The following content may contain affiliate links. When you click and shop the links, we receive a commission.
2016, I’m ready for you! This past year has been one of the craziest, most rewarding, most challenging, and most vibrant years of my life. I have learned more about myself in the past twelve months than I have in all of my thirty years combined. I didn’t know how brave I was, how resilient, or how deeply my heart could break. I fell in love again with my husband. I raised a tiny talking human– who will walk up to a crackling fireplace, point at it, and tell me “Mama, don’t touch it! Ok?” In some ways, this year has been the end of many things– and it has marked the beginning of so many more. I’m humbled and made grateful by 2015. And while I generally am not somebody who is particular about New Year’s Resolutions, I am somebody who is passionate about setting intentions in your life and working towards them. Here are mine for 2016:
- Laugh a lot. I write this instead of “be present in the moment” because I find that specific phrase to be pretty annoying and lofty. I think the point it’s trying to make is to enjoy your life, find the humor and levity in every challenge, and to look around every now and then and think “Wow. This life is pretty great.” I want to do that a lot in 2016.
- Give myself a break. I have a tendency to hold myself to an impossibly high standard. I am so hard on myself when I don’t hit certain arbitrary goals or markers, and I expect everything I want to happen right away. This is insane. I vow in 2016 to make my best effort to acknowledge the smaller victories and the more subtle accomplishments as intently as the greater milestones.
- Be Grateful. It’s no secret that 2015 was pretty heartbreaking for our family. We lost a baby that we loved and were eagerly waiting for– and I’m still recovering. I’m trying in 2016 to shift this feeling of pain in to something that’s more productive: Gratitude. When I’m feeling sad, I am going to try and focus on the gifts I’ve been given, and the child I have in my arms. This type of thing isn’t easy but I think if you practice it gets easier. I have a lot to be grateful for every day– and while it doesn’t remove our loss, it can make the hard days more vibrant.
- Make some actual photo albums. I know, I know I have a blog, there are tons of photos on here! But what about the dumb ones of my daughter with a dishtowel on her head, or the less pretty ones of me and my husband taking some selfies at the Farmer’s Market? I want to remember those moments too! Can 2016 come with some more hours in the day? I’d really appreciate that.
- Sweat More. I don’t exercise enough, and it bugs me. Not as a losing weight thing, but more of a mind/body, letting-off-steam thing. I used to be in a gym or exercise class five days a week! And then a newborn happened…and a blog…I need to invest in my own health a little more in 2016. My intention is to sweat three times a week. I think that’s a pretty good start.
- Eat more fruits and raw vegetables. I cook with veggies a lot, but I seldom snack on them raw. I want to do more of this in 2016. More salads! More juicing! Those nutrients can’t be beat.
- Go on a vacation with my husband. Without Marlowe. Sorry, Marlowe.
- Meet my readership! I’m obsessed with the cool, kind, and funny readers of Happily Eva After! I want to find a fun way or event to actually meet some of you in person in 2016! Par-tay! I’m working on it.
- Go to more museums. I used to do this all the time before I had a baby! I used to love seeing new exhibits when they would come out, or even exploring smaller galleries. I really miss that, and I want to do it more in 2016, even if it means bringing Marlowe along and experiencing a slightly more abridged version.
- Unplug a little. I think we are all guilty of holding our cell phones close by like they’re somehow keeping our hearts beating. I am challenging myself to have certain times of the day (for example, play time with Marlowe and dinner with my husband) where I put the phone away, in a different room, unreachable. I love technology, but I think I might love actual human interaction more… Not sure, check back with me on this in a couple months. 😉
What are the intentions that YOU are setting for 2016??? Please share below in the comments section– let’s all inspire each other to be the best and happiest we can be in 2016!
xoxo
EAM
Love these! Definitely unplugging more. I’ve been putting my phone in a different room when I’m with my little girls… helps me to focus on them and enjoy my time with them more! Also, to take a vacation with my husband without the girls 😉
Raina,
A romantic vacay is a MUST!!! 😉 Enjoy
xoxo
EAM
Happy New Year to you and your family!!!
Hi eva, you’re resolutions look great! Mine are to let go of all the negative in my life and focus on the positive! Also to say yes more and get out of my comfort zone! That’s it for now but the year is young . I hope you have a fabulous one with your beautiful family. ? liz xxx
Hi Liz,
Staying in our boxes is sooooo 2015! 😉 Good luck with these resolutions, they’re great!
xoxo
EAM
I love these! I think I would like to hoard less and throw away/donate more. Happy New Year! Love your blog – one of the highlights of 2015!
Hi Eunice!
Yes, 2016 is going to be a cleansing year! 😉
xoxo
EAM
If you are meeting with your readership, I would love to meet you in March ?
My goal for this year is to true to myself, my wants and needs. Don’t be dependent on other people’s opinions of me to prove my worth. Continue to make an effort to appreciate myself and love those who mean the most to me.
Hi Eva! If you are planning to meet your readership, I would love to meet you in March ?
My goal for this year is to be truly happy with my true authentic self. Don’t be so dependent on other people’s opinions of me and treat myself to some love. Remembering that I matter too and spread joy around me!
Hi Tamika!
