We may be almost to the end of January, but I still want to say Happy New Year, friends! I don’t know about you, but I feel like we are already months into 2020 instead of just weeks - anyone else?!

In 2019 when I took a break from writing I also took a break from setting and revisiting goals on a monthly basis. I went through the motions at the start of the year, I wrote things down, but then I put those goals away and never looked at them again. In looking back at the last year, I can see now that 2019 was a year of giving myself the space to feel all the emotions and take some pressure off. But in 2020 I want to get back to some structure - and I have a new set of PowerSheets to use along the way!

(Want to learn more about this intentional goal setting tool? I’ve talked about using PowerSheets to set annual goals before here, here and here!)

I took my time these first few weeks of the year to walk through the prep work, and I’m glad that I allowed myself that time without adding pressure because January 1 had already passed by. While my goals this year are not necessarily revolutionary based on goals that I have set in previous years, they are certainly intentional and meaningful to what I want to achieve in 2020.

This year, I’m hoping to RENEW my confidence and sense of self after a year of feeling weary. With that in mind, here are the seven goals I’ve identified for 2020!

goal one

Spend more time out in nature. In 2020 I want to grow my sense of appreciation for the natural world we live in.

Why: As someone who works from home in my professional life, it’s easy for me to just stay inside all day long and not leave the house. But when I do spend time outside, I always find that my mood improves and I feel better.
Some action steps: Focus on making time spent outside a part of my daily routine. Learn more about outdoor recreation options in our area. Choose to limit screen time in favor of outdoor activities. Learn more about gardening and have fun trying new things in our outdoor spaces.

goal two

Stretch my creative hobbies. In 2020 I want to continue to learn new things and build new creative skills.

Why: Creativity has always been a strength of mine, and some of my favorite hobbies really lean into that creative drive that I have. I want to continue to expand my strengths in hobby areas that I am already active in, like knitting and writing, while also not letting my comfort in those skills prevent me from cultivating creative strengths in new areas!
Some action steps: Focus on knitting through my yarn stash before purchasing anything new. Knit a sweater for myself. Try needle-felting. Develop a writing calendar for The Lenten Rose Cottage that I can stick to. Create monthly floral designs for our home. Embroider a sampler for a nursery.

goal three

Identify my beauty and clothing uniforms. In 2020 I want to simplify my routines so getting ready each day is easy and fun.

Why: With an overall simplified daily routine, I’m hoping that I can build the amount of confidence I have in my appearance. By simplifying my routine and the clutter in my closet, I will also likely start spending less money on clothes that I just don’t need. I also am ready to embrace my natural hair color and officially go grey!
Some action steps: Complete a ruthless closet clean out. Set a monthly spending budget and stick to it. Find my makeup comfort zone and set a daily makeup routine. Cut my hair to remove all of the color and embrace my natural shade. Try wearing lipstick for fun.

goal four

Listen to my body. In 2020 I want to trust myself more to know what my body actually needs, both physically and mentally.

Why: I want to be able to confidently determine needs vs. wants, and set myself up to feel more rested and productive each day.
Some action steps: Set a regular sleep and wake time and routine each day. Learn more about and adopt intuitive eating habits. Exercise because it makes me feel good, not because I feel ashamed of my size. Establish time during the week specifically for rest. Drink more water throughout the day. Begin a regular meditation practice.

goal five

Reduce our credit card debt by half. In 2020 I want to take bold steps in finding stability for our family financially.

Why: After living on one income for over two and a half years, we are finally a two income family! With new financial resources coming in, we need to gain control over the situation that was created from a lack of stability for such an extended period of time.
Some action steps: Identify how much credit card debt we actually have. Decide which credit card to start tackling first with snowball payments. Review our monthly expenses and make adjustments to lessen these where we can. Set a weekly and monthly budget party to review progress. Find success as a Beautycounter consultant so we have additional income sources.

goal six

Establish routines that will help me through IVF. In 2020 I want to take this next step in starting our family, and I know that I can thrive if the right routines are in place.

Why: We know that IVF is the next step to hopefully achieving our long-standing desire to be parents. By setting routines related to physical activity, nutrition, and mental wellness, I will set myself up for success through this medical process and hopefully the pregnancy that will follow.
Some action steps: Determine with my doctor what physical, nutritional, and mental limits will exist for me during IVF and hopefully pregnancy. Exhibit transparency with my work and personal support teams so that my availability and needs are understood. Seek guidance from friends who have gone through IVF and/or are parents so I feel as prepared as I possibly can going into this process.

goal seven

Prepare our home for an expanding family. In 2020 I want to create a place that is safe and inviting for a new baby.

Why: Because for as much stress, heartache, and disappointment that infertility has caused our family, we should have the chance to have fun with this process of starting a family too!
Some action steps: Set aside a weekend each month to use for decluttering our home. Get quotes for needed home improvements that we are not comfortable doing ourselves. Research items needed for a nursery. Research sustainable baby gear and clothing brands. Create a Pinterest board to help streamline ideas for decorating a nursery. Set routines for cleaning and maintaining the spaces in our home.

Just as before, I’ll share monthly updates on how I’m progressing through these goals throughout this year starting in February. In the meantime, I’d love to hear what you have planned for 2020! Have you set goals yet? Drop a note in the comments about what you’re planning for 2020 so that I can cheer you on!