Happy New Year and my goals for 2015
Happy New Year! It’s 2015, oh-me-oh-my! Are you tired today? I am. I don’t usually stay up until midnight, so New Year’s Eve is always a late one for me.
Last night was the first New Year’s Eve that Dave and I have ever spent here in San Francisco. Since officially living here, we’ve actually been away during New Year’s Eve for the last two years. Both years before this one, we were staying with friends in Orlando at the tail-end of our Christmas trip to Florida. And both of those years, we had early morning flights to head back west the next day. That made for a rough New Year’s Day and a tired return to the City for us. But not this year.
In fact, we stayed home last night to avoid the craziness out there. We get out quite a bit on the weekends and do a lot of fun stuff, so laying low on New Year’s Eve seemed like the perfect idea. In order to be a little festive, we made a bunch of appetizers, Dave mixed up some delicious cocktails and we played games. It was just right.
Here’s a shot of us a couple of months ago, enjoying some beverages at a bar in Union Square.
So, here we are in 2015. This will be my first full calendar-year devoting my career to the things I love: fitness and writing. This will be my first full calendar-year devoting a lot of time to A Lady Goes West. This will be my first full calendar-year knowing that I’m heading in the right direction, even if some of it isn’t clear cut. And that’s pretty cool.
Now, other than wishing you a very Happy New Year, the purpose of today’s post is to set the tone for the year. And by that, I mean coming up with a few themes, phrases, thoughts or goals that will guide you in the right path as the months go by, long after the fad of resolutions have faded. I’m doing it too …
What I want to do in 2015
To tell you the truth, I was torn on whether or not to post any goals or resolutions for 2015. In fact, I haven’t really made any resolutions in the past few years at all. While I’m trying to be a better version of myself nearly every day, there are definitely some things I want to focus on throughout the year. And what better way to stay committed to them then to write them down? Now these are not your average “get in shape” and “eat healthier” resolutions, but instead most of these are tangible and smaller goals that I want to achieve before we ring in 2016. And they’re each based on some overarching themes. Here we go …
Overarching theme: Food. Add more variety.
Specific goal: Create, cook or try out at least one new recipe a month.
Overarching theme: Work. Fitness diversification.
Specific goal: Learn to teach a new group fitness program or add another fitness certification.
Overarching theme: My own fitness and well-being.
Specific goal: Become more flexible and do yoga at least once a week.
Overarching theme: Patience and kindness.
Specific goal: Go easier on myself and on everyone around me by being more patient and empathetic in all situations.
And I think that concludes my list. Doing a little bit of good for myself and for others should cover it, for now.
Okay, everybody. It’s a holiday today, so perhaps you’re off of work. If so, I hope you get the chance to relax, hang out with some of your people and think about life. There’s a lot of thinking going on in this post, so we’ll go ahead and call it a standard Thursday “Thinking Out Loud,” hosted by Amanda.
I’ll be back with you tomorrow for a fresh edition of “Friday Favorites.” Now go off and make the best of 2015!
Questions of the day
How did you spend NYE? What is one goal that you have for 2015?
I fell asleep at 8pm last night. But I’m still tired this morning. Life with a new born. I’m excited to see what 2015 has in store for all us bloggers
Hi Ashley! Happy New Year to you! And I hope you have a relaxing day. 🙂
I like your goal of cooking something new once/month, I think I’m going to steal that one! 🙂 my other goal are to teach a Fit4Mom class and to reach out for some freelancing gigs!
Hi Marielle! Awesome! Yes, those sound like great goals. Best of luck with it all:)
Happy 2015, Ashely! Glad I found your blog! My personal fitness resolutions are similar to yours- yoga is definitely up there!
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Hi Christie! I’ve never LOVED yoga, but I LOVE the way it makes me feel, so I’m really trying to go more regularly. Happy New Year!
Happy New Year! We opted for a low key night last night too. I like how all of your goals have a theme but then something very specific attached to it. I could use more variety in my diet too. It always comes on my radar when I participate in WIAW. 🙂 Enjoy the day!
Hi Lauren! Same here … but I’m hoping to work on that. Have a great day!
One of my goals for 2015 is to incorporate yoga into my workouts. I need to work on my flexibility!
Me too, Chrissy! We can do it! 🙂
haha, I was in bed by 11. Then I couldn’t get to sleep! But I have a busy weekend coming up. Big overarching goal for me in 2015 is to be more present. Putting down the phone, social media and just enjoying the moment that I’m in. Yoga factors in to that as well.
Hi Mar! Yes, putting down the phone and being present is so important. I could work on that too! Here’s to a great 2015! 🙂
Happy New Year Ashley! Those are some great goals you’ve set for yourself this year! I’m the same as you, I haven’t really set resolutions the past few years, but this year I have only one focus; to better all things fitness and health. I’m with you on working towards a new certificate, I’ve signed up for the Weight Loss and Nutrition Certificate and I need to be doing yoga more often too! I think I may have a burning desire for yoga that I truly haven’t discovered yet. Have a wonderful day!
You two look great in that picture btw! 🙂
Thanks, Karen! A weight loss certificate sounds interesting and very useful! I hope you will write about what you learn so we can all see. Here’s to a great year!
I’m quite excited for this new year. I feel like 2014 (and probably even 2013) was a lot of figuring out what I wanted, and now though I feel like I’m at the beginning of a path at least I know what direction I’m going. With that said, I still have to work on my specific focus for the year… but can’t wait to see how it all plays out!
Hi Catherine! That’s so great you have a focus, and it’s fun to see how things end up working out. Best of luck to you with it all! 🙂
Great goals! Happy 2015!!
Thanks, Erin! 🙂
Love your goal of wanting to be more patient — it’s definitely an important one.
Thanks, Courtney! I agree. Let’s hope I can do it. Happy New Year!
Those are all great goals! I feel like I’m in the same boat as you. It’s the first calendar year I have a direct focus on both fitness and writing. Excited to follow the journey. Happy New Year!
Hi Heather! It’s great to have direction! Now enjoy the ride. Happy New Year! 🙂
happy new year, Ashley!! so happy to have met you in 2014…looking forward to more SF blogging adventures!
Thanks, Annie! I hope we cross paths again soon:)
Love this! Happy New Year!
Thanks, Brittany! Same to you! 🙂
These are great goals! I really want to work on cutting out unnatural/unneeded sugars from my diet. My sweet tooth has gotten out of control.
Mine too, especially over the past month. But I can’t give up sugar … I just need to pull back a bit. Good luck, Sara!! 🙂
Patience and empathy are definitely two things I need to work on as well. I am always so jealous of people who have natural patience 😉 I hope you’re having a great 2015 so far!
Hi Becky, I know! I try to learn that from my hubby. He grew up with four sisters, so he is incredibly patient with me. Happy Friday to you! 🙂
My goals are pretty similar and definitely include more yoga. I fell in love with it this year, but tapered off in my practice this Fall/Winter when my schedule got crazy. Can’t wait to get back into it!! <3
Hi Caity! I know. It feels so good. I just tried Corepower Yoga on Fremont. Totally good workout. You should check it out! Even just a short online yoga session a couple times a week does the body/mind good for sure! 🙂
Love these goals! I’m still working on mine. 🙂 How many teaching certifications do you already have? I’m so impressed!
Hi CharlieSue! I want to hear your goal when they are ready! And I have a few group fitness certifications through Les Mills, a personal trainer certificate, kettlebells, pre-natal, CPR, you name it. I’m always learning more! 🙂 Happy Wednesday!