Happiness Project & January Goals

I mentioned in this post that I would be sharing my monthly goals and the change up Rissa and I are making.  And after spending over an hour video chatting with her Sunday night, Rissa and I have officially decided how this big shindig is going to go down.  And I must say I am in love with it! Last year I set out 14 goals for the whole year.  14 things I wanted to accomplish.  And I got to most of them.  But not all.  Which is totally good and fine with me.  Life happens and I am still happy with what I did accomplish.  Also starting last year Rissa and I started our monthly video chats to hold each other accountable for goals. This year instead of setting a number of goals to work on throughout the year we have decided to do....A Happiness Project.  We could not be more excited to be embarking on this journey this year. Gretchen Rubin wrote the book The Happiness Project back in 2011.  Both Rissa and I have read the book and loved the inspiration we got from Gretchen.  We have put out own little spin on out Happiness Project.  We chose our own life topics to tackle each month.  We desire to work on different parts of our lives in order to grow and become better people.  By focusing on one area a month we believe we will be better able to focus and achieve the goals we set. So how does it work?  Each month we have a life topic to tackle.  With each life topic comes sub goals to work on throughout the month in order to achieve tackling the life topic.  So what life topics did we choose?

January--Happiness Project February--Body March--Faith April--Money May--Relaxation June--Play July--Mind August--Home September--Career October--Pro-activity November--Relationships December--Mindfulness
Each month I will explain a little more what each topic represents to me and reveal the sub goals I have for that life topic.
Since our video chat happened later in January than we expected, we didn't want to rush anything.  So we chose to focus on planning for the rest of the months.  My sub goals for this month include:
1. Decide on sub goals for all months 2. Get everything together to help better achieve goals 3. Re-read the book The Happiness Project
One thing I want to keep in mind with this project is that this is a working and moving plan.  This meaning things are subject to change if life changes.  And that is ok.  Also once I finish the month of one life topic doesn't mean I stop working on that life topic.  I want things I do to carry over throughout the year.
Well now that I have written the longest post ever, I will wrap it up by saying that I cannot be more excited to have all of these goals to make me more happier!  

7 Secret Dreams

We all have our own hopes and dreams for  our lives.  Some many people may know, others we hold dear to our heart and never tell a soul about them.  About a month ago my good friend Lauren posted her dreams and yesterday Brandy, a friend from college, also posted her dreams.  Both of them have inspired me to to think and talk about my hopes and dreams.
If I am completely honest I have to say that I always have some crazy dream running through my head.  It is usually completely unobtainable and pretty laughable.  Please tell me we all have those dreams from time to time?
Most of the hopes and dreams I have spoken of before are the ones I know I can/will obtain.  Getting into Grad School.  Graduating from Grad School.  Falling in love with my job(s).  Making new friends after moving.  All of which I have either reach or know for fact  I will reach.
Today I am going to share 7 secret dreams that I have either not talk anyone or only told handful of people.  Those of you who have published a post like this, must know how nerve racking it is to put it all out there for people you do and do not know.  But here goes nothing.
1. Have Scripture Memorized I have always wanted to be the person who could spit out a piece of scripture no matter what the situation may be.  I am not that person.  But I strive to read and learn more of the word so that I can be.  I want to study the Bible and know it.  I recently started using the She Reads Truth app and have been diving into studying the book of John.  LOVE IT!
2.  Be VERY Well Known In My Field I do not want to be just any counselor.  I want to be the counselor that is known by colleagues and clients.  I desire to be on of the best in my fields.  Prideful much?  Maybe.  But really my heart strives to achieve this not for myself but for my current and future clients.  I want to be the best counselor for them.  Not for my ego.
3.  Write A Book What blogger doesn't have this one on their list?  To me it explains why I love writing so much.  I do not know what I want to write about or what genre.  I just know how much I love reading and learning and want to be able to write so that someone else can enjoy or learn.  
4.  Get Married After my stint with online dating last year, you would think this would not be on my list.  And if you know me in person than you know that I say I will never get married quite often. It's a cover up for what my heart truly wants. What girl hasn't dreamed of getting married one day?  For now though, this dream is in the distant future.  And I am ok with that.
5.  Be A Mom As much as I love my career and want to always be a counselor, I want to be a mom one day even more.  Having kids completely excites me and terrifies me all at the same time.  What if I don't like my kid?  What if they don't like me?  I know, all things I can put off worrying about for a while!
6. Be Known As A Kind Person When people think of me I would love to think they also think "she is so kind, sweet, etc"  I want to be a generous person. I would love for people to know how giving my heart is and how much I love being able to help anyone in anyway.  Am I always kind and sweet?  No, mostly sarcastic.  But I'm constantly working on this one.
7.  Get My Ph.D. In what?  I am not sure.  When?  Not for a very long time.  I have always wanted to be able to be called Dr. Mosby.  And I know I am completely capable of obtaining this degree. That being said, I am completely burned out on school right now and want to focus on getting licensed before I get my Ph.D.  For my field I do not need one, but I am an overachiever and want one.
7 secret dreams made not so secret anymore.  Some of them are pretty basic dreams.  Others are pretty big ones to me.  One day I hope to look back on these dreams and be able to put a little check mark next to each and every one of them.  Until them, I will just keep dreaming bigger and bigger and bigger. As I hope each and everyone of you are!

