In his song, Don’t Play Me, Prince says, “My only competition is me, in the past…”. I’ve always loved that line. It’s just so badass, right?? As I look to create some resolutions for 2016 I am channeling this idea — that my past self is my biggest competitor. I like this way of thinking because it demands self reflection and growth. Instead of comparing myself to other designers, other bloggers or other moms, (like I may have done in the past…) I am going to compare myself to myself — my best self, and use that as a barometer for where I want to be headed.
So what am I hoping to achieve this year?
1. ) I want to be as fit as I was in college, when I was walking all over the UCLA campus every day and eating super healthily. I figure a 2.2 mile w̶a̶l̶k̶ jog around the Silverlake reservoir at least t̶h̶r̶e̶e̶ five days a week is a good start. Who’s in??
2.) When I got back to the U.S. from living in Italy for seven years, I had zero credit card debt, because I had zero credit cards. I want to get back to that place of being free of my credit card debt! It’s gonna feel amazing, and I can’t friggen wait.
3.) Last year, the most visits we got in one day to the blog was 12,000 visits. (We normally get between 5000-6000 visitors per day). If we did it once, we can do it again, so this year, it’s my goal to make 12,000 our daily average by the end of 2016. How will I achieve this? I have no clue. Ask me in a year how I achieved it ;)
4.) Last year I pitched a book idea for a Face The Foliage book to publishers and no one bought the project (insert sad face emoji). This year I will sell the project, and if not, I’ll self-publish and sell it directly to the public, but either way, it will happen.
5.) I have not put a dime away for retirement. This year, that will change. Even if it’s just $100. I will not just be thinking about my past self as competition, but my far-in-the-future self (and family). And my future self will be some mean competition!!
6.) Jason and I have been trying (for well over a year) to have another baby. So far, nothing. If any of you have gone through this then you know how frustrating it can be. Also, having expectations tied to intimate moments can be no bueno for said intimate moments, feel me? So, for this year, I want to approach our quest to have another baby with the same care-free, fun, and adventurous attitude that I had when we got pregnant with Ida. I want to stop stressing about it, and just calm the f*&k down.
And there they are. My resolutions for 2016.
I’d better get to work. What can you learn from your past self? I’d love to hear!
i love thinking about resolutions this way and what better role model could there be than prince? happy 2016!
right?! Love him so much! Happy 2016 to you too!
Beautiful resolutions.
Shortly before my daughter was two, my husband and i began to try for our next kid. After 4 years with no answers we said we were content and if a baby came into our life we would be happy and if not we wouldnt let it hold us back anymore. A few months ago we found out we were expecting after 5 years of trying. The timing couldnt be better and we feel so blessed it happened at what seems to be the right time.
What im trying to say is – dont let it get you down and trust it will happen at the right time. Which may not be what you hope or expect but it will be beautiful either way. Much love and light xx
Big congrats to you and thank you for sharing this! We are trying to have the same approach and it’s so nice to hear that the timing worked out so well for you guys! big hugs!!
Great resolutions! I selfishly love #4….I would seriously buy a Face the Foliage Book. I showed my entire family the Face the Foliage Instagram account because I find it so creative and different. Wishing you absolute success in all 6 resolutions! For me, 2016 will be the year to release. Release what’s not working, release old beliefs, release what’s not beautiful, useful or bringing me joy. That way, the beautiful, creative, and unexpected can come pouring in. :)
Release is such a good one– i should work on that one too
Saving for retirement is so boring, but one of the best investments you can make in yourself. Get a betterment account and download the app. You’ll get addicted to seeing how much money you’ve made. Just starting a Roth IRA will go a long way.
I’m focused on taking better care of myself and my things this year.
I love reading people’s goals/resolutions. Your seem well thought-out, and I am sure you will have success! One of my goals is to pay off my credit card as well. Happy 2016!
Thanks Traci, you too!!
These are all great resolutions, Justina…and I love me some Prince, too! It’s very inspiring to read your intentions for the New Year and I must admit I felt relief knowing that I’m not alone in setting goals similar to your #2 and #5 for myself.
I agree with Heather, I would love a Face the Foliage book! It brightens my feed on Instagram, so much beauty and magic in those creations. A book of your hand-painted patterns would be awesome too! The New Bohemians has been my go-to book whenever I’m in need of creative inspiration, so I’m certain any book you publish will be a great success!
Wishing you all the best this year! xoxo
So nice to hear, Katie! Thanks so much for the encouragement <3!
<3
Yasss, this Prince quote is everything. Your resolutions are really insightful and definitely gave me some ideas for my own. Wishing you a very happy new year and every success with your goals!
http://jennasaisquois.blogspot.com/
loooove your resolutions, so real, refreshing and relatable. cheers to 2016 :)
Your resolutions are so specific and I love that. It shows that you truly know what you want.. Inspired :)
I was an elementary school teacher for years, I knew so many parents who couldn’t seem to get pregnant so they finally adopted, then what do you know, they found themselves pregnant……were told by their doctors, the stress most likely kept them from getting pregnant and the minute they relaxed because they now had their child then of course they became pregnant…..always other reasons, but I say just relax, (easier said then done i know)….keeping my fingers crossed for you! :-) Happy New Year to you and your family!
