Category: New Year

1/18/2022

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU? [10 PIECES OF ADVICE FOR THE NEW YEAR]

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As the clock strikes midnight and a new year begins, many of you probably make promises to yourself about what you’ll accomplish in the coming year.

Sometimes the goals are lofty, and sometimes you may lose sight of your goal before the first month of the year is over with.

Take into consideration these 10 pieces of advice I’ve curated for you!

1. Get a Handle on Your Stress

According to Stress.org, stress can raise your blood pressure, which can increase the probability of having a heart attack or stroke.

I learned last year that I had high blood pressure, a condition which runs in my family.

My mom had a stroke in her 40s, and my family and I attribute it to the stress she endured at work.

She worked alongside a woman who was very critical, despite not really understanding how to do her own job. Additionally, she was a single mom with two kids in school who participated in several activities.

Getting a handle on your stress can help you live a happier and longer life.

2. Make Smaller Goals and Set Timeframes

As mentioned, we all tend to make big goals each year.

“I’m going to lose 50 pounds,” or “I’m going to read 40 books,” are good examples of these big goals.

But we often forget that these goals can be easier to reach if we set smaller goals that help us stay focused.

This usually means setting goals for each month. Maybe you want to try to lose 5 pounds in January. Maybe you want to read 10 books cover to cover in the first three months. Making these smaller goals will help you meet your goals.

ready my post about getting organized and meeting your goals in 2022

3. Cut Out Toxic and Negative People

Toxic and negative people can suck the life out of you. These are people who constantly vie for your attention, or make you feel bad about yourself.

There are several ways you can cut out negative people or lessen their impact on your life. Check out WebMD’s article on toxic and negative people and how to deal with them.

4. Focus on You

As a millennial, I can’t tell you how often I hear how entitled and self-serving my generation is.

However, nearly every millennial I know is more focused on their job, their family, or an organization they are a part of.

If this sounds like you, you likely spend a lot of time doing for others, sometimes so much so that you work yourself into the ground.

Take time to put yourself first. Burnout happens to everyone, and it can shorten your life and make your life less enjoyable. Make time for you and learn to say no if you feel you will be negatively impacted by giving more of yourself.

5. Keep Learning

One thing I have loved doing this year is increasing my knowledge. However, as many of us know, spending money on classes isn’t always an option.

I’ve been taking advantage of HubSpot’s free certification courses. I’m currently working to finish up my Digital Marketing certificate.

This is a great way to build up your resume with official certifications. It will keep you at the top of your game or can help you learn new skills for a new career!

6. Spend Time with Family and Friends

Spending time with family and friends who bring you joy is a great way to lower anxiety levels and depressive episodes.

I personally loved having a ton of time with my family over Christmas break. I spent nearly three weeks with my mom and brother, and was able to spend quality time with them, my husband, and his family.

COVID-19 has put a stop to a lot of family get togethers. I recommend you get vaccinated or at least tested before you spend time with family members or friends, especially if they are prone to infection.

7. Drink More Water

I started a new medication last year, and it really instilled in me the value of hydration. The medication is dehydrating. This had me in pain nearly every day with horrible headaches and migraines.

I am starting to view water like oil in a car.

You can get away with not keeping clean oil in your car for a while, but eventually it will break down. The same goes for your body.

If you want flavor when you need something to drink, consider using flavor packets or liquids like MiO.

8. Put Energy into Things/People That Pour Back Into You

This goes back to investing time into yourself and valuing your time. We often tend to put a ton of energy into organizations and people who simply do now pour back into us.

Your definition of “pour back” may be different than mine.

For example, you may feel you are pouring too much energy and effort into your job without learning anything new. However, someone else may be pouring in a ton of energy into their job, but they find the knowledge they are receiving useful for their personal and professional growth.

It might be a friendship, or it could be an organization that only you and a few others are putting time into. Do what you can but remember that you need to refill the energy that you pour out!

9. Set Boundaries

Boundaries are becoming more widely accepted in a range of circles nowadays, but it used to be a “naughty” word.

These allow you to continue to hold relationships with people, organizations, and workplaces while maintaining a healthy relationship.

