Taking Action in 2016

Let me start out by saying, yes, I do realize that I'm writing a post about "taking action" in 2016 when January is already almost over. Better late than never, folks. But even though the time for New Year's dreaming and goal setting has come and gone for most, I'd still like to take the time to reflect for a moment on 2015, and make some plans for 2016.

2015 was a very big year for us. We were blessed with our first child and she has filled our hearts with joy beyond measure. We became parents, and let's face it, nothing else compares to that. On the same token, nothing else creates upheaval in your life quite like it, either. I mean really, we might as well call 2015, "the year of Emerson." The first 6 months were dedicated to a healthy pregnancy and preparing for her, and the second 6 months were spent adjusting to having a baby in our house for the first time. Even though we were quite blessed with a pretty easygoing kiddo, having a baby still changes everything. Both pregnancy and nursing changes the way you eat and drink (or rather, don't drink); having a baby certainly changes how much sleep you get; and having a baby most definitely changes the time you have available to do, well, pretty much anything. So 2015 was all about Emmy. And we're okay with that.

However, a crazy 2015 is precisely why 2016 is about finding our new balance and, as I titled this post, Taking Action. Making changes. Doing instead of talking about doing. Taking action is an important theme to me specifically because, by nature, I am a planner. I can (and do) plan all day and night, right down to the last tiniest of tiny detail. But where I often fail is in the execution. That's where my husband usually comes in, and why we complement each other quite well. But there are many areas of my life where he can't execute for me, and it's time I stop waiting for the perfect plan, and start doing. 

So in lieu of setting lofty goals and resolutions that I once again will probably not complete (I once set a New Year's resolution of flossing my teeth every day because I thought that would be easy. I made it a week), I'm setting a theme for the year, and I'm making it the year of Taking Action. And to kick off all this upcoming action-taking, I'm starting the year off with a simple to-do list. A "Top 10 To-Dos for 2016" if you will. (Sounds far less daunting then 10 resolutions, no?).

In no particular order ...

1. MAKE HEALTH A PRIORITY

A new baby doesn't leave a lot of time to focus on oneself, and I've used that as an excuse to take it easy in this arena. I've worked out inconsistently since giving birth, and I haven't eaten particularly well (and I've depended on breastfeeding to make up for that for me). I've started 2016 off with a Whole 30 and I'm hoping this helps to set the tone for the year. I also need to get my workout on, on a consistent basis. 

2. BUILD MY FREELANCE CAREER  

I've been freelancing regularly for about two years now and I'm ready to take my business to the next level, which is both scary and exciting.

3. GIVE BACK  

... both financially and with our time. Step one was signing us up for a monthly donation to St. Jude's Research Hospital, but there's so much more that we could be doing.

4. TAKE A FAMILY VACATION

We already have this in the works for this summer, and I can't wait! 

5. DOCUMENT EMERSON

I take a lot of pictures of Emmy, but it's also important to me to remember to document all the little and big moments of the first year of her life, and I often forget to do so. I'd like to do a better job of that, whether it's scrapbooking or journaling, or something else entirely. The days go by too fast, and I want to be able to look back one day and remember this time.

6. LEARN A NEW SKILL

I absolutely love to learn (wow, that sounds nerdy) and often have CreativeLive classes playing all day while I work. I'd love to hone in on developing one new skill this year - calligraphy, hand lettering and illustration are all current contenders.

7. FINISH OUR HOME OFFICE

Our home office is the only room in the house that we haven't put any effort into. Since I'm putting more energy into my freelance this year, I'd like to create a comfortable and inspiring workspace for myself. 

8. STOP IGNORING THE EXTERIOR OF THE HOUSE

The inside of our house is in pretty good shape, but the outside is a hot mess. There's no landscaping in the front, weeds in the back, and our back patio leaks and needs to be completely rebuilt. It's time to stop ignoring the outside of the house, and give her a little TLC. 

9. FOCUS ON FAITH

We've been living here awhile now and still don't have a local church. I'd like to find a church we love and focus more on faith in our daily lives.

10. BLOG MORE

(Duh!) I really want to do a better job this year of posting. And maybe a blog makeover is on the horizon? 

So that's it friends. Nothing earth shattering here, but it's always good to sit down and remind yourself of what you want to focus on. Here's to taking action in 2016 ... I'll be checking in with progress updates throughout the year!