Happy New Year!

I’m ready to make some changes. And not just “I’m going to go to the gym three times a week” changes — although that is something I need to do and will be considering for the sake of my heart health — but real, lasting changes that will help me live the life I truly want. So this year, I’m going beyond the new year by establishing some “new life” resolutions!

I was given a new lease on life when I survived a spontaneous coronary artery dissection – a type of heart attack that comes out of nowhere for some healthy women and men – last year, which really etched into my being the fact that this is the only life we get. We should take advantage of all the good things and make this life one that is truly worth living, defined by how we choose to define it. For me that means being healthy to honor my body not giving out on me, doing more for the environment, creating a living space/environment that always makes me feel comfortable, and doing what I have to do to be the best Nikki that I can be so that I can truly lead by example.

A few things I want to do:

Exercise Regularly

Right now, I don’t have the funds or the time to join a gym or anything like that but I can make some time to exercise at home. I will get up a little earlier in the morning to do some yoga or take a quick jog around the neighborhood.  There are plenty of free yoga videos online so I’ll start getting up around 5:30 am or 6 am to do a quick yoga session. When the weather warms up a bit, I’ll try to alternate yoga with jogging. I know I’ll sleep better and feel great if I do this.

Take care of the planet

This one seems easy but I’m sure it’ll be difficult and inconvenient, at first, but I’m willing to do what it takes to save our planet! I’m going to cut down on our use of single-use plastics (like straws and sandwich bags), start composting, and do more yard work.

We throw out so many things that can break down and enrich the soil instead of rotting in a landfill so I’m looking into easy ways to compost. I think we’ll go with a composting company at first and then when really get the hang of it, we can buy our own composting barrel. This past spring, we built two raised garden beds where we grew cucumbers, tomatoes, peppers, eggplants, and herbs. The plan is to use our compost to feed the garden this year. This will also encourage us to eat more veggies!

Focus on our finances for house upgrades

This year, we’re really going to focus on our finances and spend money more responsibly, and even save some money in the process. Our biggest motivator is that we want to make some serious upgrades to our house. In the last few years the back yard has flooded several times, leaving us with a swampy mess and a broken fence. Right now, we can’t even use it. It’s too soggy and mushy to venture into and Mia can escape through the broken slats. We’re going to replace the fence, hire a landscaping company to help us create a rain garden, and then add a swing set for Sebastian. We’ll also replace the decks and add a stone patio. None of that is cheap so we have to be better about where our money goes so we can actually make it happen. That means we’ll be cooking at home more and buying less stuff that we don’t really need. We already set a budget every month/year, so all we really need to do is trim it down a little and stick to it better. It’ll be difficult for me in the beginning because I love dining out and shopping, but I’m ready to commit. I can do this!

Read and write

I’m looking forward to this one the most: I want to read at least 12 books this year — at least one per month — and I want to write every single day, even if only for 10 minutes. I’ll write in a journal and I’ll post on the blog more regularly. I’ll try to write every night before bed, that way Sebastian will be asleep so I won’t have any distractions. Then, once I’ve finished writing, I”ll read a few chapters until I fall asleep. Lots of people do this, right? It can’t be that hard.

There are many other changes I’m hoping to make this year that will stick for many years to come. Little things like flossing every day. But these are my biggest new years/life resolutions. It feels like a lot but I’ve broken it down into more manageable pieces to help hold me accountable. I know I can do this.

Do you have any New Year’s Resolutions? Tell me all about them to keep me inspired and motivated!

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