November Goals Update

Ah time to go over some goals again.  I missed October because Rissa and I were having too much fun at Harry Potter World.  But I am back and ready to attack these goals again!!
1. Put 10% of each paycheck into my Savings. Instead of putting away 10% of each paycheck I changed this to reaching a certain number in my savings and staying there. I have reached that number!!!!! And now I just have to keep it there! Lack of income is still playing a part in not achieving this goal.  And I am ok with that.  I think this goal has died.
2.  Go Back to Charleston Need to get to work on this one! Pretty sure this one is not going to happen this year.  But here is to hoping for surprises?
3.  Focus on my Health I ran (using the term loosely) 3 5k's this summer! I did the best I could and got them done!

Not much to add to this one.  But now that it is FINALLY cooling down in Florida I am making it a goal to get back to running once again.

4.  Really get involved in Church I think I am really starting to do this.  It might be because my internship is requiring me too since it is at the church, but I still feel like I am getting involved.  I know I could be doing more and hope to work on this.
5. Meet a blog friend in person October 2, 2014 Rissa and I officially met in person! And we had the best weekend ever.  You can read all about it here.

6. Visit Tennessee and New Hampshire twice at least before the year is up!
I visited Tennessee in March.  It was great and I really miss it a lot.  I don't think I will make it back up there this year, but soon my heart will make it there.

Ashlee did come down for Easter which was so great.  I was so happy to be able to spend some great time with her! It was much needed best friend time!

New Hampshire was amazing in August.  Most needed and best trip I could have ever asked for.  I cannot wait to go back!

7.  Finish decorating my apartment

Here is what it looked like before:

The first three prints are from Lauren's Blog
Here is way it looks like now:

The new Prints are from this shop.
I also found this tin bin that I absolutely LOVE. It is going a over my kitchen cabinets. I am working on decorating up there and as soon as it is done I will share a finished picture!

So I haven't quite finished a room yet.  I am so close to having my kitchen done and I cannot wait to share it.  I had plans to get a bookshelf for my dining/living room. And then Brutus started jumping on the counters so I got him a cat tree and it sits where I would have out the bookshelf. So I would say at least I added something!?

August I chose to change up my whole living room.  I changed the layout and I rearranged and added to my gallery wall.  I am in love with the change!

The goal for November is to decorate my bedroom.  I know exactly what I want to do, I just need to spend the money and make it happen.  I know I will love it and that I need it so that I can be more organized.

