It’s 2016! What?! OK yes I know we are in our second week of 2016 but I keep writing 2015 on everything so there’s that. Towards the end of 2015 I knew that 2016 was going to be different. Easy steps to your best year was my focus. 2015 was not my favorite year. We had a lot of amazing things happen like buying our house and so many friends and family members being happy and healthy, but honestly I was not sad to see the year go. I knew 2016 was going to be my best year because I set an intention to make it my best year no matter what else life handed me. I started with deep cleaning and organizing our entire house. I threw things out, I donated, and I sold some things that did not make me happy or that we did not need. Most of it ended up in the donation bin at the end of the main street of our suburb. I also made a lot of lists. I made blog post idea lists, goals, to do lists, etc. I read two great books over the weekend and started a journaling project last week that really makes me happy. Today I want to share with you easy steps to your best year, because you know what, you deserve your best year!
(Photo credit: DayDesigner.com)
A great planner: You need a planner, even if it’s a Google Calendar on your phone or computer or a paper planner. Having a planner is just a life necessity. I use a Day Designer, and honestly it’s one of my favorites. I think Simplified Planners by Emily Ley are wonderful as well. I like to have space for each day and also a monthly overview. I do not like a lot of fuss or stickers or random things thrown in. Just a clean, simple, easy planner. Also, Target has a very inexpensive Day Designer line. Having your life organized will take so much stress away, and planning out each day will make you a happier more content person.
A great skincare routine: The past few months my skin has been insane. Seriously, just random breakouts and dryness are not the best. So I did a lot of research and came up with a skincare routine that works for me. I will have an entire blog post dedicated to this in the next few weeks! I wash my face three times a day, I moisturize it three times a day with Cereve moisturizer. I then use a morning serum and night serum as well as eye cream. GAME CHANGER! My skin is starting to go back to its smooth, normal ways, and I am thrilled. Having a skincare routine is so important for your confidence, your health, and feeling fantastic!
Weekly reflection: I heard about the 52 lists project a while ago and it intrigued me. Then one day browsing on Amazon it was a recommendation for me and I said “what the hell.” So I bought it. The idea is that once a week for the entire year you make a list. It has prompts in it like “10 things that have happened in my life to shape who I am now” etc. I love the idea of reflection rather than just journaling thoughts. I do journal but I think this is important too. I also am a huge fan of Q&A a day journals. I got one for Andrew and I one for relationships where you each answer a question a day for three years. So far we are loving it. Reflection by yourself and as a couple is great for your mind and relationship.
A Workout Routine: Go get yourself some new running shoes and hit the gym! I did an entire post last week on Winter Workout Motivation that is worth a read. Having a goal in mind to create and implement a workout routine for an entire year can be daunting if it’s not something you have done in the past. But even if for 20 minutes a day you do something active you will be thanking yourself this time next year.
A vow to drink more water: I carry a tumbler or water bottle with me everywhere. I do not even care how cold I get because drinking water is so important. I try to drink 80 or so oz a day and I try to have at least 20 oz before I have any caffeine in the morning. Caffeine dehydrates you, as does alcohol, so making sure you are drinking tons of water will save you from headaches, exhaustion, and dehydration. Usually when I get a headache Andrew will ask if I have had enough water. The answer is usually no. The days I drink more water I feel a ton better. This should be a no brainer but so many people do not drink enough water. Here are some tips!
The full 8 hours: Sleep is something I think a lot of us don’t pay a lot of attention to. I made a vow this year to be asleep by 10 every single night. I wake up at 6 most days and having that full 8 hours of sleep is imperative to my mental and physical well being. I notice how much I drag when I do not get enough sleep. My workouts aren’t great, I am not focused to get work done, and I feel sluggish and meh all day. Try turning off technology an hour before you want to go to sleep and try reading or journaling instead! Sleep masks are fun too if you need complete darkness.
I hope you found a little inspiration in this post and I would love to know what you want out of 2016! What are some of your easy steps to your best year?
Thank You so much for doing this post. It has seriously inspired me to be have a better 2016. I think I am actually going to get the “52 Lists Project” as well as the “Q&A a Day” for my husband and I. You are absolutely correct about 2016 being the best year. You have inspired me!! Xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing these! I hadn’t heard of the “52 Lists Project” and am going to definitely have to check this out! I love that the Day Designer options at Target are so affordable! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing these items with us!
Blessings,
Rebecca 🙂
Your on point with everything I need to work on!! I did get an amazing simple planner that is helping immensely! Oh and yes I will drink more water…I just have to keep repeating it!! =)
Great list! I got a Day Designer last year, ’cause I’m also very picky about planners and love one that can be a little hardcore and handle lots of plans/lists/notes, but I didn’t like how I couldn’t see a whole week-at-a-glance. Especially now that I’m a new mom w/ a young child, I was like nevvver using it. Kicking myself for splurging for that mere DAYS before finding the cheaper/simplified Target version in stores. Oh well! Now I’m using one from Etsy that’s perfect.
