New Year Archives - Meredith Rines

Category: New Year

My 2017 New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on January 6, 2017January 5, 2017 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Can you believe 2017 is here? I seriously feel like I just rang in 2016 and now here we are a year later. I never understood when my parents or other adults said that time just seemed to speed by. “In a blink of an eye.”

In school time just felt like it was dragging on. I couldn’t wait to be graduated, working a job, having my own home, etc. I just couldn’t wait to be an adult. Now here I am. 30 years old and time is flying.

It’s hard to imagine our little guy turning ONE in just 4 short months. It’s crazy to think we will be living in my hometown for 3 years this summer or how J and I will be celebrating our 4th wedding anniversary this fall.

Life does really fly by. I don’t know what’s changed since school. Maybe I’m busier, maybe I have more commitments then I used to. Or maybe… just maybe I can’t keep up like I did when I was 20.

I am so thankful that I didn’t have a ton of responsibilities at such a young age because I just don’t think I was mature enough. But I can tell you having a baby at 30 isn’t easy. It’s so much harder to pull an up-all-nighter or to go with very little sleep.

Well.. that’s enough about getting older and time just passing quickly. This post is all about the New Year. So alright, we’re starting 2017 off right. I’ve jotted down my top resolutions for this next year.

I’ve never been crazy about using the word “resolutions.” It just seems negative. Something about saying my 2017 new year’s resolutions just seems like I’m in trouble.

Like I resolve to stop this bad habit.

I want to be more positive. I’ve never really liked calling them resolutions. Even last year I called them my goals.

I’m continuing with that and I am making my 2017 list all about goals. I want to continue striving and working towards something that will benefit me and my family.

So here it is… my 2017 Goals:

I started looking back at my goals since I started sharing them on here. It’s crazy to see what’s changed and how I’ve grown over the years. One thing is certain – my new year goals are getting simpler. No more crazy lists, crazy achievements that I know will be difficult to attain. I’m pushing myself, but only in the areas that are most important. I’m keeping my goals broad so I know when I’ve achieved it in my heart and not on paper.

Here are my previous goals:

2014 goals

2015 goals

2016 goals

No matter if you call them your 2017 New Year’s resolutions or your new year goals, either way it’s time to kick butt.

New Year Goals {for 2016}

Posted on December 30, 2015December 31, 2015 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

As I’ve gotten older, I have become less of a fan of resolutions and more of a fan of new year goals. The word “goal” just feels more positive then “resolution” and positivity is what I need in my life. It’s what we all need in our lives, am I right?

According to the Merriam-Webster dictionary, the simple definition of resolution is:

: the act of finding an answer or solution to a conflict, problem, etc. : the act of resolving something
: an answer or solution to something

Now, that’s fine and all but I don’t want to focus on problems when I start off the new year. I want to focus on achievements. I want to reach for new goals.

So this year I am say bye to New Year Resolutions and hello to New Year Goals.

Here’s what I have on my agenda for 2016:

Deliver a healthy baby boy
Develop a stronger relationship with J
Connect deeper with my faith
Pride myself in all of my work
Give time to my family and friends to see them more

That’s it. Simple. Concise. And to the point. My key goals for this coming year.

Those goals are what is most important to me, which means that is where I need to focus my energy. I figure working towards these goals will help everything else in my life fall into place. I need to focus on my key priorities first to really make a difference in any other area of my life. I created a freebie that you can print out and use as you come up with your top 5 goals for 2016. I even created a little reminder as to what a goal is at the top of the freebie. Just click the image and print it out.

What are you New Year Goals?

2015 Goal Check-In

Posted on February 3, 2015January 27, 2015 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

January has come and gone, can you believe it? I’m still struggling writing 2015 on everything and now I have to write February too. Crazy pants!

