New Things

Well... I know I am a couple of days late, but what the heck. It is still the New Year, so Happy New Year to everyone!

I like to start off a new year with a fresh new journal. For Christmas this year, a friend got me a gift card that I used to purchase this one:


(I did not take this photo. It is from the Barnes and Noble website.)

Lately I have been wanting a Vera Bradley something, so this is perfect! The pattern is "Imperial Toile", for anyone wondering... :) Typically I would look for a journal that has quotes and other fun things, but I thought this time maybe I could find my own to write after each entry. Just like here on the blog. One thing I totally love about this journal is that it has a pocket on the inside back cover to hold little treasures... Like photos and ticket stubs... And maybe love notes?? ^_^

Another way I usually begin the new year... Resolutions... So I have been thinking a lot about "Resolutions" and how everybody makes them, but most people break them. Sometimes they feel forced to keep up, and maybe somethimes they just aren't really relevant to their own big picture. I am typically one of those people. I like the idea of resolutions, but I hate feeling restricted in anything and I think maybe that is what makes me fail. I feel like I have to keep them and I end up just stressing myself out about it almost! I think it will be much better to set personal goals. The key to this will be setting specific goals. Also, rather than waiting until next year to look back and see what I have/have not accomplished I would like to be able to look back maybe at the end of each month and measure my progress and how I feel about each goal.

Anyways, I have come up with a short list of goals that I feel are attainable and will definitely help me reach my long-term goals in life.

~Get my camera out more often, but make the photos I take count. Quality over quantity type of mindset...
~Spend more meaningful time with my friends. Sometimes I feel like friendships can be just surface relationships. I have a few friends that I really know, and that really know me, but I would like to further develop more relationships.
~Really focus on my relationship with Christ. I am still a fledgling in this world and I need His guidance, even if I don't always want to admit my struggles.
~Be myself. I don't want to go through life always trying to please others. I think this blog will really help me just put myself out there!

Okay, so now here are a couple of the "typical" goals, but I will still share them:
~Drink more water and less soda. I live on Dr. Pepper. Seriously. I need to cut back. It isn't very healthy, first of all, and I think I will probably just feel better...
~Spend less money. I like to shop... Haha. My friends and I eat out A LOT. I think this could also tie into my friendship goal above... Maybe staying home and playing a game, or even making dinner together is much more personal than going to the mall or out to eat.

I welcome anyone who cares to share their ideas, goals, resolutions... Whatever you like!!

In closing, I found a quote that made me think that life can be a lot like my new little journal...

"We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day."
Edith Lovejoy Pierce

~Jo