When I think of Christmas time in New England, I think of twinkling lights, snow-covered trees lining the streets, colonial homes with candles in the window, and the smell of fresh-baked cookies. I think of people gathering in the town square, sleigh rides, carolers, and sounds of children laughing. It is a magical time of year and one I would love to share with you. Here are eight amazing things to do in New England at Christmas time.
Nantucket Christmas Stroll
Photo courtesy of Christmas Stroll 
Photo courtesy of Christmas Stroll
What initially began as a way to keep the islanders from escaping to the mainland of Cape Cod to shop, local merchants kept their shops open late the first Friday night of December. Shopkeepers provided hot drinks, wine, and cookies as shoppers perused through the local shops. As the years went on, the event grew and has become an internationally-renowned holiday event.
Nantucket’s Christmas Stroll is held the first weekend in December. Hundreds of decorated trees line the downtown streets while carolers gather to sing Christmas carols. There is cookie decorating, an ugly sweater contest, live entertainment, Santa visits, and more. As mentioned, this is a well-attended event, so reservations for lodging should be made well in advance. For more information, go to Christmas Stroll.
Kennebunk Christmas Prelude
Photo courtesy of Kennebunkport news 
Photo courtesy of Kennebunkport news
Most know of Kennebunkport, Maine, as the summer home of the Bush Family, but did you know for 40 years, it has been home to the annual Christmas Prelude. The town transforms into a winter wonderland. It will remind you of Christmas pasts. This popular event was once featured on HGTV as the number 2 Christmas town in America. It draws people from all around the world.
This year the prelude is December 2nd-December 12th. It includes historic home tours, caroling, shopping, craft fairs, sleigh rides, concerts, food and drink, boat rides, wreath making, trolley rides, and more. This event is so popular; visitors are encouraged to book their lodging for the following year before leaving for home. You can find more information here.
Annual Holiday Inn to Inn Cookie and Candy Tour
We leave the great state of Maine and head to New Hampshire for the 24th annual Holiday Inn to Inn Cookie and Candy Tour. This self-guided tour is December 11th and 12th from 11-3 each day. From Jackson to Eaton, New Hampshire, nine inns are decked out in their holiday best, serving delicious holiday cookies and candies. Go from inn to inn sampling treats, both savory and sweet. Each visitor will receive a recipe card for the treats featured in a holiday cookbook to take home. Stay at one of the nine inns and collect an ornament for your tree. Go to their website for more information and to check availability for this year’s tour.
Zoo Lights
Photo courtesy of Zoo Lights 
Photo courtesy of Zoo Lights
Every year the Stone Zoo in Stoneham, MA, is transformed by thousands of twinkling lights. Explore the zoo, where you will see foxes, black bears, and even a reindeer or two. Each night, gather around the fire, make some s’mores, take a ride on the carousel, and visit with old St. Nick. On certain nights of the week, be entertained by local singer Renee Lamy or swing by and say hi to Mrs. Claus. Adults can visit Lord Hobo Holiday Beer Garden for drinks, games and get their picture taken with a real working sleigh on Thursday nights.
How does hot cocoa with a reindeer sound? Experience an up-close encounter with a reindeer and enjoy a hot chocolate bar with all the fixings and a photo opp with these magical creatures.
This event runs Nov. 19 – Jan. 9, 5:00 – 9:00 p.m.
Christmas by Candlelight-Old Sturbridge Village
Photo courtesy of Sturbridge Village 
Photo courtesy of Sturbridge Village
Old Sturbridge Village is an outdoor living history museum depicting life in rural New England in the 19th century. Starting the first weekend in December, go back time and experience New England holiday traditions with sleigh rides, live entertainment, storytelling, festive foods, a bonfire, and more. Stroll around the village and see firsthand how Christmas was celebrated in the 19th century. Make sure you don’t miss the nightly tree lighting or the fantastic gingerbread house contest. I highly recommend going to visit Mrs. Claus for one of her homemade cookies.
Additional information, including times and ticket prices, can be found here.
