H A P P Y 2 0 1 8

YOU MADE IT! You lived another year. Whether you truly thrived or barely survived, you're here. And that is amazing. 
However you're spending today-hard at work on 2018 resolutions, or curled up in bed after last night-I hope you take a few moments to do these three things: 
1) Be proud of yourself for making it through 2017. Be proud of what you accomplished. Be proud of what you survived. Be proud of the art you made, the words you wrote, the kids you raised, the people you loved. Be proud that you are still standing. 
2) Appreciate 2018 for the fresh start that it is. You get a new year, brand new. You can use it however you want to use it, and you get to decide how that is. If you've been waiting for a fresh start, well, here it is. 
3) Consciously let go of the things from last year that no longer serve you. Bitterness? Self-consciousness? Toxic relationships? Those things are so 2017. And 2017 is so yesterday (literally). Let. Them. Go. If it didn't bring you life in 2017, don't bring it into 2018. 
This is your year, babe. It doesn't matter how many times you've said those words before, this is it. It's a beautiful blank canvas that you get to fill. So fill it with all the very best things. 
If there are risks you want to take, take them. If there's a job you want, go after it. If you love someone, tell them. If you've got a dream brewing, chase it. If you want to go somewhere, please, please go. Everything is a risk, really. But let this year be the year you bet on yourself. 
Happy 2018, friends. May this truly be our best year yet. 

Happy 2016! Setting Goals: 5 Questions to Ask Yourself First.

Happy 2016! Can you believe it?! Today is a fresh start, the first step in a brand new year that can be anything you want it to be. So what do you want it to be?

I always spend January first making goals, and I love it. I curl up with a cup of coffee and make lists and dream big dreams and make binders and love ever second of it. By the time the day is over, I feel ready to take on the year and am sure I can do anything.

This year is different-baby Jack is due in LESS THAN TWO WEEKS, hello-so I'm sure my goals will change as my life does, that I'll discover new goals I need as the year goes on, etc.

Whatever boat you're in, whether you're wanting to make major changes with giant goals or minor adjustments with small goals, these questions are a good place to start. Your answers to these questions can really help guide you in your goal setting.

1. What is one way I want to be different by this time next year? Don't think about circumstances or things you want to be different, think about how you want to be different.

My answer: I want to be less of a worrier. I want to stop being so anxious about things I have no control over. This has been a crazy year when it comes to uncontrollable things, and I want to keep working on worrying less. You can't enjoy life if you're too busy worrying over it!

2. What is one thing I want to accomplish this year? 

My answer: I want to create a happy, full life no matter where we end up living. Like I said, I'll have to be flexible with all the unknowns this year, but one thing I do know is that I want to give my family the best life possible and I want to be the happiest possible-whether that means decorating a new house or finding fun things to do in a new town, or just being willing to be open-minded about my location. I want to create the best life possible this year.

3. What is a quality I find myself admiring in others? 

My answer: Openness. Is that a quality? You know those people who just roll with the punches and go right along with life's twists and turns? I admire them. I'm never going to be someone who doesn't get stressed when plans change, but I do want to be someone who is able to make the best of the unexpected and still enjoy life to the fullest, even when it's not going according to plan...even when there's no plan at all.

4. What will make me proud of myself a year from now? 

My answer: Continuing to do the things that I love, even though this year will be full of changes. I want to keep writing and keep blogging. 2015 was a great year for my blog, and I know that if I keep working at it, I'll be proud of myself at the end of 2016.

5. What is a word that embodies what I want out of this year?

My answer: Cherish. This year is going to be the biggest yet-Jack will be joining the party any day now, we'll be submitting our rank list next month, we'll find out where we match in March, and Chris will officially be a doctor in May. What. A. Year. I just want to cherish every single day, every moment, every change.

Hopefully your answers to these questions point you in the direction of the goals you need to make for the year! Whatever goals you have, cheers to 2016 being the absolute best year ever.

Spending 2015: 52 Things to do This Year + $150 Giveaway!

1. Pick a word you want to embody your year. When you're confused about what you want to do or what decision you should make, think about that word.

2. Make resolutions that will be helpful and that you'll actually stick to. Dropping five sizes probably won't happen. But going for more walks or staying on top of your laundry might.