For example, you may want to set boundaries on your work-life balance with a coworker or employer. You might also want to set topical boundaries for family conversation to avoid fighting within your family.

Whatever it is, setting boundaries will help you live a more enjoyable life with healthy relationships.

10. Don't Get Discouraged

Finally, don’t get discouraged if you miss a goal or fall behind.

While progress is imperative for growth, sometimes you won’t always meet your goal. That’s OK, if you’re trying. Therefore, setting reasonable goals is important. If you set too lofty of a goal, you could be setting yourself up for failure.

But everyone fails. It’s how we learn. Don’t get discouraged and keep moving toward your goals.

Conclusion

This year, you can live up to the “New Year, New Me” phrase. All you have to do is follow these 10 steps. Do you have an idea or tip that could help others stay motivated in 2022? Leave it in the comments below or find me on social media and let me know what you think.

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1/4/2022

REVIEWING MY 2021 GOALS AND SETTING GOALS FOR 2022

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2021 was a tough year for everyone. I think most of us were hoping it would be better than 2020. To be honest, it kind of was, seeing as how most people didn't have to quarantine and work from home (though I can't say that I don't miss it).

Needless to say, I made a pretty short list of goals for 2021, but I didn't really achieve all of them.

My first goal was to get stronger mentally, physically and spiritually. I definitely improved my mental health some by seeking help, but mental health is a constant battle, especially if you suffer from anxiety and depression. I have improved a lot of my health stats, which is great and exciting! I'm hoping to continue this progress in 2022.

I also wanted to make money from my content. I'm not yet to a threshold where I can take out the money I've made, but I am still earning from ads on my blogs. I wanted to read the Bible cover to cover, and I almost did. I only have a few more books, so I'm hoping to finish reading the whole Bible by the middle of this year. Lastly, I wanted to spend more time with my family. I've been lucky to do this, especially at the end of the year.

2022 GOALS

My first goal is to be consistent with my content on my blog and on the YouTube channel. I know that we aren't perfect and I'm sure I'll drop the ball at some point, but I want to make that less common. Blogmas was a great exercise to get back into consistent writing and videography. I'm really looking forward to reigniting my passion for making content outside of my 8 to 5 job.

I have already gone ahead and purchased a nice planner for 2022, and that's because I want to be more organized. I don't know if it's just me, but I am super organized in the office. I make sure my space is clean and that everything has its place, but that isn't the case at home.

I want to be more organized by making sure I write down my meetings, work stuff and personal plans. I also want to make more of an effort to keep our home clean. I don't want to be worried if someone wants to come over or pop by. There are a lot of things that I always try to keep as clean as possible, like the litter box, dog bed/area and the dishes and laundry. But sometimes things pile up and I want to make that happen less often.

The last thing I want to commit to is achieving smaller goals throughout the year. Instead of being married to the idea of achieving large and harder-to-measure goals, I would like to make monthly goals and try to achieve them. That way I can have smaller goals that feed into my larger ones and can help me achieve my overal goals.

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1/5/2021

MY 2021 GOALS

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After the craziness of 2020, which has spilled into 2021, it's so crazy to already be in a new year. I thought for my first blog post back I would talk a bit about what I hope to accomplish this year.

GET STRONGER: PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, SPIRITUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY

I want to be stronger in all aspects of my life. I am most concerned with my spiritual, mental, and emotional strength. I really want to focus on making positive changes that will improve my quality of life and my happiness and impact on those around me.

CREATE HIGHER-QUALITY CONTENT

This year, my goal is to make content that more people enjoy. I don't want to hastily throw anything together in hopes of meeting a deadline. Instead, I want everything I create and post to be meaningful and intentional.

FINALLY READ THE BIBLE COVER TO COVER

For decades of my life, at this point, I've wanted to read the Bible from cover to cover in a year. I always end up derailing myself and giving up because my schedule gets thrown off and I decide other things are more important, which isn't true. I really want to say I've read the whole Bible!

SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY

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In hopes that COVID-19 fades out this year, I really want to spend a ton of time with mine and Jonathan's family this year. If 2020 taught us anything, it was that tomorrow is never promised.