8. Find a Practicum and Internship site I wrote all about my site here.  And I have also committed to being at Lighthouse until December for my internship.  I will also be working at a church doing support groups and working on gaining individual clients.  To see what kind of work I am doing read this post.
9. Go visit my sister at least one weekend before she comes home from Law School. The last week of September I made it up there to help Mattie after she had a cast put on her foot.  Then the weekend of October 17 my friend Brittany and I headed up there for the Boyce Avenue Concert.  I loved being able to visit and definitely want to make it back up there come January.

10. Quit one of my jobs I DID IT!! You read all about it here. 
11. Do 10 Random Acts of kindness I completed two already! I sent Lauren and her hubby a gift card to go on a date. Those two just moved and I knew life was crazy for them. I just wanted them to take some time for themselves:)  Also when I was in Tennessee I treated some friends to meals. It was my way of showing love to them:) Ok so this might sound completely conceded but I feel like I have completed this one unintentionally.  I love doing things for others and don't even think about it!
So I am changing it to intentionally going out of my way to do RAOK.  AKA paying for someones meal in a fast food line.  Or something that I have to go out of my way to do, not something I normally do.
I have not been great at this one but I am definitely wanting to get on it this month!  Seriously!
12.  Spend more time in the Word Still a work in progress. I was doing good and then I let life get in the way:( Still working on this one too….
13.  Stop procrastinating work as much New semester, new start right?!  I have begun my summer semester and I will be forced to be more diligent with my work.  It's a lot more busier and I have to really watch when things are due.  But I am looking forward to doing it all!
I find it funny I put this on the list in January.  Mostly because currently I m procrastinating more than I ever thought possible.  It's horrible and really stressful.  I MUST GET BETTER AT THIS!
14.  Put my phone away more I really worked on this one. And I am proud to say, I have put my phone away a lot! I have enjoyed time with my family and friends without my phone involved. And I have loved it. It has also made me more aware of when others are on their phones or devices when I am trying to talk to them.not a fan of being ignored and so since I now know how it feels I won't be doing it as often anymore!
Slowly but surely I will be completing all of these goals! Like I said, I am loving doing them and I know they will get done!

September Goals Update

1. Put 10% of each paycheck into my Savings. Instead of putting away 10% of each paycheck I changed this to reaching a certain number in my savings and staying there. I have reached that number!!!!! And now I just have to keep it there! Well friends life and lack of jobs got in the way of this goal.  Not only have I not been saving this summer, but I have had to dip into my savings a little.  But with the fall comes substitute teaching and more money.  Hopefully I will be back on track soon.
2.  Go Back to Charleston Need to get to work on this one! Nothing has changed here :(
3.  Focus on my Health I ran (using the term loosely) 3 5k's this summer! I did the best I could and got them done!

This month my goal is to workout for at least 45 minutes everyday.  And on Thursdays to go to the gym and take Spin and Yoga Sculpt with Sherry. Also gotta get better with the food!

4.  Really get involved in Church This month Church wasn't exactly a priority for me. With summer comes weekends at the beach with the family. So I really only went one or two Sundays this past month. My goal is to make it every other week, so that I can also enjoy some beach and family time.  In the fall I do not go to the beach on the weekends as much.  So church is going to definitely be a priority to me!
5. Meet a blog friend in person Plans to meet Rissa in October maybe!
Flights have been books and on October 2, 2014 I will be meeting Rissa!!!! Harry Potter World here we come!!
6. Visit Tennessee and New Hampshire twice at least before the year is up! I visited Tennessee March 1. And I have plans to go to New Hampshire at the end of the summer! This remains the same.

Ashlee did come down for Easter last month which was so great.  I was so happy to be able to spend some great time with her! It was much needed best friend time!

New Hampshire was amazing in August.  Most needed and best trip I could have ever asked for.  I cannot wait to go back!

