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New Year's Intentions ~ One Bite at A Time (with Giveaway!)

I don't make New Year's resolutions. Those don't work for me.

I also don't have a life bucket list. That's just way too stressful for a high achiever and high expectation person like myself. I fear a bucket list would become an obsessive-compulsive thing where I was either driven to complete those things or be terribly dissappointed if they didn't happen. Speaking from experience here.


midnight fireworks on New Year's Eve
a good show for such a little town

That being said, I love to regularly evaluate where I'm at and set goals in my life. I do this all the time but especially during periods of seasonal change or before a big life change (like our two moves this past year).

Post-holidays and the beginning of a new calendar year is a natural time, even for a non-resolutioner like me, to evaluate where I am and where I want to go.

In my next post I'm going to share a few of my fall intentions, how those went and a few goals of mine for the winter season. But today I want to put a resource in your hands to help you on the path to more intentional living. 

One Bite at a Time, an e-book by Tsh Oxenreider (aka Simple Mom).

I first blogged about One Bite at a Time in Resources to Help You Get Organized. I told you how I was a bit skeptical at first (I'm a natural born skeptic, nothing personal) but ended up really pleased with this excellent resource Tsh has put together.

I love checklists. And so I think my favorite part of the book is the Table of Contents that lists the 52 projects you can accomplish, one bite at a time. That Tsh, she's so clever.

I'll be honest, I have done many of the life projects on this list. Like I mentioned in my fall post, the things Tsh writes about - money management, intentional living, organizing, green & frugal living, etc... are the very life habits and practices that have enabled us to make our dream come true of living in a beautiful place, working at home together, adventuring as a family (to name just a few).

And that's why I'm so happy to recommend Tsh's book. Because what she writes and shares are the foundational basics to living with intention. They get you on the path to simplifying your life, doing meaningful work you love, taking better care of your body and the environment, managing your finances better, growing your relationships.

Even the most amazing resource is only as effective as the work you are willing to put into it. I do believe One Bite at a Time can be a great tool to make positive life changes if you use it.

But, here's the thing, it's only 4 bucks ($1 off with coupon code HAPPYNEWYEAR, till January 10th) so even if you don't use it, and continue in your usual rut (not that I recommend that), you haven't wasted a whole lot of money. The same cannot always be said for other New Year's resolution purchases!

I know this time of year some of you are asking:

  • how can our family live with more intention and purpose this coming year?
  • how do we live more "green", where do we start?
  • how do we save more money, give more money?
  • how do we connect more as a family?
  • how do we get rid of all this excess "stuff" in our lives?

One Bite at a Time will help you on your journey - giving you a bit of a roadmap, actionable steps towards journeying in a postive direction.

You should know I'm an affiliate. I earn a small amount of money when you buy her book. You should also know I recommend very few products to readers. 'nuff said.

Tsh is giving away three copies of One Bite at a Time to FIMBY readers (anywhere in the world by the way, that's the cool thing about e-resources).

If you want your name considered in the random choosing please leave a comment with one intention you have for the New Year or winter season.

Giveaway closes on Wednesday, Jan 4th at midnight.

2 January 12

Comments

I would love to have this

I would love to have this awesome resource to aid our family and make 2012 become the year we begin a new way of living! One of our top intentions for this year is for our family to become active together and not be split up between various individual activities.
I have enjoyed your blog for a year or so I think. Your family's move is so inspirational. My father is a Newfie and I would love to live there for a while someday. We love the people, the land and the overall spirit of Newfoundland. We haven't found anything else like it!

Thank you for all of your encouragement, information and a peek into your lives. I eagerly read your messages each day and have gained a great deal from them.

May you have a blessed new year!!

I seek to live an intentional

I seek to live an intentional life but can always use tweaking and help. And checklists are so fun in the midst of a homeschooling life that always feels "undone" :)

With 2 young children, I'm

With 2 young children, I'm always looking for ways to bring our family closer together; being intentional about our activities. One way that I, as the mom, can do that is by getting some of the home management stuff organized so I can spend more time just simply being with my family. This book sounds like an excellent resource for that.

Uhmmmmm! New Years

Uhmmmmm! New Years Resolutions? Well, it's no easy because the life changes everyday in amazing ways (and, sometimes, in difficult ways, I know it from experience too). But one important resolution is enjoying the moment, my own time.