We lost Jonathan's father this year, and that was something we never could have predicted. He was OK until he wasn't. I want to make sure that we intentionally spend time with one another. Trips, movie nights at home, arts and crafts, photo shoots. Whatever it may be.

I miss the opportunity to go out without limitation and I hope that's not something we have to endure for much longer!

MAKING MONEY WITH CONTENT CREATION

If one thing is true about me, it is that I love content creation. I'd love to be paid to do what I love. Two kind of big things have happened toward the end of 2020 that I thought I should share with you now. I finally have made enough ad revenue from this blog to start receiving small payments!

I've also signed up for the TikTok creator fund, which pays you depending on how your videos perform. This came after meeting requirements that several people may not have met yet.

I'm hoping that these revenue streams become something my family can rely on. I really would love to do more on YouTube as well, but I'm much further from reaching the requirements there.

So, what are your new years goals? Let me know in the comments below!

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12/30/2019

MY 2019 IN REVIEW

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JANUARY 2019

I think that January 2019 was the first time that I got to celebrate my mom's birthday with her biological family. It may have been her first time too.

It was super special because my mom has always wanted siblings, and she found out that she had several. We met up with my mom's mom, my mom's Aunt, Nona, and her family.

It was a ton of fun, and I was so thankful to be able to meet more of my mom's family. I know that the addition of them in their lives has really made her happy and made her feel like she has another group of people to talk to and lean on.

FEBRUARY 2019

In February, I met civil rights icon Ruby Bridges. She was integrated into an all-white southern school in 1960 all on her own when she was only 6 years old.

Mrs. Bridges was such a delight to hear from. She said "what separates us has nothing to do with the color of our skin. What separates us today is good and evil."

Meeting her is one of the most amazing things I've been able to do in my life, and it is all thanks to my job.

MARCH 2019

In March, I celebrated my two-year wedding anniversary with my husband Jonathan.

I was talking to someone the other day about how we have grown with one another. We've been through a lot together, from family members being sick, passing away, and having our own adult issues like broken cars and appliances.

God never promises that life will be easy or without trials and other issues. However, I'm glad that we've grown through the things we've faced and we are stronger for it.

APRIL 2019

After several months of fighting pneumonia that was difficult to combat with diseases he had had all of his life, my grandpa passed away peacefully in hospice on April 4.

It was the hardest time of my life. My grandpa was like a father to me. He always made you smile and he always made you feel loved.

He had a strong faith in God and represented that to my brother, my mom, and I all throughout his life. The one thing that brought me peace was that he didn't seem to suffer and that he knew how much we loved and will continue to love him.

MAY 2019

In May, I started working harder on my Instagram game. I started to upload more and to make a real effort to do as best I could on the social media platform.

I've grown a lot and have gained a lot of confidence in the past several months due to my uploads and to the number of positive comments I received online.

There are still great people in this world who love to see others thrive.

JUNE 2019

On June 20, I was officially sworn in as a commissioner for the City of Fayetteville, N.C.

I serve as the secretary and a commission for the Millennial Advisory Commission. We are working to represent people within our age group. We want to make our city a place for all people, especially those in our age group who are often overlooked.

I have loved my time on the commission so far and I'm looking forward to ending my term on a high nite in 2020!

JULY 2019

In July, I really started to dive into opportunities through our local blogger network. The FayNC Blogger Network has given me so many opportunities to promote our city.

Not only have I received a lot of opportunities, but I've also been able to meet a number of inspiring and motivational creators who are of a like mind and spirit as I am.

I am forever grateful to have connected with these folks, and I look forward to connecting more throughout 2020!

AUGUST 2019

One of the aforementioned opportunities through the blogger network was a chance to have a free meal at First Watch in Fayetteville. I had never been given this opportunity.

Later after posting this, the company shared it on their company-wide Instagram account, which made me feel so valued as a creator, photographer, and vlogger.

SEPTEMBER 2019

In September, I met Kimilee Bryant. She not only is a former Miss South Carolina, but she had an illustrious career on Broadway.

