An Inspired Season | The Single Girl’s Bucket List

Today, I’m bringing you the third installment of the #AnInspiredSeason collaboration with Bailey of Brave Love!

Today’s topic: BUCKET LISTS! :)

Over the years, I have written bucket lists of all kinds (birthday bucket lists, dream bucket lists, holiday and seasonal bucket lists etc.), but this is the first time I am actually writing a Single Girl’s Bucket list.

And I could not be more excited to share it with you!

An Inspired Season is all about embracing and celebrating life RIGHT where you are… And singleness? Well, that’s a pretty big part of where I am these days, so why not have a bucket list specifically dedicated to the opportunities such a season provides? :)

I had a blast brainstorming these ideas! Dreaming up some new adventures that don’t require waiting for future seasons really helped me look forward with hope and appreciate right where God has me.

• See an outdoor movie this summer
• Sample the new vegan mint chocolate chip ice cream at Scoops
• Try purchasing my weekly bread from a local bakery as recommended in 100 Days of Real Food
• Eat brunch at Townhall (hello, sweet potato pancakes & crepe bar!!)
• Start making connections at craft shows and begin collaborating with local creative makers to help them tell the stories of their products and businesses
• Promote and share new collaboration idea above
• Cook with more veggies! Follow Real Food guidelines as much as possible
• Take a trip to Nashville this fall
• Explore the local restaurant scene with my sister (there’s a pizza place we are especially excited to try!)
• Attend a local mum festival this fall
• Clean out my art supplies and donate what I don’t need
• Attend the Cleveland Flea’s Sunday Market (what’s better than brunchy foods, crafty stuff, and antiques?!)
• Purchase a retro swimsuit from Rey Swimwear
• Invest in a large canvas or art print of this piece from Naptime Diaries
• Read books that challenge, teach, and inspire me
• Take a creative weekend of some kind — lots of creative and quiet time with Jesus
• Sample more of the gourmet mini donuts at Peace, Love, and Little Donuts (next up on the list: chocolate chip pancake and maple bacon)
• Paint my living room side tables with brightly colored chalk paint (coral + teal!)
• Take an art or writing class to expand my skill set and get inspired
• Spend a day at the beach
• Have a picnic
• Add to my Fiesta collection
• Visit the adorable new shop called Vintage Love that I just discovered
• Pick strawberries this summer and pumpkins/apples this fall

So, what’s on your bucket list these days?

(Don’t forget to hashtag #AnInspiredSeason when you share!!)

Making Things Happen: June 2015 Goals

Wowza, I’ve been away for a bit, haven’t I? I have a lot to figure out when it comes to this little space of mine, but I have some new dreams and ideas I’m excited to explore and share. :) More on that shortly! The reason I’ve been away for so long is it’s been a rough few months (I lost my grandmother in April), so I just haven’t been focusing much on creative pursuits outside of my day job. But I am happy to say that the creative ideas are flowing again, and even though I still miss my grandma every day, the encouragement, love, and support she blessed me with over the years stay right in my heart, bringing comfort, joy, and a beautiful sense of peace. I’ll be honest that I’ve been a bit half-hearted with my powersheets so far this year, but I have been wanting to start posting my goals here and doing a monthly recap to help with motivation and accountabiltity. So, that’s the plan for today’s post. Plus, I miss ya’ll and want to hear about your own goals and adventures and life happenings! :) (Leave me some comments and let’s catch up!) ;) All of that said, here are my June goals (posted just a little late):

MONTHLY GOALS

• Start exploring, brainstorming, and getting the word out about my new creative venture of helping creative makers and doers tell the stories of their products and businesses (especially local creatives right here in Cleveland). I’m hoping to spread the word via social media and the blog in the next few weeks, as well as by touching base with local creatives at upcoming maker/artist events this summer. YAY! Time to get those business cards ready to pass out! ;) I’ll be putting together a page right here on the blog, too, in order to share more about what I hope to do and how you can work with me.
• Closet-cleaning and Goodwill donating! Hoping to tackle clothes this month (and art supplies if I’m super ambitious). But that may show up on July’s goal sheet. ;)
• Plant flowers and herbs with my mom and hang twinkle lights out on the porch. (This is actually already done! Haha Finished the goal before I had time to write this post.) :) It’s super colorful and cozy, and I love it!
• Brainstorm a list of blog topics and get writing. It is my hope to start posting regularly again, but I want it to be quality content, so I’ll most likely be taking a slow blogging approach and posting about one longer, more in-depth post a week. In between posts, I am hoping to connect with all of my readers right in the comments (and on Instagram, of course!) But I’m looking forward to creating a good balance of living and telling the stories, which is one of my goals this year!
• Financial – I have a few financial goals I am working toward and am excited to continue to grow as a good steward of the resources God gives.
• Launch my new women’s Bible study group (we start next week!).