Reflection and goal setting

Reflection and goal setting are each good pause points in a busy life.
Each January I have an intention to volunteer at my local park, particularly for the winter seed cleaning chores. I too am skeptical about tools like this but would like to try it.

In the past several years I

In the past several years I have felt my life desires changing quite a bit. Living with a purpose or intention is high on my list of desires. I look back on my thirties and think I was just floating along like a leaf on a river.
I have long stopped making resolutions , but I do have goals. I keep my list small and achievable. Number one on the list this year is to read the book of John in our Bible, as a couple, with my husband. This may seem small but we plan to take our time and discuss our readings as a way of spending time together and growing spiritually as a couple.

I have stopped making New

I have stopped making New Year's resolutions as well because I find myself resolving all year long! One thing I do intend to do, beginning now, is get my family to eat more vegetables and less junk food. I am considering buying a v***mix to make smoothies to help with this if you'd like to offer your opinion on that! Happy New Year!

One of my intentions this

One of my intentions this year is to get our home more organized (and simplified). I really feel the negative effect of the clutter and am tired of living this way. Thanks for the chance to win.

Living with purpose and

Living with purpose and intention becomes more and more important as I age ( I am 43 LOL)...with two special needs little still 6 and 9 years living at home, living purposely is very important to their well being...I am always looking for tip and ways to make things "better" this year the focus is diet...foods that nourish and heal and help the boys with their many symptoms...that is my "goal" for 2012...

Here's to a great year ahead!! :))

I intend to reflect on my one

I intend to reflect on my one little word this year: light. In every sense of it. I am letting go of resolutions because I am so heavy with guilt when I fail. I already feel lighter. Thanks for the chance to win this.

One big goal for this year is

One big goal for this year is to declutter my life and make sure I actually use the things I have instead of just keeping them on a shelf. I still need to set the rest of my intentions for the year - today!

I have so many resolutions (I

I have so many resolutions (I love making them because they help me live more intentionally). But I'll share my one word for the year - Listen. I know there are layers to this word and I'm excited to hear all there is to learn. I need to listen to others better (not make every conversation about me), listen to my children more intently, and ultimately take time to be still and listen to God's voice as I seek His direction in my life.

Thanks for the chance to win this book!

I'm not a resolution maker

I'm not a resolution maker either. Just have "hopes" for the new year and one doable goal - clean out all junk drawers and closets.

This past year we've already started weeding out unnecessary possessions. We plan to continue on that path and live more simply year by year. It is a process with 3 children though!

crnest.blogspot.com

Like an above comment, I

Like an above comment, I definitely feel the effects of clutter and ill-organization. I struggle with papers - stacks of them. I would love to see less paper hanging around in this new year! As a side note - I made your mom's nut nog on New Year's and the whole family LOVED it :)

I like what Jill said about

I like what Jill said about listening. On a simpler note I'd like to drink more water this year, and try to completely cut out sugared sodas, then diet, then caffeine.

Your blog is very inspiring

Your blog is very inspiring to me. So thank you for sharing your heart. I would like to eat smarter, move more, and find meaningful volunteer work.

I always like New Years as a

I always like New Years as a fresh start. Especially now that we live in the south and there is not a huge change of seasons to mark the year for me (it was 65* here yesterday). One of my goals this year is to find more time for myself this year, which I often don't do as a mom of 3 and a homeschooler but I am going to make a bigger effort.

My intention this year is ME!

My intention this year is ME! Me, me, me. I've not been taking care of the engine of this family, and it shows. That involves many different parts (food, sleep, exercise, regular haircuts, etc) and I think this guide would be great for helping me take this elephant on. Really enjoying your blog, BTW!

Um!! I need a big

Um!! I need a big simplification in my life, to put what is more important first, learn to eat more healthy, slow and enjoy more our homeschool life style, do my best to accomplish and take out of the dust all my dreams and start to polish them (one step at a time).

I'd like to play more! Games

I'd like to play more! Games with my family, sewing for enjoyment, cooking things we love, doing art, being outside. Being intentional to make sure the fun things happen, often!

First, I love reading your

First, I love reading your blog - your lifestyle is very inspiring.
My intention for this year - to be more present for my kids and to eat more whole foods.