Fun Fact: Did you know that in 1659, Christmas was officially banned in Massachusetts? The ban was lifted in 1850, but New Englanders did not celebrate it until it became a federal holiday in 1870.
Christmas at the Newport Mansions
Courtesy of Newport News 
Courtesy of Newport News 
Courtesy of Newport News
What I love about living in New England is one minute you can be celebrating the holidays in 19th-century fashion and the next, touring these beautiful mansions living the life of Jackie Kennedy and the Vanderbilts. Experience the beauty of The Breakers, The Elms, and Marble House–three National Historic Landmarks. Here you will find Christmas at its finest. The garland is hung high above the mantles, floor-to-ceiling trees in many of the rooms, along with hundreds of poinsettias lining the staircases. Explore the beautiful dining rooms, where nothing but the best china is laid out for holiday dinners. To purchase tickets or to learn more, go to Christmas at the Newport Mansions.
Holiday Pops
The Boston Pops is part of the Boston Symphony Orchestra and is famously known for the Boston Pops Fireworks Spectacular on the 4th of July and its Holiday concerts. The holiday season kicks off on December 3rd, with numerous shows throughout the month. I have enjoyed attending a Holiday Pops performance, and it is not to be missed.
Edaville Railroad- Christmas Festival of Lights
Edaville Railroad was THE place to go at Christmas time when I was a kid. I remember heading down to Carver, MA, riding the Edaville railroad to see all the Christmas lights. Forty years later, Edaville is still there and better than ever. Experience magical light displays, stroll through Thomas Land (remember Thomas the Tank Engine?), take a ride to the land of Soder to see the beautiful Christmas lights. Of course, there is plenty of hot cocoa, rides and attractions, and the big man himself, Jolly Old St. Nick. Head over to Edaville’s website for more information.
As you can see, New England has a lot to offer this holiday season. So, if you happen to be in the area, make sure to attend one of these fantastic events. I know I plan to.
This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Happy New Year! 2020 is in the past, and for most people, this is a good thing. What a year it has been! I recently wrote about the positives 2020 brought into my life, but there were some struggles. Some of those struggles were in terms of the goals I had set for myself and could not meet. In speaking with friends and my readers, this was a source of frustration for various reasons. A few got sidetracked due to the pandemic. Circumstances in their life got in the way, and their goals were put on hold. The last year threw us all for a loop.
For example, my goal to lose some weight was derailed by what I call the quarantine 15. In the beginning, I turned to one of my favorite stress relievers, baking! Another example, working from home full time, was a big adjustment for me. My time management went out the window, and I became too wrapped up in my work. I let things, like my running, slide. I also do not do well with a lot of free time. I work best with routine and a schedule. It took me a while to establish that. The less time I have, the more I accomplish. Does that make sense?
Stop Making Resolutions-Set Goals
So, how can you and I make 2021 different? The first thing is to stop making resolutions! Instead of resolutions, set goals. Wait, you may be shaking your head and thinking, aren’t these the same thing? Actually, no, resolutions and goals are not the same things. According to the dictionary, a resolution is a firm decision to do or not to do something. It is a statement of what you want to change. A goal involves setting, planning, preparing, and taking action.
For example, a pretty common resolution is “I want to lose weight.” To change this from a resolution to a goal, you need an action plan. What do you need to do to reach that goal? How are you going to change your eating habits? What kind of exercise will you do? How many times a week will you exercise. Remember, a goal must be SMART – Specific, Measurable, Assignable, Relevant, and Time-Based. It also needs to be written down. I suggest a pen to paper rather than on your phone. Research shows our brain remembers better and more when something is written down on paper.
A regular old notebook would do, but I bought this goal planner over on Amazon. I love it.
How to Accomplish your Goals.
Goals are personal to each person. However, to accomplish any goal, we need to be at our best. We need to feel our best. The environment we work and live in must be free from chaos and clutter. We need to eliminate any unnecessary stressors. How do we do that? It is my firm belief if we add these nine goals to our list, accomplishing everything else will become just that much easier.
