My Word for the Year is: FUN!

My hashtag for life is #StayGolden.

In the past, I Stayed Golden by striving to be the best I could be. Which can be a positive and golden way to live, but it can also bring piles of negative and grimy, judgey, self-critical thoughts. Even though I didn’t really realize it, my main word for many years was “RESTRICT”.

Restrict everything: calories…free time…rest…pleasure… I was all about goals and accomplishments
 

In the second half of 2018, I began to embrace a more mindful lifestyle. I added JOYOUS exercise, non-restrictive and HEALTHY eating, and a LOVING mindset. I added daily meditation and yoga to my life. I also stopped drinking on September 1, 2018.

How will I have fun? Well for starters, my husband and I just returned from a month in Orlando! I decided I want to continue the fun. Here’s a start to my list.

New Lifestyle Activities- We tried water aerobics in Florida and enjoyed it! we also walked more in the sunshine! First day back from Florida, we signed up for the Silver Sneaker program at our fabulous Community Rec Center and we are trying the water aerobics, yoga, and other fitness classes. Yay!

New Hobbies- I’ve rediscovered a love for jigsaw puzzles. I’m going to learn how to make bath bombs. How about trying 3-D layered greeting cards? Because I’m not so hung-up on dieting, I have been exploring new recipes for baking and for dinner entrees, with a special focus on Jell-O and Yonanas creations. I’m loving my new kitchen!! Here’s something I just added to my list, I’m going to explore my family tree.

More Travel- or at least I will add the fun of planning trips. I really do hope to get to NYC in the fall to see the Rockettes Christmas Spectacular at Radio City Music Hall. And I always talk about going to Mount Rushmore. Let’s do it! And the next time my sister asks me to go on a trip with her, I’m going!! A really cool change is that my husband and I splurged and bought more vacation club points through Marriott timeshare, which gives us the opportunities for many more travels and time with family from now on.

More comforts to my reading and audio room. Better sound system- why not?

Add Fun -to everything I can- I want to get better at giving thoughtful and fun gifts and better at celebrating big and small life events.

This space left intentionally blank- for more fun!

I have also changed my schedule.

Old schedule: work on books, writing, blogs, reviews, social media All. The. Time.

New schedule: Maybe I will have no schedule at all! I am going to continue my writing life on a more spontaneous schedule. And of course, I will continue to do my very favorite, most fun activity- READING AND REVIEWING BOOKS!

 I’m putting the pieces of my life together!

Friends, what do you think? What do you love to do? How do you have fun?