WEEKLY GOALS

• Gym 2x a week (continue to do both weights and cardio). I can feel myself slowing getting stronger, and it is so encouraging! I have never stuck with a gym routine for more than a few months, so this is a challenge for me, but I am feeling good about the progress I’ve made so far and want to continue to take intentional steps toward being healthier and stronger!
• Eat more fresh fruits and veggies (and less sugar and processed stuff); I want to cook at least one whole foods meal a week.

DAILY GOALS

• Do each day’s reading and devotional for She Reads Truth Women in the Word study.
• Complete my five-minute journal entry (more on that daily practice in an upcoming post).
• Stick with a daily cleaning routine as much as possible, so my weekends aren’t filled with playing catch-up (15-minutes of cleaning each night does wonders!). ;)
• Institute Internet/phone-free time after 8 p.m. on weeknights (and spend that time reading a book, doing yoga, or just spending some quiet time with God).
• Spend 20 minutes in prayer each day.

So, there you have it! My goals for June. Have you set any goals for this month? If so, how’s it going?

Goal-Setting with Lara Casey: My 2015 Goals

I’m excited to finally share my 2015 goals (they’ve been about a month in the making), and I feel really settled and good about them. I think they are doable, but also stretching. I’m also looking forward to searching for scripture that speaks to each goal. I got the idea from Valerie of Val Marie Paper. (Here’s a great post on doing that, if you’d like to seek scripture for your goals, as well.)

Moving on to the actual goals… :)

1. Seek and find God in everything. I want to find and follow Him wholeheartedly, filling my  mind with His truth and thinking about the best, not the worst. I want to memorize scripture and recite His promises DAILY.
2. Wait on the Lord — especially in my singleness.  I want to lean not on my understanding, but instead, I want to trust Him and look to Him in all things — including dating and singleness (especially dating and singleness?!). I want to remember that those who wait on the Lord will not be put to shame and that waiting on God is always worth it. I want to believe that He is good and that He has a good plan for me. I want to live fully today, with hope for tomorrow.
3. Make time for creative adventures. Paint, draw, read, write! Create “just because.” I want to take myself on inspiration and creativity dates often, filling my life and heart with what fires me up and points me to Jesus. I want to take classes, explore new art forms, and learn new things. I want to live fully and creatively, thankful that God gave me a creative, inspiration-loving heart.
4. Spend, save, and give with intention. I want to be wise financially, so I can use  my resources for good and for God.
5. Find a fitness routine I love and make it a regular part of my week. I want to take care of myself — health, heart, and spirit. I want to practice self-care regularly, so I have energy to go, do, and create everything that God has in mind for me this year. I want to be healthy and whole, so I can love well and bless those in my life.
6. Continue to simplify my life. Give away what I don’t need and keep only what is useful, meaningful, or inspiring to me.
7. Be an encourager and a celebrator. I want to mentor and encourage others — online and off. I want to lead a Bible study for college/early career at my church, and I want to write blogs that speak to women who are in that season of life. I want to support my church, my friends, my family, and my city. I want to be a resource and an inspiration for those God connects me with this year.
8. Use social media and my blog with intention, and continue to evolve and find the focus/niche God has for me. I’ve been blogging for almost eight years, and my blog and experience online have changed pretty dramatically during that time. I want to continue to evaluate the heart  behind what I’m doing and ask the Lord for guidance. I want to focus on community over followers, and God’s heart for what I do over what’s deemed “popular.”
   
9. Find the balance between living the stories and telling them.  I want to journal every day, capturing thoughts, dreams, ideas, prayers. I want to get back into the practice of art journaling, too — telling stories with paint and paper. I want to have cell-phone-free time every day, and I want to be intentional about making meaningful memories with friends and family. I want to live in the moment — being fully present — but also make time to capture the good stuff and tell the story God is writing in my life. And that leads me to my final goal…
10. Be brave in writing and creating. I want to take risks for Him. I want to write and create honestly and vulnerably, and I want to go after big dreams. I want to collaborate with people who inspire me and pitch my ideas to publications I dream to work with. And I want to start taking steps toward my dream of writing books. I’ve got an idea that’s been slowly taking shape, and I want to dig into that this year and see where God might take it — and me.

So, there you have it! My goals for 2015. I’m sure they will evolve as the year goes  on, but I’m looking forward to seeing how God works and moves and orchestrates in each of these areas. I also hope you’ll help hold me accountable to the things I’ve listed here. I’d love to hear about your goals, as well!

Let’s cheer one another on and get excited about all God is going to do!

P.S. I wanted to announce a little something exciting before signing off!

