Goals for February

I'm going to start trying slightly different formatting in the way that I share my monthly goals here with you. You'll remember that at the beginning of January I shared my goals for the year rather than specifically for that month. I will share my progress on these goals once a month, as well as the typical list of individual goals tailored to accomplish that month. My progress on my yearly goals will also include the next steps I am taking, or plan on taking over the next four weeks to continue towards those big aspirations. For the first time, I will also be linking up with Melyssa over at The Nectar Collective for monthly wishes. The Nectar Collective is such a great, supportive community. Be sure to check it out if it is new to you! I'm a few days later than I tend to like for my monthly goals post, but hey, sometimes that just how schedules work.

JANUARY IN REVIEW
+ One of goals this year is to try to be more of a creator and less of a blogger. I love blogging and writing and all the work I put into the content here, but I am struggling to balance it all out with my more artist endeavors. I'm still looking for a way to integrate more of my artistic side here.
+ I have some pretty serious stretch goals for the year. One, that I haven't yet to share, involves those artsy things I mentioned above. I'd like to try my hand at running an Etsy shop for some of my creations. I don't know how much of a market there is for things like handmade pillows, feminist patches, art prints, or embroidery art but I am creating regardless. And I'm doing a lot of brainstorming, researching, inspiration digging, and dreaming.
+ I'm doing well so far on my goal to get back into the great shape I was in previously. I'm learning how to incorporate workouts easily into my daily schedule again. I'm going out and being active just for fun. I've been so sore but it feels good too. I started a new series here, titled Learning Happy and Healthy, and I can't wait to share even more with you.
+ I started another series called 1 Book a Month, to challenge myself to move through my to-read list and hopefully get through some stories a little quicker. I finally finished A Dance with Dragons (and loved it). I've gotten well into Ancillary Justice too; the story is unexpected and extraordinary. I'm trying to have more unplugged days, at least once a week, but it is harder than I anticipated. It is especially difficult given the fact that I started watching Lost for the first time (and can't stop).
+ I've learned a lot of new things this month. I've learned that I feel 1000x better if I wake up at a decent hour and take the dogs for a morning walk to start my day, even before a cup of coffee! I've learned that I like seafood a lot; as someone who was a vegetarian for 5+ years, it has been a hard truth to accept. But it is delicious and makes me feel good, so I'm going to enjoy it and try not to feel guilty for giving myself that pleasure. Fresh steamed clams are great. So is calamari. I'm trying to learn to accept a few changes that are happening in my life that I can't control and embrace them happily.  

GOALS FOR FEBRUARY
+ I'll be moving here shortly, so I've starting a very thorough and long to-do list to make the process a little less overwhelming and stressful for everyone (hopefully). It's pretty simple, organizing and packing one room at a time over a few days to space out the work that needs to be done. There will be a lot of purging, too, as moving is the best time to determine what items are essentials and what you are just hanging onto for no real reason.
+ Did I mention yet that the sun is out and has been shining none stop?! It is a lovely change after that nasty inversion. It even warmed up for a bit last week; it almost felt like spring! It is back to butt-cold again, but I still plan on getting out and enjoying fresh air and sun as much as I can — even if it requires my down-jacket. I've got an adventure planned this weekend, and hopefully more every weekend this month.
+ I've been doing so well with my workout goals; I can't wait to feel stronger and do even more. Lately, I've been doing cardio/hiit circuits three times a week, an upper body lifting day and a lower body lifting day once a week, leaving the weekends for rest or just for fun activities (like hiking or zumba with my sister). I'd like to also add in yoga, maybe switch out the cardio in the middle of the week for an hour session or add a little bit to the end of my circuit each day. I'm not sure yet where it will be added to my schedule, but it is something I am really looking forward to.
+ A simple goal: to keep my nails painted. I've mentioned this goal before, and why I like having them done. It's an instant mood booster right on my fingertips. My goal is to do them once a week, on Sunday — my lazy, catch-up on TV day. I've been experimenting with a few different techniques lately, and can't wait to try this scotch-tape method.
+ Finish Ancillary Justice and start the next book on my list!
+ I will continue my research/brainstorming/day-dreaming for my Etsy shop goal. And I will continue creating. I have so many new ideas for creations; luckily I keep them safely organized in my phone.

How did January treat you? Any big plans for the short month of February?
xx Emorie