2020 Goals

It's already the second week of January and I am just now sharing my goals and such for the year.

Honestly, I don't always decide on my goals for the year until the new year gets here.

Hence this post at this time.

Let's briefly review my goals from 2019...

Last year I tried to focus on making every day a good day, as well as finding my Joy.
Let's be real...not every day was a good day.
And not every day was full of joy.
But overall the year was great :)

This year I am still thinking about finding the good in every day and being joyful.
But I do have a new main goal for 2020.

This year I have a bit of a To-Do List that goes along with that goal.
This year I want to be Intentional with my time!

Honestly, I didn't have my word or motto for 2020 until right this very moment as I was typing.
Funny how that works out :)



Here's what Intentional means to me...

Surrounding myself with the people that make me feel and be my best!
That could be monthly, quarterly or even a yearly get together.

That also means saying "No" to things.

One of the things on my agenda this year is meeting some of my very favorite friends for the first time in person!
That sounds super scary, but it is way overdue!
Those ladies are one of the best support systems I have in life and we have never been face to face :(
To me, that takes a lot for a person to have your back and be that amazing and supportive without being around you.

I also want to be Intentional with my marriage and being a mom.
I want to be Intentional with my health as well.
I loved getting in control of that last year, but I did let things slide the busier the year got.
But a new year/new decade means a fresh start.

I also want to be Intentional with this blog.
Meaning, I'm not posting every day just to post.
I only want to share content that feels good to me :)

Still here? ;)
Now I want to know what your goals or wishes are for 2020!
Do you have a word to live by or motto for this year or decade?
Let me know in the comments below or shoot me an email at leota6@gmail.com

Wishing you all a wonderful Monday!


XOXO ~ Vanessa

How We...Do Goals/Resolutions

Linking up with Shay & Erika for...

Yes, it is cold and kind of blah outside here in Ohio but it is the beginning of a new year!
And with every new year we get a chance to start fresh!

Instead of saying resolutions I set Goals for myself each year.

Here is what I am shooting for this year...

Be the healthiest me I can be by 40

How am I going to do that?
Well, first of all despite still having a cold I have pushed myself to get a workout in every day this year so far!
I am also back to making smart eating choices.
No more Christmas cookies or chips sitting around either helps!
Lots of water!
I was doing really well with my water intake and then I got sick and the holidays came.
Meaning I drank more coffee and pop to get me through the day,
and then enjoyed more adult beverages than I normally do because it was the holidays.
But something that has really helped me keep things going is the Garmin VivoFit3 that I Mic picked up for Christmas for me.
I put it on that day and I rarely take it off.
Sitting at a desk all day for work is not good.
Thankfully, the little red line that pops up every now and then on my band makes me get up and move.
I actually run in place until the line goes away.
I am loving it!


Except me for me

This is an ongoing goal for me.
Every year I do get a little bit better, but I still struggle with trying to just fit in.
Some days I feel like I don't fit in anywhere...my hometown, my current town, on the blog, etc.
Just nothing feels right some days.
I need to be Ok with that, but man is it hard!
But since the first of the year I have been doing a lot better!
I have filmed instastories that I never would have done,
and I have talked about my need for something more in the blog world.
I am just a small town girl that grew up on the outskirts of Cleveland, Ohio that now resides in the country in Central Ohio.
My life has been completely flipped upside down for the last 14 years.
And I am very slowly starting to be Ok with that.


Get back to writing more from the heart

I actually did a little of this yesterday.
When I first started this blog I just wrote whatever I could come up with.
I had no idea about link ups, collaborations, product reviews, etc.
It was basically an online journal in the beginning to help me get through a rough time.
Over the years it turned into an online scrapbook, a place to meet new friends, and more.
But over the last year I felt myself just going through the motions, but just not able to give it my all due to work and home life.
And you know what?
I felt how much it affected me because I wasn't getting that connection with all of you the way I used to.
And I need that more than I realized!
I have been trying to schedule topics in my calendar that I want to write about.
Don't get me wrong, I love link ups because that is where I have "met" so many of you!
So I will still continue to join fun link ups, but I will be sprinkling a little more of me in there as well.


Plan an awesome 40th Birthday celebration trip for myself

I know that sounds kind of silly, but that is a goal for me :)
My 40th birthday is in December, so I do have a little bit of time to think things through, plan, book, etc.
In an ideal world I would just go away somewhere for a long weekend right at my birthday with some wonderful friends.
My birthday falls 8 days before Christmas so that may not work out so well.
So I am thinking about the week in between in Christmas and New Year's...or right after the first of the year.
I could go earlier too I guess ;)
Which this then leads into my next goal....


Get a passport and use it!

