The Year of Rest + 2019 Goal Setting
For the past three years, I’ve set goals for the year (and month) using the Cultivate What Matters Powersheets. It is always such an incredible experience of reviewing the victories, fruit, and down falls of the previous year in order to make intentional goals for the next. I typically carve out time between Christmas and New Years to sit down and work on the Prep Pages. Writing it all out really helps me to solidify my plan and hold myself accountable.
My process for setting goals, always starts with a word of intention, or a One Little Word. I mentioned last year that I’ve chosen six words so far, and 2019 is no different. The word Rest starting whispering itself to me in September and I officially decided on it in November. As I considered this word, I really had a couple things in mind for why I chose it and how I wanted it to impact my 2019 goals. Here are some of the overarching themes for this year:
- Resting secure in God.
- Cultivating a life of less.
- Drawing from an overflow of rest.
- Listening to my body and heart.
- Resting and rejoicing in change and growth.
This is likely going to be the most challenging one little word, but I can’t wait for all that this year holds.
Here are my 2019 Goals for the year of REST.
Goal 1: Cultivate a life-giving home and marriage.
Why? To continue growing our marriage and make our home a place of rest.
The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: I want our home to be a place of comfort and rest for everyone. 2018 brought a lot of opportunities to have friends and family in our home and I would LOVE to continue that into 2019. I also want to make it more of a place for us by hanging and making sentimental items more visible.
Mini Goals:
- Love + serve
- Be present at home
- Create a gallery wall of our favorite places + family photos
- Get professional photos taken
- Regular date nights
3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Paint the craft room in gracious greige (12/31/2018), find a basket or a place to put my phone while I’m at home (by 1/31/2018), and browse through gallery walls online (12/29/2018)
Encouraging Words: Proverbs 31:10-31, Ecclesiastes 4:9-12, 1 Peter 4:8-9
How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: Host a gathering and thank God for a place for people.
Goal 2: Intentionally limit consumption of social media and self-help information.
Why? The information I take in from social media and non-fiction books tends to lead to more mental clutter and longer to-do lists. As I consider what it looks like to rest, limiting these things seems like it could make a big difference in this area.
The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: This could completely change my life and my relationships. I often feel like I want to slow down my pace of life and I think this would be a great way to start.
Mini Goals:
- Limit non-fiction (specifically self-help) books to 2 for the whole year
- Limit screen time and scrolling
- Unsubscribe from emails
- Refrain from taking on new creative projects
3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Deactivate Facebook (12/31/2018), unsubscribe from emails as they come through (1/1/2018), and review current list of podcasts and narrow down (12/30/2018).
Encouraging Words: Proverbs 4:23
How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: Happy dance, because this one is ALWAYS on my list.
Goal 3: Focus on deeper Bible study and prayer.
Why? To cultivate a stronger relationship with the Lord at a slower pace than I have in the past.
The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: This changes everything because it will help me to have a more in tune relationship with the Lord and help me to live it out and be more willing to share his Word. More Joy.
Mini Goals:
- New morning routine
- Deeper study of 3 books of the Bible
- Scripture Memorization
3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Research habits and morning routines (by 1/31/2018), prayerfully choose 3 books of the Bible to study(12/31/2018), prep my prayer binder for the new year (12/29/2018).
Encouraging Words: Psalm 16:11
How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: A day full of random acts of kindness.
Goal 4: Steward and take better care of my body.
Why? To live a more healthy lifestyle and live in better stewardship of this body that the Lord has given me.
The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: I’ll increase my time outside and moving my body, which will create an overall healthier lifestyle and more self-confidence. Plus, Chloe will enjoy lots more walks.
Mini Goals:
- Kick the soda habit
- Meal Prep Sundays
- Exercise goals (10K with Mom in March)
- Oils
3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Start weening off caffeine (12/15/2018), create a loose exercise plan for the year (1/1/2019), and buy meal prep containers (by 1/31/2019).
Encouraging Words: Romas 12:1, 1 Corinthians 6:19-20
How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: I’d love to celebrate with an awesome hike.
Goal 5: Love things above, not of this word.
Why? To steward our money well and continue paying down our debt quickly.
The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: Our debt prevents us from saying “yes” to things we’d like to. Having financial freedom would be a game changer on so many amazing levels.
Mini Goals:
- No spend month(s)
- Capsule Wardrobe
- More ethical purchases
- Intentional gift giving
3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Print off a Debt Free chart and fill it out (12/1/2018), review current budget (12/29/2018), and review our debt snowball plan (1/1/2019)
Encouraging Words: Matthew 6:19-21
How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: I’d love to celebrate meeting financial goals by enjoying a fancy dinner out.
