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Planning for the New Year

When I started this blog, I used it as a way to record important things, activities I loved, things that brought me joy, ways I curated creativity in ABQ Cottage Garden.  After awhile it morphed into a way to express my frustration with the foster care system, my joy at being my kids' mom and a way to record memories in Growing a Little Bit More Than Flowers.  After a break of many years filled knee deep with scrambling to be the best single mama I could, managing an overwhelmingly wonderful and gutwrenching career path and finally jumping headfirst into a new challenge back in my old home town, I think I'd like to start writing again.  I miss the adventure of finding new ways to express my thoughts and I'm disenchanted with the quick public statements, lack of thoughtful response and immediate feedback of social media.  A quiet, semiprivate blog restart sounds intriguing. 

As my kids become firmly planted in their teenage years, they have less need for the physical and constant life management I've grown used to but I can't help but notice the increased need for emotional support, trusting freedom and careful check ins.  I'm trying to navigate with grace moving from front and center to sideline supporter and for a control freak like me that's a constant challenge.  I'm hoping that this blog will keep me accountable to letting them stretch themselves just enough to find who they really are while holding just tight enough for them to feel secure taking risks.  This transition has also given me time to realize how much I've neglected myself.  I want to use this space to record my hopes and dreams, setbacks and accomplishments as I work toward finding my best self. 

With that foundation in place, I'm working through a few things to help myself focus this year.  I'm sure will be an ongoing process and I want to give myself plenty of grace to modify as needed while still making sure I'm moving forward.

Goal:
Be proactive about my physical, emotional and spiritual health. 

Activities:

  • Complete the circles on my Apple Watch by breathing and moving consistently 5 days a week.
  • Complete the Winter Warrior Challenge of walking outside at least one mile a day for 30 days in January.
  • Dry January
  • Take and post 3 pictures a week of things that inspire me outside
  • Read 5 books for fun/enjoyment
  • Plan and enjoy short excursions to:
    • The Olympic Forest
    • San Juan Islands
    • Victoria/Vancouver
    • Vashon Island
    • Cannon Beach
    • Westport



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