ALso- totally yes to treating yourself to new workout gear in order to stay motivated. Think I’m gonna get me a pretty new pair of leggings or something, so I’m gonna want to put them on. 😉 Happy new year!
(Found you at the Peony Project. Come drop by at lucymargaret.com!) <3
The “Our Q&A a day” is such a cute idea that I hadn’t ever heard of! I can imagine how awesome and fun it is to look back on your answers! Thanks for sharing!
I really wanted to improve my water consumption and seemed to do well while at work but slide whenever I wasn’t. I’ll have to try carrying/keeping a water bottle everywhere I go and see if that helps!
Looking forward to your upcoming skincare post! I’ve been dealing with random breakouts lately, too, paired with dry skin. And the 52 Lists Project sounds fun– I’ll have to look into it!
I wish I could add all the preach hands emoji in this comment because you wrote as awesome post for conquering 2016! I especially love focusing on a workout routine and vowing to drink more water! These are two things that I’ve been working on for three weeks now, and I notice a HUGE difference in my energy and well-being all together!
Great tips and points, Neely! I agree! I am still looking for a good planner for the year, but the closest I’ve found to something I like is just one at Target, so I think I’ll stop there today. I just got the 52 Lists Project this year, as well! Super thrilled for it.
I am working on getting 8 hours of sleep but sometimes it is just so hard! I just bought a blogilates water bottle with the amount of water to drink each hour so hopefully that will help!
YES to all of these! A planner and to-do lists help me stay organized and keep everything in check! If I don’t get at least 8 hours of sleep, I’m pretty much useless the next day!
Yes! 2016 is going to rock! I just got a new planner and have a workout routine. I definitely need a better skin care routine and new workout shoes. My shoes are so old! Thanks for the motivation!
Great list!! I have some big plans for 2016 so I wrote them all out in a list and I use my planner to organize my life to fit them all in
Charlene The Frugal Fashionista
I’m a huge fan of the day designer and certainly agree with what you have listed! Thanks for the reminder that I’m doing better than I was giving myself credit for.
These are some great suggestions. I’m not into spending a lot of time on the skin care thing, but I do a few things, and I do more with my son because he has eczema. In fact I’ve heard of CeraVe because their cream is a great over the counter solution for his eczema as long as it’s not too extreme. We have a prescription for when it really flares up, but usually the cream is enough alone.
What I want for 2016, is to build my followers throughout my main social media! Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy your helpful blog. Joua To The Rescue
I think this is a great list ! I just ordered my very first Day Designer last week and I cannot wait for it to arrive! Also, new running shoes are next on the to-buy list 🙂
I love the 52 lists idea! Also trying to finds great morning and night serum for my skin, because winter does a number on me, too. So hard to manage sometimes!
This is such a great post. A lot of what you said resonated with me! I DO have to get myself a planner. I also have to start taking better care of my skin. Hopefully I can rid myself of acne totally by the end of 2016!
First, I want to say I love your site. It’s so clean and fresh feeling! Your post was wonderful, I have never heard of the Q&A journaling and almost hit buy on amazon prime. I’m sure I will end up getting it or gifting it to a girlfriend soon. Working out is something I really need to get better at. I was doing really well this past fall and just haven’t got back in the routine. Thanks for the tips!
I just love your site! So clean and fresh. Your post was great, I have never hear of the Q&A journals. I think it would be really fun to do with my husband and prompt us to talk about things outside of our normal conversations. Thanks for sharing!
(Photo credit: DayDesigner.com)
Thank You so much for doing this post. It has seriously inspired me to be have a better 2016. I think I am actually going to get the “52 Lists Project” as well as the “Q&A a Day” for my husband and I. You are absolutely correct about 2016 being the best year. You have inspired me!! Xoxo
Thank you so much for sharing these! I hadn’t heard of the “52 Lists Project” and am going to definitely have to check this out! I love that the Day Designer options at Target are so affordable! 🙂 Thanks so much for sharing these items with us!
Blessings,
Rebecca 🙂
I got my 52 Lists Project right here!! =)
Your on point with everything I need to work on!! I did get an amazing simple planner that is helping immensely! Oh and yes I will drink more water…I just have to keep repeating it!! =)
Great list! I got a Day Designer last year, ’cause I’m also very picky about planners and love one that can be a little hardcore and handle lots of plans/lists/notes, but I didn’t like how I couldn’t see a whole week-at-a-glance. Especially now that I’m a new mom w/ a young child, I was like nevvver using it. Kicking myself for splurging for that mere DAYS before finding the cheaper/simplified Target version in stores. Oh well! Now I’m using one from Etsy that’s perfect.
