Embracing the New Year: My Comprehensive Goals for a Thriving 2016
As the calendar turns, ushering out the familiar comfort of the old year and welcoming the crisp, unwritten pages of the new, it’s a natural time for reflection and planning. Many find themselves contemplating what the next 366 days (yes, 2016 is a leap year!) might hold, sketching out ambitions and dreams. While I sometimes grapple with the commonality of New Year’s resolutions, questioning if January 1st truly holds a unique power over our twelve-month journey, my experience from last year proved the power of deliberate planning. My efforts in 2015 yielded tangible results, showing that articulating one’s aspirations can indeed pave the way for accomplishment. So, with renewed enthusiasm, let’s dive into the core objectives I’ve set for the year ahead.
Cultivating Well-being: Pause, Indulge, Savor Every Moment
In the previous year, a significant personal goal revolved around establishing a clearer distinction between my professional and personal life. I’ve always believed that striving for “balance” is a pursuit akin to chasing perfection—often elusive and frustrating. Instead, my focus shifted to making a conscious effort to better partition my time. I’m proud to say I made considerable progress, becoming more adept at knowing when to step away from the computer and dedicate myself to home-related pursuits. This conscious decoupling allowed me to complete more household goals, reduce clutter, and tackle some truly satisfying projects without feeling guilty about taking time for myself. It fostered a healthier approach, leading to less stress and more fulfillment in both realms.
This year, however, I’m elevating that commitment. My intention is to make a thoughtful, deliberate effort to truly *relax* and *savor* those moments when I take a break. It’s about more than just putting the work away; it’s about fully immersing myself in the quiet joys and indulgences of life and home. For instance, I often leave beautiful candles unlit, waiting for a “special occasion” that rarely materializes. And shockingly, I didn’t take a single bath all of last year (rest assured, regular showers were still a part of my routine!). These small, quiet moments of personal indulgence are precisely what I aim to integrate more deeply into my life in 2016. It’s about treating my home not just as a workspace or a place for projects, but as a sanctuary for comfort and enjoyment.
This year’s goal extends to fully indulging in the comfort and functionality of my home. It encompasses several mini-goals, one of which is to cook at home more frequently. Over the past two years, I’ve upgraded my old dishes and silverware to more mature, quality pieces, a change that I correctly anticipated would spark a greater desire to prepare meals at home. Now, with the kitchen walls finally completed, my enthusiasm for home cooking has intensified significantly. While I’m not aiming for Michelin-star levels of culinary dedication, I’m certainly keen to explore and enjoy my kitchen more. I’ve been gradually incorporating this habit to avoid reverting to my old takeout routines, and I’m excited to share a number of upcoming projects that will focus less on renovation and more on the joys of post-renovation living and entertaining.
Prioritizing Movement: Staying Active and Connected in 2016
In 2015, I consciously sought to increase my physical activity, primarily as a means to get out of the house. While working from home offers incredible flexibility, it also necessitates a more deliberate effort to move and engage with the outside world. It took some experimentation to discover activities that genuinely resonated with me and kept me motivated. During the warmer months, I regularly challenged myself by hiking up Stone Mountain—a task made uniquely ‘fun’ by my asthma, but incredibly rewarding nonetheless. This year, I’m committed to improving my hiking prowess, perhaps even incorporating short running intervals into my weekly treks.
Beyond solo endeavors, I discovered the immense benefits of group activities. Joining a weekly running group, which also doubles as a social club, introduced me to a fantastic network of new people. This connection proved invaluable, making me aware of other local running groups and various 5K events throughout the week. My past adventures in mud runs are well-documented, and I recently stumbled upon a new mud run group, sparking fresh excitement for future challenges. Rejoining my softball team also highlighted the crucial social aspect of physical activity; the sense of accountability and camaraderie is a powerful motivator. For 2016, I aim to expand on this by joining a second softball team, further integrating fitness and social engagement into my routine. And, on a more practical note, I desperately need to invest in new cleats—my current pair barely survived our championship double-header (which we won!), leaving me literally half a shoe short for a significant portion of the game.
Transforming Spaces: Ambitious Home Projects for the Year Ahead
Ah, the heart of the matter for any home enthusiast: house projects! This year promises to be a pivotal one for several key areas of my home, focusing on both aesthetic upgrades and essential functional improvements.
Living Room Built-ins: Adding Style and Storage
My living room has undergone a remarkable transformation, but one feature I’ve always envisioned is the addition of custom built-in shelving and cabinetry along the wall separating the living and dining areas. Last year, I took the preparatory step of selling my old living room bookcase, only to realize (perhaps a bit belatedly) that I had nowhere to store my beloved book collection! This year, that oversight will be remedied with beautiful, integrated storage solutions. These built-ins will not only provide much-needed organization and display space but will also elevate the room’s aesthetic, creating a sophisticated and cohesive look that enhances both functionality and visual appeal. I envision these custom pieces becoming a true focal point, reflecting my personal style while seamlessly blending with the existing decor.
Primary Bath Renovation: A Long-Awaited Restoration
The primary bathroom renovation is an absolute priority for this year. While the guest bathroom serves its purpose adequately, the thought of finally having a fully functional and beautifully designed primary bath is incredibly exciting. We encountered some unexpected challenges with the floor tile installation, which caused a temporary delay—more details on that soon. However, I am determined to resolve these issues swiftly and resume progress on this crucial project. Restoring this space will not only enhance the comfort and convenience of daily life but also significantly add to the overall value and appeal of the home. I envision a serene oasis, a place for genuine relaxation and rejuvenation.
