January 2022

Big Goals for 2022: Week 4/52

Dear universe: I live at the beach to avoid all cold weather. So, three consecutive Fridays filled with winter storms and snow is more than this flip-flop-wearing girls needs for one winter season!

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night [28/28]

I definitely hit a 7/7 in this area this week…but, I’m still not at the point where I am waking up early enough to squeeze in a workout. It’s still a goal!

02: Purge 1000 items [118/1000]

My youngest purged her closet and removed 12 items, and I let go of two items (way overdue). Instead, I am still digitizing my files… I finally advanced to section G! Regardless of how small, it’s progress.

03: Organize the Attic

No attic trips this week… way too cold!

04: Read 100 Books [7/100]

I’m trying to embrace nonfiction reads, but they are going slooooowly.

In Progress
Art of Coaching
Atomic Habits

Complete
Nonfiction Reads (7 complete)

I am intentionally taking my Professional growth books slowly so I can savor, learn, and integrate these reads into my life. I hope to blog about my books as I enjoy them!

05: Try 52 New Recipes

Enjoyed a delicious lasagna this week. Winter cooking is so good — but not good for my waistline. Ooops.

06: Get in Shape

Still struggling…

But, my goal for February will be to carve out 30 minutes to exercise every day.

07: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Three years ago, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2020: Close my Apple Rings [22/30]

So far, I have closed my Apple Rings 22 out of 30 days in January!

08: Write/Send 52 notes/cards [13/52]

I just purchased some super cute cards to send out in February!

09: Maintain a weekly blog [4/52)

I’m still here… not hitting the goals, but, meh, that’s ok! Life is all about progress, right?

10: Simplify my life

My girls and I spent a wonderful pasta dinner with my sister. Love the little things.

11: Organize my mother’s photographs

No progress in this area this week because I’m still tackling the corner.

Secret Goals!

Secret Goal #1
Secret Goal #2
Secret Goal #3
Secret Goal #4

What are your goals for 2022?

Live my #WOTY2022 … Believe

Cheers, Holly

Big Goals for 2022: Week 3/52

A 4-day work week turned into a 3-day work week in a snap when the forecast called for 100% chance of snow!

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night [21/21]

I definitely hit a 7/7 in this area this week…but, I’m not at the point where I am waking up early enough to squeeze in a workout. It’s still a goal!

02: Purge 1000 items [106/1000]

I did not make a lot of progress in this area. Instead, I started on one corner of my study to scrutinize the items that are taking up space. I found myself stuck on a stack of files that need to be digitized…. I finally advanced to section C! Regardless of how small, it’s progress.

03: Organize the Attic

No attic trips this week… way too cold!

04: Read 100 Books [6/100]

I’m trying to embrace nonfiction reads, but they are going slooooowly.

In Progress
Art of Coaching
Atomic Habits

Complete
Nonfiction Reads (6 complete)

I am intentionally taking my Professional growth books slowly so I can savor, learn, and integrate these reads into my life. I hope to blog about my books as I enjoy them!

05: Try 52 New Recipes

Nothing new… I really need to get this one going!

06: Get in Shape

Still struggling…

This week, I focused on two things: sleep and nutrition. I am continuing a journey into discovering why I eat… and, wise advice suggested that I start a journal. I have work to do around stress eating and boredom eating.

07: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

January 2020: Close my Apple Rings [20/23]

So far, I have closed my Apple Rings 20 out of 23 days in January!

Somehow, amidst this goal, I earned another cool little badge!

08: Write/Send 52 notes/cards [13/52]

One more is ready to go in the mail in the morning!

09: Maintain a weekly blog [3/52)

Despite not meeting my blogging goal last year, I’m jumping back into the saddle for 2022. I’d love for you to share which topics you’d like to read more about!

10: Simplify my life

This week, I enjoyed a lovely high school basketball game & dinner at the local country club with my neighbors who just joined. It’s still the little things, y’all!

11: Organize my mother’s photographs

No progress in this area this week because I’m still tackling the corner.

Secret Goals!

Secret Goal #1
Secret Goal #2
Secret Goal #3
Secret Goal #4

What are your goals for 2022?