At the beginning of the year I set some pretty high goals for myself. I think it’s time to do a goal check-in with myself and see if I’m on the right path. I also talked about in my post back in January that I would allow myself to readjust my goals. Priorities change and I need to allow myself the flexibility to change my plans. No more beating myself up over the small stuff.

J and I have both been making more of an effort to date each other. We’ve been spending more time actually communicating, which has been great. I really feel like our relationship has strengthened some this past month. It doesn’t hurt that he reads this blog and usually knows how I feel… *wink. Don’t get me wrong we still have struggles and are both pretty stubborn. But by listening more we are understanding what’s important to one another.

Crossfit has become a new addiction. I’m obsessed. I hate it while I’m doing it but the moment the WOD is over I’m infinitely thankful for being able to actually complete it. Seeing myself reach new personal records and lift heavier is amazing. I have a huge support team with J standing by me and the people I work out with are always willing to push me a little bit more. It’s awesome. I just wish I would have been brave enough to try it when I first heard about it back in 2010. I would be a certified badass then.

I’m still working on slowing down a bit. I like to say yes to lots of different things. I shared how I stay on top of it all a while back, which makes being a serial yes-er a little easier. I have been really trying to be more focused. I’ve cleaned out closets, organized our home and my thoughts. I know I have more work to do in this area, but thankfully I still have 11 months to go.

I’m also still working on my relationship with God, but let’s be honest that will never be perfect. I’m human, I make mistakes and I’m growing. One goal that I would like to see J and I achieve this month is to find a church. We’re trying to find something that fits both of us. I was raised Baptist and J was raised Catholic. So finding something that we both love may be a bit difficult. But I do know there is a place for us out there. I just need to open my eyes and my heart.

My 2015 Wishes / New Year Resolutions

Posted on January 1, 2015December 26, 2014 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

At the beginning of every new year I set goals for myself, and at the end of that year I’m never where I hoped to be. Don’t get me wrong I’ve made progress, but not like how I imagined those 12 months before. My priorities shift and my goals change. I am bombarded with new choices, new directions, and new possibilities. Sometimes I feel bad about not reaching my resolutions and other times I can’t even remember what they were. Am I the only one that forgets my New Year’s resolutions? Please don’t say that I am!

This year I’m doing things a little different. No more high expectations, just wishes and hope for myself and my family.

First, I want to strengthen my relationship with God. I feel like I am not the person I could be without His guidance. I need to develop a more meaningfulrelationship.

Second, I want to deepen my connection with J. J and I are best friends, soul mates, and life partners. We work hard at building a life together, saving for our future and spending time with family. Sometimes I feel like we need to work more on our romantic relationship. It’s easy to get weighed down with the struggles of every day and treat our marriage like a job. We show up for one another, we have meetings, and then we go to bed. I want more. I want to go on dates. I want to surprise one another.

Third, I want to strive to be healthier. To develop a desire to eat better, workout more, and be more active. I love Crossfit and have really found a home in the box I go to, but I need to do more. I want to be more active in my every day life. Not just the days and times I’m working out. I want to develop habits now so when J and I do have our own family we don’t struggle and our child is healthy. Don’t get me wrong – I will still enjoy treats and am not setting my expectations so high that they are not achievable, but I think in 2015 we can work at taking care of ourselves better.

Fourth, I want the conscious ability to slow down. I’m tired of racing through life. Always pushing myself to do more, to learn faster, and to commit to everything. I need time to breathe and to relax. I want more weekends just to J and I. I need less stress and more gratitude for what I already have.

Fifth, I want to be more organized and live with purpose. I want a home that mirrors myself. I want cabinets organized, closets cleaned, and my darn keys put in the key bowl at night so I don’t spend 10 minutes frantically searching for them each morning. I want to spend less time searching and finding papers, tools and keys and more time doing the things I want.

What are your goals for 2015? Do you have any New Year resolutions? I’d love to know!

2014 Make It Great :: New Year’s Resolutions

Posted on January 1, 2014December 31, 2013 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

I have to admit that I am completely unprepared to come up with new year’s resolutions.