All achieveable….but most importantly…saving for retirement. I’m “there” and you don’t realize how fast time flies….Just think of it as a monetary investment to yourself!
All of those sound wonderful. My new year’s resolutions are: 1. Keep up my exercise plan I started last year. 2. Try not to rely on wine when I am upset or stressed out. 3. Start piano lessons.(I have my husband gave me my 1st lesson on Monday.) I always wanted to be more musical. 4. Hold my family accountable if they are bullies or are cruel. We are trying to repair the relationship that has been non-existent for over a decade. 5. Remember that I’m an adorable human being if and when I screw up.
These are so great Jennifer! Thank you for sharing <3!
Here’s to all your loved ones. Your book and blog add so much to my life. I hope you will have a little one in the new year to share the joy.
REALLY looking forward to a face the foliage book, the kids and I just love making them :-) So with you on the credit card debt! I had a similar conception experience- I got so stressed our, worried and upset about it all and then when I relaxed and changed my mind frame to well I’m just going to be as healthy as I can and focus on other things, bam, pregnant straight away, could just be a coincidence but who knows? Hoping for another little treasure for you this year! xx
awww thanks Sarah! Yes I’m really trying to not stress — of course — it’s easier said than done. Thank you for your kind words!
Justina, I wish you ALL the best in 2016! You are such an inspiration, and I love your go-getter attitude and independent style. As for the pregnancy, I have a blogger theory that as soon as you announce that you’re struggling to get pregnant, it happens (or at least it did with Love Taza, Smitten Kitchen, and at least one other blog that I’m forgetting). Could be a total coincidence or some crazy voodoo, but I’d like to believe that you opening up a little vulnerability to this internet space lets us send all the positive vibes your way. There is so much to come in 2016. Cheers!
Oh that’s funny! I didn’t know it was a blogger epidemic haha!! Thank you for your kind words an encouragement! xx j
Happy New Year. I love the idea of comparing yourself to yourself. I’ll try to do that to! I have been diagnosed with breast cancer a month ago so my resolutions for 2016 are 1- Be stronger than that sh**t (I know I will) 2- Spend way more fun time with my family 3- Listen to myself and my body. As for pregnancy, it took me a year to get pregnant, it was my obsession and intimate moments were planned. It was mad. I hated it when people were telling me not to think about it. It’s easier said than done. And then I went to see an amazing doctor that told me “between the 3 of us (my husband, him and I) we’ll succeed”. I guess that’s what I wanted to hear as I was pregnant 3 weeks after. I’m sure you’ll succeed Justina.
Thank you for these kind words, Sandrine. I’m so sorry to hear about your breast cancer diagnosis–sending you all kind of positive thoughts and energies — although it sounds like you have plenty of that on your own!! big hugs, Justina
One word, Maca. The herbal supplement. You and Daddy take it and you will feel more energized and most probably pregnant. It worked for me. Then when you are managing two littles we can talk baby wearing, Lenny Lamb will save you and your man, and keep you stylish and sexy. Love the resolutions and attitude behind them. This is going to be an amazing year!
Oooo love this informative comment! Thanks for the good vibes! <3!!
Dear Justina, wishing you all the best for 2016, I love that your goals are so personal and honest! As for mines, this year I have chosen to go with a mantra, which works like an umbrella for my different goals:
inhale joy, exhale fear
Good vibes guaranteed :)
Love from Italy,
Claire
I’ll be sure ask next year how you got to 12,000 PV per day but maybe you’ll give some advice on 5-6000 PV per day? That’s half a whole month for me!! I really hope the baby woes come to an end. And that everything works it’s way out to be a happy and healthy 2016.
Justina, I love it when you share personal stuff like this on your site. I have recently been “diagnosed” with endometriosis (can’t be officially until laproscopy, how fun) and I tell you this because I have been researching like crazy how to help myself without going to the length of surgery and many, many women with endo are infertile so I’m inadvertently getting a lot of info about that. Look into herbs like Errol said, and especially diet. Eat whole, organic foods that make your body happy and help healthily balance your hormones. And take folic acid in case you do get pregnant. Also, acupuncture. Best for allowing the cells in your body some much needed stress free time. I feel like I have had a crash course in naturopathy these past few months! There are a ton of little things you can do that will benefit you as well as a future babe.
Thank you for writing about this! I love that idea about our only competition being ourselves. I needed to hear that! (: Looking forward to seeing how things go for you this year and how you accomplish your goals. thank you for inspiring us! xx
I don’t know how to increase your traffic or do something with your face the foliage creations, or get that jog to happen daily. I also don’t know how to call down your missing child, but unlike the rest of yoir resolutions I have walked that path and held my second baby in my arms. Some aspects of that long wait for my second were more helpful than others.
Helpful: The book ‘Spirit Babies’. It is out-there and full blown New Agey, but special.
Helpful: Travel. I could feel what I was feeling more away from home, and break through to a little more clarity.
