2018 #goals

Setting challenges and creating benchmarks, utilizing metrics is just a part of who I am, that “Type A” personality. Being able to analyze metrics is something that legitimately brings me joy. But I have found a balance between utilizing metrics and setting unrealistic expectations. With that being said, I have set up what I believe to be some realistic expectations for this year.

Blogging

My brother tried to use his blog as both a method to cope with his anxiety and depression, and he was able to make some really great connections that way. People he would have otherwise been able to meet. I would like to try and carry on that legacy my bringing awareness to mental health issues and document my own healing through outdoor activity.

Live a More Cruelty Free Lifestyle

While I’m not ready to go entirely vegetarian, I would like to go meatless at least three days a week. I am still working on being able to give up cheese and sour cream. But I think that this is a good start in the right direction. I already only use cruelty free beauty and skin/hair care products.

Books

Last year my goals was 20 books and this year it is thirty. I am keeping track of everything on Goodreads.com. I want to be sure that I am reading a wide variety of books and getting out of my comfort zone. I fully intend to take advantage of my local library challenges. I have also created on of my own. I plan to read all of the books in my brother’s bookcase. He was such a huge Stephen King fan, and while I have read a few of his books, I look forward to fully immersing myself in that fandom.

Fitness

This is a two parter. The first being, getting back into running. Once upon a time, I was running everyday, which in hindsight was perhaps not the healthiest. I would like to try and commit to three runs per week. I currently work three jobs and volunteer so it this will be the hardest part of my yearly goals.

The second part of this is hiking. Last year I tried to take part in the 52 hike challenge and I was over 20 hikes shy of that goal. Given my current situation, I am setting my goal to 42 hikes, ten more than I completed last year. I haven’t gotten my first one in yet, but am looking forward to it.

Self Care

For the most part, solo hiking is my form of self-care, but I have recently decided that I need to go beyond that. Sometime, I let my regular body care fall by the wayside, in particular my feet care. Every since I worked as a server for six months, I know I know a fairly short duration, I have become hyper aware of my feet and their needs. I want to be sure that I am giving them the attention they deserve. But I also want to be sure to take care of my skin and hair. I realize these may all seem like vain things to in terms of self-care, but I believe in paying attention to small aspect of oneself physical form, leads to a better overall self.

Opening My Mail Everyday

This may seem odd, but I HATE the mail. Truly. I will allow my mail to pile up for the whole month and then go through it when I absolutely must pay all my bills. I get quite a bit of mail since I donate, which leads to a lot of promotional material being sent my way. But I hope that by going through my mail, I will also be decluttering all my surfaces, where my mail usually lives.

Volunteer More

I have really slacked on my volunteer duties the past couple of months. It has been hard trying to balance everything. But I really do believe in giving back. And I know that I am not in a position right now to be able to donate money, but I can certainly donate my time.

Organize My Bookshelves

My bookshelves are mayhem and unsightly. There must be order.

Declutter My Wardrobe

This is going to be a real challenge for me. I am a clothes hoarder. I have clothes that I have had since high school, which is over ten years ago. At this point, many things don’t fit me since I’ve gained about 30lbs in the past two years. But I often find myself stuck in the “what if” mind frame. I am pretty sure that I am not going to get back down to my high school weight. I also don’t think I want to anymore. I am really trying to find a health balance with pushing myself to be healthier but also accepting my  body as it currently is. I would also like to just get rid of things that I don’t totally love. I have so many things like that. But being someone who uses their wardrobe as a platform for cosplay, it’s hard not to want to hang on to something “just in case”. But I am going to work on it. My starting goal, will be to get rid of one thing each week….we’ll see how it goes.

Until Next Time,

MC