i feel behind and a little out of sorts.  i like my goals, resolutions, or whatever you like to call them best, written, then typed, and and sometimes shared.  because, as a blogger isn’t that what i’m suppose to do?  share?  and share on schedule?  i took a little break from blogging, as i do, which unexpectedly turned into a break from social media too.  and, subsequently, i’ve had a hard time getting back into the swing of things.  i felt like a holed up hermit hibernating with honeys in my home, safe from the cold cotton like snow and the snowy white noise of the online world.  it was strange, and weird, and kind of wonderful.  not being hurried strangely kind of makes me feel harried until i can just hunker down and be.  and, in the being, i had a hard time resoluting and gathering goals.  the thing is, i like to take my time to ponder.  ponder, reflect and process, to be exact.  this year, there just happens to be a lot (more than i wish) to ponder, process and reflect upon.  i started feeling the pressure when no list materialized by the second of january.  as someone who has been systematically writing out new years goals since i was a girl, i initially felt troubled.  i continued to ignore the pressure to tick it off my list and concluded that a lingering list would work wonders as opposed to the list i usually force in two hours time.  i gathered that it may take a few days (maybe even a few weeks) to reflect on this past year and to wonder about the next.  i started writing things here and there as they came to me (paper and pen always near by) and let go of the pressure of completing it all.  i did find some alone time (which i highly recommend) to really think about the last year and after i did that, i was able to clean up that lingering list, which i am proud to say is not, yet, 100% complete.  it is lingering after all.

everyone has a different system.  some of my friends choose a word for each year (i’m working on one of my own) and others write goals that are so detailed they border on being a full fledged business plans.  finding what works for you, personally, takes time and may change over time.  i just encourage you to find the time to reflect, wonder and dream a bit.  my lists are personal, professional, specific, vague, attainable and unattainable.  i like them that way.  i know i’ll do some crossing off and i know some things will work themselves right over into next years list.  some years i’ve surprised myself by crossing off a few unattainable things which makes me more apt to write down a few crazy things.  you just never know.  but, what i do know is that life is a little more intentional (and often more exciting) when there is a list of dreams before us.

how do you do goals / resolutions?  and, do tell me, what are a few things on your list this year?

a few things on my lingering list this year are:

BE

BRAVE / i’ve told you, before, this makes my list every year.  this past year i was brave in new ways and i also failed miserably at being brave.  but, the great thing is, i learned immensely from the failing and it is part of my story….that i’m sure will connect to a future chapter.

DECISIVE / who knows, this might make list every year, too.  but, again, making progress and for that i’m grateful.  i still second guess but i’m learning to trust my gut and go with my instinct.  not making a decision is a decision.  i’m trying to avoid decision making by way of not deciding.

STRONG / this past year i have really not paid any attention to my health or well being and it has certainly caught up with me.  of course, i’d like to loose some weight and be consistent with exercising and eating right but more than anything i want to feel strong.  for me this is going to include a lot of walking, yoga, some weights, going to bed at a decent time, and better foods and smaller portions (have to get back to eating like a french women).

RANDOM /

+ continue to simplify and de-clutter

+ trip to europe

+ take a long bike ride

+ paint my bedroom white

+ get kids passports

+ learn to take better photos

+ improve my photoshop skills

+ pick up knitting again

+ write more

BOOKS /

+ Daring Greatly

+ Bird by Bird

+ Loves Does

+ Mary Poppins

+ Peter Pan

+ Happier at Home

MANTRAS /

+ love more, care less

+ how important is it?

+what’s next, papa? (romans 8:15-17)

these are just a few things from my journal.  i also like to list out personal goals (themes / mantras) for my marriage, spiritual life, professional life.

happy lingering list making!

past posts on goals here + here.

and – – if you posted on your goals, resolutions or list making, feel free to leave a link in the comments.

xo . t