Somewhat helpful: Ovulation predictor kits. If you’re not using them, try it for a couple months. It’s not healthy to be constantly monitoring fertility but it is helpful to know you often ovulate on day X or never ovulate on the same day every month. And, pregnancy tests…perhaps you lose babies very early (a period one or two days late). it is helpful to know that too.
For me, I reached a low after too long trying and understood yearning for my missing second was no longer healthy for the living me, my daughter, my husband. So I let it go then, totally. I took a tiny sunflower plant out to a wild place I loved and planted and watered it and sat there with it. And then left it behind and went back to my life, with all the emotions I had with me. And then I faced the profound question, what am I going to do with that space a baby took up? that energy I am reserving for that child?
i used The Artist’s Path to answer that question, and as it happened the same moment I answered that question I got pregnant. It is a cliche. The personal work of understanding infertility is very real and not something I would wish on anyone, and doing that work does not mean a child will arrive. But, life. Right? LIFE.
Yes. I hear you. Thank you for sharing these thoughts, and I love your sunflower story <3
i’m going to keep close that very important thought of competing only with one’s best self. thanks for that.
also, you continue to inspire me with your bold and resolute moves!
lastly, let’s get our walks and jogs going again :)
oh yes I need it. I think I’m even more out of shape than when we started last year (YIKES!!) hugs to you lady <3
Hi Justina,
I’m a musician and teacher in Ottawa, Canada and I love getting inspired by all sources! I LOVE your e-course (on skillshare I think) about the essential 8 steps – purpose, colour, pattern…etc… – I use the steps ALL the time in our home, where I compose and teach piano!. I think your method is extremely clear and generous and yields beautiful results! Thank you!
I love your blog! I love your book the New Bohemians and it looks great on our coffee table!! I think it gets to inspire my students too!
So thank you for all of your inspiration.
Now on to my response:
I know you’ve written about being concerned about money since your move. And this delay getting pregnant.
My husband and I are trying for a baby too and have also worried about money.
I came across some money mantras on astrostyle the other day and I’m sharing them here in response to your blog, just in case they work.
As soon as I started saying them, I felt really relieved. Without realizing it, I think I had a ‘scarcity’ feeling about money. And these mindsets that the mantras suggest feel really right and comforting.
I talked to my ‘guru’ in Ottawa – a woman I go to for everything – and explained the good feeling I was having from these mantras. She said it made perfect sense and that these money mantras also spoke to fertility. I think they help induce a feeling of abundance and safety and flow.
So here’s to lots of love and lots of money!!
Thanks!
Megan
http://astrostyle.com
http://www.psychicsuniverse.com/articles/spirituality/attracting-positivity/money-mantras-useful-phrases-help-increase-your
Thank you for your kind words! I love the idea of trying out mantras– and I love the astrostyle ladies! I will check it out. Hugs and happy 2016!!
Good thinking. I have been doing the same thing. Comparing myself to others, and it makes me unhappy. I m going to do the same thing, being the best of me in the 2016
Hi Justina. I am also a big fan of yours (along with all others). I just wanted to say (and I hope this doesn’t sound negative) that it doesn’t always work out that “the minute you let go you get pregnant” or “the minute you adopt you’ll get pregnant.” People said this to me over and over and while that might happen for others, it did not for me. I know people mean well when they say these things, but it gets hard not to hang your hopes on the stories you hear. BUT we did adopt and now my son (who is already 9) is the light of my life and I’m so thankful things turned out the way they did. So I’m just being real here — stay open to all possibilities! Best of everything to you. I love your book and your spirit!
Great goals! I would love to see a face the foliage book.
Just wanna say thanks for doing what you do! Everything you make is inspiring to me and you always seem to knock it out of the park. I can’t wait to see what the next year brings for you, your family, and your company.
sounds like you would like the dave ramsey way of finance. Maybe look into it, he is all about being debt free and how to get there
Wow! I connect with this on SO many levels. In a few days I’m taking a money e-course for artist and starting a real budget. From love to art biz to making babies…so many things to do!! Thank you for sharing this friend :)
Hi Justina! Thanks for sharing your vulnerability about starting a family. Now what I’m about to say is going to make me sound a little crazy, and I’m feeling particularly crazy writing this on the Internet since this is the first time I’ve EVER commented on a blog! But here we go– I totally had a dream that you were trying to convince, and since then (3 months ago-ish) I’ve felt this tenderness towards you and your family. I also dreamt that a client was trying to conceive and that a co- worker was getting a divorce, and all were true. It’s kinda freaking me out. But I think I can sense this struggle in women, because I too have been trying to start a family with my husband for almost 2 years and its’s just really hard. I all want to say is that I feel ya. No advice, cuz lord knows there’s a ton out there, and each woman’s body is different. A tender and longing heart I guess can sense the tenderness others. You will be in my thoughts. And here’s to a spontaneous baby making journey in 2016!
Bigo88 merupakan situs terpercaya yang ada di indonesia dan telah dipercaya
oleh ratusan bahkan ribuan pemain yang memainkan permainan slot maupun judi online di indonesia.
situs yang lagi gacor bangeti ni guys buruan dibuka dan di coba yaslot thailand gacor
wah ini situs kalo ngasi jp gila gila an banget GWINBOLA