Create a Morning Routine
How we start our day sets the tone of the day ahead, controls our schedules, and prioritizes our time. Now what you do is up to you. It could be mediatation, prayer, exercise, journaling, or reading. Mine is checking off some to-do lists for my blog and social media before my workday begins, all while drinking a nice cup of coffee. By accomplishing these small tasks, I feel less pressured to get these things done later in the day, and it gives me a chance to wake up slowly. I highly suggest The Miracle Morning by Hal Elrod. It helped me establish my routine.
Move Every Day
Exercise is key to helping us feel better. The endorphins released when exercising makes us feel happier and more confident. It keeps us younger. It does not have to be hardcore either. Go for a walk, do some yoga, find a video on YouTube to follow. Just get out and move. I become bored very quickly with strength training, so I need to mix it up. I subscribe to a streaming service that is all workouts. It cost less than my local gym, and I do them all from the coziness of my home.
Drink More Water
Hydrate, hydrate, and hydrate! Water is the most critical thing that we can put in our bodies. It delivers oxygen to our bodies and flushes out toxins. It aids with weight loss. Our skin looks healthier when we hydrate. The list goes on and on. If my water intake is slacking, I feel sluggish, and accomplishing anything on my list is that much harder to do. Here are some tips on how to hydrate more.
Declutter your House
I don’t know about you, but I can’t concentrate if there are clutter and chaos all around. It is all I can think of, and it serves as a colossal distraction. Therefore, the need to declutter and keep my house as organized as best as possible is essential. As I sit here and write this, my dining room table is a mess with Christmas stuff. As soon as I am done with this post, I will spend my day organizing, as I will get nothing else done on my list. Of course, one of my goals for 2021 is to declutter each room, so this goal serves a couple of purposes.
Take control of your Finances
Worrying about money can be all-consuming. It can creep into all other aspects of your life and affect your mood and motivation. Knowing exactly where your money goes every month and having a plan to save for the future can go a long way. If any of your goals involve money, like saving for a trip, new furniture, a retirement goal, etc., you must know how much is coming into the household and how much is going out of the household.
Reconnect with Old Friends
This one makes your heart full. I had a visit from an old friend last week, and it did wonders for my mood. The rest of my day was so productive as I was feeling so good from her visit.
Take time for Self Care
Make sure you are doing something that rejuvenates you. I love to relax by reading or scrapbooking. all while listening to your favorite book on Audible sound? Like heaven to me. How does a bubble bath Whatever it is, please make time to do it each week.
Eat better
It is that simple. Eat more fruits, veggies, whole grains, and less sugar, and you will be amazed at how much better you will feel. You naturally will have more energy to get through the day.
Get More Sleep
I fought this one for a very long time. I still struggle with it from time to time. It is not because I can’t sleep; it is because I don’t want to sleep. I always looked at it as a waste of time. However, research has shown, and my body agrees we need sleep. Sleep keeps us laser-focused to accomplish our to-do lists and keep us on track to reach our goals. Set a regular bedtime and stick to it. Not only does the amount of sleep matter, the quality of sleep matters as well. According to one study, we need anywhere between 1.5 to 1.8 hours of deep sleep a night. This is roughly 20% of our overall sleep. I find if I take a sleep supplement, it helps me achieve that number. I started using NUUN Rest, and it has changed the quality of my sleep.
Wrapping up
If you have not figured it out by now, the nine goals listed above are about making us feel and perform at our best. Again, if we feel our best, we can set out and achieve any goal we want. It starts within ourselves.
I would love to hear your thoughts on this. Please leave me a comment below. Happy New Year!
There is just a week left to 2020. A year that had so much promise but left a lot to be desired. I remember writing out my goals for the year, thinking about my son’s high school graduation, vacations, family celebrations, college acceptances, road races, and more. Three months in, that all went up in smoke. What started as “two weeks home to flatten the curve” is still going on, nine months later.
It has been challenging. Life as we know it changed. Life became scary for the time being. We knew nothing about the virus. People were and are again dying at an alarming rate. Schools shut down. Life’s celebrations were put on hold. Travel stopped. Masks became the “norm.” Our nation has become more divided, and honestly, my faith in my fellow Americans has been lost a bit.
