Friends might already be mourning the passing of another year and setting hopes and expectations for 2016, but this year isn’t over yet! 2015 still has a good 30 days, and a lot can happen in 30 days.
If you’ve come to the end of this year anxious, tired, and with a little regret, you’re not alone. Time flies and time crawls, but we can feel especially nostalgic in December. Most of us struggled to keep our New Year’s resolutions– and many of us were surprised by unexpected ups and downs this year. For whatever reason, 2015 might not have been all that you hoped it would be.
New Year, Old You?
Somehow we think that January is a good month to change all the bad habits we regret indulging in December. But the truth is, change happens whenever we make it happen— and change is difficult no matter what month we’re in. The reason why years go by and we still haven’t created new habits is perhaps that we’re trying to do it all at once.
There is too much pressure on January, and what we really need to do is to see value in the moments we have right now. I’ve compiled a list of goals I have for the rest of this year (and going into next year). Let’s not lay 2015 to rest just yet!
10 Realistic Goals for the End of 2015
1) Call that friend you’ve been meaning to call all year.
“I’ll call you this week” eventually becomes “I’ll call you soon,” and then that call gets forgotten. In a digital age we often forget that actually picking up the phone and having a vocal conversation can have many benefits. So if there’s a friend you haven’t spoken to in a long time, give them a ring. You never know what an encouragement it could be for them to hear your voice.
2) Go for that early morning walk. Schedule it with a family member or neighbor and just talk.
We love the idea of walking– so why don’t more of us do it? If it’s warm enough outdoors, then bundle up and enjoy the crisp morning air. It will likely leave your refreshed and ready to tackle the day.
3) Make that new recipe for your next holiday gathering.
Have you ever thought to yourself, I’ve always wondered how to make ____! Well, holiday recipes abound on Pinterest, and the holidays are the perfect time to prepare and share. Bring your new creation to the next holiday gathering to share your accomplishment!
4) Look up that charity you were impressed with and send them a donation.
If you’re like me, you have about 20 charities flagged in your mind for later giving. But, like the friend we keep forgetting to call, it is all too easy to have every intention of giving without actually giving. Many charities have fun options this time of year, so it’s a great time to make your donation.
5) Bring those unwanted items you decluttered to a secondhand store.
Today’s adults love decluttering– but we’re not so good at putting those unwanted items in the car and actually driving them to a secondhand store (or the dump). Bring your simplifying mission to completion by putting things where they belong; once they leave your home, they’re likely to finally find their second home.
6) Dig out your water bottle and start hydrating sufficiently.
‘Tis the season to drink hot holiday coffees, apple cider, festive cocktails, spicy teas– anything but plain water. But it’s also the most important time of year to hydrate well, especially with all the holiday gatherings and heated air. It’s just as important to drink water in the winter as it is in the summer!
7) Buy a gift for a child who will otherwise not receive one.
Find a program through your local community center, church or homeless shelter that is collecting gifts for under-resourced families. Many times the children in these families won’t receive anything unless it is given to them by generous hearts outside their circumstances.
8) Set aside an evening just for family and loved ones.
In the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, we sometimes forget to demonstrate our love for those closest to us. Even time at home with a board game and cookies can become a precious memory amidst the busy-ness.
9) Get up early one (or more) day of the week to reflect, journal, meditate or pray.
What a difference those moments of peace can make in a day that will be full of ups and downs. This has been a personal goal of mine, and I’ve failed to achieve it. I think if I’m able to set aside just one morning, it can happen. I’ll be working on this in the next several weeks.
10) Finish a book you started and enjoyed– any of them.
I’m no advocate of finishing a book you don’t love (there are just too many books in the world), but there are likely books that you would like to finish. I’ve become accustomed to keeping books in my car, or developing a habit of opening my Kindle app whenever I get the chance. I recently finished this book about the importance of our 20s and loved it!
[Tweet “2015 is NOT over. 10 realistic goals for the end of this year #livewithintention via @daisylinshih”]
My goal is to plan my weeks and structure every day, so that I can finally finish my thesis and work on my other pending essay.
Thank you for reading, Emily!
Thank you, friend! You’re so right… our good choices are needed more than ever now.
And haha about Trump… Here’s a conversation snippet from our household: Aaron: “I’m leaving the country if Trump gets elected.” Me, “He might not let you come back…ever.”
Another great list Daisy! Especially love the emphasis on charity here — in the wake of everything happening in the world I’ve been reminded again how important it is to be grateful and to spread happiness as much as possible. Sometimes I feel so helpless — the world is a dangerous and frightening place, the Marshal Islands are disappearing, Trump is solidifying his lead for president (seriously wtf) — and there’s nothing I can do about any of it, but I can make the lives of the people around and near me better in small ways and that’s what this season is truly about. Hope you’re doing well my friend and wishing you good cheer =)
xo
I think simple/realistic goals like these are the most important and the most rewarding. Thanks for sharing!
These are wonderful goals for the end of the year. Certainly not difficult to try.
I love this list. I’m definitely going to try some of these goals. 🙂
I love how simple these goals are, yet how much they can add to our lives!
My biggest goal for December is to finish redesigning and updating my website. I’m getting really close to finishing, and it’s exciting!
These are great goals. I might have to do a few.
These are so great, Daisy!! Your list is inspiring and I love the fact that we still can meet goals BEFORE the year concludes!
Yes yes yes I so agree with this list
Once again, beautiful and inspiring writing, Daisy and you just inspired me to write something similar but as my personal goals towards myself as a stay at home mum to a young one. 2015 had been really rough at some moments with me thinking I’m way over my head and doubting myself as a mum so I think it would be refreshing for me to be realistic about it.
Shireen | Reflection of Sanity
I love this! You are so right, as I always think the time to start something is NOW, rather than following the urge to always put things off. Things seem much easier when you just start them, rather than saving everything until January!!
I have such a love hate relationship with the month of January. I get very annoyed with all the “New year new me nonsense.” Especially since everyone gives up mid- February or early March. I like to start the year thinking of ways I can be a better person for me. Not getting skinnier, working out or things of that nature. I like to focus on my attitude. How I react to people, and working on small acts of kindness that will change someone’s day. We also donate to shelters every single month. Whether it’s clothing, toys, etc, I’m always purging our things, (:
I wish more people would observe the new year like you Daisy! (:
http://www.accordingtokiki.net
I love this idea of ending the year on such a positive note! I know that a lot of people (myself included) get to this point in the year and just look at it as finished—but I love your message of making the most of ALL of the time you have!
xoxo
Kat
These are all such great ideas, especially during the crazy holiday season! Most of these are things that I’ve been meaning to do so this is a great motivation!