For me, 2016 will be all about living with intention.
This year, I hope 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).
Here’s a quick recap of my goals for May and how I did following through…
{family}: Make time for family bedtime again.
This one has actually been easier than I’d imagined – maybe because we’re all so exhausted at the end of the day that taking a break from whatever I’m doing to crawl into bed and enjoy some snuggles and stories sounds like absolute heaven. I’ll tell ya, all three of us cuddled up in C’s double bed is always one of my very favourite parts of my day!
{home}: Finish that darn bathroom on time!
Yep, we did it! Somehow, we pulled it off with a few days to spare even!
{blog}: Continue posting 2-3 times per week as we finish up this bathroom reno and head off to enjoy two weeks down in sunny Mexico.
Mexico was ahhhhhhmazing! And for the first time in a long time, I found it very easy to unplug and disconnect from the online world (which isn’t easy when you’re job depends on your online presence).
{myself}: Get out for 2-3 runs each week.
Okay, so I may have rocked my other goals for the month, but I didn’t even come close for this one.
For the month of June, here’s what I will be choosing to focus on to help me live with intention:
{Family}: Okay, at the risk of sounding like a horrible wife and mother, it’s truth time…
The Mercer family spends A LOT of time in front of a screen. Far too much if you ask me. Even hubs has mentioned some concerns about this going as far as to suggest that we completely cut off our cable and install some apps on our phones to track time spent on them. Now, I’m not so sure about losing my cable TV, but he does have a point. A view that I definitely I share too (mostly).
So, much to Carson’s dismay I’m sure, I’d like to set a daily limit to our screen time. Obviously, my job as a blogger requires me to spend a fair amount of time in front of the computer, but it’s how I spend my own time (you know, that time I spend parked on the couch in front of the TV), that I’d like to take back.
Let’s get specific: Each and every Mercer will spend just 1 hour (yes, just ONE) in front of a screen each day in June.
{home}: With the One Room Challenge finally behind us, it’s time to tackle a few of those projects around the house that have been nagging at us for far too long.
Though I’ve been planning a few biggies through the Summer, there’s one project that’s actually been sitting in limbo since March that I can’t wait to finally finish up. I’m not ready to spill the beans just yet, but watch for more details coming this week.
Let’s get specific: Finish up that big old project we started in March!
{Blog}: Staying afloat was the theme last month as we worked our way through the One Room Challenge and then took off for two weeks to sunny Mexico.
And now, I’ve got SO much catching up to do!
Let’s get specific: Get myself back to working 2+ weeks ahead!
{Myself}: Since this is the one that got no attention or focus at all last month, I’m sticking with the same…
Let’s get specific: Get out for 2-3 runs each week.
Did you set any goals for this year? I’d love to hear how things are going!
Wishing you SUCH a lovely day!
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Love these posts! You can do it my friend.
Thank you Ashley! It’s definitely helping me to keep focused on what really matters (most of the time anyway).
Sounds like some great goals hun, I know with writing them down it makes you more accountable. I am have stepped back from blogging myself to help my adopted kids deal with many past issues and it has been taking so much of my time. I am just staying active on IM. I will be following your progress hun and the best of luck. XOXOXO Debra…..
Thank you so much Debra! Writing it all out (for the world to see) is definitely helping me to stay focused. Wishing you and those kiddos the very best my friend. xo
I love reading about your journey. I have been trying to do a few things better myself. I am doing two habits every 30 days. Work in my yard for 10 minutes a day. Not as easy as I thought!!
No email and SM checking before inpray and spend a few minutes of quiet time when I wake up.
10 minutes of daily spiritual devotional reading.
Next month, adding 30 minutes of working on a creative project every day.
Keep at it! It feels so good to reach those goals. Especially he screen time, you will be amazed at how much more time you have!
Thank you so, so much Karen! I think everyone has times in their life where they lose focus of what’s most important to them, some more than others of course. I love that you’ve zeroed in on such simple and specific things that, though they don’t take much time, they can have such far reaching effects! Thanks again for the support, I’m actually really excited about this one!!!
Hope you’re on track for June, Kristi! You can do it, girl! My running really needs to step it up a notch!! We should challenge each other!
Thanks Kendra! And we totally should!!!
I just found your blog through a link up and am really enjoying reading your posts. Also, love your bathroom! Love the shiplap look on the walls and your vanity. Nice job!
Awwwww, well thank you Sydnie! We’re really proud with how it all came together!
Kristi, great job on hitting a lot of your goals for May! The goals you set for June sound great! The limit screen time is a good one and one in which my family needs to strive for as well. Best wishes to you for June! 🙂
Thank you Keri! I have to say, this month has been a challenge for sure, but it’s definitely helping to break it down each month and write it all out. Thanks again!
Hi Kristi,
I just came across your blog and wanted to say how much I enjoyed reading through your goals. I also publish goals on my blog but I break them down weekly. If I set monthly goals I tend to put them off until the last week of the month. 🙂 Any tips on how you manage to fit working out into your week? That is the one area I seem to really struggle with. I do a good job of being fairly active but I would really like to increase the amount of time I do things like strength training or intense cardio. Thanks!
Thank you so much Amanda! What a great idea to break them down weekly! As for tips, it definitely helps me to plan all of my workouts into my week – including exactly what I’d like to do and when. Then, it’s just a matter of making sure I get my shoes on and get out the door – once I’ve got my shoes on, I know I won’t be able to talk myself out of it. It does help that I take my little guy to the gym with me (they have a small daycare) and he loves it so much that he gets quite disappointed if I cancel – his drive to go makes me feel accountable to him. 😉 Hope this helps!
I absolutely adore these posts!! Not only are you setting specific goals, but you are making yourself so transparently accountable!! <3 it!!
Thank you so much for sharing to the Monday Mish Mash.
*Hugs*
Ahhhh, thank you Amy! Definitely struggling through it the last few months, trying to juggle it all and somehow find the balance. But, it definitely helps to write it all out. Thanks again!