The last four years have followed the same pattern. As New Years approaches, I make goals. Sometimes they’re elaborate, sometimes simple. Sometimes they start off going well, sometimes they don’t. Either way, about halfway into the year, my family moves across the country, starting a new life and essentially nullifying any plans or goals I made. Four years, four cross-country moves. Nomadic life is difficult and terrible, and I feel like I’ve wasted so much time.

This year, we plan for no more moves. (This is the plan from here on out, actually.) I’m making my 2018 goals with two things in mind: first, that there won’t be a major move to interrupt them this year, and second, that these goals need to be focused mostly on healing and recovering from the last four years. I’ve chosen to focus my year on the word Cultivate – as in cultivating a life, body, and mental health that will bring happiness and fulfillment, cultivating a place of purpose and permanence. I had that, once, back before my nomadic life began, and I’d like it again going forward.

Health
Both my physical body and my mental health need lots of help this year, so I’ve made a large list of goals to focus on these.

• Work on losing weight, with a goal of 3 lbs per month – but know that my body has been resisting loss, so keep eating and exercising well even if my weight doesn’t change
• Participate in at least one social 5K
• Get at least four professional massages focused on injury-prone areas
• Exercise at least 750 minutes per month (aim for 200 per week)
• Practice yoga consistently through the year (aim for at least 10 sessions per month) as a way to increase strength, promote mental wellness, and lessen chances of injury
• Aim to walk/run at least 25 miles per month, or 300 for the year, barring injuries
• Focus nutrition on a diet that will lessen depression (less sugar and refined carbohydrates) and promote healthy sleep (higher percentage of real foods)
• Find a therapist that will work well for me, then individualize mental health goals with her

Environment
This category will work to improve the things around me, especially by removing any stressors that keep me anxious and worried.

• Do our best to sell that house in Wisconsin. We can’t control everything, but we need to stay on top of this.
• Strictly follow the monthly budget and work on paying off as much of the credit card as possible (hopefully all, if the house sells)
• Finish the afghan that I’ve had in progress for 18 months
• Use or give away the rest of my yarn surplus
• Avoid social media stress (especially on Facebook), including politics, personal dramas, and excessive negativity
• Work (within budget) to make the house and yard as enjoyable and comfortable as possible
• Go to five new-to-me places in town, and/or attend five local social events (not hosted by current friends and family, unless it introduces me to new people/places)
• If my mental health and time situation allows, aim to volunteer at one or more of the locations that are important to me (library, animal shelter, etc)

Just For Fun
Because I need some fun in my life, not just serious goals!

• Visit the San Antonio Cat Cafe and hang out with all the kitties!
• Visit the local meat market that Jason and I have been saying we should try out for over a decade
• See at least one movie in theatre
• Try out a new TV show
• Visit the zoo at least once (I do have a membership after all!)
• Do one of those “paint your pet” nights at Painting With a Twist

While it would be lovely to write again, this year needs to focus on stabilizing my family and home life, and getting healthy again in mind and body. If I end up writing as a way to do these things, then that’s fantastic! But at the same time, I don’t want to put that pressure on myself. Body, mind, and environment will come first in 2018.