Halfway through January and I’m still thinking of goal setting.  Even more so, I’ve occasionally entertained the idea that I’m weary of the typical means of goal setting. Numbered lists, 10 items I won’t remember next week, that kind of thing.

Before January 1st arrived, I had made some mental notes about 2015, even wrote about a challenge here. And it’s not that I’m throwing those away, I just want to re-frame them in my mind.  I wanted to give myself a word list to describe the kind of year I want to have, the kind of feelings I want to feel and the kind of actions I want to take.  These words are easier to tuck into my heart and into my mind and carry with me all the time.

A YEAR OF SELF CARE

Self care for me is better known as boundaries. Emotional, mental, physical, etc. This year I want to take real care of myself. I want to build enough margin in my life to be energized for my roles — wife, friend, daughter, employee. I want to feel free to say “No” to some things to say “Yes” to better things. Aware of my overall health, taking time for fresh air, pushing myself with exercise, doodling for an hour,  reading my favorite book — all that which makes me feel happy, alive, and truly myself.

A YEAR OF ADVENTURE

I think it’s the winter blues, but I’ve been feeling discouraged and tired lately. Not always physically, but in my soul. Weighed down almost. I want adventure, laughter, joy, fun. Whether it’s in our city, in our backyard, or on a plane to Colorado. I want this to be a year of choosing adventure over the simple, over the easy.

A YEAR OF GRACE

Like I wrote here, recognizing the reality & challenge of Grace gave me a new way of seeing. I believe the power and weight of Grace at the cross, necessity for salvation, but I lessened its power when it comes to daily instances. This year I embrace my mess, believing that Grace covers, always. I will remind myself that salvation belongs to God alone, and it is Christ alone who justifies by grace through faith. This year I want to be a woman of grace, and walk in the joy + freedom Jesus purchased for me on the cross.

A YEAR OF COMMUNITY

J and I are intriguing people. We love people — spending time with both friends and strangers — and are outgoing when needed, but when looked at deeply? We’re introverts. Content to spend all week happy seeing no one but each other, but then it hits us that we haven’t connected with anyone in ‘awhile.’ We’re in a place of transition… married, moved back to our hometown, started new jobs, now about to move neighborhoods, exploring area churches. It’s a lot of floating, on the edge of that community to settle into. Maybe the goal isn’t necessarily to DO more activity, but to simply be open to people. Friend or stranger, give the small talk a chance, maybe a deeper connection is underneath.

A YEAR OF HANDWRITING

Whether it be doodling, more in-depth lettering, or snail-mail, I want to do more of it. While it asks for a little more effort, lettering and handwritten notes are passions of mine. This year I want to make time for them. Less type, more write.