On Monday, I shared that there are some years when making a strict New Year’s Resolution (NYR), just doesn’t work. When making a drastic change isn’t possible or perhaps, helpful. And when killing ourselves at the gym in January, isn’t the answer. For me, this year, is one of those times.
If I am honest, part of the reason for this is because after the holidays, I didn’t have the mental energy to think up the best NYR for me. But also, I have a few dreams for 2018 that make it hard to set one “all in” goal, to give my focus to. And, I am finding I am growing cynical when it comes to setting one resolution and expecting it to stick.
Rather I am becoming more drawn to figuring out how to create sustainable routines in my life that enable me to grow and strengthen over the long haul. I don’t want to do something that is going to push me for a few months before I drop it. Instead, I want to create doable practices that help me be my best self as often as possible.
If you are in a similar place this year. If you want to make changes, but haven’t known where to start, today I am sharing a few things we are doing. This month, Tony and I are making a few tweaks, as well as looking that the big picture of our life, to figure out what healthy and thriving looks like in 2018. Check out the following ways we are doing this, and then come up with some action steps to help you do the same:
Dream Date
This is not something you would see on the Bachelor (though I do find my husband rather dreamy). But rather, it is a time we are setting aside this month to discuss our dreams—the things we’d like to make happen this year and in our future. We’re using Jennie Allen’s Dream Guide as a jumping off point. Then we’ll prioritize what we want to focus on first, and come up with action steps on how to move forward. It may not sound like a date, but supporting each other in our dreams is way more romantic than you think.
AND, a dream date doesn’t have to be just for a couple. Grab a friend with equally big dreams as yours, meet for coffee and bring a notebook. Talk through what is keeping you up at night, what gets you excited. And then help each other come up with the best next steps for your journeys.
Make a List of Resources
If you’ve followed the blog for a while, you know I am a reader. And both Tony and I are learners. We feel it is an important piece in moving forward with our dreams. So, I have already begun a list of books to read in 2018. And we’re looking at other resources such as podcasts and online classes to make a part of our regular learning practices. Think through what resources can help you move closer to where you want to be, and make space in your schedule to take advantage of them.
Return to Healthy Eating
As I shared in this post last year, I have a hard to treat chronic pain issue. So far, the best remedy I have found, to manage the symptoms, is through eating a semi-strict diet, and exercising regularly. But the wheels kind of came off of this wagon sometime last year, so we’re figuring out the best way to move forward. For us, this month, it looked like joining the Prep Dish 21 day Challenge. Other years it has looked like doing a Whole30 or even just a Whole7.
In years past, we have had to make changes to our diet that we never had before. But now, it is more about going back to what we know is healthy for us. And we’ve found, following a clear plan for a short amount of time, helps us bring back the pendulum in the other direction, just enough to find our rhythm again.
Exercise
We’re still working on this piece for 2018. But we know we want to exercise more and differently this year. So, we’ve started by using the exercise program that came with the PrepDish 21 Day challenge, as a way to get back into a routine. And we’re asking questions like how often do we need to exercise a week? What exercise can we do together? What do we need to do apart? And what new possibilities are available to us in our community and online. I’ll keep you posted on how things go!
What things are you doing to be your best self in 2018?
What things are you afraid to try, but know you need to?
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Love these suggestions. I need to print out the dream guide and have a dream date! I love that… as that really is the start of it all, but we often put little time into dreaming/praying and more time into trying to produce. But a good dream leads to a better product. At least I find that true for myself. 🙂
so true, Darby. When we can be more specific with what God has put on our hearts, we can better put steps in place to reach it.
Melissa, it is so fun to check out your blog. I’m new to this space, but love your practicality. Thanks for sharing about how you’re approaching 2018. That Dream Date idea intrigued me. I am not married, but as you said, find a friend with dreams as big as yours and meet for coffee to talk about what’s keeping you up at night. Yes!! Thanks for sharing the ways God has wired you with the rest of us. ~Krishana
Thanks for joining us over here, Krishana. Hope you find an excellent friend to dream with!
So a suggestion for eating healthy — look into a book called Trim Healthy Mama (www.trimhealthymama.com). It has revolutionized my own life and is a fabulous lifestyle! If you can get past the somewhat corny name, the plan is chalk-full of info and fairly easy to follow. My own goal this year is to lose the last 10lbs and do more writing! 🙂
-lisa
I will have to check that out, Lisa. I look forward to hearing how your goals go this year!
Melissa you are so inspiring I love it! Also your dream date idea is really cool! This post is got me thinking about goals and dreams that Gods put on my heart
Thanks, Elizabeth! Hope you get some time to think through your dreams for this year!
These are good ideas. I’m learning how big New Years resolutions can be a bad idea. You’re wise to choose long-term goals!