Monday, January 8, 2018

8 in 18

Hey, friends!   I'm back at work today and I'm EXCITED about it!  I have loved our break and spending some amazing quality time with my family but I love a fresh, new semester and am excited for everything the next few months have in store.

The new year always brings with it a couple of things for me - a HUGE desire to purge and organize every aspect of our lives and some time to set a few goals as a mom, teacher, wife, friend, etc.

This year I decided to pick eight things that I want to do daily to (hopefully) create some long-lasting beneficial habits.  In the past I've set overarching goals like "read more" and haven't been super successful, so this time I'm making my goals daily so I can check in every night and see how I did.  To keep myself accountable I thought I'd share them today and then do an update every once in a while to check-in and see how it's going.  So without further ado here's my...




- Use Kind Words -
Making a point to use kind words in person or in writing every single day.  I talked more about this HERE  and I'm really really excited about it.

- Get in my Bible -
I wish I could say that I was in The Word daily, but that's just not the case.  I feel like sometimes I check my "quiet time box" with prayer and daily devotion, but neither of those involves me cracking my actual Bible.  This year I want to be reading, underlining and making notes IN my Bible every day.

- Drink More Water -
I drink a TON of hot tea and rarely drink water.  I used to drink water all the time and want to get back int he habit of finishing off my designated number of bottles a day.

- Read -
At the end of the day I'm typically too tired to crack a book, but I'm going to make this one happen.  10 mins a day is better than none, right?

- No Phone 5:00 - 8:00 - 
I'm going to be super honest and admit that this one is going to be TOUGH for me, but I think it will be the best habit to get into.  I WILL probably still use it to take pictures, look at my recipes while I'm getting dinner ready and order ziplock baggies on Amazon when I realize I'm out (because let's be real) - but will be avoiding social media and email (my two biggest time black holes) during those important after-school hours.

- Get Organized at Night -
I do this in fits and spurts, but after kind of a harried month or mornings leading up to Christmas break we've made our checklist and have big plans to get backpacks, uniforms and lunches all prepped and ready at night.

- Wash My Face -
This one is embarrassing but more often than not I climb into bed without washing my face (insert the eye covering emoji here) ;) 

- Family Devotions - 
This is another one that we do in fits and spurts.  They take so little time and we're always glad we took the time to sit together and read and talk.  (PS - we love Jesus Calling for Kids)


I know that not all 8 will happen every single day (especially right off the bat), but both Dave and I love a good list and I'm hoping that sooner rather than later the 8 will become habits and we'll be able to ditch the list. 

So now I'm curious... what were your resolutions this year?  Did you make any?  If you didn't and decide to make an 8 in 18 list I'd love to know that they are!

Happy Monday, friends!

32 comments :

  1. Not to be lazy...but your list is perfect so they are now my resolutions too! Except I don't see myself getting out of bed to wash my face! #toocomfy
    Great list!

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  2. Such a great list! I love how you set your goals to be daily goals!

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  3. I love this list!!! Happy first day of school!! xo

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  4. A few things that have really helped me...in the morning while I'm getting ready, I always listen to the app Revive Our Hearts. It's a wonderful way to get started with my day and get in some extra Bible and application. I also discovered that my Bible app (ESV) will read the Bible to me!! I always try to read it before I get out of bed, but listening to the Bible as I'm getting ready, making breakfast, etc. reinforces what I've already read as well as allows the rest of the family to listen in, too! And I also started listening to audiobooks in the evening as I'm cleaning up, making dinner, etc. I already "read" through 2 books last week doing this! Finally, one of the things I want to improve on as well is getting ready the night before. While the kids are brushing teeth, putting on pjs, etc. I grab all of our clothes, pass an iron over them quickly, and set them out as fast I can. It's so helpful in the morning! And you guys could work together on lunches and setting things out- great training for the future for them! Thanks for writing your goals out- it reminds me to stay on track with ours, too!