Before I go on, I would like to say this post is NOT to minimize the hardships others have faced this year. My heart goes out to those suffering from this illness, who had lost a loved one and have suffered financially this year. I pray 2021 brings peace to all.
However, as I sit here and reflect on 2020, it wasn’t all bad for me. Through the tears and frustrations, there have been positives to come out of 2020.
2020 Positive Moments
First and foremost, my family is HEALTHY! This includes our extended family and the four of us. That has and will continue to be our priority. My Dad is immunocompromised, and we all work hard to make sure he stays safe.
My Dad hit his 10 year cancer free anniversary!
Bill and I are gainfully employed and have continued to work through the pandemic. We are also in a position where we could give a bit more to those in need, and we have this year.
I had a birthday parade at age 48. LOL! Yes, this was a highlight of my year. My crazy family came by with balloons, a sign, my Dad on his golf cart, and a special visitor.
Our son graduated high school in May. It was not the graduation I envisioned, but it was perfect. The school went out of its way to make it special for the seniors. He loved it because there were no boring speeches for him to sit through. We were also able to celebrate with those in our bubble.
Spending more time as a family has had its ups and downs. As a busy family, we are not used to being together 24/7 on the weekends. I am happy to report, we did not kill each other!
We took a vacation with our extended family, something we typically do not do. It was a great couple of weeks.
We spent more time outside hiking and exploring our own state. Who knew Massachusetts had so many state parks and wildlife refuges.
Though extremely disappointed that our son cannot spend his freshman year of college on campus, I am enjoying the extra time with him. The first 19 years of his life have gone so fast. I blinked, and he is all grown up. However, I have him home for another 9 months, and that makes this mama happy.
Our youngest has continued with karate despite the pandemic and one step closer to becoming a black belt.
2020 Discoveries
I have discovered the ease of grocery delivery. I may never grocery shop in person again.
I discovered I missed working in an office. I miss my people. However, I have finally adjusted to working from home and believe I have finally nailed down time management when it comes to work, getting things done, and stopping when it is time to stop.
I hate cooking, but it has been tolerable with meals from meal delivery kits like Hello Fresh and Gobble.
Netflix, HBO Max, Hulu, Disney + and more. LOL!
I still take as many photos regardless of what is happening in the world!
2020 Pluses
I had more time to scrapbook.
I read 50 books.
I found some great self-care and personal development podcasts.
I learned Zoom, Microsoft Teams and Ringtone.
My social media for my blog has grown.
I have made some great new friends.
Oh, and the biggest plus of 2020, I never ran out of toilet paper!!!
Now, what about you? What positives have come out of 2020 for you and your family? Remember, no matter what is going on in our lives, there is always something to be thankful for.
This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
Whether we like it or not, winter is upon us. Two weekends ago, it was 70 degrees in Massachusetts, but then the following weekend, we received a couple of inches of snow. Mother Nature reminded us that if we plan on taking our running or walking outdoors this winter, we need to be prepared.
Don’t think you can run or walk outside in the cold? Think again. With the proper attire and these eight tips, we can all safely run (or walk) in the cold.
Tip 1 – Track the Weather
I am a planner and need to make sure all my workouts, whether it be a run, walk, or a strength training session, be written in my planner. When running in the winter, I look at the forecast for the week and plan accordingly. If the forecast shows a warm-up at noontime, I will arrange my day so that I am running at noon. Does the weather call for a Nor’easter? I may switch up my days and do a workout in my home, safe from the driving wind and precipitation.
Tip 2 – Dress for Success
The rule of thumb, dress as it were 20 degrees warmer outside. Once you start going, your body will warm up pretty quickly. You want to protect yourself, but you don’t want to overheat either. Once I warm up, I often take off my gloves and hat. Also, consider lined running pants for those temps under 40 degrees. These running pants happen to be my favorite.