Goal 6: Cultivate rest by having a weekly Sabbath.
Why? To practice rest as a rhythm and not a rescue and to fill up my cup before it’s empty.
The positive affect taking action on this goal may have on me and others: There are so many good things to come from this. I’ll be more refueled and refreshed to do His good work, which will positively affect all of my relationships and interactions.
Mini Goals:
- Take each Sunday as a day set aside for the Lord – limiting work, social media, and shopping on Sundays in order to leave time to get outside, go on dates, and do fun things.
- Study what the Word has to say about Sabbath.
3 Starting Steps (and when I’ll do them): Research Sabbath in the Bible and online (by 1/31/2019) , start praying for my weekly Sabbath (1/1/2019) and mark Sabbath days on my calendar (1/6/2019)!
Encouraging Words: Hebrews 4
How I’ll celebrate at the end of 2019: I’ll celebrate with a day-long retreat and thank God for a wonderful year of resting in Him!
Shout out to Taylor for painting me the most beautiful Bible to make my word visible every. single. day. this year.
There you have it – six (admittedly) huge goals all aimed at finding rest in Him throughout 2019. Cheers to an amazing year.
What I’m Pinning – 2019 Vision Board
Currently
C H O O S I N G
This year, I’m choosing rest as my one little word and the focus of all my intentions. I’m pretty convinced that this is going to be the most challenging word yet, but I’m looking forward to lots of growth that is likely in store for me.
T I D Y I N G
I’ve been working on tidying up my craft room and hope to make it a less cluttered space in 2019. I started with clearing out the whole room and a fresh coat of paint in gracious greige. I have a whole Pinterest board of ideas, and a gallery wall with etsy art is at the top of my list.
R E S O L V I N G
My biggest resolutions for 2019 include: resting in God and cultivating a life of less. For me, I hope this year looks like cutting back on fluff and focusing on what matters.
E X P L O R I N G
In the last couple weeks, I’ve been exploring meal prep recipes and techniques. In the past, I’ve set high expectations for myself in regards to making healthy, fulfilling dinners but it’s just not realistic for me to do that on a nightly basis anymore. I love the idea of having some grab and go meals on hand to make sure we’re properly nourishing our bodies.
R E F R E S H I N G
Celebrating victories and reviewing my goals from my 2018 Powersheets was so refreshing. Despite it being an exhausting year, I accomplished a lot and lived a lot of life.
2018 Year in Review
Happy 2019! I just love the feeling of a New Year, not because it’s anything special, but because it gives me time to reflect and celebrate victories of the year and look forward to the next. One of my very favorite posts from last year was my year-end review of 2017, and at the end of an exhausting 2018, it feels even more imperative to count the good things.
January
- We rang in the New Year at our house with some very close friends and yummy food.
- I kicked off the year with my one little word, Connect, in hopes of prioritizing my connection with God through deeper prayer, connecting with my body, exploring more natural household and beauty products, being more intentional with my online connections, and creating space for vulnerability.
- We celebrated Chloe’s 5th Birthday with a big ole treat. Our girl is spoiled.
- My best friend, Brittany, got engaged and they set a wedding date for September! I literally screamed when the text came through and was thrilled when I realized I would get to see her multiple times in one year.
- We played lots of games with friends: Bananagrams, Jackbox, What Do You Meme?, Utter Nonsense, Code Names and Forbidden Island.
- Book Read: Grit: Passion, Perseverance, and the Science of Success
February
- I took on a daily photo challenge in February and learned a lot more about the DSLR I purchased last year.
- After lots of studying, I PASSED MY REAL ESTATE EXAM. Kevin surprised me with a sign in the yard and yummy dessert.
- I completed Liz Lamoreux’s 21 Day Tell It: Collage ECourse. Highly recommend.
- Helped Taylor paint almost every room in their new house. Truly one of the sweetest memories of our friendship.
- Brittany asked me to be the matron of honor in their wedding.
- Kevin traveled for work for the first time, and Chloe and I held down the fort.
- We got some amazing weather, so we opted for a picnic and the obligatory family feet photo.
- Books Read: Unoffendable: How Just One Change Can Make All of Life Better and All the Leader You Can Be: The Science of Achieving Extraordinary Executive Presence
March
- Kevin and I celebrated our 3rd wedding anniversary.