I've declared this year a

I've declared this year a planning year. We've talked in circles for so long about whether or not we should move (move out of state or just move into a different house, or stay put). This year I want to do the deep work that allows my husband and I to understand what it is we really want, and then write a plan to get us there. Thanks for the chance to win the book!

Our family is on the brink of

Our family is on the brink of much change and restructuring as I type this. We move our family of 7 in one week from an oversized home to a smaller one....also we move from being home owners to renters. There is freedom in being debt free. It is our clear goal to stay that way. I haven't had tons of time to process fully....but both my husband and i feel the need to greatly simplify. This resource sounds like a great help for the direction we are desiring to go. LIke so many, we have been exhausted and stressed by the lifestyle we had allowed ourselves to live. BUSY and COMPLICATED. Life moves fast enough..... I want our journey to be enjoyable with intention :)

We are working on a Big Move

We are working on a Big Move this year, and my main intention is to be mindful of William Morris as I am decluttering to pack us up. When we unpack in our new lives we want everything in our home to be beautiful or useful to us. I would love to use Tsh's resource as I am working through this process. The simpler our home life is (greener, more frugal, etc) the more things I find I can release from our home.

First of all Renee, I like

First of all Renee, I like how you say "intention" instead of "resolution". It removes the guilt of the thing, or of not doing the thing I should say. Heather uses that word too, which got me to thinking about the word Intention itself. Its a good word.
One of my intentions for the new year is to become more mindful in each situation I find myself in. I often find myself not fully present in what is going on right in front of me because I am busy thinking about what needs to be done next. My husband, after spending a week walking around the house with his hands in his pockets, says I don't know how to relax. Not true, I do, but perhaps I don't do it enough, so thats another intention for me.

What we need for this new

What we need for this new year is to get more organized. Trying to homeschool with six children in a small space is very difficult...

I am feeling the same desire

I am feeling the same desire to simplify and live mindfully and intentionally as many of the other comments have mentioned, and not get completely swept up in the busyness of raising twin toddlers. Thanks for such a great resource!

I don't make New Year's

I don't make New Year's 'intentions', or resolutions, or what have you. They always fall flat - but I'd love a copy of the book.

My intentions for 2012 are to

My intentions for 2012 are to make better use of my evenings, meaning less to no TV-watching (I don't watch a lot now but would like to cut back further) and more cooking, reading, knitting, and writing. In 2011, I successfully transitioned to getting up early every morning and now I would like to shift what I do with this time to make it my exercise time a few mornings a week.

I already have One Bite at a Time so please exclude me from the giveaway. I have skimmed it on my computer but need to print it out for more deeper reflection!

I would love to win a copy of

I would love to win a copy of this book! I have several goals that I have set for myself this year, but I think the biggest are to get fit and be more active and to not spend so much time on the computer. I feel like I am constantly attached to my laptop and it's really hindering me from accomplishing anything!

this is just what im looking

this is just what im looking for my only motto for 2012 is "Less is More" i want to continue to work part-time and spend time with the family while they are young and have a desire to live a better life and by better i mean healtheir,simpler, less stressful life not more stuff.

Our office has become the

Our office has become the place for "organized piles" and other supplies and WIPs. As we add more members to the family, it gets easier and easier to make this space a sort of dumping ground, since the rest of the house is fairly orderly. This year as we transition the office into a different space, I'd like to dust and vacuum in there every week -- which means being able to dust and having access to the floor!

I plan to be intentional this

I plan to be intentional this year about meal planning! This is a hugely stressful area of my life, and anything I can do to help, I am excited about!!

My intention this year is to

My intention this year is to let go of my desire for more children and appreciate fully the amazing little person I was blessed with. I also want us to become more active as a family.

Pages

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Reading & Listening

Let's Take the Long Way Home
Let's Take the Long Way Home
I think I may have read this before, but I am thoroughly enjoying this story of friendship.
Amazing Grace
The remarkable life of the 18th century British abolitionist William Wilberforce. I also LOVED Metaxas' Bonhoeffer.
Paperless Home Organization
Mystie shows you how to go digital. (I use a paperless system also.)
project based homeschooling
Project-Based Homeschooling
Teaching adults how to help children manage and direct their own learning.
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail
AWOL on the Appalachian Trail
Getting ready for our thru-hike next year.

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