2019. I’m 40 y’all. I was 6th grade in 1990. I now understand why my mom didn’t like my style in the 90’s – because it was a throwback to the 70’s. Now in 2019, we are going to not only recycle the 70’s/90’s, but throw some 80’s in with it. One of my daughters is wearing mom jeans, crop tops, and Friends T-shirts. While I am appreciative to the style powers-that-be for making my life cool again because I recognize the brands, I am also nevah doin’ that again. How come moms don’t look good in mom jeans? (Kinda like why you park on a driveway and drive on a parkway!) This is the stream of consciousness today.

But there is more going on under the surface. Every year for the past couple years, the new year has brought a big sigh of relief and a big deep breath. Especially for The Cottage. I can wash away all the weaknesses that stare me in the face and start fresh. This year I did that in the best way I ever have. I did a one on one (or technically two on two) coaching session with an adorable wedding photography couple in East Florida. We explored how to narrow in on the things that need to be done in order for this business to service my clients well, service my family well, and keep my sanity! Thank you Kristy and Vic for sharing your knowledge, encouragement, and faith with Jason and me in our own journey down this road!

So, I am very excited about a new year. I want to grow this year – personally and professionally. Each year I choose a word to keep in mind to keep me focused on the year’s goals, and this year, my word is Pursue. There are so many things I want to “chase after in order to catch!” There are business ventures and physical goals, spiritual habits and relationships I want to pursue. What about you? What are you pursuing? Do you choose a “One little word?” There are also tools – some new and some used – that I lean on to keep the main thing the main thing, and keep me in line! Just thought I’d share some of these with you in a New Year’s post.

1. My planner. It is literally my brain. It’s my to do list, my grocery list, my calendar. I am a visual person, so I do much better when it is laid out before me and I can physically manipulate it. I would love to be as svelt and cool to be able to use my phone, but I have not gotten there yet. I love The Happy Planner which you can find at all craft stores. It’s pretty and functional!
2. To follow that, I need my family to know where I am and what’s going on. There are a ton of times that I forget to tell my husband or the kids where I’ll be or what appointment is coming up. We post this calendar on the side of our fridge, which shows as soon as you walk in the kitchen. It takes a little thought to make sure everything is transferred, but it is worth it and they sometimes add there things and so do friends! Mine was a find at TJMaxx, but I know that Michael’s has one I’d snap up if I didn’t already have one!
3. Something new to me this year is my Powersheets. It’s a little extra, but it sure did help me to organize my thoughts and heart going into the new year. It is a goal setting system that helps you determine what goals are important to you for the year and how to break them down and be intentional about reaching them. If you have a hard time focusing like this artistic type, you should check them out. I am loving how grounded I feel knowing it is all laid out in there for me to revisit and plan from.
4. Just for fun, I’m including my letter board. It is also in my kitchen where it can be seen everyday. This one came from Hobby Lobby and was a Christmas gift from my Mother-in-Law. The goal is to change it every month. For inspiration follow this or this instagram feed! I hope it provides motivation and inspiration for me and others who come through my home!

I hope there are some helpful things for you in this post if you are in the planning mood, and part of those goals mentioned above include much more time here on the blog! Come back and see me!