19 Personal Goals for 2019

I’ve decided to do something new this year.  Instead of making just one resolution (as I usually do), I’m going big and setting 19 goals!  Call me crazy, but I’m feeling inspired and motivated!  So I’m going for it!  But here’s the thing.  Every single one of these 19 goals is fully achievable.  I’m stretching myself, sure.  But I’m not being overly idealistic and setting myself up to fail.  There will be no sugar detoxes or boot camps, no coffee deprivation or carb shaming happening on my list. No judgement from me if any of that is on your goal list this year.  I’ve just learned that those things don’t suit me well, and my 19 goals this year are all about nourishing my mind, body and soul.

I’m also fully embracing that whole progress over perfection mantra.  So if I stumble or fall short, I plan to pick myself up and trudge onward.  I’m sharing my goals here for accountability purposes.  If I put this out there I’ll surely do a better job of keeping these promises to myself.  Right?  I hope so.  😉

In fact, referring to these goals as promises already makes them feel so much more important.  Somehow calling them promises gives them much more weight.  Not reaching a goal doesn’t feel as bad as breaking a promise.

19 Promises I’m Making to Myself in 2019

1. Get Strong

This is my main goal for the year.  And it’s not about losing weight or killing myself in the gym.  There are no numbers of any kind tied to this goal.  This is just about adding strength training to my regular workout regimen, so I’m looking into hiring a trainer.  If you’re local and have a recommendation or you are a trainer yourself, please drop me a line.  I want to do this to feel good in my body, and as I’m getting older I feel like strength training is what’s really missing from my workout routine.

2. Take a Social Media Break One Day a Week

I’ve done this off and on, but I’ve never fully committed to doing this on a weekly basis.  I always feel so refreshed after a 24 hour break, so I’m looking forward to making this a habit.  I’ve decided that only way to make this habit stick is to choose a day, so Sundays will be social media free days.  And possibly even phone free days.  Do you take regular breaks?

3. Read 12 Books

Twelve isn’t too big a goal for me.  However challenging myself to read at least 4 nonfiction titles out the 12 will set the bar a little higher as nonfiction isn’t usually top of my list.  But last year Braving the Wilderness ended up being my favorite book of the year (though I know I was the last person to board that train), so I know reading some nonfiction will do me some good.

4. Go Somewhere New

Crazy to think I don’t have much more time left with my kiddos before they’ll be off to college in a few years.  So I want to be really intentional about how we spend our vacation time.  There’s something really special about exploring a new place together as a family.

(last summer’s trip to the Bahamas)

5. Volunteer as a Family

6. Continue Waking Up Early

Becoming an early bird was the best new thing I started doing last year, and I really want to continue that habit into 2019.

7. Make My Bed Every Day

8. Go Out to Lunch by Myself Once a Month

Nothing recharges my batteries more than a quiet lunch by myself with a good book, so I’m committing to making that happen at least once a month this year.

9. Take More Candid Photos of the Kids With My Good Camera

I’ve become so reliant on my phone, but nothing beats busting out the good camera to capture candid photos around the house.  And I feel like I’m much more organized about storing the photos I take with my DSLR than I am with photos on my phone.

10. Organize Our Paper Clutter

11. Clean Out One Cabinet/Closet a Week

Later this year we’ll be moving into our new house, so I want to get a jumpstart on organizing and purging before we have to start packing.

12. Start a Joy Jar

I got the idea to start a joy jar from my best friend.  It’s basically a large mason jar where you put all your loose change, and then at the end of the year (around Christmastime) you empty the jar to bless someone or donate to a charity organization.

13. Pray About Who/Where to Bless With the Joy Jar

14. Buy Less New ~ More Vintage

Vintage fashion makes me happy.

15. Start Journaling

16. Learn Something New

Tennis is something I’ve tried before but never really committed to learning.   I feel like 2019 is my year to dig in.

17. Cook 4 Days a Week

I hear I need an Instant Pot.  Is this true?  The holidays always gets me out of my regular meal-making routine, but I’m ready to get back on this wagon.  We eat healthier when meals are planned and prepared at home.

18. Plan One-on-One Dates with the Kids Each Month

Alone time with each kid is so rare and so special.  I definitely want to be more intentional about making this time happen more regularly.

19. Commit to a Monthly Family Game Night

————————–

In short, in 2019 I want to get stronger, in every way.  Stronger in body, in mind, in relationships, and stronger in following through with my commitments and promises to myself.  I rarely pick a word of the year, but this year I am.  Strong.  

Are you making any resolutions, goals, commitments, promises to yourself this year?