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    1. I love all your ideas - especially the audio book idea! Thanks so much for the input!

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  5. Great ideas! And I love that they are all do-able and achievable!

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  6. Those are some good daily goals! I'm still working on doing things the night before so I'm not rushed in the morning. I've been known to not wash my face, just used those makeup remover wipes and called it a day!

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    1. I think my problem is that I lie down BEFORE doing the night routine and then I have to make myself get out of bed - which obviously is way too hard :)

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  7. Happy First Day Back, Friend!! This is a great list and I love the no phone time from 5-8!

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  8. Love all of these and many are on my list too! Family devotions is something we are definitely needing to do more of around our house! Happy first day back! xoxo ERIN

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  9. I have so many of the same goals! I really want to put my phone down more. I love the idea of the afternoon block. I have an 8 year old boy and we are loving “indescribable” by Louie Giglio if you need another devotional. It’s all about God and science and he is loving it. My four year old daughter enjoys participating, too!

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  10. I love how specific and measurable these are. Sometimes I set goals that are too abstract and then I just give up. Good luck! And have a great first day back.

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  11. These are all wonderful goals! I too am trying to make sure everything is ready the day before for the next morning to just start my day off better! :)

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  12. I would be the same way, but Olay makeup removers are lifesavers. I hate washing my face with a cloth and soap!

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  13. I can't recommend She Reads Truth enough - you can have daily readings and devotionals sent directly to your email. They also have books you can order for all of their bible study plans. They're awesome!!

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  14. What a great list of daily habits to get into. I like the reading one. It is so hard to fit that in, but 10 minutes is better than none. I also love the phone one as well. Good luck!

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  15. I love that you've made daily goals =)

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  16. I LOVE this list!! I need to put my phone away more too! Hope your first day back to school is wonderful!

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  17. Live in the moment. Be present. Drink water. Walk everyday.

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  18. Love this list! I absolutely crave a smooth morning with my kiddos yet I always slack at getting everything prepared the night before and that is KEY! Here's to 2018 being the year we do this! :)

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  19. I’m glad I’m not the only one. My list is shorter, but very similar. Wash my face at night. Put my phone away in evening hours. Pack lunches at night (for myself and my daughter). Spend more time doing intentional activities with my son.

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  20. That is a great list! I was going to mention - I don't love washing my face either, so I use a one time disposable cleansing cloth (I buy mine at Costco online, but any would work) and I feel like it's so much less messy than washing with water....so I actually do it. Lol - sounds weird, but it works for me. I also think I drink more water when I drink it with a straw - so I have one of those cold insulated 30 oz cups (also from Costco) that I fill with ice totally in the morning and then add water, and then just refill with water when needed since the ice doesn't melt until after lunch. :) Have a great week!

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  21. This is a great list and I like that yours consists of making new daily habits. These are all totally doable, too! My list is going up tomorrow and using kind words is also on my list!

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  22. The phone thing is so spot on! While my kids are up I'm on it and when they are in bed I am off it but that's so backward. I really have been trying to put it up on the fridge and forget it.

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  23. Perfect. Love this. Thanks for sharing and being so open, honest and real!

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  24. What a great list for the new year!! I love all the areas you are working on. I'm hoping to do more Bible reading, drink more water and use my free time to read instead of scrolling through social media.

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  25. I have a few that always seem to make the list.
    1. MORE water. I just love sodas so much. Like I crave them
    2. Read "The One Year Bible" every single day.
    3. Go to the gym at least 2x a week.

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  26. My #OneWord last year was "Intentional". One of the things that I did, that had a big impact, was to take facebook, pinterest, and email OFF my phone! I also took notifications off my phone! No more being distracted and mindless scrolling! I had to be "intentional" about getting the ipad/laptop out, signing in, and logging onto those apps! I'm so glad I did it!!

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  27. What a great idea to set daily goals! Small changes that can make a big difference. :)

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