Enough - New Years Resolutions

What are your New Year's Resolutions?

Let me guess, something to do with getting in shape? Losing weight? Becoming stronger? Fitting into x size dress/pants? And the list goes on and on.

Those are all great and dandy, but guess what? YOU ARE ENOUGH JUST AS YOU ARE! Do I need to repeat that? YOU ARE ENOUGH! You don't need to be thinner, stronger, whatever, to be considered good enough. You already are! How cool is that!?

If there is one thing I have learned (and am continuing to learn) in 2016, it is this. I DO NOT have to change myself to live a happy and fulfilling life, which is why for 2017, I am taking a different stance on New Year Resolutions.

You and I both are enough just the way we are. We don't need to make these "resolutions" to become a better person, which implies that we are not good enough in this moment. I am trying to be very intentional about what resolutions/goals I do set so that they will only serve to make me happier as opposed to make me feel that I need to change myself. In my pursuit of trying to live a balanced life, I set goals, more like ideas, for 2017 that correspond to the 7 categories included in the wellness wheel: spiritual, emotional, intellectual, physical, social, environmental, and financial. 

As a side note, if you're looking for some steps to create SMART (specific, measurable, attainable, realistic, and timely) goals, check out my friend Alexa's post at Berry Yummy Nutrition.

Spiritual

• Find a "home" church that Colton and I can go to regularly by attending our top two choices for a few weeks at a time.
• Get involved with said church through a small group, serving, and/or attending events outside of Sunday service.

Emotional

• Attend therapy 1-2 times a month and complete necessary "homework."
• Take 5 minutes out of my work day to meditate 3 times a week.
• Practice the act of self-care 3 times a week and be intentional about it.

Intellectual

• Learn more about Body Dysmorphic Disorder, (I have been diagnosed with that) as it is such a prevalent condition in our society these days, by reading books, listening to podcasts, and making myself aware of the symptoms and tendencies.

Physical

• Sign-up and run my 2nd half marathon, this time in Oregon.
• Beat my half marathon time of 1:58 by coming in under 1:55.
• Try a new fitness studio at least 1 time a month.

Social

• Join a local book/game club.
• Consistently write on my blog at least 1 time a month to "scrapbook" my memories and photos.

Environmental

• Be more conscious about how much water I use, by turning the water off to wash dishes and not letting the shower run for a long time before getting in.

Financial

• Pay an average of $400 on top of our monthly payment each month ($390) on our student loans to total $9480 in 2017. 

My main, overarching goal for 2017 is to focus on all areas of my life, not just the ones that MIGHT help me look different. Notice how I didn't say "help me look better?" So, as you go forward into the year 2017, remember that regardless of what New Years Resolutions you set and if you achieve all of them, some of them, or none, you are still ENOUGH and you do not need to change one bit!

Meghan from Sundaes for the Soul (sundaesforthesoul.com) summed this concept up beautifully:

"Sweet girl (/boy/human), I cannot tell you how much you don’t need to diet. I cannot tell you how much you do not have to lose those last X pounds. I cannot tell you how little it matters if you fit into those size X pants. You are so worthy. You are more than worthy. You are a human being who has fought and loved and struggled and conquered in order to get to this place. You deserve to be here without condition. You do not have to change your body. An extra 20 minutes on the treadmill is not going to make you a better person. You are good enough, exactly as you are. I really, really promise."

I'd love to hear your New Years Goals/Resolutions/Ideas and what you're going to do to achieve them!