TIP 3- Proper Running Shoes
You’ll need shoes that offer more traction and support. Your cold-weather running shoes should have outsoles with grippy lugs. If your shoes do not have grippy lugs, you can order these running traction cleats to slip over your shoes as pictured above.
Tip 4- Warm-Up in the House
It is essential to do some static stretches before heading out. It would be best if you were warming up your muscles before any workout. It helps prevent injuries. If your muscles are warm and limber, the cold will not be such a shock, and your run or walk will feel more comfortable to start.
Tip-5 Shower Immediately
Do not, I repeat, do not stay in your cold, sweaty clothes. You will catch a chill. Washing the sweat off the body is vital for hygiene, and massaging your muscles with the water from the shower can help keep lactic acid from getting trapped in sore muscles.
Tip 6- Treat Yourself
Reward yourself for all your hard work. It is not easy to get out there in the cold. Perhaps treat yourself to a nice latte or hot chocolate after your run. Perhaps at the end of a long training cycle, get a massage or pedicure. Having something to look forward to is a great motivator.
Tip 7-Run with a friend
Make plans to run or walk with a friend. If we have someone counting on us, we are more apt to get out the door.
Tip 8- Have a goal
Another great motivator is to have a goal. Goals keep us driven and focused on the result. Think of how good we feel when we reach our goals. This is what keeps me motivated all winter long.
This post may contain affiliate links and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
I may be a little late to the party, but my Love of Week is essential oils. Though people have been using oils for a while, I had started using them until recently. I suffer from seasonal allergies. I have tried many things and have quite a routine in the morning. Earlier this year, my sister recommended I try essential oils. I ordered myself a diffuser, some oils marketed to help with allergies, and gave it a try. I am happy to report; I LOVED it!
I bought the diffuser on Amazon. I decided on the VicTsing Essential Oil Diffuser. I wanted something quiet, with an extended mist output and a diffuser acting as a cool-mist humidifier.
- It is a 500 ml diffuser that runs up to 14 hours on low mist mode and 7 hours on high mist mode.
- It is quiet and turns off automatically when the water runs out.
- It has a high/low button to choose the proper setting time.
- The diffuser has soothing LED lights to act as a night light.
- Made from BPA-free material.
As for oils, I went with a company called Revive.
I wanted something that was 100% all-natural. As you can imagine, some companies market their products as 100% all-natural, and they are not. All of REVIVE’s Oils are 100% pure therapeutic grade, free from any additives, adulterants, fillers, synthetics, or dilutions. REVIVE also has a 100% money-back guarantee. I love companies that stand by their products.
I started with the Peppermint, Lavender, and Lemon to concoct my own allergy-fighting blend. As I learned more about the oils, I discovered REVIVE makes the blends for you. I am currently using the Allergy Relief oil at night. It consists of Eucalyptus, Rosemary, Peppermint, and Lavender. It eases congestion and soothes allergies. On the days I work from home or hanging around the house, I diffuse Energy or Lemon. REVIVE Energy is a blend of Lavender, Sweet Orange, Osmanthus Extract, Amyris, Litsea, Ylang, Ylang, and Violet. Lemon is an antioxidant and has antibacterial properties to help detoxify and boost the immune system. Since I began using essential oils, I have seen significant improvement. I still take a daily allergy med and perform a sinus rinse, but I feel better overall since I started diffusing the oils.
I have a number of other blends. I have one for headache relief, one for sleeping, and one for digestion. All of them have worked pretty well, some more than others. I find with my headaches, I have to time it right or else it is too late.
What about you? Do you use essential oils? I would love to hear your thoughts.
Fall is my absolute most favorite time of year. I love the cooler weather, falling leaves, the smells, and more. I love attending craft shows, festivals, and harvest fests. Unfortunately, most of these events have been canceled due to the virus. Though the fall may look different this year, I can assure you there is still plenty to do and see this season. Here are five fun fall activities to do this season.
Apple Picking
One of our family traditions is apple picking. With over 80 pick your own orchards in Massachusetts, each a bit different, it is hard to decide where to go. We have a family favorite, Honey Pot Hill Orchards, in Stowe, MA. Back in September, we headed over to Honey Pot for our annual tradition. We had to make a reservation and wear our mask, but otherwise, things were the same. Oh, and the cider donuts, just as good as the year before.
