As you already know, I celebrated my 27th birthday on Monday….and throughout the entire month of September, but I believe birthdays are REALLY worth celebrating. 🙂
Turning the big 2-7 had me thinking about how much I’ve grown… not physically- I’m still 5’1″ :P… but grown more and more into who I want to be over the past 5 or so years. Of course I feel like I evolved from when I was in 2nd grade to when I was in high school too, but over the past 5 years I feel like I’ve really come more into my own. I’ve steered my life in a healthier direction (physically, emotionally & psychologically) than where I was in college… & I feel better than ever!
However, the observations of how I’ve evolved turned me to thinking about the future. Where do I want to go from here? I decided to compile a list of goal for my 27th year of life. And I wanted to share them with you… someone has to hold me accountable 😉
1. Keep Running
I can’t tell you how shocked I am that I can jog for 30 minutes straight. If you would have told me I would be able to do such a thing a year ago, I would have laughed my butt off. I am so grateful for Couch to 5K, and don’t want me running to cease with the program. I want to keep it up 3 days/ week.
2. Add in Strength Training
While focusing on running, I’ve let strength training fall by the wayside. I brought it back yesterday with a sweat session with Jillian. I’ve decided (to keep it manageable) I’ll commit to doing strength training 1-2 days/ week. I can use a video, or yoga, or pilates, etc.
3. Take a Cooking Class
One of the things I’ve loved the most about blogging so far is my excitement to try new things in the kitchen. I want to take a cooking class (whether it be a singular session, or a few weeks worth of meetings) to expand my knowledge of all things sautéed, braised, poached, baked, reduced & filleted.
4. Makeover ‘A Healthy Slice of Life’
I can’t tell you how much I’ve enjoyed becoming a part of the healthy living blogging community. In effort to make my blog easier to read and better organized, I’m going to be tweaking my blog over the next few weeks/months. I’m excited to see how it turns out!
5. Run 3 Races
Three races in a year may not sound like much to you runners, but I’m a beginner! And if I want to exceed 3, then I certainly will, but for the time being I want to commit to 3. 1 will definitely be a 5k (coming up in October!). Then perhaps another 5k… and maybe (just MAYBE!) a 10k 🙂
6. Decorate my House
What? It doesn’t sound like a healthy living goal? Believe me, it is. The stress I am beginning to feel when I look around at our bare walls, naked windows, and big spaces with nothing in them is on the rise. I want our house to feel more like a cozy home. Over the next year, I plan on working on some serious transformations. Beginning with the living room.
7. Focus on Living in the Moment
I’m a planner. I like to have my days, weeks, months, holiday plans, etc mapped out so I know exactly what I’ll be doing when. I don’t think this is a bad thing, but I’ve noticed that sometimes I’m so focused on what I need to be doing to get ready for the next “event” that I’m missing out on fully enjoying the moment I’m in. Hubbs helps with this. He assures me everyone will still have a fine time visiting us even if the floors aren’t sparkling clean (and instead have a thin layer of Koda’s hair resting on it :P). I want to savor my cup of coffee on the back porch without stressing about how to get everything done in the day; I want to enjoy the getaways with my girlfriends & time with my family, rather than fixating on the fact that we only have 1 day to spend together; I want to snuggle up with Hubbs & Koda without checking my iPhone for “important” emails. Overall? I want to slow down. And live in the moment at hand.
And my last goal has me wondering…
Do you live in the moment?
Holly @ couchpotatoathlete says
Brittany I love your goals! I do not live in the moment most of the time, I tend to dwell on past decisions or I worry about the future. I’m working on it though!
I think you should totally run a 10K 🙂
Sarah @ The Smart Kitchen says
I try VERY hard to do so…I wasn’t always able to, but, like you, I feel like since college I have grown a TON and been able to savor life and its little joys every day. Certainly days still sneak by without me recognizing the tiny moments of perfection in them, but when I grab one, I feel lucky. 🙂
Rachel says
What Jillian DVD do you do? I have her No More Trouble Zones and it KILLS me. The first time I did it, I couldn’t walk for a couple of days. I need to get back into it and I’m scared lol.
I also need to learn to slow down. I think multi tasking is good sometimes, but when I’m doing it in my downtime, it’s exhausting. It’s no longer downtime.
Maria @ Oh Healthy Day says
Beautifully written post! I also love reading about you, because you seem to have such a positive and upbeat outlook about things.
I try so hard to live in the moment and make a conscious effort to do so, but admittedly, I don’t. It’s a great goal and something I’ll be working on as well…along with those races 🙂
Joslyn @ missfitbliss says
I definitely agree with you on the decorating thing! It is so true that when my house isn’t in order or where I want it to be, it’s difficult for me to focus on anything else!
A good goal for me is to be open to meeting new girlfriends. I’m in a new town with an amazing boyfriend but my social network isn’t that big yet! I’m working on it!
