March: Letting Go

Alright, both January's and February's goals have gone really well. I'm still carrying on my daily devos (it helps when I love every page in Beth Moore's study on Daniel that my Bible Study is doing this term) and even though I had to reactivate my FB account, I've been faithful at not checking posts/requests/messages. It's because you all were freaking out and asking my family if everything was okay. And of course when I say "freaking out" I really mean, because you care about me you wanted to make sure I was okay :) A little break was good- did you know that Facebook sends you emails letting you know that you have pending notifications? Yeah. I never needed those emails before...

So, it's March and time for another monthly focus. Back in December I picked the theme of "Letting Go" in regards to letting go of things, as in possessions. Mainly this was a sneaky way to trick myself into the purging before the movers come, however, over the last few weeks, and in particular the last few days I think I'm going to expand the focus.

In an effort to not only get myself ready for this move, but also for a new chapter in my life, this month I'm focusing on letting go of all the stuff that's holding me back, all the stuff that's causing the bad stress, all the stuff that for whatever reason I just haven't yet had the courage, strength, motivation to let go of.

Let's face it. We all hold on to things that we shouldn't- torn up jeans, memories, trinkets, a skirt that will fit again "one day," bad habits, hurtful words, relationships, unrealistic hopes/dreams/goals.

I'm no exception to that.

I know this is going to be a tough one which is why I've been working on my list of a few of the "emotional" ones and figuring out which one I need to bid adieu to. As for my closet packed with clothes, 72 (!) pairs of shoes, and more items in my tiny office than many people in the world have? They're under attack too! For some reason the scene in Leap Year when the main character is asked what she would save if she only had 60 seconds.

Well, Katie, what would you grab? 

As someone who much rather spend my money on experiences than things, there are still a few things that I'd race against a fire to save. Most of my stuff? Prob not. I have it because they are necessary- clothes, kitchen junk, a couch to sit on. But the excess? I so don't need that. Time to start eliminating the excess and prevent it from entering my house.

Again.

It's time to be deliberate with what I buy, collect, say I "need," and conversations I have. It's one thing to let go of things, but why not also start working on preventing the future "need to let go's" from starting. I'm not sure if that makes sense to anyone but me, but this is my blog and I get it.

February: Disconnecting to Reconnect

It's February which means my Facebook account has been suspended for the first time since creating it back as an undergrad.

I know-me! The hopeful Mrs. Facebook!

So why this decision?



Well several reasons but I think most of them fall under the general category of "I'm sick of not really communicating with people." I'll be the first to admit that I've fallen into the "text, not call", "I'll send you a message on Facebook", and feeling like I'm keeping up with friends via posts and pictures.

So this month's goal is to reconnect with friends one on one, through Skype/FaceTime, emails, & calls.

The bonus of this goal?

• My lock-down profile doesn't even exist for potential employers!
• Getting bitten by the jealous bug won't happen (yeah, while you're drooling over picture from my last trip, I'm dying over that trips to Target or other events in your life). 
• I'll have a lot more time to work on my blog and resume.

January: Re-Prioritizing My Time

There have been very few times in my life when I can honestly say I was faithful in my devotion times. I'm the kind that falls asleep mid bedtime prayer or somehow sleeps through that super early alarm. This should come as no shock to my Bible Study, but I'm also the one making the mad dash to the base to get my "homework" pounded out in the 45 minutes prior to start time. (How else is it always so fresh in my mind?)

In addition to neglecting my devo time, since heading to Italy I've been churchless. Luckily I did get plugged in with a women's study early on but let's face it- once a week is not really cutting it.

So...this first challenge was created because I suck at prioritizing my time. All those hours each week at work, on Facebook, watching movies, sleeping, and I can't put aside a fraction of an hour each morning?

Yep- time to reshuffle where my time is going.

So for the next 31 days (even when I'm on vacation) I will...

