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).
Giveaway closes on Wednesday, Jan 4th at midnight.
Comments
Thanks to both you and Tsh
Thanks to both you and Tsh for sharing your ideas and resources for the rest of us. :)
I *intend* to move this year, though I'm not certain it will be possible. I'm starting the year by getting rid of anything I wouldn't want to take with me to my "dream home."
LIVE HEALTHIER~ Building up
LIVE HEALTHIER~
Building up some strategies for not only becoming healthier myself, but helping my four children and my husband grasp a healthier life as well!!
I want to be better at meal
I want to be better at meal planning an organization!
The timing of this resolution
The timing of this resolution just happens to coincide with the new year. I resolve to live like I am the beloved daughter of Almighty God instead of living a restrained, defeated, self-centered life.
my intention for 2012 is to
my intention for 2012 is to slow down and enjoy my kids each and every day! Life gets so busy sometimes that we forget, to listen to the laughs, hear the cries and share the memories! Family is everything to me. -
And I intend to keep it my top priority.
I did quit my job as a
I did quit my job as a teacher two weeks ago. I can't work in an organisation with so much rules and goals anymore. Education in my country is not dedicated to the children but to the system. So my intention is to make a new way of living out of my heart.
My intention for the new year
My intention for the new year is to be "real" not perfect. But in all things striving for radical obedience in Christ.
my intention this year is to
my intention this year is to expand my repertoire of homemade grain/veg/bean-based simple family meals. as the weather turns chilly there's great comfort is spending time in my kitchen, lovingly preparing these meals for my family.
I would love to win this
I would love to win this book! I have been feeling the need to simplify my life. I live overseas where in some ways life is more simple, but in others it's crazy! My intention is to write down all the projects and ideas floating around my head, stick them on a calendar one week at a time and start doing them!
For me, 2012 is the year of
For me, 2012 is the year of slow. There's nothing in my homeschooling, stay-at-home life that needs to be urgent and I need to act that way. That's the plan - we'll see how I do. This looks like a great resource to help me out.
Our family has big intentions
Our family has big intentions this year to change our lives. I will be quitting my full time job and start homeschooling our kids. Sounds like this book would be a great resource as we change our lives!
Too keep carrying forward my
Too keep carrying forward my growth as a mother and woman--to care for my family and home joyfully, simply, mindfully. And to write, in small bites, the story of this journey.
I'm all about simplifying in
I'm all about simplifying in 2012~would love to read this book. :)
one new years resolution I
one new years resolution I have for around here is listening to more music during the day with the kids, to expose them to various types and all that but also just because we own a great deal of music and we ought to enjoy it more than we do!
I was just looking at this
I was just looking at this book last night on Tsh's website; thanks for your honest recommendation/thoughts about it. I don't make resolutions really either, but I do like a good checklist! I'll wait and see if I win a copy of the book before I go buy it!
I'd love to set smaller
I'd love to set smaller goals. I'm not sure I'd accomplish more, but I'd recognize that I was making progress all..the..time!
Jenny
My intention this year is to
My intention this year is to consume less. Less processed food, sugar, unhealthy foods in general. Consume less "wants" rather than needs in regards to household items, clothes, toys, etc.
I am seeking to find more
I am seeking to find more ways to create balance in our life so we can spend more time as a family enjoying leisure play together.
Thanks for the
Thanks for the recommendation. I just bought the book... I'll be back to work (part time, from home) after the birth of my second child and after quite a long maternity leave. I really need some help!
The care of my 2 elderly
The care of my 2 elderly in-laws has fallen into my hands. I'm glad to do it but there are times I feel overwhelmed and I fear my children, husband, and home are often put on the back burner. My intentions this year are to ask for more help from my sisters in law and to take more time for my family.
my intent for the new year is
my intent for the new year is to let go of fear. all *will* and *is* well. let go of fear and water all the WondErFuLL seed inside and around me :)
Wow, what great timing for
Wow, what great timing for the new year. This sounds like something that I would really benefit from.
This year, one of my goals is
This year, one of my goals is to stay off the computer during the day and be more present with my kids. I have this book on my wish list...it looks so good!
Love your fireworks in the
Love your fireworks in the snow - very exciting!!! I am with you - No bucket list, I would be in a desperate rush to tick things off... and often it is the everyday things that bring us joy rather than the things we "have great expectations for." I'm also wary of new years resolutions - everyone always wants to improve themselves - do better, work harder, play more, read more... more, more, more. There is very little focus on what we are doing well already... like reading with our kids everyday, healthy meals or whatever we are doing. That being said I would like to change how I sleep!!! Finally after fourteen years of totally disrupted sleep my kids are sleeping well... Let's just say they have trained me otherwise and I would like to kick the refresh button and learn how to sleep properly again.
I seek to live more
I seek to live more intentional this new year by reading the the whole Bible and digesting it bit by bit. This will be my guide for 2012.
Some changes are ahead for
Some changes are ahead for our family in 2012. This past year was very challenging with the changes it brought and I think this tool would be helpful to relieve some of the stress involved. I need some direction and some bite size tasks to make it all less overwhelming!
