I was browsing through a journal that I’ve begun to write in lately, and it has a section for listing accomplishments and goals for past and future years. This made me stop and think about what achievements I have met this year. I wish that I had made a list of goals for 2013, but I never really wrote anything down.
I’ll make a list of my goals for 2014, but in the meantime, I’ll reflect.
Here are my top personal accomplishments for 2013
Purchasing our first-ever brand new home.
Moving was no fun. Honestly, we still have several boxes waiting to be unpacked almost a year later. However, I have really enjoyed our home building and buying process. It was worth the few headaches and roadblocks to have a home that we chose and customized. It’s a messy, drawn on house (thanks, 1 year old!), but it’s a great size and layout for all of us!
Making my blog more of a business.
I went to several blogging conferences and events. I have done a lot of sponsored content and reviews. I am choosing to view myself as more of a semi-professional blogger. I really want to focus more on the writing aspect and less on the monetization in 2014, but more on that later.
Choosing to get and stay healthy.
I have done many things this year that have been great for my health in 2013. This includes going paleo for several months out of the year, giving up soda, giving up caffeine, joining a gym, making smoothies in the Vitamix, and focusing on how I feel instead of numbers on the scale.
Teaching my kids more about chores and personal responsibility.
My kids have had a chance to really participate in the running of our household. We have found many chores for kids that really help to relieve me of a lot of the responsibilities. I truly see no need for one person to do the work of 6 people!
My kids help with their own laundry, including putting dirty clothes in their hampers, bringing it downstairs, starting the washer, unloading the dryer, and putting up all of their clean clothes. They also help clean our kitchen table and the floor beneath it. They clear the table for me when asked, which is a help.
They clean their rooms, enjoy vacuuming when asked, will help me clean the bathrooms completely, and even help gather up their trash and recycling each week.
This may have been my best and most productive accomplishment all year! Even at 1, 4, 6, and 8, my kids can be helpful and really pitch in to help our household run much more smoothly.
Allowing myself to let go of non-essential responsibilities.
Admittedly, 2012 and the first part of 2013 was very stressful. Between Girl Scouts, homeschool groups, playgroups, and mom’s groups that I either led myself or participated in heavily, I got really burnt out. When we moved earlier this year, I gave myself permission to let it go.
Now, we still participate in fun socialization activities, but I’ve taken the stress off of myself. We spend time with other homeschoolers doing sports activities for the kids. My kids have fun playing with the other children at the childcare and youth areas at the gym. I let my husband take over with scouting and try Adventure Guides. (That turned out to be a big flop for my older kids and we’ll be giving up that responsibility ASAP.)
I gave myself permission to let others lead. It’s okay. Really.
Seeing family many times throughout the year.
I’ve had the opportunity since moving to my new house to open my home to my family more than I ever have before. It’s been the coolest thing to be able to host my relatives from both sides of my family this year. I am excited that my kids get to grow up knowing their family members and realizing that they are part of a bigger network of folks that love and care for each other.
What about you?
What accomplishments are you most proud of for 2013? I’d love to hear about it!