Setting Intentions + Goals for 2017

You may have caught my post last week where I basically complained about my plight in life even though I have a ton to be thankful for. As intended, it was a cleansing breath so I could flush out the negativity that I had been feeling for a couple of weeks with the purpose of bringing a new outlook to my 2017 for me, my family, our mutual goals as well as my individual ones. I took some time to just think about what my resolutions would be for 2017 and decided that meh, resolutions are not for me this year. What I want to do is to set intentions and attainable goals for the year so that I was living with some purpose rather than say Oh well, I want to lose weight (obviously), drink more water (should be every day of my life) and eat healthy... those shouldn't be resolutions, those should be lifestyle adjustments. I think I will be in for a more successful and happy year if I just live by some intentions set out of the gate.

I always seem to let this one fall by the wayside. When I'm busy or moody or generally unhappy, instead of doing something that I enjoy (sewing, painting, baking etc), I always do more of what I don't enjoy (knock things off the household to-do list ie: dishes, organizing etc). I am in a constant battle with my urge to be productive versus my urge to be a creative individual. What happens is that I end up trying to get everything done so that I can sit down and be creative, and that list is never ending, so I don't end up investing in the things that I enjoy. This year, I want to be better about balancing my responsibilities and my creative priorities.

This year, I want to be better at saying no to things that won't be beneficial to me on a personal level. Will I go to every blogger event that I'm invited to? Likely no and not just because I have two kids at home now. I want to make sure that if I am going to spend time outside of my home, that I am investing in quality time with quality people. Brunch with good people with trump a shopping party with people that I may not know. This isn't to say that I don't want to get out there to network and meet new people but I think it's going to be important for me to spend my time cultivating good relationships with the good people in my life. I have a lot of worthy people in my life already that I may have let those relationships slide. I intend to change that this year by investing again in this strong foundations.

This is going to be a tough one since I'm pretty sure that I was hardwired from birth to worry about anything and everything... that being said, it's worth a try! I spend a lot of time worrying about things that are out of my control and if the election season last year taught me anything, it's that I can beat my drum the loudest that I can and worry 24-7 and the outcome of things may still not change. I am going to try to compartmentalize my worry and channel it into action and/or flush it out so it doesn't cause me to have unnecessary heartache.  Again, this one is going to be an intention that I will have to work on actively because "worry" is a default for me in many situations but is one that I'm working to change.

This one is important. I already try to do this but having been so tired the last couple of months, it certainly has been hard to keep positive and therefore be kind no matter the situation. Sometimes, when you're in a sucky situation yourself, the last thing that you want to do is to go out of your way to make someone's day better. Whether I was in the end of pregnancy exhaustion or the beginning of postpartum with a newborn, I think it's helpful to look beyond myself and how I'm feeling and look to how I can make an impact around me, whether it's with my children, people I meet or friends in my life. Being kind isn't always convenient and you won't always be thanked for it, but more now than ever, it will be important to treat everyone with a tender attitude and understanding even if you have to put in a bit of extra effort.

What are your intentions for 2017?