Looking back at the past year has caused me to ponder what I'd like 2017 to look like -- at least the parts that I can control. I know that accountability factors high in successful goals, so maybe I'm setting myself up for failure with some of these! But then I remember my mantra for the year...
I'm saying yes more often to :
- journaling- quotes, devotional/prayer, morning pages, gratitude journal, memoir (however sporadic!)
- reading hard copy books borrowed from the library
- using Overdrive to listen to audio books (free!). I've not been a huge fan of audio books, but I'm giving it another go.
- time for creativity- knitting, watercolor, cardmaking - have enjoyed them all this past year.
- watching a few good shows on my Ipad -- my little 'zone out' pleasures - favorites: The Voice, Dancing with the Stars, This is Us, and Nashville (if/when it appears on Netflix).
- using my YouVersion Bible app. I tried to get back to using my hard copy Bible, but I always seem to gravitate back to the app more often than not.
- the Abide prayer app
- GoodReads - a great place to keep track of what I've read and to see what others are recommending. I've set a goal of 25 books this year. Life isn't all about quantity, right?
- personal growth - spiritual - through Freedom Session this year.
- regular fitness activities, which includes intentional walking and spending time outdoors
- continuing to go gray... I might add a few highlights to help my hair through the transition, though! This might include another purple, green, or blue streak.. you never know.
- listening to Spotify playlists. Best $10 a month I've ever spent.
- listening to podcasts -- all those thought provoking conversations!
- family time - fun, dinners, and just being there to help out
- nurturing friendships, practicing hospitality, and being of service to others
- eating healthy - more paleo for me and my man
- Instagramming - just because I like it.
I'm saying no more often to:
- reading too many books at once. This is tough because every time I get a new book, I add it to my already impossibly tall pile of readings-in-progress. I think I'm a bit of a book hoarder - not so much on the shelves, but on my side table! Which leads to...
- borrowing too many books from the library; must.set.a.limit
- reading books for review. I've realized that it just stressed me out to have to read books on a schedule, especially when I realized I wasn't enjoying them that much. I'm going to pick and choose very few this year. I still LOVE to get books in the mail!
- doing things out of guilt
- procrastination. This is going to be very difficult because it's my default!
- starting too many 'free' online courses. It just clutters up my brain. Ugh.
- signing up for too many free online newsletters.
- subscribing to too many podcasts.
I see a theme running through my list.. the words 'too many' show up too many times! ;) Balance. Simplicity. Moderation.
Keeping my mantra for 2017 in mind, "Always, we begin again", I just may experience some success in sticking to my yes's and no's.
What are you saying yes or no to this year?
Keeping my mantra for 2017 in mind, "Always, we begin again", I just may experience some success in sticking to my yes's and no's.
What are you saying yes or no to this year?
I like your yes/no lists. It is good to evaluate the things we do and see if we actually want to do those things or move to other things. I used to review books but it got a bit tedious at times to finish a book especially if it didn't catch my interest. My biggest problem these days is downloading free ebooks or ebooks that don't cost a lot. I keep saying I'll say "no" but haven't yet, LOL. At least they are on my tablet and I haven't run out of space (yet) for them.
ReplyDeleteI'm saying yes to more time with God this year. For at least the past 15 years I've read the Bible pretty much daily cover to cover sometimes, New Testament sometimes, prophets sometimes, etc. This year I decided to do various Bible studies on different topics. Still in the Word but a different focus. Doing several on anxiety/fear which have been very beneficial. I'm no to anxiety and worry :)
and hopefully you'll get this little last thing. I'm saying "goodbye" to something I didn't want to have to say "goodbye" to, but I'm okay with it. Someone said "we've shed our tears and now we're moving on." It really might be for the best thing :)
betty
I love your list!
ReplyDeleteI like how you have set up your goals for this next year. We need to learn to say yes more and even more importantly be able to say NO!
ReplyDeleteYes, so true! Sometimes it's difficult to know what the right response is.
DeleteLove your lists! And Overdrive is great...so far, I've only used it for reading e-copies of library books. Never thought of using it for audible ones. Thanks for that suggestion.
ReplyDeleteI really don't enjoy reading from my iPad, but listening from my phone or ipad is great!
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