And just like that, it’s 2018. A new year, new things to look forward to, a fresh start! With a new beginning to my 101 in 1001 list, other personal goals and plenty of book challenges, I have lots to keep me busy this year, but I’m not feeling overwhelmed. If anything, I’m excited for the new challenges and I’m really feeling that everything I’m trying to do this year is attainable and will help me to better myself, without feeling like I’m killing myself trying to keep up.

I’m at a point in my life where things have shifted: the kids are getting older and all of a sudden a whole new world has opened up. We can do more, with less stuff to haul around in the process. While it’s impossible not to miss things about the baby and toddler stages, I definitely appreciate and love the fact that we can get out and do things with the boys now that would have been so much more difficult two years ago.

My priorities have changed. I love my job, but after ten years of owing a business I’ve learned that I can’t let it consume my every waking moment (not going to lie, this is still hard to remember some days). I have to take time for me and time for my family, and I’m learning that the email that comes through at 10pm on a Saturday night, or that text that I get on Christmas needs to wait, or I might just lose my sanity. I’m learning that if I actually do this, then I have more energy when I am actually at work and am more productive.

It may not seem like a lot, but these things really make you consider what’s important in life, and there’s been a lot of self-reflection on my part about what I want out of life and where I see myself in the next several years. A lot of this self-reflection really shows through in my new 101 in 1001 list. Like I said in that post, it’s so easy sometimes to get caught up in the chaos of life, all the commitments and craziness, and the things you feel like you have to get done, and you can forget about the simple things or put them on the back burner. I really want to not forget about those simple things and to really carve out the time to spend with my family doing and adventuring and enjoying life.

With that said, with the first day of the year we made the effort to get outside and do something together, despite the freezing temperatures today. We did a First Day Hike, and got out on one of our local trails.

This also completes the first thing on my new 101 list: #10. Go for a walk in the snow.

While I’m really focused on my 101 challenge right now, like I said it’s not the only thing I’m thinking about this year.

With my reading, I have my 101 Books: Read the North challenge that I’ve started, and I also plan on starting the Beat the Backlist book challenge (more to come on that!). I’ve also set my Goodreads Reading Challenge this year at 60 books.

On a personal note, I have a few open-ended goals for myself too:

• Slow down and enjoy life
• Learn to be comfortable with myself
• Work on eating healthy
• Be less self-conscious
• Take more family photos
• Blog more often

Happy New Years to all of you! And all the best with your goals and resolutions! What kinds of goals are you setting for yourself this year? Any exciting new adventures in the year to come?

Jamie

Thanks so much for stopping by!  I often post about my 101 challenge and my outdoor adventure with the kids with the hashtags #101in1001 #101adventures or #asimplesomething.  You can join me on Instagram, Facebook and Pinterest.  Or, you can follow me on Bloglovin or subscribe via e-mail to be alerted to each new post!