2013 is over. I can’t believe that the year has ended. Where has the year gone? I’m in a little bit of shock, honestly. I feel like 2013 just started.

Let’s see – 2013 was a crazy, exciting ride for me. J and I got engaged, started planning our wedding and took some killer engagement photos. Next, I started a new venture on Etsy then J and I moved to a new city that I was terrified of at first because it is SO MUCH BIGGER than any city I’ve ever lived. J and I learned how to budget as a couple and learned a few life lessons. One of those lessons is the importance of having an emergency fund when my mouth decided to go haywire and I had to drop a pretty penny at the dentist. Finally, just two months ago we tied the knot and started our very own family (well not a family with children, don’t get any ideas).

Whew! 2013 was intense. Now here I sit in 2014. 2014?!? I have been trying to decide on what I want my new year’s resolutions to be and here is what I keep coming back to:

– save a down payment for our first house
– be a little more health conscious
– laugh a lot
– travel as much as possible with J
– see more concerts
– continue to build merelynne.com
– start video blogging (or is it just called vlog?)

Just a few simple goals for the year. I want to spend my focus this year on the positive.
P.S. Did you notice what I did above? The picture is radiant orchid, which is Pantone’s color of the year for 2014. I likey.

Happy New Year’s 2014

Posted on December 31, 2013December 31, 2013 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Today is the last day of 2013. It’s been a crazy ride, but the best one yet.
My favorite recipe was this delicious broccoli cheddar soup.

My favorite trip was my bachelorette party in NOLA.
I even shared a little about myself.
I even created an awesome gallery wall filled with some of our favorite pieces.
My all time favorite memory of the year was the day I walked down the aisle to meet my soulmate.

Back in August J and I moved to a new city for his new job. This December I made the decision to start a new career and have left the company that I’ve been with for over five years. We have seen a lot and been through even more this year, but I do believe that we are stronger than ever.Here’s to many more! Hope your New Year’s Eve is filled with love, laughter, and time with friends & family. Cheers!

reflection of the past 3 years

Posted on January 8, 2013 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

I know, I know. It’s a bit late around here, but I’ve been working all day and then came home to cook a delicious dinner for J and I. Then in ironic fashion I sat on the couch for two hours while watching The Biggest Loser. At least I got in some activity at work today!

Now, here I am prepping for my Weight Watchers meeting tomorrow and it’s got me thinking about where my life has taken me the past 3 years. It’s been a pretty amazing journey and I’m happy to say that it’s nowhere near over.

I’ve discovered so much about myself. For instance, I’m an extrovert. I didn’t know that 3 years ago. I love to cook healthy. Developing a healthy body starts with your mind. When I started to lose weight 3 years ago it never occurred to me that your mind needs to be in partnership with your body. Once my mind snapped to it, then the rest followed in suit. Such a great feeling!

Cheers!

P.S. I am still well aware that I need to share my Resolutions still. However, for January I decided no more Diet Coke and so far … so good! I’m a week strong!

Posted on January 3, 2013 by Meredith Rines, MBA, CFP®

Life is a ride. Simple phrase that explains so much.

I graduated from college with my Masters. Celebrated Christmas with my family and J’s family. Traveled over 8 hours in a car in less than 36 hours. Rang in the New Year with J and some great friends. Started living on my own again. survived what felt like a plague that lasted way too long.

I plan on sharing my New Year’s Resolutions with you in the next few days and to blog a bit more consistently in 2013.

Here’s to hoping and trying to develop better habits, spend more time laughing and less time stressing this year.

Cheers!

No matter if you call them your 2017 New Year’s resolutions or your new year goals, either way it’s time to kick butt.

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So this year I am say bye to New Year Resolutions and hello to New Year Goals.

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I have to admit that I am completely unprepared to come up with new year’s resolutions.

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