Happy New Year!
I am welcoming 2014 with open arms. I don’t want to look back at 2013 I just want to look forward and make the most of this year ahead of me.
2013 was a year of a lot of changes both good and bad. We’ve dealt with things I didn’t even talk about on the blog, but you know what we made it. We pushed through, stuck together, and I would say we are stronger than we have ever been. That is the good thing about hard times, they really can bring you together.
Even though 2013 wasn’t as great as I would have liked, I did realize just how extremely blessed I am. I am blessed with my health, my husband, my family, running, and each and every one of you. This year has taught me so much that I will use going into 2014.
I usually always make resolutions. I don’t make them anything crazy, but I set goals for myself for the year as something to guide my life by and look back on. It helps me stay focused and remember the important things in life.
I sat down a few nights ago and started making a list of my goals for the new year. We have so much uncertainty ahead of us, so making these were a bit difficult. I decided to break my resolutions down into three categories: personal, fitness, and career. These are three important areas of my life and making goals for each of them is important.
Personal:
1. Be a Better Wife
I think I make this a goal every single year, but I think it should be. This year has really challenged and strengthened our marriage all in one. I have caught myself not making our marriage #1 several times and this year my number one focus should be my husband and our marriage. I need to focus on putting us first and finding new ways to strengthen our marriage.
2. Focus on Nutrition
About a month ago I wrote a post on my disordered eating habits earlier this year. I have made great strides in focusing on my nutrition and health, but I want to continue learning more. I want to get my bingeing problems totally under control and focus on eating foods that are good for my body and running.
3. Positivity
I have always struggled with focusing on the bad. My goal this year is to focus on the positive things in my life that are in my control. I need to stop focusing on what I can’t change and focus on what I can.
Running/Fitness:
1. Stay Healthy
I have written over and over again about how I don’t want to make the same mistakes I did in the past. Running is something that is so important to me and I don’t want to do anything to risk that again. This year I am focusing on all aspects of running (even outside of the act of running itself). I can’t let the little things go in 2014.
2. Continue to Cross Train
I made it a goal to continue to cross train 3-4 times a week. At firs this seemed like a lot, but I remind myself just how important cross training is
3. Strength Training
Along with cross training I also let my strength training go this year. I knew I needed to be doing it but honestly I got lazy and just didn’t make it a priority. My goal is to strength train at least 3 days a week.
Career:
1. Find Part Time Employment until we Move
I have already started this process and have one job lined up. I start on January 26th and am excited! I still need to find another small job so that I can help to get us some extra money.
2. Figure out My Place
As the wife of a medical student/future doctor you often lose your place. You work to get money to get us from point A to point B but don’t really focus on what you want out of life. My goal this year (even though a big one) is to find my place. Find my passion.
3. Expand and Grow the Blog
I love how much of an outlet this blog has brought me in 2013. I honestly don’t know where I would be right now without it. I do want to find new ways to grow my little blog over the next year. I want to expand and bring you all new and exciting things.
What are your goals for 2014?
How are you going to make this the best year yet?
2013 was a tough year for my husband and I too, but I love that we are stronger for it. That’s a wonderful thing. I’ve learned a lot about me with the tough stuff that was thrown my way. My goal for 2014 is just to take life one day at a time with a smile on my face! Glad to have found your blog in 2013!
I agree Em! I have learned so much this year as well! Here is to 2014! I hope both of us have our best year yet 🙂
I really feel for you on the finding your place issue. My husband moved 3000 for me to do my PhD and where we are is nowhere near where he’d like to be and severely limits his job opportunities but he did it so I could go to the best program in my field and I feel both thankful and guilty every day because of it. I hope you find something that makes you passionate and excited to be where you are this year!
We all do amazing things for love 🙂 That is for sure! He has expressed the same feelings to me before, but I have never blamed him. He is getting his dream but now it is time for me to find mine too! I am not quite sure what that is, but I am open and willing to finding it out!
I look at the early years of our marriage as we found ourselves, started living for ourselves rather than others, struggled with infertility, and on and on … and with each struggle there was renewed strength.
As we approach our 22nd anniversary we are stronger than ever, and happier. She was working yesterday and I stopped over in the hopes of grabbing her for lunch and it was great. Every little thing can make a difference.
As for ‘being a better wife’ … my whole thing there is that we always have to remember that before we can be there for someone else, we have to be there for ourselves. When I look at the toughest times of our marriage, they were not when big things happened to both of us – those were very strong times. Instead it was when one or the other of us was in a dark place or struggling. And by working on THAT, our marriage strengthened as a result.
I hope 2014 brings you all that you desire! And that you find your passion.
I agree Michael part of my job and journey to “being a better wife” is to take better care of myself. When I take care of myself I am able to better take care of my husband and our future! I agree about the toughest times being when one person is in a dark place – we have been there! We have only been married 2.5 years but together for 9 so I am sure there are many many more tough times to come! I want to focus on becoming a better me so in turn I can be a better wife!
Great post Sara! I’m going to take some time today to write out my goals for 2014! 🙂
Thank you 🙂
My goal is to take care of myself better and take 1 rest day per week!
Great goals Megan! I agree I need to make sure to take 1 rest day a week this year!
Great post! You’ve really captured the important things in life and I love that #1 on your list focuses on your marriage. We all pursue so many goals in life that we forget/neglect what’s truly important! I’m happy to hear that the tough times have made you stronger. Bring on 2014! Happy new year!!
You can tell a huge difference in my marriage when we both put it first. My goal is to always work to become a better wife – in all areas that means taking care of my husband, myself, and what we have built together!
Happy New Year to you too Yasmee!
Great post, Sara! I can’t wait to see you accomplish all of these goals. I just know that 2014 will be a happy one for you!
I sure hope so! Happy New Year Megan!
These are great goals! I look forward to reading about your accomplishments this year. Happy New Year!
Thank you! 🙂 Happy New Year to you too!
Great goals! I like that you’re balancing them into different themes – by having each the personal / health / career goals, rather than just focusing on one area, I think that it can help provide even more of a holistic feel to things and consequently strengthen each of those areas even more. Must do some thinking on this for my own goals…
Thank you Sagan 🙂 Yes I agree it helps you focus on all areas of your life! Hoping for a great 2014!
Had to laugh out loud a little when I read “find your passion”…..I tell my hubby that ALL.the. TIME! I still don’t feel (at almost 45) passionate about one thing…sure a lot of stuff make me happy, get me motivated but really passionate? Nope.
I am working toward being a better ME this year. My eating, My Exercise, My everything…ME..get it? 😉
Happy 2014! No lengthy goals/resolutions here either. I’m staying appreciative for my ability and health to do what I love. I hope to be a little better at balancing my training, personal/social life, and work.