Go for a Hike
Inspired by my friend Karen, we started to explore many of the Massachusetts state parks and wildlife sanctuaries this summer. Summer is a great time to visit the parks, but fall is even better! With cooler weather and the leaves starting to turn, going for a hike is the perfect fall activity. This past weekend we hiked the Natural Bridge State Park and Bash Bish Falls State Park. We could get our daily dose of vitamin D, some exercise, and enjoyed some great views.
Leaf Peeping
Why not spend a day driving around looking at the fantastic foliage. Depending on where you live, there is still plenty of colors to see. I suggest researching routes in your area and picking a few stops on the way. In western Massachusetts, Jacob’s Ladder Trail Scenic Byway is a perfect route to follow. The byway starts in Russell, MA, winds through the small towns of Russell, Huntington, Chester, Becket, and Lee, providing views of the Westfield River along the way. It ends at the Lee/Lenox town line in Berkshire County.
Support Local Towns
Our economy has taken a hit over the last six months. In particular, small local businesses have bee hit hard during the pandemic. These businesses need us now more than ever. Why not head to your local coffee shop and grab a hot drink. The holidays are around the corner. Perhaps get a head start on your holiday shopping and see what the local retailers have to offer. We spent yesterday walking the streets of Stockbridge and Lenox, MA. We grabbed some coffee, visited a local chocolate store, poked around a country store, and found a Christmas gift for our nephew. With the fall decor on the buildings, a chill in the air, and the color exploding around us, it was a perfect fall afternoon.
Curl Up with Good Book
Sometimes the universe sends us a sign. If you are like me, you are always on the go. And why not? There is so much to do and see in this world. If there is one thing this pandemic had shown me, it is sometimes okay to slow down. It is okay to stay home and do nothing. Why not put on a hoodie, grab a blanket, a book, and a warm drink, and head outside. Find a comfortable spot for the next couple of hours and read. Not into reading? Then how about sitting in a comfortable place and just be.
Whatever it is you choose to do this fall, I hope you have an amazing time.
This post may contain affiliate links, and I may earn compensation when you click on the links at no additional cost to you.
I love to read. I always have and, at times, can’t get enough of it. After hours of reading for class, I would curl up with a good book to relax, even in law school. Once I had kids, my reading slowed down a bit. I could no longer read at the beach or in my back yard when the boys were running all over the place. I was so tired at night; I would fall asleep 3-4 pages into the book. I also found my attention span was not there. I would be reading, and my mind would drift to all the other things I should be doing. Or I would easily become distracted by something, anything. I could go months without reading a book. Then I discovered Audible.
Per their website, “Audible is an online audiobook and podcast platform owned by Amazon.com Inc. The service allows users to purchase and stream audiobooks and other forms of spoken word content; this content can be purchased individually or under a subscription model where the user receives “credits” that can be spent on content monthly, and receive access to a curated on-demand library of content. Audible is the United States’ largest audiobook producer and retailer.”
Audible has been a game-changer for me. A friend introduced me to the streaming service about three years ago. I started to listen to audiobooks on my commute to and from the office. It was a great way to decompress before arriving home for the night. It was a game-changer when training for my 1st marathon back in 2017. A 20-mile training run in December was a bit more manageable when listening to a James Patterson novel. It allowed me to reacquaint myself with many of my favorite authors. I love using this app so much I listen when cooking, cleaning my house, at the grocery store, and more. Since 2017, I have read 104 books on Audible.
How does it work?
Audible has two memberships. There is their monthly membership, Audible Plus. It includes access to unlimited streaming and listening from the Audible Plus Catalog. The second membership is Audible Premium Plus. This includes everything in Audible Plus, with the bonus of 1 credit per month to be used to redeem any title from our Premium selections. Also included in this membership is a 30% discount for any additional content you purchase from the Premium catalog. I have the Premium Plus membership and pay $14.95 a month. In addition, Audible offers additional credits, three at a time, for $35.88. That is $11.96 per credit. New releases are often much more expensive than $11.96. I have taken advantage of this many times over the years.