One of the main goals I have
One of the main goals I have for this year is to spend more intentional time outside enjoying the beautiful nature around us. My husband and I want to do more hiking and camping. We don't have a lot of time and the finances are really tight. But somehow we like to fit it in!
I plan to be intentional
I plan to be intentional about personal health this year--checking off the to-dos of flossings, drinking water, getting outside and exercising a bit everyday.
I hope to create more peace
I hope to create more peace in my household and within myself.
to let go of my fear. to
to let go of my fear. to spend more time with my son. to develop closer relationships with my girlfriends. thanks for the giveaway!
Little bits at a time is a
Little bits at a time is a reminder I need. I'm good at that in my writing but when it comes the rest of my life I need a reminder. I would love to be included in your drawing. Happy New Year!
I would love to win this
I would love to win this fabulous resource. "Over-tasking" is my problem - I keep adding new items to previous years lists. This year I am going to concentrate on what is right in front of me...RIGHT IN FRONT OF ME, I tell you...Smiles...
Hugs From Laurie AKA Idgie
This year I intend to get a
This year I intend to get a job as a fitness instructor :) lose 20 lbs and try to keep my house cleaner :) hopefully they all happen ... oh, and have a better garden this year
I have been wracking my brain
I have been wracking my brain for a week, trying to remember what other book you recommended in a previous post... this was the one! So thanks for the reminder, and coupon code!! :)
One of my focus goals this winter is to purposefully make time for things that feed my soul, before I am drained, instead of afterward.
I would be 100% thrilled to
I would be 100% thrilled to win a copy of this book, so thank you for the chance.
My intentions for the new year are many. One is to keep up with the commitment we made (and followed through on) last year to spend the Sabbath as a family, pausing life to enjoy time together, Another thing that I would LOVE is creating better sleep hygiene patterns for my children b/c their difficult bedtimes push my limits.
As the last three years have
As the last three years have been very stressful for my family and business, my intention since 2009 has been to experience as much joy as possible. I keep a joy list and regularly check it to make sure I remember that despite the stress and financial strains, there are good things. I'm going to keep on with that!
I too love tweaking my goals
I too love tweaking my goals on a regular basis. If the Lord is willing, I intend to improve in each category of plans I'm pursuing. I hope everyone has a lovely 2012.
One thing I want to do this
One thing I want to do this year is learn how to take better pictures.
My intention for this winter
My intention for this winter is to form a clear idea of what my next move is. HA! I'm a new birth and postpartum doula with lots of herbal training. What's next?
I am not a resolution maker
I am not a resolution maker either, but I like to consistently improve. And what has been on my mind lately is the need to be consistent in my relationship with God in order to be consistent in my own progress. So my focus is more on my spiritual self at this time. Of course, I also read Super Immunity after I heard you talking about it on your blog and have been so inspired to clean up my family's diet.
My intention for the new year
My intention for the new year is to keep the main thing the main thing.
What a great resource...Hope
What a great resource...Hope I win, but if not I'll buy!
One of my intentions for the new year is to grow my yoga practice. I always walk out of class feeling both energized and relaxed and I want more of both in my life!
One of my intentions for 2012
One of my intentions for 2012 is definitely to simplify and organize our home life. We are filled with clutter of all kinds and I'm ready to rid our home of it! My entire family is tired of the rush to "have more" and "do more" and our quality of life has dropped because of this.
I also have a goal to start menu-planning and actually stick with it. :)
Love your blog and thanks for the chance to win this book!
My intention is to put down
My intention is to put down my iTouch more and connect with my kids more directly. I get way too engrossed in my reading and give too little attention to my people. To quote myself: "This behavior is unacceptable and must stopimmediately or there will be consequences."
;)
My intention for this year is
My intention for this year is to be less list focused and more people focused.
I make New Year's Resolutions
I make New Year's Resolutions every New Year, and then again on the lunar New Year (Chinese ) !New Beginnings are great. While each day, even every hour, can be a new start, there is something about a solid new entity. September (back to school time) is good, too! This year, I plan to accept the fact that I will never be able to read all of my books. I will slowly wrench them from my bookcases and release them into the world where they will nourish other minds (I hope!).
I intend on being more
I intend on being more present for my children and husband, less distracted, and provide chemical free household and beauty products to improve our footprint on this green marble.
This year I intend to make
This year I intend to make organizing and decluttering a little bit every day or week a regular habit. I am so tired of feeling overwhelmed by the *stuff* around me. Thanks for the chance to win!
Intentional. Real. Raw.
Intentional. Real. Raw. Uncluttered. Free. Humble. Passion-filled. Courageous. Ready to trust His ways and His path.
We, as afamily have a plan to
We, as afamily have a plan to save more money this year and living a life more intention and porpuse. We have found ourself in a big hurry, we do noot like that feelling.We feel as days are too short for as and that at the end of a day we actually do not know how was our day...sad...sad feelling.Especially when you realize that you do not live as you want, but just day to day living()with too many chores) and so day...what days,years just fly by.
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