I’m hosting an online study through the book of Ephesians with a group of amazing ladies this month, and I’d love for you to be a part of it! Go check out Bailey’s blog post today for more details and to get in on the action. (To be honest, my heart has felt a bit disconnected from God the last few months, and I’m so looking forward to diving back into His word and seeking Him wholeheartedly!)

 

Goal-Setting with Lara Casey: My 2015 Vision

On Saturday, I posted about the first steps in my 2015 goal-setting process. Tonight, I’m going to share the results of the next few steps: the vision I’ve written for my year, as well as what I’m saying YES and NO to in 2015 to support that vision. I’ve loved writing vision statements the last two years, and I’m excited to take this year’s statement to heart and bring it to life.

My Vision for 2015:

Above all else, I will seek and FIND GOD WHOLEHEARTEDLY this year. I will FOLLOW where He leads, going and doing and creating in line with His heart.  I will live fully in each day without worry, fear, or fretting for what may or may not be ahead. I will have hope for all God has planned, but I will also wholeheartedly embrace right where I am TODAY, because I don’t want to miss one moment of what God is doing right here, right now.  I will keep an open heart to His way, delighting in any unexpected adventures and possibilities He might bring my way. I will make meaningful memories with friends and family, and I will live in a balance of experiencing the stories and telling them — celebrating all God is doing in my life and in the lives of others. I will make the most of this season, filling my life and heart with all that fires me up and points me to Jesus. I will continue to be a woman who lives an inspired life for God, and I will continue to invite and encourage others to do the same.

To support this vision, here is my list of YES and NO for 2015:

I’m saying NO to…

*Comparison
*Fear, worry, fretting (I want to live fully in each day without fear of what tomorrow may or may not hold)
*Doubt that God has a good plan for my life (HE DOES! He is good, and He works all things for good)
*Being late/disorganized
*Extremes (in health, work, life)
*”Shoulds”
*Anything that’s weighing me down (I saw something on Pinterest that said: “If you don’t need it, get rid of it!” I love that! Such a great reminder!)

I’m saying YES to…

*Creating for God
*Memorizing scripture
*A fitness routine I LOVE and will stick to
*Prayer
*Cell-phone-free time
*Fresh, whole foods
*Possibilities
*Hope
*Celebrating all the ways my story is UNIQUE
*Living in the moment
*Mindfulness
*Everyday adventures (like taking myself out to breakfast, coffee, the library, or to an inspiring museum)
*Making art “just because”
*Collaborating and creating with others to make meaningful things (keeping my community focus from last year!)
*Regular journaling
*Thinking about the BEST, not the WORST (Phil. 4 8-9)
*Intentional use of money
*A generous, humble heart
*Mentoring and encouraging others

I really want to live “on purpose” this year, making the most of where God has me and all He’s doing in my life, and I think this vision and these lists will help me do that. I also think they will help me notice and give thanks for the unique ways God has written my story. There have been far too many times I’ve allowed the unexpected parts of my story to cause insecurity and doubt, rather than allowing them to serve as an opportunity to meet and connect with God.

I’ll be back in another couple of days to share my goals for the year. I’m not rushing the process, so I’ll let my vision and lists sink in a bit before moving on to actually writing down the goals that are beginning to take shape.

And now I’m off to make a little cup of cocoa and join in on tonight’s #FireworkPeople chat. If you don’t know about that amazing community, definitely check it out. It’s like hot chocolate for your spirit. Seriously! So wonderful  and encouraging! :)

Are you following along on Lara’s goal-setting process? If so, how’s the process going for you? Have you hit any roadblocks or discovered anything surprising about yourself or God’s plan for you in working through her steps?

 * Image via Lara Casey *

Reflecting on 2014 & Looking Ahead: Goal-Setting in 2015

Hello, friends! It’s been quite a while, hasn’t it? I’ve been a bit unplugged from the blogging world, (although I’ve been hanging out a bit on Instagram), and I’m finding it slightly challenging to dive back into blog writing. So many posts in my head, but where to even start?! ;) My head is a jumble of thoughts and ideas.

But I’m taking the leap today, no matter how rusty I feel! Haha (So please forgive all the rambling that is bound to happen!)

Today, I’m going to jump into posting about the start of my 2015 goal-setting process (I’ve been following Lara Casey’s blog series and using her Powersheets again this year). I’m also currently reading Lara’s book Make It Happen (so good!).

First, let me say that setting goals has been a MUCH slower (and harder) process for me this year than it has been in years past. Last year, I finished all of my Powersheet steps and set my goals by January 1. I was raring to go and couldn’t wait to get things down on paper and make things happen! This year, my mind felt blank when it came to what goals I wanted to set and what the year ahead might look like. I didn’t feel my normal energy or passion or inspiration. I felt quieter, more reflective, and to be honest, more than a little unsure.

