New Decade. Same You?

With such a sought-after year finally starting, the resolutions made this month have huge potential. For many, this means rushing to buy a gym membership or cleaning out the attic…

But what about those habits that sneak up on us and take everything back to square one?
This year, aim to be more of a reflection of yourself, letting small good habits add up without goals becoming overwhelming.
Need some help coming up with reasonable goals? Keep reading for my 2020 goals and adjust to fit your lifestyle! Actively do what you want while allowing for a healthy amount of time spent outside your comfort zone and your year (and decade—woohoo!) is sure to bring you good times.

The art of setting goals:

New Year’s resolutions are nothing unheard of. In fact, they can be one of the most stressed things in the eyes of businesses and consumers once the holidays have come and gone.

For me, it has always been the complete opposite. Now, before you call me crazy, hear me out…
When I got old enough to understand how these resolutions work, I realized they were meaningless attempts to make it seem like you still have goals for yourself. I have always believed it should be more organized and planned out than that to keep on top of things.

I started goal setting when I entered my freshman year of high school with the intention to actually stay organized and keep my work done ahead of time.
Rather than posting on social media and never following through, I scheduled difficult classes and bought a new agenda to give myself the tools and the drive to accomplish this goal.

When I wanted to better my relationship with food, I never once considered a reckless fad or a calorie-counting app. Instead, I found myself taking more trips with my parents to the grocery store and read up on those ingredients we can never pronounce.

Instead of trying to throw myself at the goals I set, I was taking one step at a time until I had a path with the goal waiting for me at the end! It has had tremendous results and I cannot stress how much goal planning comes into play when accomplishing them.

Long story short, if you plan to succeed, you need to succeed in planning.
Another problem many people have with picking their resolutions is that they limit themselves to niche goals, but add up too many to keep track of!

I prefer to set vague goals that allow for some wiggle-room. Giving yourself guidelines rather than rules allows for our focus to be turned on what to do, not what we shouldn’t be doing.

Who’s ready to start setting their yearly goals?!

Set household goals

My family has recycled for years and my 2019 goal of integrating compost into our household was a success! This year, I’m aiming to keep up with this habit and I’m still saving all my jars!

Home organization is another great habit to keep up with and getting the whole family on board can help with keeping the home clean after the holiday’s end. Here’s my complete list of home goals that you could focus on throughout the year:

• Switch to all-natural or zero waste products
• Use the clothesline more often
• Grow more veggies from home
• Start buying locally!
• Organize one space of the house a month
• Use fewer paper towels (go paperless in the kitchen!)

I work and feel best when in fresh and open spaces, so every year I try to start off by cleaning up a bit to start things off. With a clear space, one will have a clear mind, so clear up any excess clutter to start off right!

Don’t forget about yourself

It seems like self-care became the trend of 2019 and I hope it’s one that continues into the new year. For those of you who don’t find enough time for yourself, start using those nights off to your advantage and relax a little!

From eating what you know will make you feel best to using zero waste cleansers and candles for a spa night, self-care is one thing we can all come to appreciate.

In 2019, I got my first pair of blue light glasses to protect my eyes while taking online classes and blogging. Now I’m focusing on reducing my phone screen time before bed, and my daily average is usually under 2hrs!

Become a foodie this year…

This past year has been full of lots of recipe successes and ingredient experiments on my end.
I love to mix and match in the kitchen to get brand new flavor combos that surprise me every time! In 2020, I plan to share a new cookie recipe developed this winter, plus fresh dishes as different ingredients go into season!

Follow along with some of these foodie goals in 2020:

• Try a new food or flavor combo
• Make a favorite dish in a new way!
• Eat your rainbow every day (trust me, it works!)
• Prep your meals more than going out to eat
• Include a fruit or veggie with every meal
• Bulk buy ingredients and save some $$

Shopping locally is a great way to find produce bundles and fresh deals on all the foods you don’t want to splurge on in the grocery store.
I love getting produce bundles because there’s a surprise in everyone and all my inspiration comes from digging through the box when I get home.

Can’t find a local farmer’s market?

Stick to bulk foods like carrots and potatoes that taste great when prepared savory or sweet! Some of my must-haves include a big head of lettuce, tomatoes, onions, and any seasonal veggies that are in at the time.

---

Setting goals and sticking to them doesn’t have to be hard. Only when you pick your goal, create a plan to achieve it, and take the first step will allow you to succeed.
This year, instead of holding yourself to crazy standards, tackle the habits and goals you’ve already been attempting, just target them with the drive of the new year supporting you.

Looking for some more zero-waste goals?Great news! I’ve got some self-care tips for those who are new to the movement or want to challenge themselves by DIY-ing their own products!

Keep your eye out for my next post full of helpful tips and products that I wish I knew about when I first decided to make this lifestyle change.