I don’t have any specific goals for this year. It just feels like too much pressure. Rather, I have some inspiration. There are things I want to do, see, accomplish, and experience. Ultimately, I’m leaving what happens in 2017 up to God. He’s way better at planning than I am. I’m just going to follow His lead. Love God and love people. That’s what I want to do every single day.
I hopped on Pinterest and started an inspiration board for the upcoming year. Actually, I named it my 2017 Happy Board. I browsed around and wanted to see what would catch my attention. Some things surprised me (I didn’t pin as many travel pictures as I thought I would), and some things definitely didn’t (I pinned all kinds of dogs).
So, here’s a breakdown of my inspiration for 2017!
It appears that I want 2017 to include copious amounts of coffee, studying my Bible, and writing.
Really, though, I am determined to get on some sort of a writing schedule for my book. I’m thinking I may lock myself in our office for a few hours on my days off of work or head to a coffeeshop so I’m not tempted to do household chores. Either way, I don’t want to stress about it too much. I love the quote I pinned, too. I need to believe I can finish my book!
As for the Bible studying, I’m going to study the women of the Bible this year and seeing what God has to show me in their stories. I’m currently reading Ruth and really enjoying it. She was such an upstanding woman.
Ah, creativity. This didn’t surprise me one bit. Anything that involves a paint brush, camera, or any type of crafting makes me happy.
I’m inspired to use my camera and capture memories big and small. I’m also hoping to frame some of my watercoloring if I deem it acceptable, haha.
Gardening, yoga, campfires, and house projects. A random conglomeration, yes, but I’d like to make each of these things happen.
I’m already wistfully counting down the days until Jimmy and I can start our garden again. I’m hoping to paint a coral accent wall in our office, refinish a bookshelf in our living room, have campfires with Jimmy, and continue to practice yoga. Bonus points if Malcolm joins me 😉
Dogs. Always dogs. I don’t know if this means I’d like to have another (eek!), or if I just want to keep pet sitting as much as possible. Either way, I hope 2017 involves lots of dogs. The volunteer quote is so true. I’ve been in contact with an organization I applied to volunteer with in the upcoming year. Hopefully I’ll be able to share more details soon!
Oh, and how pretty is that bedroom? Jimmy and I might do a bedroom overhaul this year. We’re thinking of getting a headboard, maybe painting a peacock blue accent wall, and just updating our sparsely decorated bedroom. The top right picture reminds me that I want to have as many dates with my sweet husband as possible.
This last collage is totally random, haha. The cake is inspiration for Hannah’s bridal shower. Yes, I am making her bridal shower cake and I am so pumped! The kitchen is another renovation I’d like to work on this year. Mostly, I just want to repaint our cabinets and walls.
Hot cocoa reminds me of coziness, and I I’ll take as much of that as I can get this winter. The bottom right picture is from Washington DC. It has been a few years since I’ve visited and I’d love to go again. The top right picture is always what I hope to be. It reminds me to love others as much as possible.
While it may sound kind of silly, writing this post helped me have more of a focus for what I’d like this year to look like. I’m praying I will follow God’s lead for my life and do my best every day.
This was great! I love inspiring posts like this!! 🙂 The pictures in themselves are very motivating… but in a non-stressful way. I think it’s great to have goals without stressing about resolutions that HAVE to happen within a particular time frame.
Thank you, Nicole! That is exactly what I was going for! Motivation and inspiration in a non-stressful way 🙂
The pictures your chose for this post are so perfect. Not to mention presented in such a beautiful way! You’re making a bridal shower cake?!? Holy moly girl- go you! I can’t wait for that time to come around you better blog it 😉 I also hope my 2017 involves A LOT of dogs too that would be so ideal, adding that to the resolution lol
xo, JJ
Aww, thank you, Jenny!
And yes, I am crazy enough to be making a bridal shower cake. I honestly don’t know how I get myself into this type of stuff sometimes, ha!
I hope 2017 is full to the brim with dog encounters for you!!
Love it Allie, especially about making the extra effort on your book. This is the year I finally shift up from being a blogger and a scribbler to being a proper writer. We can do this!
Thank you, Stephen!! Yes, we can totally do this! Help me stay accountable!
I love your way of finding inspiration through photos more than having set goals for the year. You are such a creative soul, my friend! It looks like 2017 is going to be an AMAZING year for you!
Also, that quote about volunteering… so true. I hear people say that they just don’t have the time to do stuff like that and honestly, we all have 24 hours in our day. It’s just what you choose to do with your time. And it definitely takes people who are willing and have the heart. Love that!
Aww, I love that, Rach! Thank you! I think God has some awesome things in store for us in 2017!! 🙂
Oh yeah, and so true about how we all have 24 hours in our day!!
I’m inspired just looking at your inspiration boards! This is a great way to start a new year. Good idea. I’m especially inspired by that hot chocolate….
Haha, thank you! Hot chocolate is very inspiring to me as well 🙂