Live my #WOTY2022 … Believe

Cheers, Holly

Big Goals for 2022: Week 2/52

I think that I figured out that I am a workaholic because the transition back to the work week is really tough! What a week!

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night [14/14]

I definitely hit a 7/7 in this area this week…but, I’m not at the point where I am waking up early enough to squeeze in a workout. It’s a goal, though!

02: Purge 1000 items [106/1000]

I did not make a lot of progress in this area. Instead, I started on one corner of my study to scrutinize the items that are taking up space. I found myself stuck on a stack of files that need to be digitized…. and, I’m on B (of an alphabetized stack). But, once done, that entire stack will leave my house! Better, I will regain possession of a corner of my room!

03: Organize the Attic

No attic trips this week… way too cold!

04: Read 100 Books [4/100]

I love to read, and I tend to oscillate between deep nonfiction reads that focus on education, business growth, or personal growth, and entertaining fiction. I’m setting this goal again this year… so please, share your most favorite reads!

In Progress
Art of Coaching
Atomic Habits

Complete
Nonfiction Reads (4 complete)

I am intentionally taking my Professional growth books slowly so I can savor, learn, and integrate these reads into my life. I hope to blog about my books as I enjoy them!

05: Try 52 New Recipes

Nothing new… we ate a lot of tacos this week.

06: Get in Shape

This was is absolutely huge. And, I admit, I struggle to *believe* that I can reach this goal. I placed it here for accountability.

This week, I focused on two things: sleep and nutrition. I am continuing a journey into discovering why I eat… it is very enlightening. I have work to do around stress eating and boredom eating.

07: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

January 2020: Close my Apple Rings [14/16]

So far, I have closed my Apple Rings 14 out of 16 days in January!

Somehow, amidst this goal, I earned a cool little badge!

08: Write/Send 52 notes/cards [12/52]

Twelve cards are going out in the morning! Eeeek! Who doesn’t love to receive a card?

09: Maintain a weekly blog [2/52)

Despite not meeting my blogging goal last year, I’m jumping back into the saddle for 2022. I’d love for you to share which topics you’d like to read more about!

10: Simplify my life

This week, our favorite watering hold announced that they are closed for two weeks to deep clean and prepare for the upcoming tourist season. Bummer, as this has become our favorite spot to spend a few quiet minutes as a couple. So, with the three-day weekend, we dropped by more than once to enjoy the company and a spirited beverage. It’s the little things, y’all!

11: Organize my mother’s photographs

No progress in this area this week because I’m tackling the corner.

Secret Goals!

Secret Goal #1
Secret Goal #2
Secret Goal #3
Secret Goal #4

What are your goals for 2022?

Live my #WOTY2022 … Believe

Cheers, Holly

Big Goals for 2022: Week 1/52

On January 1, we returned from a family vacation. Mind you, this was a vacation that was originally scheduled for March 2020 — and had been rescheduled multiple times due to the global pandemic and the ever-changing schedules of my now-adult children. However, the stars finally aligned to create a window of time to take the trip. It was absolutely glorious. I had forgotten how much I love a family vacation. And, we took full advantage of warmer weather that allowed most of our time to be spent outside in summer attire.

Admittedly, it was tough to return to a routine – and these lofty goals.

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night [7/7]

I definitely hit a 7/7 in this area this week…but, I’m not at the point where I am waking up early enough to squeeze in a workout. Next week, perhaps?

02: Purge 1000 items [106/1000]

I started out strong in this area by cleaning out two cabinets and three attic bins. The following items left my house: 40 cookbooks (honestly, do people use these anymore?), 41 articles of clothing (all mine!), 2 lamps, 11 dated wall hangings, 2 bags, and 10 bottles of sunscreen. Buh-bye!

03: Organize the Attic

Each time we make a trip into the attic, I vow to take one bin down and declutter it. In swapping the Christmas decorations, 4 bins came downstairs – and, only two went back upstairs with labels and organized contents.

04: Read 100 Books [3/100]

In Progress
Coming soon…

Complete
Nonfiction Reads (3 complete)

I am intentionally taking my Professional growth books slowly so I can savor, learn, and integrate these reads into my life. I hope to blog about my books as I enjoy them!