Primary Closet Transformation: Reimagining Organization
Ironically, the primary closet was one of the very first projects I tackled when I moved into the house. Consequently, it was also one of the first to show signs of wear and tear, leading to an unfortunate “snowball effect” of disorganization as clothes lost their designated homes. I can attribute this initial misstep to beginner’s ignorance, having purchased a clearance closet system without thoroughly planning for my specific needs. I’ve let this situation persist for far too long. The current drawers are literally falling apart, but the deeper issue lies in the lack of thoughtful space planning. Now, armed with a clear understanding of what I need to store and how much (especially after significant decluttering and donations in preparation), I’ve been diligently developing new plans. My Pinterest board for closets is overflowing with innovative ideas, aiming to create a highly functional, beautiful, and sustainable storage solution that truly meets my lifestyle demands.
Window Casing Installation: The Finishing Touch
New molding is currently being installed on the living room windows, a detail that makes a significant difference in the room’s overall finish. With this progress, only the upstairs rooms remain to receive their much-needed window casing. I’ve already invested in a contractor’s pack of casing, ensuring I have all the necessary materials to complete this project efficiently. Adding proper window casings brings a refined, polished look to a room, framing the views and enhancing the architectural details. It’s often the smaller details that tie a space together, and this project is key to achieving that cohesive, finished aesthetic throughout the house.
Guest Bedroom Makeover: Creating a Multi-functional Retreat
For far too long, the guest bedroom has been the poor, neglected space in my home, often serving as a dumping ground rather than a purposeful room. This year, its transformation is a top priority. I have a need to incorporate a few items into the house for which I currently lack dedicated space, making the guest bedroom an ideal candidate for a multi-functional “catch-all” room. The first step will involve a thorough decluttering process, ridding the room of items I no longer need or use. Once cleared, the real organization can begin, transforming this overlooked space into a versatile and inviting area that can comfortably accommodate guests while also serving other essential household functions.
Outdoor Living Projects: Enhancing Curb Appeal and Enjoyment
Last year saw significant outdoor improvements, including the clearing of excess trees in the backyard, leaving just one strategically placed specimen. This groundwork has set the stage for exciting new outdoor projects. My immediate goal is to implement a plan to fill in the existing sinkhole and expand the patio area. I am incredibly eager to create an inviting outdoor space perfect for grilling, entertaining friends, and simply enjoying the fresh air. I’ve been developing ideas to accomplish these goals without extensive digging or the complex involvement of permits, which is always a consideration when utilities might be involved. Even if the full vision proves too ambitious to complete by year-end, I am confident that the momentum from last year’s improvements will propel me much further along in realizing this dream of a truly enjoyable outdoor living area.
Elevating the Platform: Ambitious Blog Goals for 2016
January isn’t just for personal and home renovations; it’s also an opportune moment to refine and enhance my online presence. This brings me to my strategic goals for the blog in the coming year.
Optimizing User Experience and Site Organization
Following last year’s blog redesign, I am committed to continuously improving various aspects of the site, little by little. Key areas of focus include enhancing site speed, bolstering security, optimizing for SEO, and generally improving ease of use. My aim is to ensure that you, my readers, can navigate to your favorite content areas more quickly and seamlessly. Additionally, I’m making steady progress in populating the House Tour pages with more detailed information, source lists, and updated photography, providing a comprehensive resource for anyone interested in my home transformation journey.
For my valued email subscribers, I’ve finally made the crucial decision to transition away from Feedburner. This has been a long-standing item on my to-do list, necessitated by Feedburner’s outdated nature and lack of ongoing support. Delaying this transition risked a complete disruption of services if any issues arose. While the process was carefully planned, I acknowledge there have been a few kinks to work out, and I extend my sincere gratitude to those who reached out to help me problem-solve! It appears the vast majority of subscribers have experienced a smooth transition, but if you happen to be receiving duplicate emails for each post, please ensure you’re subscribed to the correct list here.
Infusing Creativity: Embracing Fun and Community Engagement
Beginning with December’s festive Santa duck, I’ve found immense joy in decorating my blog’s logo for each holiday. This creative exercise has become a delightful respite, offering a fresh perspective when I encounter roadblocks in other projects. Now, a new mission has emerged: to give my charming duck mascot a name! Your suggestions are not only welcome but eagerly awaited—I’m excited to hear your creative ideas and officially christen this fun little character.
Venturing into Video Content: Engaging and Educating Visually
Growth goals are a constant for any blogger, and my tendency to overshare makes video a natural, albeit challenging, progression. While producing quality video content as a solo DIYer isn’t always easy—and definitely requires me to put on makeup and swap my PJs for something more presentable—I am very much committed to incorporating YouTube videos into my more complex tutorials. This visual medium is ideal for demonstrating intricate steps and nuances that are difficult to convey through static images and text alone. Furthermore, I plan to host more interactive Q&A sessions on Periscope, offering a new, dynamic way for you to see what I’m working on, ask questions in real-time, and get practical tips and tricks that are best shown, not just told. And yes, I promise not to edit out the occasional tool-throwing when frustration inevitably strikes, embracing the authentic reality of DIY!
This comprehensive list represents my core aspirations for the year. While I’m certain other goals will emerge or resurface, I’m careful not to create an overwhelming list that might set me up for failure. The key is setting achievable, impactful goals that drive progress and satisfaction. What are your most significant goals for this new year? If you share any of these aspirations, I’d love to hear your strategies and plans—perhaps we can motivate and support each other on our respective journeys!
*Speaking of aspirations, that little “waffle” detour reminded me: I definitely need to make more waffles this year.