Since I recently publicly disclosed the fact that I have been depressed a lot lately I spent the past week thinking of ways I can regain control of my life and get more out of it. I have developed a new scheduling system that will help me live my life according to my goals and values. (More on this later this week.) For the month of July I will live life on a schedule and see how it goes
So, since I am scheduling my time around my goals I didn’t want to just list financial or business type goals here. I am going to list all of my goals for the month of July.
Parenting
- Finish reading Charlotte’s Web to the Girls
- Spend one day just with Kailyn
- Spend one day just with Ava
- Take the girls to church
I don’t get to spend much one on one time with my kids and I think it’s very important to do so. So, one day this month I want to spend a separate day with each of my girls, giving them my full attention.
Last month we began our first big read aloud book and they are really getting into it. I want to finish Charlotte’s Web this month and then find the movie so they can watch it after we finish our book.
Lastly, I have never consistently gone to Church. A few months before getting divorced I started to regularly attend, then after moving out I just stopped going. My daughters both love going and church is something I want them to be exposed to on a regular basis. (We went yesterday, so I am off to a good start on this one!)
Writing/Blogging
- Finish E Book
- Complete all Writing Assignments as I get them
- Apply to 10 Writing Jobs per week
- Continue with weekly posting schedule
- Make $500 extra income (Made $115 so far)
Ok, so do you remember a couple of weeks ago when I said I was going to hold off on writing an E Book? Well, I tried………..I just couldn’t do it! One day I sat down to write and never stopped. The great thing is I almost done!! I should be completely done with my first E Book by Friday! WooHoo (Then I am going to need your help, please?)
The rest of the things I pretty much already do. I am going to apply to at least 10 writing jobs each week so I can try to build up a steady client base. I am also going to stick to my Monday – Wednesday – Friday posting schedule.
Personal
- Go to Church every Sunday
- Wake up at 7 am every weekday morning
- Balance check book daily
- Bring lunch to work daily
Going to church doesn’t just benefit the girls, it benefits me too. I always feel a lot better about myself after going to Church. And since I have been dealing with depression I think it’s good to try to put more meaning in my life.
I usually sleep in as late as I can and then rush to get ready for work. I want to avoid the rush by waking up at 7 am every morning. This should give me plenty of time to get ready.
The past week I have balanced my checkbook right after each purchase I made. This has helped me stop spending on little insignificant things because I am paying better attention to how much money I have (or don’t have.)
I am going to continue to bring lunch to work every day. This really helps my budget and I have started to get used to it. I just need to remember to get things ready the night before so I don’t forget!
What are your goals for July? How did you do last month?
I love how you listed your goals for the month like that. I think that I am going to do a similar thing.
Thanks, Jessica! I actually started to list them like this after reading some goal posts on Money Saving Mom.
I love your goals. They’re extremely inspiring, especially because I am trying to put more meaning into my life as well. My biggest problem is taking on too many responsibilities; recently, I thought fostering puppies would put more meaning in my life. It was a good experience, but I was constantly stressed and aggravated! I think it’s great that you’re looking for peace and meaning within yourself and through your church, rather than taking on other projects.
I read your post about fostering dogs. It is a great cause that I think you should feel so good about but I can see where it would be extremely expensive, hectic, and then sad when the dogs have to go. Good luck to you though I am sure you can find another great cause!
Thanks for the encouragement! 🙂 I’m hoping my blog will help people in financial situations similar to my own; to help people overcome their debt would be very rewarding!
Keep at it and I’m sure you’ll reach your blogging goal!
I hope July is great for you. I really need to work on creating more fun and tasty meals. Lately we have been eating a lot of the same things as we usually do because I have been lazy.
Don’t feel too bad. I am incredibly lazy when it comes to cooking too!
The Mr. and I have been thinking about going to church. The kids have gone a few times and really seem to enjoy it!
My kids love it. they take all the kids back to a separate room when the sermon starts and the girls have so much fun!
Looks like a good list. I applaud you for making time for church. I don’t do as well there as I should. I keep telling myself when kids are in the picture, I will get better about going. No time like the present to get into the habit.
Thanks! I am glad that I actually went this past weekend. I always say I will go and never follow through.
I also suffer from depression, it was a lot worse before I became pregnant, and have found that church definitely helps. I hope it continues to help you. Your goals look awesome for this month and congratulations on almost completing your first eBook!
Thank you, Jennifer. I always feel good after I get out of church so I hope that it helps!
can’t wait to know what the ebook is all about!
~ christie
I might need you to proof read it for me….if you are willing…:)
I’d love to! Send it on over!!!!
Good to hear you are taking control of things. Right now we are on a much needed family vacation maybe this vacation will do me some good. I am working on spending less on our grocery budget and writing things down. I am forgetting alot of things. That’s my July goal. Spend less and work on some organization. 🙂
Good luck with your goals and enjoy your vacation! A vacation may do wonders for you!
It sounds like you’ve got some really well balanced life goals. Most goals I see are entirely finance or weight loss based, but it seems like you’ve got some mental wellness ones in there too.
If you are looking for someone to proof read your E-book, I’d love to… I don’t know if that’s the kind of help you are looking for?
Absolutely! I would love if you would proofread. I’ll email you when I am completely finished. Thank You!
Hi Alexa,
I’m so impressed that you can pump out an e-book so fast. I can’t wait to read it! As for depression, I think we all have that sometimes. If it’s pervasive, I hope you find out the cause and attack that. It can’t be that you’re unattractive, because you’re beautiful; it can’t be because you’re dumb and have no hope for taking care of yourself, because it’s quite obvious that you are smart and capable…figure out what it is, put some concrete and chains on it and toss it off a bridge!
You’re awesome and deserve a life of joy and happiness!
Thanks Ree, sometimes I just decide I want to do something and get in these moods. I can’t stop until I’m done! Thank you so much for your compliments!
Good luck reaching all of your goals!
I really need to get up earlier too. I am much happier when I do and I feel much more productive. It’s just so easy to hit that snooze though! =/
This is the goal I struggle with the most. The snooze button is my best friend.
I love the goal of spending a day alone with each of your daughters. With our second child on the way, not getting that one-on-one time is definitely something I worry about. I’m definitely going to take a page out of your book and make it a priority.
Sounds like you will be pretty busy after the baby is born. When my second was born home life was crazy for awhile! I do want to keep my relationship with each of the girls special though. I think that can be hard to do when there is never any one on one time with them.
Alexa, you’re doing terrific!!! One thing that really helps my mood in between church visits is to spend some time in the Word each day. It just lifts me up. Start with Psalms – it chronicles King David’s ups and downs in life and is simply heart warming. You’ve really got some worthwhile goals for yourself and your family here. Keep up the great work! Also, can’t wait to read the e-book – congrats to you for kicking it on that!
Thank you for the tips Laurie. I am just getting back into Church so I am still kind of lost. When my dad got baptised last year the preacher told him to read a little bit out of Psalms each day. I need to make this one of my habits/goals as well.
My mom isn’t very religious but I do remember her taking me to church and I’m glad that she did. Umm, I don’t go now -but, I will do the same for my kids when I have them. I’m glad that you’re focusing on yourself. Take care.
Thanks, Michelle. Church is something I really gave a lot more thought to when I had kids.