I really wanted to go to Tennessee this fall, but I am not sure if that is going to happen.  Still trying to get it to work out any way I can!
7.  Finish decorating my apartment I have loved my newest additions to my apartment. I added some new prints to my walls. I love the prints and the frames!
Here is what it looked like before:

The first three prints are from Lauren's Blog
Here is way it looks like now:

The new Prints are from this shop.
I also found this tin bin that I absolutely LOVE. It is going a over my kitchen cabinets. I am working on decorating up there and as soon as it is done I will share a finished picture!

So I haven't quite finished a room yet.  I am so close to having my kitchen done and I cannot wait to share it.  I had plans to get a bookshelf for my dining/living room. And then Brutus started jumping on the counters so I got him a cat tree and it sits where I would have out the bookshelf. So I would say at least I added something!?

This month I chose to change up my whole living room.  I changed the layout and I rearranged and added to my gallery wall.  I am in love with the change!

8. Find a Practicum and Internship site I wrote all about my site here.  And I have also committed to being at Lighthouse until December for my internship.  I will also be working at a church doing support groups and working on gaining individual clients.  To see what kind of work I am doing read this post.
9. Go visit my sister at least one weekend before she comes home from Law School. We bought tickets to go to Boyce Avenue in Atlanta in October.  So this trip will be happening soon!!
10. Quit one of my jobs I DID IT!! You read all about it here. 
11. Do 10 Random Acts of kindness I completed two already! I sent Lauren and her hubby a gift card to go on a date. Those two just moved and I knew life was crazy for them. I just wanted them to take some time for themselves:)  Also when I was in Tennessee I treated some friends to meals. It was my way of showing love to them:) Ok so this might sound completely conceded but I feel like I have completed this one unintentionally.  I love doing things for others and don't even think about it!
So I am changing it to intentionally going out of my way to do RAOK.  AKA paying for someones meal in a fast food line.  Or something that I have to go out of my way to do, not something I normally do.
12.  Spend more time in the Word Still a work in progress. I was doing good and then I let life get in the way:( Still working on this one too….
13.  Stop procrastinating work as much New semester, new start right?!  I have begun my summer semester and I will be forced to be more diligent with my work.  It's a lot more busier and I have to really watch when things are due.  But I am looking forward to doing it all!
I find it funny I put this on the list in January.  Mostly because currently I m procrastinating more than I ever thought possible.  It's horrible and really stressful.  I MUST GET BETTER AT THIS!
14.  Put my phone away more I really worked on this one. And I am proud to say, I have put my phone away a lot! I have enjoyed time with my family and friends without my phone involved. And I have loved it. It has also made me more aware of when others are on their phones or devices when I am trying to talk to them.not a fan of being ignored and so since I now know how it feels I won't be doing it as often anymore!
Slowly but surely I will be completing all of these goals! Like I said, I am loving doing them and I know they will get done!

July Goals Update

It is July!!! And we are officially through half of the year! 2014 is flying by and I cannot believe summer is almost completely over!  I mean it seems like just yesterday I was wearing long sleeves and scarves.  But time goes on and the weather changes.  And so does life.  So here is my monthly update on my lovely goals!

1. Put 10% of each paycheck into my Savings. Instead of putting away 10% of each paycheck I changed this to reaching a certain number in my savings and staying there. I have reached that number!!!!! And now I just have to keep it there! I have kept up with my revision of this goal. And now I want to revise it again.  I want to start saving more money each month.  Even if it is just simply $50.  I know in a year I will be having more responsibilities and I want to be prepared for them.
I still have not added to my savings. But I am working here and there at the gym trying to get to where I can! I promise once I get back to subbing this will be top priority!
2.  Go Back to Charleston Need to get to work on this one! Nothing has changed here :( 3.  Focus on my Health So I told you last month I was starting Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. But I didn't really do. I lasted maybe a week. And then I ran approximately three times before my race last Saturday. And my time definitely showed that. BUT since the race I am totally back into running and I am getting myself some new shoes to help out!  This month my goal is to run at least 2 times a week and train for my next 5k!

