Jerrica's Fool Proof Plan to a New (Better) Year

It's that time of year where almost everyone is thinking of a new year, new beginning, and new resolutions. I'm not fond of the word resolutions because that means there was a problem to begin with, and the areas I am choosing to focus on were not necessarily a problem in 2017... just an area I want to focus more on. So, I'm calling them New Year's Goals. 

I took the time to dig up the "resolutions" I made in 2016, and I laughed. I failed at them all... horribly. This past semester in my Personality Psych class, we learned a lot about goals. I realized where my 2017 plans went wrong. They weren't tangible goals. I didn't have a methodical plan. I just went willy nilly tackling these areas. Nope. Not doing that again. So here's to making the most of 2018 and having a plan of attack. 

1. Finish my Bachelors in December 2018 with at least a 3.4 GPA. I desperately wanted to graduate with honors, but my counselor did the math, and there is no physically possible way to reach above a 3.5. (Dumb choices in my early education like College Algebra in a 335+ member class and an 8:05 AM nutrition class.) I'm already hitting stumbling blocks, financially, but I am NOT giving up. 

2. Caring more and making time for things that truly make me happy, and caring less about things that I honestly don't like to begin with or can't control. I listened to the book "The Life-Changing Magic of Not Giving a F" (Warning- there is language- lots of language. I needed some straightforward advice, and this was recommended.) I loved this book, and quickly decided to make it my motto for 2018. I am a worrier by nature, so this will be truly challenging. My journey started by axing those overly annoying people I've been meaning to unfriend for sometime on Facebook. Joy over annoy, people. What I am making time for?! I truly love writing this blog, and when I logged in today to see almost 100 people read my 2017 favs... it solidified my love and goal to make more time.

3. Paying it forward more. I recently read my BFF's blog about her new year's goals, which she mentions "Pay for someone’s meal, coffee, snack, etc. at least once a month." Read her whole amazingly awesome post HERE :) I'm adopting this goal, and we're holding each other accountable.

4. Another thing she mentions is taking care of your mental health. During my educational journey and recently becoming a crisis counselor, I have become overly cognizant of the importance of self-care. There's such a stigma around mental health, so not only do I vow to increase mt self care, but I want to work towards breaking down the walls of this stigma. You can look forward to blogs about this topic.

5. Making a conscious effort to use products on hand. If you've followed me for some time... 2017 I bought A LOT of beauty products. Now I have mountains of products that need given a new home or used. I won't say I'm not buying new products, but I will say I am making an effort to decrease the hoard at home.

I would be lying if I didn't mention making healthier choices and exercising isn't on my radar, but I am not listing it as a goal. I've got an accountability plan with my closest friends for this area. Plus... I want to look extra good walking across that stage in December. ;)

What are some of your goals for 2018? Are there any on my list you would like to adopt?

I've got Sunshine....

Ever been tested to the core, or on the brink of being certified crazy? The saying goes, when it rains, it pours. Literally, it is STILL raining in SE Kentucky (okay, so we've had a small break from rain). Besides the weather, our personal lives have had a few showers of negativity in the past few weeks. It has definitely added a few wrinkles and caused more than one headache.

In the last week, we have dealt with a car wreck, a sick husband, a sick kitten, vacation down the drain, news of  job loss, a flooded driveway, friends moving away, burnt sugar cookies, and being told no about a house we liked. Really?

Obviously, some of the negativity above has caused more ripples than others.  It has physically made me sick. Through all this, my husband- in his easy going manner -has found the good (or lesson) in each.  

Car wreck? We can get it fixed. That’s what insurance is for.

Sick Husband? We are planners and have an abundant HSA for medical emergencies.
Sick kitten? We have the money for a vet, and the love to care for him.
Vacation? We can save the money now, and go somewhere at a more appropriate time.
No job? You are talented and smart. Another company would LOVE to hire you.
Flooded driveway? Better than a flooded house or washed away cars. You can always get more gravel.
Friends moving away? It provides us the opportunity to visit a new place.
Burnt cookies? You can always try again. Practice makes perfect.
No about a house? We’re pros at this by now. Enjoy where you are now. Something better will be on its way.

 This is one of my favorite qualities about Joe. No matter how difficult, how crazy, how stressful… he can find the good.  I believe this will be one of his strongest attributes throughout his journey as a pastor. I know, as his wife, it is always beneficial to have him remind me of the good instead of focusing on the bad. Sometimes I credit his carefree, no stress attitude to not caring at all. I realize though (after much debate and frustration), that his carefree, no stress mind-set is the balancing act to my worrying demeanor. I like to think he's my sunshine, on a cloudy day.

 

Enjoy this flood picture....

 

 

As my grandmother would tell me, it’s not a problem, just a challenge. I have to remind myself of that.

Wishing the rain away and lots of love.