Is this the only way I enjoy my books? No! I still read books, whether it be on my Nook or a physical book. I make sure I switch between the two during the week. It is essential for brain health to read the written word. Audible has enabled me to embark on my second reading challenge. In 2019 I challenged myself to read/listen to 25 books. I read 32. This year I have set a goal of 50 books. I have read 38. With 12.5 half weeks left in the year, I have plenty of time to reach my goal. A few of my favorite authors have or will be releasing books this month. Half of them I pre-ordered on Audible and half on them on my Nook.
- Return to Virgin River by Robyn Carr
- Didn’t See That Coming by Rachel Hollis
- A Time for Mercy by John Grisham
- The Law of Innocence by Michael Connelly
It is going to be a fun few months reading all my favorites.
Whar are you currently reading?
It is hard to believe it is September. Summer flew by, but then again, March seems like it was 20 years ago. This has been the longest year, yet I have not accomplished as much as possible during this extraordinary time. It has been a strange time. I have often felt we are living a bad dream, and I keep hoping to wake up from it. I will go out on a limb and say, at times, I was downright depressed. I spent too much time watching Netflix, playing on my phone, or anything else BUT focusing on my goals.
This summer, I set small goals because that is who I am. I am a goal setter, type A personality that needs to have something to focus on at all times. I did not want big, audacious goals. I wanted goals that I knew I could reach and still feel productive. In June, I shared my goals (see below), and now it is time to see how I did and reset for the last four months of the year.
Blog
Continue to grow my social media accounts, new course work 2-3 times a week, including SEO content and eight new blog posts.- My social media accounts grew by 1%. I completed eight blog posts but did not touch my course work. The course work is #1 priority for the fall.
Time Management
Implement a new weekday schedule. I am going to start time blocking. Time blocking is a type of time management that has you divide your day into blocks of time. Each block is dedicated to accomplishing a specific task.–I did this initially, but work was super crazy this summer, and it let it bleed into other things. I started blocking my time again this week, and so far, so good.
Personal
- Finish my 2019 scrapbooks.- This will be a heavy lift, but I am determined!– I have no idea why I put this on my list. I have so much to scrapbook for 2019; it was just not reasonable. I would have had to do this and nothing else! I did complete July and August 2019, so that is something.
- Read six books.- I read seven!
- Explore 6-10 state parks in Massachusetts.-We explored four.
- Get back to date night.– Yes, we did this twice.
- Spend more time outside.- I was outside A LOT. It has been great.
Health & Fitness
- Build off the 7lbs loss and lose another 10lbs.– We won’t talk about this one. I need to duct tape my mouth shut.
- Minimum of 10,000 steps a day.- DONE
- Consistently strength train.-DONE
- Continue training for fall races.-DONE
Overall, I did okay. As I mentioned, I kept it relatively simple. With all the chaos around us, I could not concentrate enough on the bigger things. However, six months later, it is clear life is not going back to normal anytime soon. I need to see past it and use this extra time at home to my advantage. I need to stop wasting time and focus on what I want. There are things I am not happy with, like my weight gain, and now is the time to make a plan and stick with it. When I started this blog last year, I knew I wanted it to be much more than a hobby. It was to become a second stream of income, a side hustle. Now is the time to start acting like it and put the work in.
September-December Goals
Blog
- Complete all course work.
- Land three sponsored posts.
- Write 20 blog posts.
- Earn my first comped trip.
- Grow my social media platforms by 5%.
- Revamp my newsletter and grow my list by 10%.
Time Management
- Each week plan my week and block my time from 7-5 each weekday.
- Use my planner to its fullest. LIVE BY IT.
Health & Fitness
- Duct tape my mouth shut. – Ha!
- Go back to tracking my food. Stay within my caloric budget.
- Continue with my running and strength training.
- Lose 25lbs by 12/31/20.
- Get a minimum of 6.5 hours of sleep a night.