- It snowed the most beautiful sloppy snow, and I snapped my favorite photo ever of our home. Check out Chloe watching me through the window.
- We celebrated a HUGE milestone in our debt free journey.
- Mom and I went to a cooking class to learn all about how to use and cook with an Instant Pot. Macaroni and Cheese game changer, my friends.
April
- We celebrated our Two Year Highridge Ranch-iversary, which meant it was time for a little home reno project. April was the start of the research phase.
- We upgraded to iPhones with Portrait mode. Game. Changer.
- Books Read: A Praying Life: Connecting with God in a Distracting World and 10% Happier: How I Tamed the Voice in My Head, Reduced Stress Without Losing My Edge and Found Self-Help That Actually Works, Yes Please
May
- I had an entire week of PTO to burn (or lose), so we took a last minute trip to Las Vegas!
- Sarah saw us struggling to take selfies in our new hammock, and offered to take these photos of us. For sure, my favorite photo of us this year.
- We made the last payment on our Honda Civic – a couple years early!
- Books Read: The Year of Less: How I Stopped Shopping, Have Away My Belongings, and Discovered Life Is Worth More Than Anything You Can Buy in a Store, Capturing Light: The Heart of Photography, Ruth’s Journey, and The Road Back to You
June
- We traveled with my family to La Jolla, CA for a week and stayed in a stunning house on the coast.
- We started on our bathroom renovation project after having a window installed and a couple months of researching.
- Books Read: Great at Work and The Sacred Enneagram: Finding Your Unique Path to Spiritual Growth
July
- We celebrated fourth of July at Missouri’s state capital with Alex and Tony.
- Kevin’s brother, Dave, moved in with us (and Chloe gained a best friend)!
- Kevin had surgery to remove his gallbladder and we spent time recovering.
- Books Read: The Genius of One, One Thousand Gifts, 12 Ways Your Phone is Changing You, and Harry Potter and the Sorcerer’s Stone
August
- I celebrated my 27th birthday (without a major break down).
- I made a prayer binder to help focus on my prayer life and goal of connecting with God.
- We completed the bathroom renovation and I’m thankful (a million times over) for family that helped us through the project. We could not have done it without them.
- Books Read: The Life-Changing Magic of Tidying Up, 7: An Experimental Mutiny Against Excess, and Cultivate: A Grace-Filled Guide to Growing an Intentional Life
Photo by Matt Mason Photography in Lake Geneva
September
- Kevin started streaming Overwatch and PUBG on Twitch regularly.
- I celebrated 8 whole years of blogging.
- I flew with Taylor out to Milwaukee for Brittany’s Bachelorette Party. So. Much. Fun.
- We tailgated a whole bunch and hosted the Ernsts for Taylor’s first ever Mizzou game!
- I stood beside Brittany and Evan as they tied the knot in the beautiful town of Lake Geneva. We definitely celebrated the night away.
- Book Read: Girl, Wash Your Face
October
- We celebrated the wedding of our friends, Alexa and Andrew, in St. Louis.
- I finally finished Friends which I started last December, and despite enjoying the show, took a long break from TV.
- We stayed at home for the first Halloween since moving into our house, and we had lots of trick-or-treaters!
- Books Read: The Road Back to You
November
- We experienced an autumn with the most beautiful colors I can remember…
- …and then it snowed for the first time of the season.
- I got acrylic nails for the first time and loved them.
- I started Bible Journaling through Grace and Gratitude (haven’t finished yet, but the beginning was fun.)
- We purchased a new skinny Christmas tree and put it up way too early. No shame.
- I decided on my 2019 word of the year, rest.
December
- I saw the play A Christmas Carol and spent quality time with my parents while Kevin was in Denver.
- Kevin turned 27 (yep, he’s younger than me).
- The press released Kevin’s biggest project to date. So stinkin’ proud of him.
- We spent a difficult Christmas in St. Louis surrounded by family and friends.
- I tried Top Golf for the first time and somehow managed not to come in last.
- We rang in the New Year with friends, cats, and Barred Owl.
Cheers to 2019!
Grace and Gratitude – Day 4 of 100
About
Hi, I'm Jacqueline - believer, learner, and all around hobby enthusiast. I'm married to my highschool sweetheart, Kevin, and we live in the midwest with our sweet pup.
On this blog I share all kinds of things about my life - from my faith journey to the garden in my neighbors backyard. I've been blogging for almost eight years and use this space as a way to document my daily life.
Thanks for stopping by my little corner of the internet.