But, like Lara wrote in that adorable image above, there’s really nothing magical about January 1. I’m taking my time this year, knowing that my goals will mean more if they aren’t rushed.

One of the first things I did to start my goal-setting process this year was create a Pinterest board for the year. I began pinning inspiring images that captured the way I was feeling about the year ahead, as well as all the stuff that fires me up (one of Lara’s goal-setting steps). I created the vision board below as a reminder to print and paste in my Powersheet binder. I’ll probably hang it above my desk, too. It’s a great little sampling of all the loveliness I’ve been adding to my board, and seeing everything all grouped together like that just makes me smile and feel inspired.

* all image sources here *

Then yesterday, I took a vacation day and had what I call an inspiration day. I took myself out to brunch at one of my favorite local coffee shops, and surrounded by the chatter of other people and the whir of espresso machines, I sipped on my brown sugar cinnamon latte and began working through my Powersheets. The main focus of yesterday was reflecting on 2014 — both the good and the challenging.

I’m going to share a few highlights here:

• Community was a huge focus of my year (and one of my 2014 goals), and God definitely worked in that area. He blessed me with quality time with my church friends and family, new creative friendships, and a desire to start ministering to college students. I’ll likely be leading a women’s discipleship group for college women this spring at my church. I also hosted an online book club for my eBook An Inspired Life and connected with so many wonderful women! Thinking about hosting another one in the new year (with some new expanded content)!
• We celebrated my grandmother’s 90th birthday and had many meaningful family gatherings this year. I often struggle with my singleness, but it has actually been a gift at times this year, because it has afforded me the opportunity to really pour into my family relationships and soak up extra special time with loved ones.
• I’ve continued to date with a hopeful, open heart. I do believe God has marriage in mind for me, and while I don’t know why I’m 31 and still waiting, He reminds me often that His plan is always better than mine. God has me in this season for a reason, and I want to embrace it for all that it is, while still having hope for the seasons and adventures still come for me!
• What I fill my mind with is CRUCIAL. I can choose to fill it with fear, negativity, bitterness, etc., or I can fill it with all that’s lovely, good, and true — the BEST, not the WORST.
• Investing in my health and wellness is essential (when I said yes to fresh, good food, being active, living in community, and doing what fires me up, I was blessed).
• Summer was a sweet time of recharging and just enjoying life…I wasn’t worried about creative deadlines or my next big project. I just focused on LIVING. I need more breaks like that and a good balance between living the stories and telling them.
• Fall brought the chance to attend the Influence Conference again, and I loved being in the midst of that amazing community for the second time! This year’s conference was a much different experience for me than last year’s, but my heart was just in a different, quieter place this year. I think that’s sort of been the theme of my 2014! Quiet and reflective in many ways. And that leads me to my next bullet…
• I have been less active online these last few months, but I think the break has helped me look ahead to the new year and really ask myself how I will be a part of the Internet in the coming year. I don’t know all the answers yet (although I do have some exciting plans with some fellow blogging friends), but I know that as I press into God, He will reveal each next step.

Just in doing those reflections, I started to feel some goals and hopes begin to take shape in my mind. I’m looking forward to continuing the Powersheets process this afternoon, getting more down on paper and seeing how God uses this process to point me to the path I’ll take in this new year.

One of the other parts of the goal-setting process, and something I do each year, is choose a focus word for the year. The word I chose for the year was FIND, because I want to find God in everything. I also picked a scripture verse for my year: Jeremiah 29:13. “You will seek me and find me when you seek me with all your heart.” 

And that’s exactly how I want to approach 2015.

I want to seek and find God in everything. And I want to do so wholeheartedly.

In the last few days, I also can’t stop thinking about the word FOLLOW. And I think for whatever reason, God has placed more than just one word on my heart this year. I want to seek and FIND God WHOLEHEARTEDLY, and I want to FOLLOW where He leads, going and doing and creating in line with His heart. So, that is my word (or words?) for 2015, and I look forward to keeping them in mind as I adventure through this brand new year of unknowns.

This was kind of a long post, so thanks for sticking with me! In my next post, I’ll be sharing more about what fires me up (and maybe another vision board), as well as what I’ll be saying YES and NO to in 2015. Just typing all of this out has given me an extra dose of joy, hope, and excitement for what 2015 could hold! :)

Are you setting goals for 2015? I’d love to hear about them! Share them here, or if you’ve blogged about your goals, or started a Pinterest board, leave me a link, so I can check them out.

And if you’re looking for some guidance in your goal-setting, I definitely recommend checking out Lara’s series. Powersheets are sold out until the spring, I believe, but remember, there’s nothing magical about January 1! If they sound like something that would fire up your heart and help you make things happen, definitely check them out! :)