05: Try 52 New Recipes

Nothing new – yet. But, the DH is downstairs setting up his new grill as I type!

06: Get in Shape

This was is absolutely huge. And, I admit, I struggle to *believe* that I can reach this goal. I placed it here for accountability.

This week, I focused on two things: sleep and nutrition. As a result, I have lost 2.6 pounds. That’s not a lot, but every ounce counts.

07: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

January 2020: Close my Apple Rings [7/8]

So far, I have closed my Apple Rings 7 out of 8 days in January!

08: Write/Send 52 notes/cards [0/52]

I’m excited to start this today!

09: Maintain a weekly blog [1/52)

Despite not meeting my blogging goal last year, I’m jumping back into the saddle for 2022. I’d love for you to share which topics you’d like to read more about!

10: Simplify my life

The worst part of having an early January birthday is that it always happens when everyone realizes that they have overspent and overeaten over the holidays! This year, I elected for quiet dinner at home with a salad from my favorite restaurant, and I saved my weekly “cheat meal” for craft beers with my sister on Saturday night. Simple is best.

11: Organize my mother’s photographs

No progress in this area this week…but, I did declutter the spaces where this organizing mess will happen.

Secret Goals!

Secret Goal #1
Secret Goal #2
Secret Goal #3
Secret Goal #4

What are your goals for 2022?

Live my #WOTY2021 … Believe

Cheers, Holly

One Word 2022

OneWord2022. By this point, I’m sure you have seen the social media posts. Instagram, Twitter, Facebook, and everyone’s blog are filled with people ringing in the New Year with their #OneWord2022 carefully selected to frame their year. EVERYone is eager to say Goodbye to 2021, so I am not surprised to experience a renewed energy in resolutions and goals for the new year.

Many years ago, I, too, embraced the #OneWord challenge. In fact, I traded lists of New Years Resolutions for #OneWord to drive my decisions and focus my reflection for the entire year. I’ve created artwork, designed screensavers for my phone, and placed my word on a Post-It note on my desk — all deliberate reminders to use it daily.

Previous #OneWord selections include Fearless (2014), Move (2015), Simplify (2016), Intentional (2017), Cultivate (2018), Embrace (2019), Focus (2020), and Invest (2021).

Last year’s selection, INVEST, turned out to be particularly important amidst the continued pandemic that impacted every profession, especially health care and education. In a world where flexibility and the ability to pivot on a dime were traits that kept us afloat, the need to INVEST in what was most important was critical. As we move into 2022 with a hope of a return to normalcy, I hope that we take what we intentionally weave what we have learned into the years ahead. Our newfound skills – as parents, teahers, and students – are the ingredients to transform the future of education, a change that is long overdue.

As the world around us changed at the speed of light, my FOCUS shifted, too. As a result, I changed how I invested in myself, my family, my friends, my community, and my career. With intention, I invested in what I could control: my response to a pandemic. No, I could not control the outbreaks in my area, the decisions made by local and state governmental agencies, or the rapid-fire cancellations that stole hopes and dreams. I invested in opportunities to unplug, as the slower pace of life gave us space to simply be. I invested in relationships, personal growth, adventures, and enjoying the world around me. I invested in my health and my home. We decluttered our home of physical things, while filling our lives with memories of beach days, great reads in the porch swing, runs on empty roads, and photogenic sunsets.

Last year was tough…but equally amazing.

These moments deserved my investment.

We celebrated: The big accomplishments, the small victories, and the things that bring smiles to everyday life.

While INVEST was selected for an entirely different reason, it turned out to be the perfect word to maintain my positive compass as I traveled through 2021.

2022, however, is a different story.

Each year, I wait patiently for the word to find me – in a quote, in a song, or in a book that I am reading, or in a conversation. I reach for a word that is different… not from a list. With only minutes before this year’s chapter closes, I had started to worry that my word had not emerged.

I pondered. I researched. I thought. I reflected.

And, sitting on a sidewalk with my daughter, waiting for the new year to ring in, it hit me…

My #OneWord2022 will be BELIEVE.

