My 2014 Motto

I've never really been one for resolutions. I just never found that I really met them, like many others and found them to be a "waste" if you will. However, over the last month I've done a lot of reflecting on the past year and thinking about how I want the next year to go.

As great as 2013 was, I found myself stressed a lot of the time. Always worried about the next step and what I needed to do to get there. I found I really didn't spend as much time as I should living in the moment. So the word I want to focus on for 2014 is "Simplify"

I really want to simplify in every aspect.

At Home - On top of my own decluttering and organizing that I've been slugging away at since we moved, I've signed up for Apartment Therapy's January Cure. I'm hoping I can really take this month to go through our home room by room and donate or sell all of the things that we no longer use or need. If it's something we may need in the future, or use seasonally I'll be packing it away in a place where it belongs. It's time to reduce the amount of stuff we have and only focus on the things that we need. SIMPLIFY!

Family - Family is obviously #1 for me! As much as I enjoy decorating and making our home feel like ours, I need to find the perfect balance with everything. I need to take more time out of every day to play and be with Halle. As much as I want her to use her imagination and learn independent play, I could also play more and read more to her. I also want to take more time for us to get out and do family things together.

Exercise - I haven't done enough of this recently, and in this gorgeous place we live I don't know why I've been avoiding it. Not only have a friend and I been discussing getting in shape to run a 5k, I also hope to get out and do more exploring and hiking with B and Halle. We didn't do a whole lot after we moved, so this will be the year we do it! It's time for us to spend more time outside!

Diet - By diet, I don't mean go on a diet. I mean the general food we are eating! I hope to make simpler, healthier meals that we will all enjoy. Cut out a lot of the junk we sometimes eat, and try to make life easier in many ways. A healthier happier diet, and meals that aren't as heavy and time consuming to make! Cutting down on the time it takes to make food, means more time to spend with Halle!

Spending Habits -  I guess this has a lot to do with other items listed above. This year we need to spend less money on things we "want" and focus on the things we really "need"! We need to do a better job of not just picking up "this and that" while we are out shopping. I want to get back to meal planning so we only buy the healthy groceries and snacks that we need, which will cut down on the grocery bill as well. It's time for us to start spending wisely and saving more!

What do you want to focus on in the New Year? Are you making resolutions, or do you have your own motto that you want to follow?