Living with Intention {August}

For me, 2016 has been all about living with intention.

Is been my hope this year to be more intentional about the choices I make – how I choose to spend my time and making the choice to be more present in the moments I share with my family & friends.

Living a more intentional and purposeful life is a pretty broad statement, so I’ve decided to break things down into smaller goals for each month and, to keep myself on track, I’ve also decided to share my journey here on the blog (because let’s face it, it’s often so much easier to talk yourself out of doing something, than into doing something).
 

 
 

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Last month I chatted a bit about how I’d somehow lost my way with things. This month however, I’m so happy to report that all is back on track.

I was able to find focus on what brings my heart the most joy. And I’m feeling much more relaxed and fulfilled for it.

Here’s a quick recap of my goals for July and how I’ve done following through…

{family}: Each and every Mercer will spend just 1 hour (or less!) in front of a screen each day.

This one has actually been easier than I’d imagined – it’s incredible the time you suddenly find when you step away from the screen! Honestly, I’ve become more productive in all areas of my life – from work to family time and everything in between, each and every moment seems to stretch so much further.

 
 

{home}: Finish up my office space and get started on the next big thing!

Not quite there yet, but it’s coming along!!! And in the mean time, plans are in the works for our next reno project, which just happens to be our biggest yet!

 
 

{blog}: Get myself back to working two+ weeks ahead and then maintain it!!!

Almost … I’m sitting at about a week ahead of schedule. Just when I get a bit ahead, I decide to take a break and fall back right where I was. Such is life in the Summer and honestly, I’m not sure I’d have it any other way.

 
 

{myself}: Do some sort of physical activity that I LOVE at least three times per week.

This one is really working for me. Honestly, why didn’t I think of this sooner?! I’ve set goals for yoga, goals for the gym, and goals for running, but, because I have neither the time or energy to maintain them ALL, I end up focusing on just one part (if I can even manage that anyway). Instead, throwing them all into one big goal and letting myself choose whatever it is I need most on any given day has made things so much easier to stick to. This just fits into my life so perfectly!
 
 

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For the month of Augus, here’s what I will be choosing to focus on to help me live with intention:

 

{Family}: Our not so little man is gearing up for another year of preschool and couldn’t be more excited about it! He was enrolled in the 3 year old program last year and something about all of those firsts, all at once, made it easy to think of him as my little boy still.

This year though, there’s just no mistaking that our little guy is growing up. He’s riding his two wheeler (sans training wheels even!) like a boss and listening as we read chapter books to him each night now. Yet, with all this growing up he’s done, I don’t feel I’ve really kept up with it all from my end. We still find ourselves getting him dressed, helping him put on his shoes, basically doing every little thing for him that we can. I hadn’t thought much of it until back-to-school time hit, now I’m finding myself feeling like it’s time this little man gains a bit of independence. Lately, we’ve been encouraging him to get himself ready each morning – brushing his own teeth, getting himself dressed and even making his bed. We’ve also been giving him little chores to do around the house like dusting the baseboards, putting away groceries and sweeping the back patio. I’m not sure why exactly, but we’ve been pleasantly surprised at how capable and even helpful our little man has become.

 

Let’s get specific: Continue to encourage Carson to get himself ready each morning, including making his own bed (even if it’s not perfect!). Give Carson 2-3 extra chores to complete each week as well as regular jobs such as dusting and unpacking groceries.

 
 

{home}: We’ve got some BIG ideas up our sleeve this Summer, including some major revamps to really up our curb appeal! Because we literally did no work at all on the house last month, I’m hoping we can make up for it all in August.
 

Let’s get specific: Start AND finish as many projects as possible to renovate the outside of our home.

 
 

{Blog}: This one’s been on my list for ages now, it’s time I face my fears…
 

Let’s get specific: Create a video to share!

 
 

{Myself}: I don’t think I’ve ever been so proud of my accomplishments as I was when I ran my first half marathon in 2013.

I’ve been running on and off ever since, even completing another half marathon last year, but I’ve never trained or performed like I did through the Summer of 2013.

Though I don’t have a race to train for, which leaves me lacking the motivation to run those crazy long distances, I’d really love to be running an easy 10K again on a regular basis. Right now 5K is a bit of a struggle, but I know that with a bit of time, I can regain some of that fitness.
 

Let’s get specific: Run 10K without falling over dead.

 
 

Feeling strong and ready to refocus my mind on what’s really important this month!
 

What are your goals this month? I’d love to hear how things are going!

Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!
 
 
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