3. Learn a new skill. Speaking a new language? Gardening? Changing a tire? This is your year, my friend.

4. Send a letter. Who doesn't like getting mail? Sending it is almost as fun.

5. Learn how to make your favorite cocktail at home. And coincidently save yourself roughly three thousand dollars in the process.

6. Go for a walk with your bare feet. 

7. Make a 5 year dream plan. If your next five years could be planned according to your wildest dreams, what would they look like?

8. Spend a day thrifting. 

9. Make something with your hands. 

10. Buy a planner. And actually use it this time.

11. Make yourself an "I'm totally going to win 2015" playlist. At any point this year when you feel overwhelmed, rock out to said playlist.

12. Learn to enjoy nights in. They're cheaper, cozier, and can make for some pretty good memories. That's nothing to scoff at.

13. Go to an outdoor concert. And dance your little heart out.

14. Keep a dreams and goals and good ideas journal. 

15. Do something nice for someone who has no way of repaying you.

16. Have a movie night with movies that you know nothing about. Go to Red Box and pick the first three movies that look interesting.

17. Say yes more. When your first instinct is to say no just because it's something you'd usually say no to, consider saying yes.

18. Say no more. To things you don't enjoy and feel obligated to do.

19. Call someone. Your parents, your grandparents, your college roommate...anyone who would enjoy hearing from you.

20. Journal every day for a month. It's a good habit to have.

21. Look up copycat recipes for your favorite restaurants. Seriously a game changer.

22. Clean out your closet. Are you really going to ever wear those tie-dyed leggings that you bought for that one rave that you never went to? Probably not.

23. Watch more sunrises. 

24. Do something new and don't tell anyone about it. Don't instagram it or snapchat it or tweet about it. Have a memory just for yourself.

25. Have nights out. Because life is short, so go dancing sometimes.

26. Remove one unhealthy thing from your life. Whether it's soda or a toxic relationship, get rid of it.

27. Read a book you've never even heard of before. Support indie authors!

28. Get organized. 

29. Do that one thing you've always wanted to do to your hair. It's hair, and it will grow back.

30. Start working out. 

31. Learn how to make a killer breakfast, because breakfast food is always appropriate at any given time.  

32. Make a bucket list. Do one thing on it.

33. Start a morning routine. Reading a chapter and having a cup of coffee before you start your day sure sets a different tone than pressing snooze four times and flying out the door without time to take a shower does.

34. Get a library card. Free books, people!

35. Keep a list of reasons you're happy to be alive.

36. Redecorate. Wherever you live, you should like the way it looks.

37. Paint something.

38. Question what you believe. If someone asked you what you believed, would you be able to explain why?

39. Make a scrapbook.

40. Stand up for yourself at least once. 

41. Start drinking more water. And then watch your skin get better and your headaches disappear.

42. Write something.

43. When you think of things you want to do, write them down.  

44. Next time you see something that you like, but it doesn't look like something you'd normally wear, buy it. And then wear it, because life is short.

45. Make gratitude a part of your day.

46. Stand up for someone who isn't there to stand up for themselves. 

47. Have a game night date night.

48. Go somewhere you've never been before. A new coffee shop or a new country, explore this year.

49. Go out without makeup on. You're beautiful. Give your skin a break.

50. Go on a picnic. 

51. Practice thinking. Think before you talk, before you buy, before everything. Just think.

52. Work on becoming the best version of yourself. Because 2015 is a great year to become someone you're really proud of.

Also, it wouldn't hurt to start 2015 off with a little extra cash, right? I've teamed up with some of my favorites to help you start this year on a high note with $150. Happy entering!

a Rafflecopter giveaway

2013 in a picture.

A blurry picture, but still my favorite.  This was last New Years when we were on our honeymoon.  We started 2013 out my making wishes and lighting lanterns on fire and sending them into the sky, watching them float over the ocean.  I remember feeling so hopeful and full of anticipation at what 2013 would bring as I watched it float away.  Because really, I had no idea of what our new life was going to be like. 

I think that sums up 2013.  Exciting, hopeful, anticipating, and having no dang idea what was going to happen.  It's been a year of adventure and discovery, and I have loved experiencing all of it with Christopher. 

Happy 2014, you beautiful people.  I hope it brings you more than you could possibly imagine.  I'm counting on it.