I know, it is strange that it is 2018 and I don't have a passport.
I never have.
Honestly, you used to be able to go into Canada when I was a teenager and didn't need anything.
Not too long ago all you needed was your birth certificate.
Now you need a passport to go anywhere.
Another reason I never got one is because I didn't really have any thoughts of going outside of the US.
There are so many places right here that I have never been to!
But that 40th birthday is approaching and it is saying go on an adventure at least for a few days ;)
So with that said.....what ideas do you have for places I can go to celebrate my birthday for a long weekend that I need to use a passport?
Where have you been?
Any all-inclusive resorts that you just loved?
How about cruises?

So what are your goals or resolutions for 2018?
Any big trips planned?



** Today is a 2-for-1 day on the blog! **
** Click here to check out a few of my picks for the Pantone Color of the Year! **

New Year's Goals

 Hello Friends!

I am super excited for a fresh start on...everything! lol!

What better way to start a new year, but with some new goals :)

I am joining Shay & Erika today for their new link up series...

As you can see from that list above, the prompt for today is New Year's Goals!

Perfect!

Just like everyone else under the sun of course I want to get back to eating healthier, making more meals at home, working out, etc., etc.

But here are some other goals that I have set for myself as well.

Reading More

I ordered this book for myself after seeing Shay and a few others mention it this past year.

Do any of you read this book?

If so, I would love to hear how you are reading it.

I am currently on the two year plan :)

I also have these two to read as well :)

 Magnolia Story

Settle For More

Project New Shoes

So I am totally one of those moms/people that always wants/needs to update something that is seriously outdated or non-functioning in my closet, but then finds something that X needs instead.

Getting new shoes, especially for work and working out have been put off for way too long!

I am talking at least 5 years people! :(

Any suggestions on cute gym shoes and/or walking shoes are greatly appreciated!

New Workout Options

I like to vary my workouts because I get bored really easy.

I still have my 21 Day Fix workouts, but I picked up a few new DVDs as well to add into the mix.

dvd

dvd

And I ordered this book and foam roller from Amazon :)

book

foam roller


And of course I will be using my new cookbook to meal plan  :)

What are your goals for 2017?

September Goals

Happy 1st day of September!

Today I am talking about my goals for the month :)

And if you put it on the blog you have to do it right? lol!

Goal #1

And do yoga :)

I feel like a get a good workout from yoga, but it also calms me a bit.

Something I definitely need!

Goal #2

Besides yoga, I want to force myself to get outside more while the weather is still pretty nice.

Going for walks, playing baseball with X, etc.

Goal #3

I found this printable and think it is perfect for meal planning!

You can download it here :)

Now that school is back in session and things are slowly falling back into a routine,

I am looking forward to planning our meals again.

Goal #4

 Start Christmas shopping.

Pretty self explanatory :)

And I thought this was pretty interesting...

Goal #5

I tried to purge as much as I could from X's closet last year when we moved, but that kid is growing like a weed and it NEEDS to be done again!

Plus, we can then determine what he needs for the this winter :)

Goal #6

I am looking for something more.

I am not a big reader, but a good book might be just what I need.

Something that makes me feel good.

Any suggestions?

And last, but not least...

 I saw this and thought I truly need to do that more often.

We move so quickly through our days to just get them over with and get on to the next thing.

I am hoping that all those other goals for this month help me with this one :)

What are some of your goals for September?

Link your #ThinkingOutLoudThursday posts below,

and don't forget to link back to X-tremely V & Penny's Passion!

March Goals

Currently it is 1:40pm and am trying to drum up ideas write this post ;)
Do you ever have those days that you can come up with a million topics that you want to write about, but then when it comes to typing them out you have nothing?
I am having one of those days :(
But today I am scratching all those ideas and going with a good ole' list post!

#whenindoubt #gowithalistpost

Make smart food choices
I mentioned on here last week that I was food prepping for the 21 Day Fix.
As of today, I am on day 4 and it feels great!
I love getting back to eating smaller portions, better foods, etc.
My goal of course is to keep it up after the 21 days and throughout the summer.


Workout at least 5x's a week
I have said it a million times and I will say it a million more...I LOVE to workout!
Fitting it into my work/life schedule gets rough though.
There are usually 2 days a week that Mic works late, we aren't home, etc. that I miss getting to get a good workout in.
Otherwise I would be saying 7 days a week :)
Plus, with having a pool now I want to always feel comfortable in my bathing suit.


Get the backyard ready for summer
I haven't had a pool since I was a kid, so I am slightly giddy over the fact that we have one now.
Of course that means daydreaming of pool parties, grilling dinner by the pool, etc.
However, we have a lot of work to do before I am inviting anyone over!
We have plans to pull out all of the weeds, flowers, plants, etc and just reseed it with grass.
I would have to have someone spray for mosquito's too since we live in a damp area in the woods.