Bryant is most known for playing the role of Christine Daae in the Phantom of the Opera on Broadway. However, she also played all of the female roles at one time or another on the Broadway stage.

I've always loved opera, musicals, and New York. I was blessed to be able to see Chicago when I went to NYC during my Sophomore year in college. I loved the experience. I also got to hear her sing in chapel. And yes, she did sing "Think of Me" as well as my wedding song, "How Great Thou Art."

OCTOBER 2019

In October, we did our first trunk-or-treat ever. Our new church does this for free every single year for our community. This year, we decided to do an underwater theme.

There were so many people from the community what came out to participate. I think they said there were about 3,000 people there. I could be overestimating, but I knew there were a lot of people.

I had a lot of fun, but I learned that fashion isn't something you should take in mind when doing this. I wore flat shoes and my feet were aching so bad by the end of the night.

NOVEMBER 2019

One of my best friends had a baby in November, which means you know that I traveled up to see them.

This is Liam, and he is the first baby within our friend group. He is so cute and snuggly, but he sure does know how to poop!

It was a precious moment to be able to hold him and know that this was a mini version of my friend who is now in the world.

I'm excited to watch him grow up and visit him throughout the years.

DECEMBER 2019

This month, I made this freaking awesome ugly Christmas sweater. I feel kind of egotistical saying that. My mom saying "where did you get those because I want to get your brother and I one so we cal all match on Christmas Eve" boosted my ego even more. Jonathan's was also super cute. We won an ugly sweater contest with these through our church!

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12/28/2018

MY YEAR IN REVIEW

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JANUARY 2018

- We had snow and our cat tried to go out in it for the first time.
- Speaking of our cat, she clawed the crap out of me when we decided she needed a flea bath!
- I started to pick up my blog a bit more in January, but I wasn't posting on a consistent schedule yet.
- My best friend Lauren had her 24th birthday party and graduation party, which was so much fun to go to just to celebrate her accomplishments!

FEBRUARY 2018

- On Feb. 15, a transformer that supplied power to my job blew up. No one was hurt, but it put us out of commission for a whole day and thousands of people were affected!
- On a lighter note, Spectrum (my cable provider) offered more channels without having to pay a ton extra. I just came home one day and had new channels, which is awesome!
- It is so hard to believe that it was back in February when we lost Billy Graham. He was a great evangelist and loved the Lord!
- A dude tried to convince my husband to come into our house to show him how a cleaning product worked. We had neighbors and friends who said that they knew people who this happened to and it was a scheme to case the house before robbing it...glad we didn't let them in!

MARCH 2018

- I got really up-close and personal with this bull when Jonathan, my mom, and I visited Lazy 5 Ranch, a farm with exotic and domestic animals for you to look at, feed, and pet!
- They put the cross on the chapel at my job and there was this glorious ray of light that came down and shown on the cross. It was such a beautiful moment!
- Jonathan and I had our first wedding anniversary and we took a trip to Myrtle Beach since we didn't take a honeymoon. While there, we saw a show, ate at Paula Deen's restaurant, and we went to a couple of fun places.
- My job hosted a concert featuring T-Pain, Hunter Hayes, and We the Kings. I work at a college, by the way!

APRIL 2018

- I finally got a new computer after using one for a year and a half that constantly shut down. It was a win for everyone!
- I visited by best friend Jeremy in Georgia and we went to a ton of touristy locations because Jonathan had never been. We went to World of Coke, the Aquarium, and the Sports Museum.
- Jonathan and I legit had a day where we sat outside and painted our own wall art.
- My mom and I met her biological mother as well as my mom's sisters.
- Pollen legit killed my sinuses in April. I found a video on my Facebook page and I walked outside for maybe 5 minutes and had a coating of pollen on my flats.
- April Fools Day was on Easter.

MAY 2018

- I was introduced to the world of Retsuko. It is a show on Netflix, and I think you should watch it.
- I watched a ton of my friends graduate, but I was working. I cried. A lot.
- I watched one of our art professors literally boss at creating a portrait of my boss.
- The unfortunate Texas Santa Fe High School school shooting happened.
- BTS debuted their "Tear" Album.

