Things That Have Me Feeling Excited!

 Happy Thursday friends!!

Fun fact about me: I love new beginnings. I love the New Year. I love Mondays. I love the start of a new month. I love waking up early in the morning- it's a fresh clean slate!

So with it being a new year and the start of a new month- my excitement level for things and life in general is pretty high right now!

I thought I'd share some random things that are making me feel excited!!

STRENGTH TRAINING. 

Truth be told. I hate lifting weights. If I never had to lift weights again- I would be just fine. Actually I would be quite happy. HA! BUT- that's not the case. I started to really incorporate strength training into my workouts several years ago and have continued to be consistent and pick up weights 2-4 times a week (even though I don't want to).  Last year, I really focused on getting stronger and it paid off. I am lifting heavier weights and I am definitely stronger. 

So- now I have to keep the momentum going! 

I am excited to keep lifting heavier weights and to take more challenging (Peloton) strength classes!!

ADDING RETINOL TO MY SKINCARE ROUTINE.

I hesitate saying I have a skincare routine because I really don't. HA! 

I know all about the benefits of retinol and how helpful it is with aging skin- so last year I gave it a try and it did NOT work for me. My skin is incredibly sensitive and despite using a very low dose retinol- a couple times a week- it was no bueno. So I stopped using it.

I was doing a little research last week and decided give retinol a try again. I ordered this Ceravae skin renewing retinol serum. It's supposed to be very good for people with sensitive skin and it's under $20- so not a huge investment. I plan to put my nightly moisturizer on first 

(I use Beautycounter's Countertime Tetrapeptide Supreme Cream), then a thin layer of the retinol serum. Apparently, the retinol is still effective even with a layer of moisturizer underneath it- and it's supposed to be helpful if you have sensitive skin. Anyway- I am excited to give it a try and hopefully see some benefits from using the retinol!!

SPENDING LESS MONEY

Okay. Let's be honest. I start off every year with this goal. And while I am always budget conscious- I get lazy and buy way too many things I don't need. My tentative goal is to not buy any new clothes for myself for at least the next 5 months. I don't NEED anything- so the difficult part will be just not buying something because it's "cute" or "I want it!" I am looking at all of my purchases through that lens: do we NEED this? Do I need it RIGHT NOW? This is especially true for Amazon. There are so many times I hit "buy now" and it's a really unnecessary purchase. I can be quite "spendy" so having this goal for myself is going to take some major discipline- but you know what? I am EXCITED about it. I am very motivated by seeing MORE money in our checking account at the end of the month as a result of spending LESS!

This is a quote that I read recently that has really resonated with me: 

" O how I laugh when I think of my vague indefinite riches. No run on my bank can drain it, for my wealth is not possession but enjoyment."

- Henry David Thoreau 

SPENDING LESS TIME ON INSTAGRAM

On the topic of LESS- I am decreasing the time I spend scrolling on Instagram SIGNIFICANTLY. I have actually had this placed on my heart for a couple years now. And again- I have just been too lazy to actually do something about it. It's just so easy to spend WAY too much time on Instagram. I have also noticed that I have become increasingly more and more annoyed by A LOT of the stuff being posted. HA! Which is totally a "me" thing- not anyone else's problem. 

I am really excited for be more free from the tendency to just pick up my phone and scroll aimlessly. I am excited about having a more healthy bedtime routine. I am also very excited that my kids will see me scrolling my phone less! 

GOING ON MORE FAMILY WALKS

Ever since the kids were tiny babies, Aaron and I have always loved going on family walks. We got through many a long afternoon or hard day by loading up all the kids and going on a walk! As the kids have gotten older, we have really enjoyed exploring the walking trails in our area. As I was looking back on last year, I realized while we spent lots of time together as a family- we really didn't go on that many family walks! We started running together every Saturday morning- which has been great- but with that, Aaron and I both agreed we need to make family walks a top priority this year. We went for a family walk on the beach over the Christmas holiday and went for a walk on a local trail on New Year's Day and my heart was just so happy. I love being outside walking with my people. So I am very excited to be doing more of that!

What about you?

What are you EXCITED about right now?? 

I really believe we have choice in how we view everything. 

Even something that is challenging or that is going to take some effort- can still be looked at as "exciting." 

Hope you have a really, really good day. It's Friday Eve!!