Last year, I invested…but, to truly reap the benefits of an investment, you must also BELIEVE in the possibility. This year, I vow to believe in myself – that I am capable of the goals that I have set for myself. They are lofty, but I have the time, energy, and skills to crush them.

I hope that you join me on the journey!

Believe that I can achieve the best physical health of my life through movement, nutrition, hydration, sleep, and self-care
Believe that I can grow in my professional career through reading, listening, and learning
Believe that I can create
Believe that I can lead
Believe that my voice and ideas have value.
Believe I am worthy of gratitude and joy

#OneWord2022 Believe

Cheers to your New Year,

Holly

Big Goals for 2022

I originally thought that 2020 was a year…but, admittedly, I never saw 2021 coming. Whew. What just happened? While I dropped off of the blogging trail at week 18 last year, I learned that I need the weekly focus of these simple, personal goals more than ever. While 2021 was a year of pivots and changes, I recognize that 2021 was a year of significant change – for my family and for me, professionally. I learned an enormous amount about myself, gained professional knowledge on the fly, and embraced a new professional role and a half-empty nest. With 2022 right here, I am at a crossroads of decisions: What stays in 2021? What new practices from 2021 will join me in 2022?

01: Get 6 – 7 Hours of Sleep Each Night

As I get older, I am shifting from a night owl to a morning person – if, and only if, I get the right amount of sleep! I also find that my most productive time of the day is the morning. I’d love to transition my workouts to the mornings, too. So, my goal is to hit the hay earlier so that I can maximize my physical and mental productivity every morning!

02: Purge 1000 items

In 2021, I removed an enormous amount of STUFF from my house. Clothes, stuffed animals, holiday decor, magazines. You name it, and I had held on to it for no apparent reason. In fact, I even apologized to my husband for packing some items up and moving them into our new home. No more! This year, I tackle the cluttered sunroom and attic! Can I purge 1000 items again? I’m going to try!

03: Organize the Attic

Once the weather warms up a bit, I hope to finish this task that we started in Fall 2020.

04: Read 100 Books

I love to read, and I tend to oscillate between deep nonfiction reads that focus on education, business growth, or personal growth and entertaining fiction. I’m setting this goal again this year… so please, share your most favorite reads!

In Progress
Coming soon…

I am intentionally taking my Professional growth books slowly so I can savor, learn, and integrate these reads into my life. I hope to blog about my books as I enjoy them!

05: Try 52 New Recipes

Start sharing your favorite recipes so I can try them out!

06: Get in Shape

This one is a BIG one, and it the one that I am the most committing to completing. The Apple Watch and I are going to become really close buddies this year as I vow to move for at least 30 minutes every day. Every. Single Day. I am giving myself the flexibility to allow this one to evolve as the year progresses, so stay tuned to see what this looks like. Who says you can’t be fit in your 40s?

07: #OneMonthGoals with Michael Matera

Two years ago, I joined Michael Matera on his #OneMonthGoals journey. I ran every single day for a month – and it was glorious. This year, I am committed to selecting (and sticking with) one new goal each month, which I will document here.

January 2020: Coming soon

08: Write/Send 52 notes/cards

Who doesn’t love receiving a handwritten note? I am really looking forward to this goal!

09: Maintain a weekly blog

Despite not meeting my blogging goal last year, I’m jumping back into the saddle for 2022. I’d love for you to share which topics you’d like to read more about!

10: Simplify my life

The slower pace of life during CV19 has allowed me to truly enjoy life. This year, I hope to weave some of these lifestyle changes into the new me. I do not know what this looks like, so check back often to see how this evolves!

11: Organize my mother’s photographs

I have inherited thousands of photographs that belonged to my late mother. Knowing that both my sister and I wish to have access, I plan to organize and save in a labeled, digital library. Maybe I’ll even create a bound book of photographs or recipes when I am done!

Secret Goals!

Secret Goal #1
Secret Goal #2
Secret Goal #3
Secret Goal #4

What are your goals for 2022?

Live my #WOTY2021 … Believe

Cheers, Holly