Posted on

January Outlook

Embarking upon this #cultivate2012 journey has changed my focus to cultivation. I had at one point thought that January 2012 would be about realigning my life, but that doesn’t seem to fully encompass the ideas behind my Cultivate project. During this month I really need to focus on fostering better habits and nurturing myself, my family, and my business. Somewhere in December, a spark began to grow inside of my mind, and I want to fan those flames. I want to keep building that fire. But success starts small, so I need to focus on cultivating myself first. I need to get back to taking better care of myself, and I need to ensure I find that place of my own. My most important goal at this moment is to pack our things and move to a place we can call home — a place that nurtures our family, provides sanctuary, and fosters growth as individuals and as a family. I need that peace most of all in order to thrive. I nurture myself and my family better when the kitchen belongs to me and no one else. I don’t play well with others when it comes to sharing a kitchen. I need space and time when in the kitchen, and I need time to eat and enjoy my food with my family before I clean up the inevitable mess I create in the kitchen. And as a foodie, the best way to nurture my family and cultivate myself is by way of food.

I’m going to continue with my posting schedule, too. I still enjoy taking pictures, and I’m liking not going to outgrow my love of food any time during this life. I also value reflecting upon the blessings in my life and expressing gratitude as such. I’ll introduce the Live the List Challenge series to hold myself accountable for living the list. I’ll do my very best to bring thoughtful and inspiring content for my Monday Meditations. As for Tuesdays and Sundays, we’ll see what I decide. I’m thinking this little lady may decide she deserves a couple of rest days to recharge her creative energies. I foresee a very successful month in which I increase my income, my quality of life, and find an adorable new home. This first month of 2012 brings with it shiny new opportunities and tons of promise.

Share
Posted on

#Cultivate2012 Outlook

What is your personal outlook for 2012? What do you hope to accomplish this year? What do you need to nurture in order to cultivate your intentions? Write, sketch, color, photograph, create a vision board — do what feels right. 2012 is yours for cultivation!

Between the 509 unique page views and this glorious idea I decided to call Cultivate, I’ve got a bright and cheery outlook for 2012. I welcomed the new year in last night, promising my husband — and myself — that this year would be different. This year will be better. It will be much more fruitful. Why do I believe this? Because this year is different. This year I’ve got ideas that I’m following through with. This year, I’m going to take hold of opportunities instead of letting them pass me by. It’s a chance to start over — a chance to start living the dream instead of pining after it.

This year I hope to accomplish a list of achievements. Yesterday we sat down and made our lists for the Live the List Challenge, and our family is going to spend plenty of time trying to cross off all the items, within reason of course. I plan to step it up and becoming a thriving freelancer. I realized that in addition to my current services, I can offer virtual assistantship to clients. I’ve got plenty of experience as a secretary, but there doesn’t seem to be plenty of locations nearby looking for one. My skills don’t need to stay within commuting distance — I’ve got Skype, Gmail, and tons of web-spunk. I’m not bound by spacial constraints, and neither should my clients. I’m sure it’s awesome to have someone sitting at a desk in an office during business hours, but business doesn’t always occur during business hours. I agree with Kelly Gurnett that more people should go the ROWE route (results-only work environment). In addition to expanding my services, I’m absolutely going to write until my fingers cramp. I’m going to aggravate that carpal tunnels. I’ve been encouraged to keep writing, and I’m finding more and more that even I love my words. I also love helping others find their voices and perfect their words. I want to do a whole lot more of that during 2012. I have a goal to earn $45k during 2013 as my own boss, after all. I also intend to take better care of myself. There are no do-overs in life. I’m only going to be a 20-something for a little bit longer — now is the time to prevent and nurture my health so I can enjoy a better quality life for a longer quantity of time.

In order to nurture my intentions, I need to start by nurturing myself. I need at least eight hours of sleep each night, I need to drink at least 64 ounces of water each day, I need to eat a healthy, filling breakfast each morning, I need to take my vitamins, I need to get some exercise on a regular basis, and I need to take time to feed my passions. Anything less, and I’m feeling lousy. I don’t function well as a malnourished, dehydrated, exhausted, out-of-shape ball of nerves. It’s not a good state of being for anyone, and it also isn’t a very good look for me. When I feel good, I function better. I’m more productive. I’m nicer and friendlier. I’m also much more willing to function as an ISFJ, nurturing those around me. I wake up ready and willing to make a nice breakfast. I’m energized to partake in family fun. Moreover, I catch mistakes a lot faster. I’m quicker-witted. So it goes without saying that I need to nurture myself and my family first. I must nurture my passions by giving into them — writing to improve my writing, dancing when the mood strikes, and enjoying my life. I won’t get another shot at this life I’m living right now, so it’s better off that I nurture it. Feed it, water it, give it plenty of sunlight, and watch it thrive. I’m going to cultivate the kind of life I want to live — the kind of life where I’m thriving.

Share