I have been consistently running 2 times a week for the past month ish.  I finally ran over a mile for the first time in a long time this past month! Here is to my 5k in a week in half! My goal is to beat my last time!!

4.  Really get involved in Church This month Church wasn't exactly a priority for me. With summer comes weekends at the beach with the family. So I really only went one or two Sundays this past month. My goal is to make it every other week, so that I can also enjoy some beach and family time. 
5. Meet a blog friend in person Plans to meet Rissa in October maybe!
It's close enough that Rissa is starting to look at flights down here!  So so so excited for her to come!
6. Visit Tennessee and New Hampshire twice at least before the year is up! I visited Tennessee March 1. And I have plans to go to New Hampshire at the end of the summer! This remains the same.

Ashlee did come down for Easter last month which was so great.  I was so happy to be able to spend some great time with her! It was much needed best friend time!

I have officially bought my ticket to New Hampshire to visit Lauren at the end of July! I am so stoked to be going and cannot wait to be there!
7.  Finish decorating my apartment I have loved my newest additions to my apartment. I added some new prints to my walls. I love the prints and the frames!
Here is what it looked like before:

The first three prints are from Lauren's Blog
Here is way it looks like now:

The new Prints are from this shop.
I also found this tin bin that I absolutely LOVE. It is going a over my kitchen cabinets. I am working on decorating up there and as soon as it is done I will share a finished picture!

So I haven't quite finished a room yet.  I am so close to having my kitchen done and I cannot wait to share it.  I had plans to get a bookshelf for my dining/living room. And then Brutus started jumping on the counters so I got him a cat tree and it sits where I would have out the bookshelf. So I would say at least I added something!?

8. Find a Practicum and Internship site I wrote all about my site here.  And I have also committed to being at Lighthouse until December for my internship.  I will also be working at a church doing support groups and working on gaining individual clients.  To see what kind of work I am doing read this post.
9. Go visit my sister at least one weekend before she comes home from Law School. I am thinking this one is going to happen in the fall.  This spring just got a little too busy for me!
10. Quit one of my jobs I DID IT!! You read all about it here. 
11. Do 10 Random Acts of kindness I completed two already! I sent Lauren and her hubby a gift card to go on a date. Those two just moved and I knew life was crazy for them. I just wanted them to take some time for themselves:)  Also when I was in Tennessee I treated some friends to meals. It was my way of showing love to them:) Ok so this might sound completely conceded but I feel like I have completed this one unintentionally.  I love doing things for others and don't even think about it!
So I am changing it to intentionally going out of my way to do RAOK.  AKA paying for someones meal in a fast food line.  Or something that I have to go out of my way to do, not something I normally do.
12.  Spend more time in the Word Still a work in progress. I was doing good and then I let life get in the way:( Still working on this one too….
13.  Stop procrastinating work as much New semester, new start right?!  I have begun my summer semester and I will be forced to be more diligent with my work.  It's a lot more busier and I have to really watch when things are due.  But I am looking forward to doing it all!
I find it funny I put this on the list in January.  Mostly because currently I m procrastinating more than I ever thought possible.  It's horrible and really stressful.  I MUST GET BETTER AT THIS!
14.  Put my phone away more I really worked on this one. And I am proud to say, I have put my phone away a lot! I have enjoyed time with my family and friends without my phone involved. And I have loved it. It has also made me more aware of when others are on their phones or devices when I am trying to talk to them.not a fan of being ignored and so since I now know how it feels I won't be doing it as often anymore!
Slowly but surely I will be completing all of these goals! Like I said, I am loving doing them and I know they will get done!

June Goals Update

At other month. Another goals update. Oh how I love these updates! As I have said before, goals are some of my favoritest things and seeing progress on those goals comes in a close second. This month I have to say I did think about my goals a lot...just maybe didn't do what i had planned on doing!