Those are awesome resolutions!!! 🙂
xoxo
EAM
HAPPY NEW YEAR EVA, KYLE AND LOWIE….May 2016 bring much love, laughter, fun, prosperity, good health and some adventures!
Love to all!
Sue
Thanks so much, Sue! Same to you!
xoxo
Yes come meet us! NYC is waiting….(btw I never leave replies or reviews, you have inspired me)
Hi Kate!!
Ok, stay tuned!! xoxo
I was just telling my mom that mine is to leave myself alone more. And what I mean by that is not freak out if my nose is shiny from my makeup after a 15 hour day. Not freak out if I don’t work out even though I should have. Just give myself a break. I too, hold myself to an impossible standard. Just learn to let go and let it be. ❤️
Hi Alexandra!
I think these are great resolutions and acknowledgements. I find that I sometimes have more kindness for others than I have for myself, and that is a surefire way to NOT be the best version of yourself! Encourage and embrace yourself first, and the rest will follow
xoxo
EAM
Happy New Years Eva! I pray your wishes for 2016 come true.
My goals are actually pretty similar to yours..
1) Get back to doing something physical to feel more energized and healthy (toddlers happen) ? ..
2) I too want to start getting out to museums and cultural stuff more.. I used to volunteer at the Getty Museum and miss it so much! My daughter is 19 months and and I think that’s a perfect age for her to start experiencing all these things.
3) We want to do more things as a family. I think my little Charlotte would love that cute little farm in Ventura County you wrote about on your blog about a few months ago ?????
3) My husband and I totally need some sexy time with no toddler. Maybe small weekend trips ???
4) We are hoping to add to our cute little family in 2016 ????
5) I need to have more spirituality in my life. The world now tests my faith in humanity sometimes.
I wish you all the best with your blog and your new endeavors ????????
Sincerely,
Azalia
Thank you, Azalia!!
I’m right there with you on Number 4! Wishing us both luck on that one! 😉
xoxo
EAM
Totally! In 2016 I’m going to Let. It. Go. Be in the moment. Loving on my little people and relishing in the joy of now. That’s my resolution. Cheers to you and your family.
Jennifer,
Let it goooo let it gooooo!!! LOL. Love this, I’m with you!
xoxo
EAM
Happy New Year!!
I hope you have an event in Rome, Italy.
Hi Arlene!
I’m hoping to visit Italy with my family in the next year or so– stay tuned!
My word for this year is Grace. I want to act with grace more often and be aware of the grace-filled moments of my life.
Katie,
I LOVE THAT!! So elegant. Good for you!
xoxo
EAM
Dear Eva,
I hope 2016 had a great start for you. 🙂
It was very interesting to read your post because just the other day a work colleague asked me about my goals for the next year and my mind went blank. I’ve been so obsessed with trying to conceive that I actually forgot about the all opportunities that come along with a new year (apart from new cycles…). It’s been hard to focus on anything else – and therein lies the problem (as you know very well…)!
That’s why, after that conversation and reading your post, I thought this was the perfect moment to write down some goals for this brand new year, filled with possibilities:
1) clock in the gym at least 3 times a week;
2) cut down on sugar and salt intake;
3) visit my family more often;
4) plan more romantic out-of-the-house weekends with my husband;
5) start my day earlier (laziness has been killing me); and, last but not least
6) stop thinking about getting p-r-e-g-n-a-n-t. :)))
As usual, I love reading your blog and hope you are enjoying it has much as us readers enjoy visiting. I’ve actually incorporated several advices you’ve given on my daily life, which is very interesting. 🙂
Wishing you an amazing year,
Love,
Miss (still) Trying Not To Be Trying
Hi Carolina,
I’m sorry to hear you are still struggling to conceive. It can be a really lonely and frustrating process, and I feel you. It’s ok to be frustrated. I love your resolutions, most of all because they show a desire to invest more energy in YOU!! That is a great intention, especially when trying to conceive. When you have a baby (and you WILL have a baby), you will be fighting every day to fit “me time” back in your life. Before your pregnancy is a perfect time to really embrace your freedom and the romance of that. I’m glad you’re keeping a positive outlook!!
Wishing you best of luck
xoxo
EAM
Yay for 2016! Like your last resolution, I would like to break the habit of picking up my phone or laptop in the evening and focus on reading, coloring (love that coloring is a thing again), or knitting. I also need to sweat more and keep up my healthy eating too. I’ve come so far in the past six months and want to keep this going! I also want to go through to donate things I no longer use/clothes that no longer fit. I dropped off a ton of clothing earlier this year for our local homeless shelter and it was definitely needed. Finally, get married!! That’s not a resolution as much as it is just something I’m SO EXCITED about in 2016. We are incredibly lucky and grateful to be able to stand up in front of friends and family and start a new chapter of our lives together, and I want to absorb it all the best I can and spend time with everyone who could come
Just started reading your blog and really enjoy it – love the recipes and these ideas for resolutions :). Yes, it’s February, but still important to work on personal stuff. I echo the exercising piece (so hard with work and two girls at home age 5 and 2) and the unplugging piece. My husband and I try to have phone free time from 5 till bedtime so we are fully present as a family – it’s hard though!! Thanks for the beautiful blog – excited to keep up!