2022 You Were Good... Bring On 2023!

 Hey, everyone! I felt like I hadn't posted on here in a good minute but I'm gonna share how this year was (maybe some favorite memories/things too?) and the goals I set for this year and I'll share the goals I also planned for next year, too. Let's get this post started!

2022 Goals (let's see what I actually accomplished- I'll share what I didn't do too):

• Read More Books, Less Magazines- I failed horribly at this! 
• Aim to not eat breakfast after 11am- I did good on some days with this, not so much on other days.
• Learn how to properly make scones- tried to attempt this goal and the recipe I ended up using I wanted to try gluten free as well and they came out horrible (dry and not sweet- oh well!).
• Slowly develop a nighttime routine that's manageable- my thoughts here were: "Oh, will do this! Yes, I will." I never did.
• Take more bubble baths (as basic as this sounds- I did accomplish this goal- my favorite form of self-care).
• Take more social media breaks (still stuck to my 1 time staying offline on Sunday but took 2 weeks off in July from being online- best 2 weeks ever- did this goal pretty well).
• Go on more walks (only did 1 walk- but pretty attainable?)
• Be better with my food portions- did not do this well will continue to work on better.
• Take up the habit of journaling- did this twice over this year- easy attainable goal!

Let's just say 2022 was okay on my goals but as for memories- here are some of my faves:

• Turning 30 this year- didn't think I would make it but here we are!
• Seeing Lady GaGa for this first time on her Chromatica ball stadium tour- best early birthday present ever (thanks to my sister!)
• Doing the End Hunger in calvert county culinary program over the summer.

As for things I've learned this year:

• To not let myself be near candles- after my scary accident over the summer.
• To be more patient and just breathe.
• To learn that change is absolutely an okay part of life.

2022 see ya... 2023 let's go! Here's my theme centered around next year which is:

I want to focus more on taking a lot better care of myself- not half doing anything really prioritizing myself better (allowing some treats if I want to...). I don't ever really restrict myself- having treats is a a part of life anyways. The word I am going to use for next year is: peace; the quote for next year is: "make yourself a priority." Last year's quote if not mentioned: "Stay calm and just breathe."- definitely needed to work on that better.

2023 goals:

• Work on my stress / anxiety levels (find easy supplements + activities to keep me sane on a day to day basis).
• Read more books! Maybe make a list of ones I've not read?
• Start doing jigsaw puzzles (been needing a new de-stress activity).
• Go back to therapy again (haven't been in 2-ish years- I found this helpful with my mental health).
• Develop a unwind at night routine (something easy to stick to and yes, this is continued goal of mine- I know it's very basic but I struggle with sleep sometimes because of my anxiety so this is a #1 priority of mine).
• Start doing Pilates again (did this once before at home just using YT videos I've found and this choice of movement I find "easier" on my body than vigorous workouts).
• Go on more walks (seeing a bit of a movement theme? I want to prioritize more movement next year).
• Try to stop having caffeine after 3pm (I find having this later in the day affects with my sleep- thanks, anxiety! So need to prioritize this better! And not just coffee, kombucha and black/green teas, too- want to try to stop having these altogether after 3pm).
• Learn to properly manage my money better (I struggle with saving money and sticking to a budget so I want to prioritize and do better with this in the next year- maybe budgeting?) and this is a personal goal of mine I hope do better at. 

Well, that's a 2022 mini-recap and a intro to 2023 goals + such; I hope you enjoyed the post- see you all next year and have a very happy holiday season!

-Love, Lauren-