It’s a new year and time to get back to the blog and personal content! In the last year I was really focused on getting the backyard as beautiful as possible and didn’t make enough time to attend to the personalized blog content. I missed connecting with everyone. :)
Hopefully this 2023 Goals & 2022 Recap blog will be a good start!
2022 was a crazy year of change and hopefully 2023 will be just as jam-packed! We already have a lot of exciting changes and ideas for the new year that we can’t wait to share with you. Hang in there with us because we think it is going to be a fun ride! Today I wanted to recap this past year and go over the goals that Jeff and I have for 2023. Can losing covid weight really happen this year?…lol!
2022 Highlights
What a year, Jeff and I accomplished a lot at the new house and we had a blast! So much to recap about our first year living in Santa Barbara.
Some of the highlights include:
- Renovating the kitchen by adding a new island with porcelain counter, new paint and cabinet pulls. We also painted the backsplash rather than pull it out to save money. Click here for that post
- Restaining the deck and painting the railing. Click here for more.
- Clearing out all the old overgrown landscaping (which was a HUGE job!) and adding new garden spaces with privacy trees, bushes and flowering plants
- Hardscape – Designed new walkways using 3/8″ California Gold gravel along with stone steps and courtyards
- Added new fireplace insert and logs
- Renovated the shed so it can be used as a workout room/creative space.
2023 Goals
Excited for new adventures and possibilities!
- Travel to new places – Emma and Zach are jetting off on their around the world trip, we are really excited to join them in a few new places. Visiting new countries and cultures is something that Jeff and I are really excited about in the new year.
- Meditate – Learn how to reduce stress through 5-10 minutes of meditation each day. My doctor is a big believer in this and she does it daily!
- Move – Move/exercise at least 30-45 minutes a day. This includes leisurely walks.
- Love – Remind my family and friends how much they mean to me by calling and sending messages more often.
- Reach Out – Make new friends by putting myself out there more.
- Be More Creative – Cook more with Jeff rather than just keeping him company.
- Limit Junk Foods – Lower sugar from my diet to help lose that extra 10-12 pounds brought about from sugar/junk food.
- Wine Nights – Drink wine on special occasions or weekends only.
- Organize Daily – Make simple cleaning lists for each day to help stay on top of the house.
- Be Kinder to Myself – Love myself more by giving myself grace if I fail at something I wanted to achieve.
I love January because it’s a time to start with a clean slate, let the past go and embrace the new year with excitement and new possibilities! I don’t want to pressure myself to be unrealistic but I always want to strive to do better each year. I want us to look at the bigger picture but break it down into achievable goals. The quote “the journey of a thousand miles begins with one step”, resonates with me. That is how I want to approach the new year, taking each day one step at a time and enjoying the process. I believe if we make our goals fun and something we look forward to doing we are more likely to make it happen! We are looking forward to the new year and accomplishing the goals we set for ourselves.What goals do you have for next year? Please let us know in the comments.
Cheers to 2023!
Kristy
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I love your 2023 goals… graceful, kind and doable.
I love that idea of being kinder to ourselves Kristy. Well done on all you have achieved in the new house in 2022. Thank you for creating this warm, positive, inspiring corner on the Internet. Happy New year from Ireland
Way to go Kristy and Jeff, look forward to following along this year, just love you guys! Great stuff on the 2023 goals, very similar to mine!
Cheers to new adventures :)
Happy New Year from Toronto!
Fatima
I love that your goals for the 2023 are ones that are realistic and are achievable. So many times I found myself setting myself up for disappointment by putting huge demands on myself. Goals that I would have to move mountains to reach. Not that aiming high is a bad thing. If I didn’t achieve them I felt defeated. I love that what you want includes setting guidelines but also giving yourself grace. Wishes for a wonderful 2023 for you and your beautiful family! ❤️
My goal is to save money by not being influenced to buy junk I really don’t need. I feel our society is so focused on consumption and consumerism. I will use what I have and repurpose and diy. I will reorganize and minimize things.
Hi Kristy. I’ve been watching your journey since you renovated the house in Pleasanton. I started following when I was specifically looking for blogs about Pleasanton because I wanted to move there. Then I got really attached to you and Jeff! But my favorite city in the world is Santa Barbara, and when you moved there I felt like it was a dream come true for me! So funny. It’s not my life, but it is a life I used to think I would have, and its sweetly satisfying to watch you live it. Thanks for sharing and growing and being vulnerable with us. I know your life has pain and struggle just like the rest of us, but your posts always make me feel calm and hopeful, like there is still something beautifully right with the world.
Thanks so much for your sweet message Susan! Hugs! xoxo
Love all your ideas for the New year! I’m going to take a page from your book, Kristy. Happy New Year to you and Jeff and the family!
Great Goals Kristy, i think most of those are also on my list. Your house and garden looks wonderful, i’m looking forward to your travels:)i love all your travels tips, where you stay etc:)
This may be a silly question, but what type of trades person did you hire to replace your countertops? Is it a contractor or a stone fabricator who does the removal of the old ones for you??? I LOVE how yours turned out! Also, are you still loving the porcelain?
Hi Christine,
Thank you! I used my contractor who has a guy. :) We LOVE the porcelain!
You and Jeff are a breath of fresh air. Always one of my go to blogs. Look forward to your 2023 projects.
Dearest Kristy,
Adoring your list. Last year I recognized how much EFFORTING was occurring in my work world and at a cost to my well-being and relationships. I may be projecting that you had a bite out of the same apple. Wishing you all the ease and space for your goals ♥️. It’s good to read your words.