ALso- totally yes to treating yourself to new workout gear in order to stay motivated. Think I’m gonna get me a pretty new pair of leggings or something, so I’m gonna want to put them on. 😉 Happy new year!
(Found you at the Peony Project. Come drop by at lucymargaret.com!) <3
The “Our Q&A a day” is such a cute idea that I hadn’t ever heard of! I can imagine how awesome and fun it is to look back on your answers! Thanks for sharing!
I really wanted to improve my water consumption and seemed to do well while at work but slide whenever I wasn’t. I’ll have to try carrying/keeping a water bottle everywhere I go and see if that helps!
Looking forward to your upcoming skincare post! I’ve been dealing with random breakouts lately, too, paired with dry skin. And the 52 Lists Project sounds fun– I’ll have to look into it!
Bianca | Born in August
This is an amazing list. We have the Q&A book too and love it!
Thank you for this post! What a great collection of ideas for the best 2016 possible!
I wish I could add all the preach hands emoji in this comment because you wrote as awesome post for conquering 2016! I especially love focusing on a workout routine and vowing to drink more water! These are two things that I’ve been working on for three weeks now, and I notice a HUGE difference in my energy and well-being all together!
I absolutely love those 52 week journals. I really want one for my husband and me now! That sounds like so much fun!
Great tips and points, Neely! I agree! I am still looking for a good planner for the year, but the closest I’ve found to something I like is just one at Target, so I think I’ll stop there today. I just got the 52 Lists Project this year, as well! Super thrilled for it.
I am working on getting 8 hours of sleep but sometimes it is just so hard! I just bought a blogilates water bottle with the amount of water to drink each hour so hopefully that will help!
YES to all of these! A planner and to-do lists help me stay organized and keep everything in check! If I don’t get at least 8 hours of sleep, I’m pretty much useless the next day!
Have a water bottle next to you is HUGE for making sure you’re drinking enough water, for sure!
What an inspiring post – thank you for whipping this up! Happy Monday xxx
What a great list! I agree with everything on it. I’m also setting monthly goals of getting enough sleep, movement, and gratitude. Thanks for sharing
A skin care routine is one of the things I need to get on!
Yes! 2016 is going to rock! I just got a new planner and have a workout routine. I definitely need a better skin care routine and new workout shoes. My shoes are so old! Thanks for the motivation!
Great list!! I have some big plans for 2016 so I wrote them all out in a list and I use my planner to organize my life to fit them all in
Charlene
The Frugal Fashionista
So many things on the list I need to work on. The last one is probably one of the hardest things for me to do, no matter how determined I am.
Love your blog- definitely need to work on the water and getting more sleep. I also have lots of blog ideas that are coming in 2016.
I’m a huge fan of the day designer and certainly agree with what you have listed! Thanks for the reminder that I’m doing better than I was giving myself credit for.
These are some great suggestions. I’m not into spending a lot of time on the skin care thing, but I do a few things, and I do more with my son because he has eczema. In fact I’ve heard of CeraVe because their cream is a great over the counter solution for his eczema as long as it’s not too extreme. We have a prescription for when it really flares up, but usually the cream is enough alone.
Awesome tips!! I love that you included a bunch of different things!
What I want for 2016, is to build my followers throughout my main social media! Thanks for sharing. I always enjoy your helpful blog.
Joua To The Rescue
I have been exercising which I am excited to get my body healthy and in shape. Happy 2016!!
I think this is a great list ! I just ordered my very first Day Designer last week and I cannot wait for it to arrive! Also, new running shoes are next on the to-buy list 🙂
I love the 52 lists idea! Also trying to finds great morning and night serum for my skin, because winter does a number on me, too. So hard to manage sometimes!
Coming Up Roses
This is such a great post. A lot of what you said resonated with me! I DO have to get myself a planner. I also have to start taking better care of my skin. Hopefully I can rid myself of acne totally by the end of 2016!
First, I want to say I love your site. It’s so clean and fresh feeling! Your post was wonderful, I have never heard of the Q&A journaling and almost hit buy on amazon prime. I’m sure I will end up getting it or gifting it to a girlfriend soon. Working out is something I really need to get better at. I was doing really well this past fall and just haven’t got back in the routine. Thanks for the tips!
I just love your site! So clean and fresh. Your post was great, I have never hear of the Q&A journals. I think it would be really fun to do with my husband and prompt us to talk about things outside of our normal conversations. Thanks for sharing!
I love this whole list! Jess at Just Jess
Loved your post.