Accountability. That is exactly what I've been failing to give myself for the last two years. We're not talking the kind of accountability where someone is there and is like "hey did you meal prep today?" or "Wow....you're not losing weight." For me, shaming me and bringing to light my shortcomings and then changing the subject is not helping to develop and continue a healthy mindset. It's perpetuating a cycle of negativity. It's not that I cannot hear those things, but it is the intention of the person behind those words that can make a world of difference. In 2020, I want to re-establish a network of like minded individuals that care about their own well being and continuously work towards it. When they ask me how I'm doing, there's actual credibility and pure intention behind it.
Redefine my sphere of influence. When it comes to creating positive change, the bottom line is that it is not easy. Hence, the reason I am here. There's something empowering about laying all your cards on the table and letting the world know where you're at. Some might find that idea horrendous. This year is all about empowerment and embracing my authentic self. I strive to surround myself with like minded individuals who believe in my growth as an individual and contribute to it. I will spend time in places that nourish my soul and development, and avoid those that don't. And yes, they can change from day to day. If you're trying to cut fast food out of your diet, why would it make sense to keep driving the route that has all of the fast food on it? Yes, you may be taking a slight detour until you develop a new habit to avoid these restaurants, but isn't it worth the extra effort in the beginning to change what you expose yourself to in order to support your goals? You wouldn't have a recovering alcoholic keep alcohol in their home. Why would you continue to surround yourself with things that don't support you? I have really worked to organize and clean out my home so it is focused and everything there is intentionally placed and supports me and where I am in my life.
Setting my vision. I am "reading" (okay, it's an audiobook) called "Maybe It's You," by Lauren Handel Zander. In the beginning one of the exercises is to stop and create a vision for each of the 12 categories in your life: How you feel about yourself, body, relationships, spirituality, career, money, time, family, friends, fun and adventure, and community. Now, I've created many visions and goals before, but I liked the specificity of this model, and how the author instructed you write these visions. If you know anything about daily affirmations, you are essentially creating life affirmations for each of these areas. For 2020, I am focusing on the areas of body, money, and self. It is through this "blog," that I plan to journal my experiences and progress in each of these areas. I hope to create a tribe among us, for those of you that are interested in pursuing a life of self-improvement and growth. If that's not your thing, okay. But again...if I don't feel you have pure intentions in your support, you won't be someone I likely surround myself with quite as much.
Let's cut to the chase....I'm about to get REAL. VULNERABLE.
Vision 1: I am debt free in 2021.
$10,786. When I calculated my debt at the beginning of the year three weeks ago, that's what it was.
1 year ago today, it was 0. In ONE YEAR, I managed to accrue over 10k in debt.
HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?
Guilt tripping, pressure, and some unfortunate luck. About half of that was due to my beautiful puppy in heaven passing away after fighting parvo for a week with 24/7 care in the vet hospital. That's where it started.... And then, I guess it just became a slippery slope downhill. I've been doing a lot of reflecting and have come to realize that it came down to 3 things: being pressured to spend money I didn't have, having a lifestyle that didn't support my income and paying all of my bills, and spending money on home items that I justified to myself as needing. Either because it was refused that someone else should contribute and it was a necessary item, or it was used as an emotional bandaid because it gave me something to find joy in.
Let me say, this sounds like a HUGE feat. But I am determined to eliminate this debt in 2020. I was hoping I would have a no spend January, and did relatively well the first couple of weeks, but then life and poor planning crept up on me. For example, yesterday I had to run to Costco on my lunch to buy toilet paper so I wouldn't have to use my paper towels to wipe. And when you're at Costco.....
Well, you know what happens.
It's my fault...I have no self-control! (For now)....
Stay tuned for my in-depth debt and budget analysis. I am going full disclosure. I currently have private shame about the purchases I've made, although I do consider them to be important purchases....they just won't help my goals. Oh, and I will be paying down this debt while STILL SAVING for other goals (travel and home repairs).
Vision 2-Body: I am confident and love looking in the mirror
Do not confuse looking in the mirror with being conceited or self-centered. I am talking having pride for the body I have worked for and developed.
2 years ago, I weighed 130 pounds. Today, I am 151.
I have eaten too large of portions, of calories dense foods, and participated in too many social events while consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. Again, if I chose not to do these things, I would be guilted and so it was often easier to just do them than deal with the repercussions.
I have had some injuries that have prevented me from being as active as I have hoped. Primarily tearing my ligaments in my ankle in late April, which was then followed by surgery and months of recovery. I'm just now starting to hike again, and even then, my ankle is not too happy about it.
Since Thanksgiving, I have had costochondritus, which was essentially tearing some of the tissue in my rib cage from my bronchitus and coughing so hard. I would say I'm probably 85% now?
Either way, it's time to get back to meal prepping, hiking, exercise....just healthy living in general.
I CAN'T WAIT!
-----It's time for work...I'll get into the weeds of both of these vision statements later. :)
I would LOVE to have some people on my journey (Well, your own journey, but we go through it together).
Comment with what your top vision/goals for the year are!!!