JUNE 2018

- My mom and I planned, DIYed, and decorated for my mother-in-law's 50th birthday party. I will never make boards like that again. It took way too long and just got thrown away after!
- We got together with Jonathan's siblings for Father's Day.

JULY 2018

- I had the conversation at my specialist's doctor's office that changed my life and sparked my weight loss.
- My coworkers and I visited Davidson College for the day. We toured campus and that's when I really realized how bad my health was.
- I stopped debating and arguing with people about their opinions and my opinions. Life is too short to waste time being angry or frustrated, and it isn't good for your mental health.

AUGUST 2018

- Jonathan's father, who had been suffering from kidney failure, received a kidney transplant. It was by far one of the best moments of the year.
- Mom was on her knee scooter and awaiting surgery for her foot.
- My grandpa went to the hospital and ended up on a respirator. This was the hardest moment of the year. Lots of hospital trips and uncomfortable conversations. We were able to stay in the SECU house in Wake Forest so we could be close to him while he was at Wake Baptist.
- Jonathan turned 22!

SEPTEMBER 2018

- We were hit with hurricane Florence. We retreated to my hometown and we even battled hurricane winds to get up to Wake Forest to see my grandpa, who was still in the ICU. Flooding was too bad for us to get back to our home.
- My mom had surgery on her foot!
- When we made it back to our home, there were several trees down in our yard that remained there until Thanksgiving.

OCTOBER 2018

- I didn't post too much in October personally because I was doing blogtober and also really struggling with other things.
- I turned 25!
- My life was basically going to work, worrying all day until I could call my mom about her and my grandpa, and more. My grandpa was still in the ICU and my mom wasn't being taken care of at home. Plus, not many people were willing to take her and my grandma to Wake to see my grandpa.

NOVEMBER 2018

- Jonathan and I took an impromptu trip to get ice cream when our power was completely out because of some wreck where the person ran into a power pole.
- We visited both of our families for Thanksgiving.
- Job responsibilities shifted at work and it made my life a living heck. I was (and still am) juggling a number of things and it is really difficult during the busy times.

DECEMBER 2018

- Jonathan's car broke down and is basically done. My break rotor had to be changed. Thankful I had a family member who could help me.
- I started blogmas!
- We graduated a bunch of students a few weeks ago!
- We had a great and fun holiday party at work.
- Jonathan and I went to see lights in Tanglewood Park.
- I made homemade hot chocolate for the first time and loved it!
- I went home on the 20th of December.

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​lifestyle

NEW YEAR, NEW YOU? [10 PIECES OF ADVICE FOR THE NEW YEAR]

1. Get a Handle on Your Stress

2. Make Smaller Goals and Set Timeframes

​3. Cut Out Toxic and Negative People

4. Focus on You

5. Keep Learning

6. Spend Time with Family and Friends

7. Drink More Water

8. Put Energy into Things/People That Pour Back Into You

9. Set Boundaries

10. Don't Get Discouraged

Conclusion

REVIEWING MY 2021 GOALS AND SETTING GOALS FOR 2022

2022 GOALS

MY 2021 GOALS

GET STRONGER: PHYSICALLY, MENTALLY, SPIRITUALLY AND EMOTIONALLY

CREATE HIGHER-QUALITY CONTENT

FINALLY READ THE BIBLE COVER TO COVER

SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY

MAKING MONEY WITH CONTENT CREATION

MY 2019 IN REVIEW

JANUARY 2019

FEBRUARY 2019

MARCH 2019

APRIL 2019

MAY 2019

JUNE 2019

JULY 2019

AUGUST 2019

SEPTEMBER 2019

OCTOBER 2019

NOVEMBER 2019

DECEMBER 2019

MY YEAR IN REVIEW

JANUARY 2018

FEBRUARY 2018

MARCH 2018

APRIL 2018

MAY 2018

JUNE 2018

JULY 2018

AUGUST 2018

SEPTEMBER 2018

OCTOBER 2018

NOVEMBER 2018

DECEMBER 2018

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3. Cut Out Toxic and Negative People