Personal/Household
- Finish my reading challenge for 2020. I have 18 books to go.
- Finish my 2019 scrapbooks.
- Continue exploring state parks.
- Go away for a weekend at least once a month.
- Tackle a room a month and spent 10 mins each day getting rid of any clutter until it is gone.
- Finish the basement makeover.
It may seem like a bit much for the next four months, but if I manage my time well and put in the work, I can do great things, and so can you! Dust off those planners and get to work. Don’t remember 2020 as the year we would like to erase from our minds, but as the year you put the foot on the gas and went after your goals. I can’t wait to hear how you did!
Do you travel a lot? We travel quite a bit, more so over the last few years. When I started to travel a bit more frequently, I noticed I would come home and begin to feel like crap. I mean, who has time for that? I have a job and other responsibilities. Over the years, I have tried different things, but these are the tips that have worked for me.
- About a week before I travel, I start adding Nuun Immunity and Hydration tablets to my water. I use one a day.
- Stay hydrated throughout your trip. I carry a water bottle with me everywhere. I either pre-order water to be delivered to the room or make sure to hit up a convenient store and stock up.
- Try to eat as healthy as I can. This is not to say I don’t splurge, but I try to keep at least two of my meals healthy and treat myself once day, rather than all day long.
- Keep up with my exercise routine. For us, runners, traveling to a new place to run is a highlight of the trip. I may not get to it every day, but I aim to exercise several times while on vacation. It makes me feel better and lets me justify some of the treats I may be experiencing.
- Get some sleep! This is the one I have the most challenging time with, but it is so important. If we keep up with our sleep, we will feel so much better upon returning to real life.
I hope this tips help. I am sure there many others out there and I would love to hear yours. Drop me a line in the comments and share what works best for you.
Wasn’t it just May? Where did June go? It came and went so fast; I did not have a chance to post about my goals or do my monthly check-in. Many of you have commented that you find these helpful and motivating, so I apologize for not posting.
I am going to do something a bit different this month. Instead of individual goals for July and August, I will combine the two and set my goals for summer. These two months go by so fast, and it makes sense to combine them.
Below is what I committed to in May and how I did.
Blog
I will build on what I did or did no do in April. Moving forward, I think four blog posts a month will be the norm. I will chip away at my courses and will try to do ONE session of SEO a month. I am not letting go of this goal; I am trying to make it attainable.- My approach worked. By breaking down the SEO goal even further, I was able to stay on track.
Personal
- I will build off my 2.5lb weight loss and aim for 2-5lbs this month.-I am down 7lbs!
- Continue to move my body 30 mins a day.-DONE
- All my summer races were canceled, but I plan to run them virtually.-3 virtual races were done and more to come.
- Research vacation options for summer to replace our canceled Canadian Rockies trip.-Two new vacations planned.
Household
- Purge Nicholas’s room.-Done
- Begin the basement (scrapbook room) project.-NOPE
- Clean out my garden boxes and start my veggie garden.-DONE
Wow, not bad! I would say May was a huge success! Except for the scrapbook room, I did everything I set out to accomplish. I think the scrapbook room project will wait until the winter months. With the beautiful weather here, I plan to be outside as much as possible.
Goals for July & August
Blog
Continue to grow my social media accounts, new course work 2-3 times a week, including SEO content and 8 new blog posts.
Time Management
Implement a new weekday schedule. I am going to start time blocking. Time blocking is a type of time management that has you divide your day into blocks of time. Each block is dedicated to accomplishing a specific task.
Personal
- Finish my 2019 scrapbooks.- This will be a heavy lift, but I am determined!
- Read 6 books.
- Explore 6-10 state parks in Massachusetts.
- Get back to date night.
- Spend more time outside.
Health & Fitness
- Build off the 7lbs loss and lose another 10lbs.
- Minimum of 10,000 steps a day.
- Consistently strength train.
- Continue training for fall races.
I am keeping it simple. I want to enjoy the summer and will hold off on the bigger household projects until the colder weather.
How about you? What are your summer goals?
