2018 Goals

As I think back about previous years' goals, I realize how different this year will be.  My greatest fear is happening - I'm becoming a mom!  I can already see my priorities shifting before my eyes.  In previous years I've had goals to travel more, have more adventures, be more creative, do more projects, use my art journal more, etc.

This year I want to purge and organize my house, use more natural/safe products, and overall just survive and thrive.  How boring, right?!  I guess this is what they call "nesting."  I know that this year is going to bring a lot of changes, and I will be exhausted and my life will be verrry different.  I'll be adjusting to life with a baby, as well as working full time.  So I anticipate not having a whole ton of time for art journals and DIY projects.  So here are a few simple and easy "goals" I'm giving myself this year:

SAVE MONEY! 

This one is huge. My husband and I have decided that this whole year we will not buy anything. Well, of course we have to buy some things... food and necessities.  But as much as possible, we will not buy anything we don't need.  We don't need new clothes or shoes, we don't need electronics, we don't need jewelry or home decor.  Our goal is to completely use up everything we currently have before we buy anything new.  This includes all the random beauty products, skincare items, light bulbs, picture frames, etc, that we've been hoarding. And if we don't use it, or haven't used it in 6 months - toss or donate!

 - In the interest of saving money, here are some other ideas I've had... make my own cleaning supplies, make my own laundry detergent, make my own deodorant, make my own toothpaste... AND if I can successfully make all these things, I'll be ridding my life of toxic chemicals. I already have most of the ingredients needed, and the other ingredients I have to purchase are cheap and will last a looong time.  (Here are some recipes I'm excited to try: Toothpaste, Laundry Detergent, Deodorant.)

PAY OFF DEBT! 

I guess moving overseas, moving back to the US, moving across the country, moving to a house, and moving back across the country again has helped us accumulate a bit of debt.  Somehow it got a little out of hand.  Actually, I know exactly how it happened!  When we moved back to the US, we didn't own a single thing.  We had no bed, no couch, no table, no nothing!  We should have been more responsible with our purchases, but... well... you know...

Of course I have a ginormous to-do list before baby comes. I need to purge and organize and clean my house.  I need to set up the bedroom to prepare for baby.  I need to organize my bills and file a ton of papers... But that will all happen in due time (hopefully!).

What are your 2018 goals???

XO,
Julie