Redefine my sphere of influence. When it comes to creating positive change, the bottom line is that it is not easy. Hence, the reason I am here. There's something empowering about laying all your cards on the table and letting the world know where you're at. Some might find that idea horrendous. This year is all about empowerment and embracing my authentic self. I strive to surround myself with like minded individuals who believe in my growth as an individual and contribute to it. I will spend time in places that nourish my soul and development, and avoid those that don't. And yes, they can change from day to day. If you're trying to cut fast food out of your diet, why would it make sense to keep driving the route that has all of the fast food on it? Yes, you may be taking a slight detour until you develop a new habit to avoid these restaurants, but isn't it worth the extra effort in the beginning to change what you expose yourself to in order to support your goals? You wouldn't have a recovering alcoholic keep alcohol in their home. Why would you continue to surround yourself with things that don't support you? I have really worked to organize and clean out my home so it is focused and everything there is intentionally placed and supports me and where I am in my life.
Setting my vision. I am "reading" (okay, it's an audiobook) called "Maybe It's You," by Lauren Handel Zander. In the beginning one of the exercises is to stop and create a vision for each of the 12 categories in your life: How you feel about yourself, body, relationships, spirituality, career, money, time, family, friends, fun and adventure, and community. Now, I've created many visions and goals before, but I liked the specificity of this model, and how the author instructed you write these visions. If you know anything about daily affirmations, you are essentially creating life affirmations for each of these areas. For 2020, I am focusing on the areas of body, money, and self. It is through this "blog," that I plan to journal my experiences and progress in each of these areas. I hope to create a tribe among us, for those of you that are interested in pursuing a life of self-improvement and growth. If that's not your thing, okay. But again...if I don't feel you have pure intentions in your support, you won't be someone I likely surround myself with quite as much.
Let's cut to the chase....I'm about to get REAL. VULNERABLE.
Vision 1: I am debt free in 2021.
$10,786. When I calculated my debt at the beginning of the year three weeks ago, that's what it was.
1 year ago today, it was 0. In ONE YEAR, I managed to accrue over 10k in debt.
HOW IS THAT POSSIBLE?
Guilt tripping, pressure, and some unfortunate luck. About half of that was due to my beautiful puppy in heaven passing away after fighting parvo for a week with 24/7 care in the vet hospital. That's where it started.... And then, I guess it just became a slippery slope downhill. I've been doing a lot of reflecting and have come to realize that it came down to 3 things: being pressured to spend money I didn't have, having a lifestyle that didn't support my income and paying all of my bills, and spending money on home items that I justified to myself as needing. Either because it was refused that someone else should contribute and it was a necessary item, or it was used as an emotional bandaid because it gave me something to find joy in.
Let me say, this sounds like a HUGE feat. But I am determined to eliminate this debt in 2020. I was hoping I would have a no spend January, and did relatively well the first couple of weeks, but then life and poor planning crept up on me. For example, yesterday I had to run to Costco on my lunch to buy toilet paper so I wouldn't have to use my paper towels to wipe. And when you're at Costco.....
Well, you know what happens.
It's my fault...I have no self-control! (For now)....
Stay tuned for my in-depth debt and budget analysis. I am going full disclosure. I currently have private shame about the purchases I've made, although I do consider them to be important purchases....they just won't help my goals. Oh, and I will be paying down this debt while STILL SAVING for other goals (travel and home repairs).
Vision 2-Body: I am confident and love looking in the mirror
Do not confuse looking in the mirror with being conceited or self-centered. I am talking having pride for the body I have worked for and developed.
2 years ago, I weighed 130 pounds. Today, I am 151.
I have eaten too large of portions, of calories dense foods, and participated in too many social events while consuming excessive amounts of alcohol. Again, if I chose not to do these things, I would be guilted and so it was often easier to just do them than deal with the repercussions.
I have had some injuries that have prevented me from being as active as I have hoped. Primarily tearing my ligaments in my ankle in late April, which was then followed by surgery and months of recovery. I'm just now starting to hike again, and even then, my ankle is not too happy about it.
Since Thanksgiving, I have had costochondritus, which was essentially tearing some of the tissue in my rib cage from my bronchitus and coughing so hard. I would say I'm probably 85% now?
Either way, it's time to get back to meal prepping, hiking, exercise....just healthy living in general.
I CAN'T WAIT!
-----It's time for work...I'll get into the weeds of both of these vision statements later. :)
I would LOVE to have some people on my journey (Well, your own journey, but we go through it together).
Comment with what your top vision/goals for the year are!!!
I love this, Jen!
ReplyDeleteVision 1: Body- I will have a healthy neck and spine!
I will stay committed to my hot yoga practice, stretching and back/core strengthening exercise. I need to stop pushing myself to “be tough” when I know an activity isn’t the best for my vision.
Vision 2: All Relationships- I will be more vulnerable with my family and friends and become a better listener. I want real connections and deeper relationships, therefore I need to be trusting and present.
Vision 3: Yourself- I will live in the now and not in my head. I need to continuously take action and “throw my hat over the wall” instead of spending countless hours thinking things through and figuring things out. Timing will never be perfect. I’ll never know exactly what to do or say in life. Just gotta leap and be real even if that means being real messy sometimes.
Vision 4: Money- I will eliminate my credit card debt. $3200. After I eliminate that I can throw that extra $400 towards paying off my $27000 of remaining student loans.
Vision 5: Fun and Yourself- I will creatively express my self through art making at least twice a month and get my artwork out there!
Vision 6: Career- I will create a published program/curriculum based off of my teaching style and change the face of art education :)