’m all about goal setting! In fact I tend to get into it a little too much, and then bite off more than I can chew… in 2014 I learned how to set goals in a way that works for me – breaking them down, one month/one week/one day at a time, and above all not getting down on myself if I didn’t reach them!
That’s such a great plan. And it’s key to avoid putting too much pressure on yourself so that you’re feeling bad if a goal doesn’t happen. That’s not what it’s supposed to be about! I can get down on myself easily if I think I’ve failed, so broader things to work on are more motivating.
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