17 Goals in 2017 | Final Check-In

At the beginning of this year, I published my 17 Goals for 2017. in progress. As I near the conclusion of this year, I accomplished less than half of the goals I set for myself. Honestly, I'm not at all disappointed. I had two babies to take care of this year and I juggled multiple jobs, so anything else that I managed to check off was just whipped cream on my life's sundae.

Here's what I did in 2017:

17 Goals in 2017: 4th Quarter Check-In

PROFESSIONAL

1. Submit a grant proposal. (May 19, 2017) Probably not super impressive to most development professionals, but I managed to acquire a few thousand dollars for my Farmers' Market this year. Woohoo!
2. Continue working with my former employer. (April 7, 2017) I will always love my Foodbank family. I had a great experience working part-time at my old job and will totally go back again this year if the opportunity presents itself!
3. Apply for Advocacy Corps. (January 12, 2017) I found out mid-May that I didn't get the position. Although it never feels good to be rejected, I know it was for the best. Just weeks later, I landed the most amazing, perfect job working alongside one of my good friends.

READING

1. Read 52 books in the year. (INCOMPLETE) 29/52 completed. I have to laugh at myself for thinking that I could even come close. Two babies under two and multiple side hustles? Yeah, right. Maybe 2018 will look better.
2. Hit the pause button on reading challenges. (January-December 2017) Once I took a break from reading challenges it was difficult to get back into. It also didn't help that I barely read most of the year, so reading competitively wasn't on my list of priorities. However, Erin's next book challenge begins in January and I'm definitely considering joining up again!

FINANCIAL

1. Pay off a credit card. (INCOMPLETE) We chipped away a bit, but we mostly just paid interest rather than the principal which is annoying.
2. Open up college savings accounts for the boys. (July 7, 2017) I haven't contributed to their account since I first opened them, so this will need to be a continued goal in the new year.

BLOGGING

1. Publish at least 3 posts per week. (INCOMPLETE) I did really well with this at the beginning of the year and then my blog kind of tapered off during the second half of the year when I got busy with my 87 different jobs.
2. Have one of my DMB posts garner more than 1,000 pageviews. (January 30, 2017) What I Wish Someone Told me About Postpartum Sex remains my most popular DMB post to-date. Now, I need to top it!

HEALTH

1. Do the splits. (INCOMPLETE) I think I did yoga like two or three times in 2017. I did not make stretching a priority which is terrible. I can't even touch my toes. It's ridiculous.
2. Run 13 miles. (INCOMPLETE) Once again, I think I may have ran once in 2017. Pathetic. It is a goal I hope to carry into 2018. I miss running and though I'm thin, I'm not fit. I would rather be strong than skinny!
3. Hit my goal weight. (March 28, 2017) I hit my goal weight and then some. Our Whole30 experience definitely helped with this. We started taking our health more seriously and eating better this year which I'm really proud of.

HOME

1. Convert basement into playroom. (INCOMPLETE) We don't spend any time downstairs and our kids won't play down there without us, so this stopped being a priority. We've actually discussed converting the basement into a guest room and maybe even listing it on AirBnB, like my friend Suzanne. So, who knows?!
2. Finish painting and designing upstairs bedroom. (INCOMPLETE) We didn't realize at the time of making this goal what a project it would be. Not only do we need to install a window, but we'll also need to insulate and install a heating vent in this room because it gets no heat in the wintertime. We'll see if we do anything with it next year.
3. Plant a backyard garden. (March 23, 2017) In May, we were able to start harvesting some lettuce, spinach and kale. I didn't end up planting anything after our greens, though. I'll have to do better with our garden next year.

MARRIAGE

1. Go on monthly dates. (INCOMPLETE) We did relatively well most of the year, but with all of the health issues with my Dad, we were kind of thrown for a loop and went a long stretch without any Mommy/Daddy time.
2. Take a weekend getaway for our fifth anniversary. (INCOMPLETE) With Crosby still breastfeeding and just a general lack of funds, this wasn't realistic for us. Here's hoping we can have some kind of extended getaway this year!

> > >

Some of my goals changed and were no longer a priority (especially with our house). Some goals were not realistic given that we relied solely on my husband's income for a large portion of the year (see financial). Some were ones that I would have liked to accomplish, but just lacked the time or energy (I will have to carry my fitness goals over to next year!). All in all, I think I did okay considering.

Stay tuned for my 2018 goals- I have a lot more life to accomplish!

Did you accomplish everything you set out to do this year?