TheHealthyApron says
I think it’s wonderful to set long term goals for your health! I have similar goals that I hope to maintain as I continue to age!
Your home looks gorgeous!! BTW
Heather (Heather's Dish) says
these are great! i would say mine would have to be just being present and not worrying about the future…that’s gonna be hard but totally worth it!
Nichole says
Your goals rock. Great things that I KNOW you can knock out in under 365. Signing up for a race is the best move you can make, gives you a goal to work from.
I am totally living in the moment this week. One crazy minute at a time.
Alexa @ The Girl In Chucks says
I don’t really live in the moment. I’m constantly concerned about what I didn’t do today, what is happening tomorrow and what is going to be thrown at me next week. I don’t take enough time out and I certainly spend WAY too much time on the computer or clutching my iphone.
It freaked me out the other day. I was on the bus home and I had been staring at my iphone for about 15 minutes. I had been tweeting, writing e-mails, reading the news and doing some other things. I was stating to get a headache so I look up from the screen and EVERYONE around me was hunched over a smart phone too. I felt like a pod person! It made me think that I really need to become less reliant on technology and be a little more old school. Read a book or something.
Ashley @ Cupcakes & Combat Boots says
I’m bad about living in the moment too. My mind is ALWAYS racing with “the next thing I have to do” and I really need to take more time to just enjoy what’s happening NOW. My husband actually gets upset with me because I let stress get to me sooooo much these days. And I know what you mean about being a planner because I’m the same way. Which is tough when you’re an Army wife and you can basically plan NOTHING in your life. 🙂
I love your house!! That great room is so beautiful, furniture or not! And I love your goals! I hope you’re able to accomplish all of them. 🙂
Corey @ The Runner's Cookie says
You have some really wonderful goals that all seem to fit together! I think birthdays are a great time to reflect not only on where you want to go with your life but also on how far you’ve come — it’s great that you can see how much you have changed for the better in the past 5 years. So often people focus on what’s wrong in their lives or what they want to improve that they forget to take time to acknowledge what’s going right and the progress they’ve made thus far. Good for you!
Living in the moment is something I’ve been working hard on the past year or two – taking time to do things for myself, continuing with running and yoga, and putting away the phone and computer after dinner have all helped me do that.
John J. says
Brittany, you continue to inspire with your holistic balanced living and planning going forward. Two of my favorite quotes are: “The unexamined life is not worth living” (Socrates) and “If you don’t know where you are going, any road will take you there”. You examine and you choose your road. Is it “The road less travelled”?
Lea @ Healthy Coconut says
Thanks for stopping by my blog so I can find yours.
I like your blog name, everyone could use a healthy slice of life…it’s so universal.
You have a good list going on right there. I always believe that the way to accomplish your goals is to list them but also make sure they are attainable so that you don’t set up yourself to fail.
I love your huge, airy and open spaced house.
Blond Duck says
Your last goal is my biggest one for this year! I’m obsessed with planning and it’s so hard for me to be spontaneous!
Blond Duck says
Your last goal is my biggest one for this year! I’m obsessed with planning and it’s so hard for me to be spontaneous! But I guess with my 26 things, I ‘ll have to be!
Sarah for Real says
OMG your house is gorgeous!
I was JUST thinking about a future 10k myself. Maybe we can virtually train for that together too! I’m excited to have my “fake” 5k along with yours in October so I can try to improve my time.
kristin @ delishliving says
just discovered your blog and the first thing i read connected with me – BIRTHDAY MONTH! yes! it’s my bday on Sunday (turning 28) and i have been celebrating alllllllll month long. my hubby isn’t as into it, but he got better for “Birthday Week”. love your blog and will be checking back!
Mary @ Bites and Bliss says
First of all..oh my freaking gosh your house is incredible. 🙂
And I try to live in the moment as much as possible but it’s not always easy…especially when there’s such fun things to look forward to!! Like right now all I can think about is Thanksgiving when I’ll get to see my family and Michael again. 😀 But licing in the moment is important..you don’t want anything to pass you by.
Lisa @ I'm an Okie says
That’s your home? holy moly its beautiful! Can I move in please?
Katie @ Healthy Heddleston says
Gosh those are good goals! I’m excited for the new year to make a little list or something.. maybe I should do it now and make fall goals, hmm. Anyway, love the picture of your home 🙂
I like to live in the moment but I enjoy planning too. There has to be a happy little balance!
Shawnee says
Happy Birthday!! I love your goals. I like to set them for myself each birthday. I’ve found that “what do I want to be when I grow up” is a huge question in my 26th year. :S Even though I have a degree, I am not doing what I want. I am on a major search. So…well…I understand. 😀
Lisa says
Your house is so beautiful! I love that you are setting goals for yourself for your birthday! What a wonderful idea! =)