1. Put 10% of each paycheck into my Savings. Instead of putting away 10% of each paycheck I changed this to reaching a certain number in my savings and staying there. I have reached that number!!!!! And now I just have to keep it there! I have kept up with my revision of this goal. And now I want to revise it again.  I want to start saving more money each month.  Even if it is just simply $50.  I know in a year I will be having more responsibilities and I want to be prepared for them.
I have not out anything more into savings. In fact I will be taking some out soon. That plus not being able to substitute teach in the summer not a lot of money for me to save. 
2.  Go Back to Charleston Need to get to work on this one! Nothing has changed here :(
3.  Focus on my Health So I told you last month I was starting Jillian Michaels 30 Day Shred. But I didn't really do. I lasted maybe a week. And then I ran approximately three times before my race last Saturday. And my time definitely showed that. BUT since the race I am totally back into running and I am getting myself some new shoes to help out!  This month my goal is to run at least 2 times a week and train for my next 5k!

4.  Really get involved in Church This month Church wasn't exactly a priority for me. With summer comes weekends at the beach with the family. So I really only went one or two Sundays this past month. My goal is to make it every other week, so that I can also enjoy some beach and family time. 
5. Meet a blog friend in person Plans to meet Rissa in September maybe!
It's close enough that Rissa is starting to look at flights down here!  So so so excited for her to come!
6. Visit Tennessee and New Hampshire twice at least before the year is up! I visited Tennessee March 1. And I have plans to go to New Hampshire at the end of the summer! This remains the same.

Ashlee did come down for Easter last month which was so great.  I was so happy to be able to spend some great time with her! It was much needed best friend time!

I have officially bought my ticket to New Hampshire to visit Lauren at the end of July! I am so stoked to be going and cannot wait to be there!
7.  Finish decorating my apartment I have loved my newest additions to my apartment. I added some new prints to my walls. I love the prints and the frames!
Here is what it looked like before:

The first three prints are from Lauren's Blog
Here is way it looks like now:

The new Prints are from this shop.
I also found this tin bin that I absolutely LOVE. It is going a over my kitchen cabinets. I am working on decorating up there and as soon as it is done I will share a finished picture!

So I haven't quite finished a room yet.  I am so close to having my kitchen done and I cannot wait to share it.  I had plans to get a bookshelf for my dining/living room. And then Brutus started jumping on the counters so I got him a cat tree and it sits where I would have out the bookshelf. So I would say at least I added something!?

8. Find a Practicum and Internship site I wrote all about my site here.  And I have also committed to being at Lighthouse until December for my internship.  I will also be working at a church doing support groups and working on gaining individual clients.  To see what kind of work I am doing read this post.
9. Go visit my sister at least one weekend before she comes home from Law School. I am thinking this one is going to happen in the fall.  This spring just got a little too busy for me!
10. Quit one of my jobs I DID IT!! You read all about it here. 
11. Do 10 Random Acts of kindness I completed two already! I sent Lauren and her hubby a gift card to go on a date. Those two just moved and I knew life was crazy for them. I just wanted them to take some time for themselves:)  Also when I was in Tennessee I treated some friends to meals. It was my way of showing love to them:) I am officially awful and did not do a single one of these this month! I will catch up!
12.  Spend more time in the Word Still a work in progress. I was doing good and then I let life get in the way:( Still working on this one too….
13.  Stop procrastinating work as much New semester, new start right?!  I have begun my summer semester and I will be forced to be more diligent with my work.  It's a lot more busier and I have to really watch when things are due.  But I am looking forward to doing it all!
14.  Put my phone away more I really worked on this one. And I am proud to say, I have out my phone away a lot! I have enjoyed time with my family and friends without my phone involved. And I have loved it. It has also made me more aware of when others are on their phones or devices when I am trying to talk to them.not a fan of being ignored and so since I now know how it feels I won't be doing it as often anymore!
Slowly but surely I will be completing all of these goals! Like I said, I am loving doing them and I know they will get done!