october

I’ve come to the realization that things may not slow down in my life until my kids have graduated High School. Monthly goals are an important part of my mental stability in keeping my priorities in order through the madness that is the 21st century. The most important thing to remember when goal setting is to know that it will be alright if each goal is not fully complete by the end of the month. To be flexible in goal setting is the key to not feeling stressed or frustrated with your accomplishments. If you don’t accomplish one of your goals, it’s no problem, if it is still an important task simply push the date back. It does no good to get down on yourself for not accomplishing goals.

On that note, let’s check to see how flexible I’ll have to be with my October goals by looking back on my September goals (or as I like to call them ‘accomplishments’.) By the way, September rocked in all areas of my life.

We started Sophie in an all day Montessori school just a  block from our home. The transition has been rough for all of us. There are tears every morning but each day is a little bit less of a struggle. She loves being at school once she’s there but leaving me is really tough on her (and me!) Sophie and I had many mini Mommy/Daughter dates after school. I was sure to focus entirely on her after school rather than cleaning the kitchen or running errands. We’re on a great track to making our home Montessori friendly with adding low tables/chairs, hooks and a spot for all of Sophie’s belongings that she can easily access.

We also are on a roll with potty training. I know that things can digress after a while but as of now she is doing a wonderful job and is very excited about being more independent. We got two more rooms of our home painted and I was able to work out at least 4 times per week. I also accomplished most of my blog goals. I was able to join another Pin 70 group although I’m not seeing much of an increase in numbers this time. I got one recipe post up on the blog and have another that will be coming out soon. I talked to my blogging buddy Misty about some ideas on social media and was re-inspired with writing.

We had the best family vacation in Disney World (of which I’ll post about soon) as well as a date night out celebrating our 5 year anniversary with dinner and Inside Out. We had some fun fall adventures including apple picking and a bon fire at my sister’s and a cook out with Jeffrey’s new job. I’m excited about the month ahead with lots of Birthday’s (Sophie turned 2 today!), fall break and Halloween! Now for my October goals.

October Goals:

Family:

• Get a play/craft area set up for Sophie in the basement
• Focus on bedtime routine for more successful sleep
• Go to a pumpkin patch

Life:

• Finish bathroom closet and paint master bath
• Visit both sides of the family
• Work out 5 days/week & Whole30

Blog:

• Complete shopportunity
• Write one party post and one Disney post
• Read final Page Turners book

I’m excited for October and the change in seasons (despite it being dark sooner.) I’d love to know if you make goals. How do you keep track of them? A running list, post-its, an app on your phone or do you just remember everything? What is one of your biggest goals for October?

By the way, if you’re liking my photos, you can follow along with what we’re up to on my Instagram page:

Happy October 1st! I’m doing another round of Monthly Goals to help me stay on task for the month of October. First, let’s see how I did on my first month of goal planning in September. I achieved all three goals under family! With the occasional later bedtime while traveling or the weekend, we’ve got Soph on a more regular bedtime routine! Jeffrey and I went to see Mike Birbiglia and Soph and I went to every Babies Loves Books except the Monday she was visiting her Grandparents. My Life goals were not as successful! I did not complete ANY of them! We stopped Whole 30 a week early just because. There really was no reason. We are going to continue to eat those foods with an occasional treat until we reach our goals. We both lost a lot (24 lb for me) but still have a ways to go. I can’t figure out how to get my darn Lumo Lift to stay on my body, so until I get that figured out, it sits on my desk. I didn’t even attempt Me Before You because I read reviews on how terribly sad it was and couldn’t put myself through that! I got half way through Daring Greatly and am really enjoying that book! I did nothing with Project Life or my closet building plans. I saw that it was going to cost $890 for new wood hangers and decided the closet reno will have to be for another time. I did pretty terrible on my Blog goals as well. I still have not completed Blog Life and I only revamped one old post. I did, however, repin like a mad woman. I also got asked by Anna to be a co-host for a big Pinning Party this Saturday for Boogie Wipes! I’m OK with the things I didn’t get accomplished because I got a lot of non-goal items accomplished!

Family

• To be present this month. There is a ridiculous amount going on this month and I want to be sure to be present for my family rather than going through the motions and checking events off my to-do list.
• Continue Babies Love Books every Monday
• Take a family walk 3 times/week
• Find a date-night sitter for Soph

Life

• Swim 2 times/week
• Read Eleanor & Park
• No laundry on the weekends

Blog

• Complete Blog Life (for realz)
• Revamp 2 old posts
• Make 2 new pins for 2 top re-pinned pins

PS. is this not the cutest? What are your goals for October? How’d September turn out for you? I fear October, November and December are going to be tough to accomplish all my goals but I’m up for trying!