*Keep a prayer journal
*Read a daily devo
*Attend Bible study weekly (once it starts) & have all my reading/questions answered prior to Tuesday at lunch
*Pick a scripture to memorize each week (4 at the end of the month)

The goal? Besides feeling better about my priorities based on where my time is going? Give my spiritual life a nice jolt of "get your act together" and in the process get the wisdom I so desperately need for my next steps or at least peace with however it all pans out.

2014: The Year of Possibilites

For the past several years I've been creating resolutions based on the '# year we're in. It was 13 for 2013, 12 for 2012, 11 for 2011...got it? Like many others, despite my resolutions varying in difficulty even the easy ones seemed to be unaccomplished by the end of the year. Many of my goals even crossed years. I get it- sometimes "fleeing Monterey" takes way more time than you'd think just to make sure it's where you're really supposed to be. Shoot. I'm still waiting for Prince Charming...have been since 2010. 

But then sometimes? Well sometimes I'm just slacking across multiple years and it's better to give up. Case in point? I've got t-rex arms. I've got it. I am accepting the fact that I will probably die before I ever complete 5 unassisted pull ups. Or 3. Or a single one.

Needless to say, I'm mixing it up in 2014. I figure this will be another big year for me so why not go crazy and mess with tradition? The mix-up? Rather than making 14 goals for this new year, I'm capping it at 12- one for each month. As in a set goal to have done at the conclusion of each month. A mere 28, 30, or 31 days rather than 365 to get something done. Maybe with a short fuse I can get more done?

Hey. It's a new approach. And yes, it's a new year. So right now, here's how my 2014 is looking to shape up in terms of goals/resolutions:

January: Re-Prioritizing My Time
February: Face to Face (Life's Too Short for Other's Drama)
March: Letting Go
April: Spotlight Katie O.

May: It's Okay to Ask for Help
June: Blog Time
July: For the Love of Food
August: It's Not About Me

September: Getting Crafty
October: Time to Go 'Sploring
November: A Picture a Day
December: Expanding Traditions

Within each month guidelines will be established prior to the first. So...I encourage you to support my goals where you can- hit the gym with me, don't let me skip Bible Study, give me volunteering info, or be a new recipe taster.

Ready or not, 2014 is here and I'm ready...are you?

3...2...1...Buon Anno Nuovo!

Less than 24 hours remain in 2012. More than enough goals remain unchecked from 1 January. Actually, if I'm honest, a few still remain unchecked from 1 January 2011! (Damn pullups.)

Rather than wallow in defeat, I'm going to celebrate my 50% completion of my 12 for '12.

I....wrote my adorable girls (Caroline, Kiery, & Catherine) monthly, visited 3 new countries, completed level 4 of Italian, volunteered over 50 hours, ran a marathon, and learned to cook 3 new Italian dishes.

Not quite as satisfying as a few of my 2011 goals (flee Monterey & get a cat come to mind) but accomplishments none the less. Best part? In no way do these 6 completed goals (or the ones left waiting to be accomplished) even begin to define my year, let alone sum it up.

So, on the eve of another year...the one in which I turn 3-0...here are my goals partially to motivate, but mostly to keep me honest once the next 365 days have past. 

1. Obtain and maintain a weight in (classified) range.
2. Streamline rent payments
3. Running of the bulls
4. Monthly trip (3+ hours away)
5. Finish bedroom decorating by 31 January
6. Be social once a month
7. Blog more
8. Run a sub 2 hour half marathon
9. Learn to drive manual transmission (roll over from 2012)
10. Not ignore Ravi's illuminated dashboard lights
11. Write the CI girls monthly
12. 3 Unassisted pullups (3rd year on the list)
13. *Classified*

Yeah, this has gotten a little more sophisticated from the night Lindsay and I sat at the Brit writing our 10 for '10 goals on Sierra Nevada coasters! Same rules apply though- some of my goals are "classified" but rather than blocking them out I'm counting on the fact that our brains are not wired the same way and you can't decipher the visual I've picked for the goal.

Wishing you a fabulous sparkly 2013!

<3 Katie & Neeks