Beware. This is a super long post about resolutions and goals and all the things that will turn me into a better human being this year.  I’m splitting my goals & resolutions into two categories, personal & blog.

First, here’s a pretty picture.

via

 Maybe 2014 will bring us another French bulldog! I can only hope.

PERSONAL

ONE Put my clothes away every day – I hate admitting this, but I have a problem with not putting my clothes away after I get home from work.  I let them pile up until the week’s end, without a real reason as to why, just that I hate it and convince myself ‘ain’t nobody got time for that!’.

The first thing I do when I get home is pull off my work clothes and jump into PJs, something baggy and something comfortable.  Then, I get to making dinner, then I get to relaxing with my hubby, watching whatever show we’re currently into, or playing on the computer.  Clearly I’ve convinced myself I’m too busy to tidy up after I get home.  The problem with this is I’m feeding my inner procrastination monster, “I’ll just do it later” or “I’ll do it when I want to”.  These are bad habits, and this year I’m going to break them.  It’s been a full 6 days and so far I’ve done pretty well.  Now, if only my husband would get on board our bedroom would actually be clean!

TWO Become a (stay-at-home) mom (this resolution implies so much!) To give you a little background, I grew up with a mom that was always home.  She taught my siblings and I so many values that I fear I wouldn’t have learned if she wasn’t there teaching me day in and day out.  My mom was there for us, she was able to raise us, take us to/from extracurricular activities, and cooked for us every night.  I didn’t realize it then, but I realize now just how lucky we were to have a parent at home.

I’ve always wanted a family, perhaps more than I’ve wanted anything else.  It’s nuts, right this very minute my husband and I are making this happen, we’re creating OUR family, and now more than ever I realize just how important it is that we should have a parent at home.  We are so lucky that we just *might* be able to make that happen.  It will be challenging, our livelihood will change drastically from losing my income, but as of now my husband and I are on the same page about these plans.

Now, as much as I’m proud of my accomplishments and successes in my career, my career is not what defines me.  Most successful business women think differently, they might say I’m throwing my career away or that I’ll never be able to be as successful as I am today.  I would say the contrary.  If I were given the opportunity to be at home and raise our family, I would think this would also give me the opportunity to focus on the things I find MORE interesting than accounting, like this blog, or becoming a better cook, or learning how to build things out of wood.  Not saying I’ll be lugging an infant around in a Baby Bjorn while operating a miter saw – clearly no. It’s a bummer of a feeling, having lived these past few years believing I can’t be my best creative self because I’m currently weighed down by my current career.  I’m ready for this feeling to disappear.  And I do believe that in closing one door, many more open, and I’m anxious and thrilled and excited and somewhat fearful of what’s to come.

THREE Run one half marathon in 2014 – Normally this would be so easy for me to do.  Usually my goal is 1-2 big races a year, with the intention to get a PR every race.  Running has always been something I identify myself with – it is me – I am a runner.  I never realized how difficult it would be to NOT run, now that I’m pregnant, running is pretty much impossible.  I’ve been trying to compensate by going on walks and working out on the elliptical, but it’s not the same.  I miss it, and I hope that once our baby comes in May, I will be able to bounce back and train again.  Chances are I won’t get that PR, but as long as I can get out there and run a full 13 miles, I’ll be one super satisfied lady.

BLOG

ONE Post differently – I would love to resolve to post more, but making promises like # of posts per week usually puts me in a rut buried between guilt and procrastination.  My goals have always been to a) post as often as I can b) post unique and interesting content and c) post pretty pictures.

This year I want to shake up my method, keep the same goals but instead of promising to post on some unattainable schedule, I want to post differently.  I want to expand content and get a little more personal.  I want to share a little more lifestyle to balance out all the fun tutorials and projects.  It won’t be easy, I mean, I just love those blogs that post perfect tutorials everyday, and those blog that post incredible interior makeovers, but this year I need to embrace the fact that my blog will not be those blogs, that my content is limited to the time I have leftover from work and commute and home responsibilities.  I can always hope and wish that 2014 will bring me more time, but until then I’m going to get a little more personal with ya.

Get ready.

TWO Engage daily – This is a two part goal 1) engage with the blogs I read and 2) engage with YOU

You may not realize this, but I read a LOT of blogs. All of you who follow me and have your own blogs, chances are read your blog!  I’m just the WORST at commenting and engaging with you.  I know just how happy it makes me when I receive comments on my posts, so it would only makes sense that I should be doing the same on the blogs I read.  Some ladies are just SO good at commenting on everyone’s blog every day.  I worship you, truly.  I won’t compare myself to these folks, but I will engage more with the blogs I read, because this blogger network is the best support group around and sometimes I feel like I’m not pulling my weight.

Like I said, I love receiving comments, they brighten my day and it makes me feel like people are actually reading the words I throw out there in cyberspace.  I mean, I have to approve every single one, so you know I’m reading them! Let 2014 be the year I respond to your comments faster, answer your questions, and simply say thank you more often.

So how ’bout it? Do you have any resolutions for the new year? Let me know, leave a link, I’d love to see what everyone’s resolving to this year!