Spring clean the house
Just like the backyard, I want to get the inside of the house cleaned up.
We still have so much we haven't truly unpacked since we moved in officially in November!
I want to open the windows, let the fresh air in, and get the 40 years worth of dog hair and such out.
It wouldn't hurt if we had a company come spray for spiders, ants, bees, etc.
I am not ready for any of those little friends.
Who am I kidding, I will never be ready for them!
#countrylivingisnotforme


Do at least 1 activity with X on Spring Break
Because I work a full-time job I don't get to spend the week with X when he is on Spring Break :(
I am hoping to plan a couple activities in the evening, on the weekend, and maybe, just maybe, convince Mic to let me (or both of us) take a day off for some week day fun!
Who knows what we will do, but I just want my little guy to have the best time :)


And that my friends are my goals for the month.
I have quite a bit to get done, but hopefully with the weather slightly improving each day we can make it happen!
And if it doesn't, there is always April ;)

Ps. I have no idea why the font size is changing throughout this post or why some things are bold and others aren't.
I didn't change a thing!
Crazy!

Don't forget to link your #ThinkingOutLoudThursday post below,
and link back to X-tremely V & Penny's Passion!

Let's Talk | New Year

Linking up today with Erika and Andrea for

Today is all about resolutions, goals, plans for the new year.

You can check out and read more about my phrase of the year :)

Other than my phrase of the year, I am trying to keep things light this year.

So my only goal for 2016 is to keep living a healthier lifestyle.

What does that mean?

I have loved following the #21dayfix

Keeping up with my daily workouts, eating smaller portions, putting good food into my body, but of course still enjoying life :)

Meaning the occasional cocktail, ice cream, etc. are still allowed ;)

What are your goals for 2016?

be present

Hello!
If you are new around these parts, my name is Vanessa :)

me, x, mic

I started this little space called X-tremely V almost 3 years ago.
At the time I was thinking of this blog as a diary of sorts, to help me let off some steam, etc.
Three years later and I am still here!
Crazy!
Each day discovering a little bit more about myself and the person I want to be moving forward in life.
I have discovered some great blogs/bloggers along the way, and (even better) made some amazing friends!

What to know more about me?
Click here or just ask! :)
Leave a comment, post a link to your blog (I love discovering new ones), etc.

Speaking of a little more about me....
Today I am talking about my goals for 2016.
As I type this a million different things are racing through my head that I would love to work on, focus on, etc. for this year.

Examples: Making sure I get my 30 minutes of exercise in a day (FYI: I am in such a better mood if I do), Eating smaller portions, but still enjoying some of the foods I love (moderation people!)

But at this time of year, everyone under the sun seems to want to workout more and eat better.
So I have something a bit different that I really want to work towards this year.

I am choosing a simple phrase to focus on in 2016.

" Be Present"

I am talking about being more present in all that I do.
Whether I am at work, writing a blog post, spending QT with Mic, hanging out with X, etc.
I want to be more present in any and all activities I do this year :)

I am sure as the year goes on I will have more goals that I want to work towards, but right now this sounds like a pretty good (and big) one for me :)

Did you choose a word or phrase for 2016?
I would love to hear what your goals are for this year!

Linking up today with Andrea @ Momfessionals for

July Goals | The bar is high

Every month I see many bloggers write posts detailing their monthly goals, how did they did on the previous month, etc.

While I have always wanted to do that I flat out forget to do it and half the month is over before I remember to write said post.

So...since it is only July 2nd and I am actually remembering I am diving all in!

1. Pick out and order a 2016 planner

Last year I decided to pick up one at Target and call it a day.

While I really like the look and size of it, it doesn't have any pockets and lacks a lot of the extras that I crave need.

I am on a quest to find a planner this month and get it ordered.

Right now I am leaning towards the Erin Condren life planner, but I am open to donations discounts suggestions ;)

2. Go swimming

This summer hasn't been off to a very good start in Ohio :(

The temps have been averaging in the 60's with lots of rain.

Really hoping the July weather improves and we are able to get outside and enjoy the pool at my in-laws/our future home.

Swimming in a pool just makes it feel like summer to me :)

3. List our house for sale

I feel like I have been talking about doing this forever!

We have a couple things left to paint or touch up, and then it is clean and take pictures!

4. Eat dinner outside

Another issue with having all that rain is that we haven't been able to sit outside for dinner.

Heck, we didnt' even get to grill our dinner during the month of June!

Come on Mother Nature! I need some sunshine in central Ohio!

Preferably in the evenings and on weekends :)

5. Move to our "new to us" house

My in-laws new place is getting the finishing touches on it as you read this so it shouldn't be long before we can start moving their stuff in.

Which in turn means we can start moving our stuff into their old place/our new place!

I am tired of daydreaming about where we will place our furniture, and how fun it will be to grill our dinner out by the pool...I want to do it!

Wish me luck! I am setting my sights high for the month of July!

Do you set monthly goals?

If so, what is on your list for this month?

Don't forget to link back to X-tremely V and Penny's Passion in your Thursday post and link it below as well!

#ThinkingOutLoudThursdays