My One Word { Aspire }

2017 was quite the year for me.  I chose the word {self} for the year with intentions of self care and to make a few selfish and selfless choices.  And I think I did pretty good.  I said no more than I said yes.  I let my body rest when it screamed at me and I also chose to push my body when I felt I could.  I may or may not have spent more time on the couch binging Netflix and not regretting a minute of it.  I even managed to soak in the tub at least once a month with no distractions.  It might not sound like much to some, but for me, all the silly little things added up and really helped. 

I started thinking about my 2018 word a few months ago and up until a few weeks ago, I was settled on Adventure.  We have a few trips lined up for this year and I wanted to really jump in and make the most of them.  But then as the new year got closer, Adventure, ended up feeling wrong.  I ended up thinking of adventure in a different sense.  Life adventures, personal adventures, actual exploring adventures and realized that adventure wasn't quite what I am looking to get out of the new year.

And then I came across this quote on Pinterest and though, THAT!  That is what I want to do this year.  Not just these things either.  Remember in this post how I said my answer to so many things is "I try" well I don't want to just try, I want to really do things.  And do them 100%. 

Because I am me, its hard to do just one thing.  When I set goals, I tend to pile them on, overwhelm myself and then fail.  So this year I'm choosing 3 aspirations.  I'm sure I will add to this list as the year goes on, but what ever it is, I want to do it 100%

Strengthen my relationships
Every year I always say that I want to be a better wife, mother, friend ect.  This year, I want to take the time to look at who I allow to take up space in my heart.  Anyone who knows me will tell you that I love everyone.  I give way to many second chances.  This year, I'm cleaning house.  No more spending time on people who don't care.  More spending time with those that make my life better just by being in it.  I need to put down my phone when we are in the car and close the laptop when the boys get home from school. ( David if you are reading this, yes, I know, you told me so!)  I will spend more time laughing with the people I love than stressing out over those that have done me wrong.  And in doing all of this, I know I will strengthen my relationship with myself too.

Go on more adventures

Theres that word again.  It really could have been my word for the year, but I felt like I was setting myself up for failure it I set my whole year around it.  Because lets face it.  Life with a Chronic Illness can sometimes be a little restricting.  I can't just get up and go and depending on how I am feeling and what my lab work looks like, sometimes I just can't go far.  But I am going to make it a point to get out and explore the city and the state as often as I can.  Add in a few camping trips, weekend drives and fingers crossed for 2 big road trips and we are set up pretty well in this department! 

Be more eco friendly

This one is going to be the most challenging.  Many of you know that I grew up on a tiny pacific island.  And one of the biggest things I took with me when I left home was my love of the ocean.  We would find trash washed up on the beaches all the time.  We rescued quite a few animals who were sick because of the pollution, plastics and fishing lines tossed into the ocean.  While taking our the recycling a few weeks ago, Alex asked if we us recycling really made a difference.  We ended up in a deep conversation on all the things we can do to be more eco friendly and left him staring at me with a face only Alex could make.  And then he said, " If you know all these things, why don't you do them?"  Well son, challenge accepted.  There are so many little changes we can make I don't even know where to start. No, I do know where we will start.  By cutting out as much plastic and chemicals as we can.  Bottled water will hard for us. But it is 75% of our recycling.  Will I be able to toss my Clorox cleaners?  Lets not get crazy now!!! I kid.  I will try.  I will! <---see what I mean about the trying!  

Did you pick a word for the New Year?  Id love to hear what you chose and how you plan to make it part of the year.  What are some of your New Year resolutions and aspirations?