Being completely honest, I’m big on setting New Year’s resolutions but not that big on keeping them. Normally, our goals are huge – get married, buy a house, save $10K, get pregnant, etc. I can happily say that we normally accomplish these goals, but gosh – I don’t want anything big to happen in 2015! I want to be content and lay low this next year.
Starting with 2011, here’s how our past four years have looked in a nutshell:
2011: Got engaged, got married, got pregnant, started living off one income, bought a house
2012: Moved into house, had a baby, got pregnant again
2013:Â John started a new job, we had another baby, I had my best year yet freelancing
2014: Moved across the country from AZ to NC
For 2015, we don’t have any “big” goals and I’m so happy with that. This will be a year of stability, growth, relaxation and fun! That being said, I have set a few goals with John that we’re excited about! (Check out this awesome free printable from How do the Jones Do It here!).
Physical goals
Before we moved, I did Jillian Michael’s workouts on YouTube (for free!) on my TV. I think I did one video for about 6 weeks straight and all I can say is WOW! Her workouts kick my butt and I could SEE results. My stomach looked better than it did before having babies! When we moved into our second-story apartment this past August, I just never got back into it. The woman who lives below us is a stay-at-home mom and I didn’t want to disrupt her during the day. Not to mention our massive couch takes up the whole living room and there’s not really room to workout in here (I know, excuses excuses…). But…we’re moving in two days, so I’m definitely bringing back my workouts!
Marriage goals
Are we the only ones who set marriage goals? John is my best friend, lover and partner for life. While some days I want to ship him off to some far away land, most days I love having him to do life with. We’re the couple that holds hands in the car, kisses in public, talks for hours on end even after being together for so long and calls during the day just to say “hi.” Our marriage is one of our top priorities and even though we have it pretty good, there is always room for improvement. Having a good marriage takes work and that means you have to be intentional. You have to work at keeping the love alive, learn to grow together and stand by each other in tough times.
So, our goal for our marriage is to find a babysitter so we can enjoy some actual out-of-the-house date nights and to “revamp” our Friday Night Date Nights. We started Friday Night Date Nights a little over a year ago, right before our second daughter was born. It would involve getting the girls to bed, cooking a new recipe together, sharing some wine, talking and watching a movie. This lasted probably 8 months and have now evolved into “let’s get some beer and watch a movie” nights. While still fun, it’s not exactly special (or romantic). So, we’re going to each take turns planning our date nights, with a casual Friday in between. So John will plan the first Friday, then we’ll skip a week, then I’ll plan the next Friday, then skip a week, and so on and so forth.
Financial goals
With both of us working for ourselves, we can’t exactly predict how the year will go but we have set some goals we think we can achieve. For starters, we need to save up more money for a down payment on a home. We will be renting for another 1 1/2 years minimum, but time goes by fast and we need to start saving more NOW. The goal? $2000 a month, hopefully more. We also want to continue contributing to our retirement accounts, spend less money on food and continue to live simply. I mentioned I’m going to be refurbishing furniture once we move, so hopefully that will be a great way to save on furniture for our new house. And who knows – maybe I will really enjoy it and sell some of my stuff to local shops!
John and I both want to grow our businesses in 2015. I feel like this will be a successful year for us and I’m excited for what’s to come. I have big plans for my blog and John has big plans for his handyman business. We want to get creative with how we make money, take on more side hustles and thrift whenever possible.
Family life
As of January 1, John and I are deleting Facebook for the entire month, possibly longer (OK – now it’s on the internet…I have to stick to it!). I want to focus more on being in the moment in my life, not in other people’s lives. We want to spend more quality time with our girls, go on family walks a few nights per week, eat dinner together every night as a family and do fun things throughout the year. The girls are at such precious ages and I want to really enjoy them instead of always being so distracted.
Dreams
2015 is the year that I turn the big 3-0. 30 has always seemed “old” to me, but since John is four years older it doesn’t seem that bad anymore 😉 We want to fly my parents out to NC for my birthday week and have them watch the girls for 3 nights while we go on a trip just the two of us. I would LOVE to go to the Bahamas, and since I’m dreaming – why not?!
So, those are our goals for 2015, but again, the main focus is going to be on growing our businesses, finding stability in our family and new life in North Carolina, relaxing and enjoying the moment. I love fresh starts, and while technically every day is a chance for one, there’s something invigorating about a new year.
Happy New Year! What goals are you setting this year?
These are all really exciting goals! I hear you on wanting 2015 to be “normal”, though I have a feeling it might not be for us. I think having marriage goals is great – relationships do take a lot of ongoing work! It’s not like marriage means you can step back and check out. I hope you find a babysitter for the girls – I wish I knew of one to recommend. Good luck with all your goals!
Thanks, Erin!! Yes – I have a feeling your 2015 may be full of changes if that’s the year you plan on getting married! We eloped so nothing really changed, but it’s still a super busy and super exciting time! Wishing you the best of luck this coming year! 🙂
I absolutely LOVE the marriage goal idea! My son would have had a blast with that one if I’d added it to the list;0)
I gave up Facebook for 21 days last January and it was enlightening! I no longer view it the same and spend much less time on it. You will love it!
Thank you for sharing our printables! I’m truly honored!
Oh good to know about giving up Facebook!!! What made you add it back?! My plan is to start with a month and go from there. I have two friends that gave it up a few months ago and have no desire to add it back, so we’ll see!
Like you, we had a lot happen in 2014. I’m looking forward to just as much fun and enjoyment in 2015, though I hope it’s less eventful. I really like your specific marriage goals. I think it’s a wonderful idea as the business of life tends to get in the way of our most important relationship of all. I now plan to add one to my list too! Happy new year!
Happy New Year to you, too!! Yes – it’s crazy how life gets in the way of marriage! We’re totally guilty of getting our girls to bed then just vegging on the couch (not talking) for an hour or so. We all need time to unwind, but for us if we’re not intentional about spending quality time together, sometimes unwinding becomes the norm!
These are really great goals. I need to get back into my workouts too. I live on the 2nd floor of my apartment, and sometimes I feel that the people above and below me show no mercy so I’m not really worried about bothering them with my workout tapes haha. I think your marriage goals are awesome and you and your husband sound so cute 🙂 Relationships do take a lot of work and dedication and the Bahamas is beautiful btw I hope you get to go. Happy New Year!
I’m also bringing back friday date night. For Christmas, I asked for a babysitter once a week, at a set time. My wife wrote in Christmas card, “Date night once a week w/ babysitter. To clarify, date is w/ ME, NOT the babysitter.” I had to chuckle, but look forward to even just going grocery shopping without the kiddos. With my wife, just to clarify!
Hope your 2015 is amazing!
Hahaha love what your wife wrote in your Christmas card!! Yes – date nights are pertinent! We actually just found a babysitter so now it’s just a matter of planning something fun to do!
Hope you have a great 2015!! Enjoy your date nights!
These are great goals, and very comprehensive! I like that your goals are big and flexible as opposed to super specific. That’s the way to do it!
I think a date night marriage goal is a great idea. I’ve never even thought about marriage/relationship goals before, but it sounds like a good idea!
I think it’s great that you and your hubs will have a year without anything major to settle in and find your groove.
The laying off FB for a month to focus on your own lives and your own reality is brilliant. I may try that myself 🙂
I have a very similar goal this for date nights with my husband. We each plan a date night once a month and we really enjoy doing it. We spend a lot of time together, but we’ve been neglecting to make it “special.”
Your other goals sound very doable. I look forward to following your progress. Good luck!