CONNECTED in 2018

So have you heard the word? The word is to have a word. A word to live by and guide you through 2018.

At the beginning of every year I don't give much thought to this. But by the second or third week, I read many 'word' posts floating around the blogosphere. 

They inspire me to think about my own goals for the year, and the things I want to better at, and fears I want to overcome.

In past years I have had 'brave', which lead me to entering more photography comps, and doing things out of my comfort zone. Another 'no guilt' which I know is two words, but pushed me not be guilty about me time, and all those other silly things that mums and wives seem to let seep into thier feeling guilty filter.

This year I am focusing on being CONNECTED.


HOME

• Connected to knowing when I need a break, some me time. Instead of powering through and falling into an emotional, cranky heap.
• Paying more attention to my health and fitness.
• Connected to what my kids need to succeed, at school(which means more communication with thier teachers, which I am slack at). Listening to them, and asking meaningful questions about their day and how they are feeling. 
• Spending more time together, around the table at dinner time.

WORK 

• Forcing myself to be better at communication with parents of my gymnasts students. 
• Communicating well with other coaches, and committee members at the gym club.

COMMUNITY

• Actually get out of the car and talk to other parents at school pick up.
• Now that the community garden is under other management, get involved. I am actually excited about this, after the circus monkeys that used to run it.
• When someone says "hi, how are you", acutally ask the same to them instead of saying "good thanks" and moving on.

I am not good at talking to people. I seem to avoid it, rather than seeking it out.

I am one of those people who sit back and watch, think too hard about conversation before I speak, and end up not saying much at all. 

It is hard work for me sometimes to actually get the words out of my head, and out of my mouth. I hide behind a smile and for a long time, I have gotten away with that. 

I am sure I have some sort of social anxiety when it comes to talking to new people. I am not so bad at saying hello, but anything further than that is like being a deer in the headlights. Bloody confronting.

So this is something I want to be better at this year. To not be afraid to speak. To say the words in my head, without being afraid that they might sound silly, or they may come out muddled up, which they mostly always do. I am not confident in conversation, especially with people I don't know well.


So my goal this year is so just speak. Communicate, connect.Talk to people!

An InLinkz Link-up

Bucket List

I have seen a few posts lately about bucket lists. I am sure in the past I have had things I would have loved to achieve, experience or conquer. The only problem is I haven't written them down anywhere, so when I try to think of things, I draw a blank. I thought it may be time(in my 40th year!) to set some things down and get some stuff done!

img cred

1. Make ravioli. Successfully.
2. Volunteer for something. A community project maybe.
3. Go cable hang gliding. I had psyched myself for this one when we visited Tassie. Too bad the day was too windy and it never happened.
4. Get to 60 kilos and stay there! I haven't been below 60 since before I fell pregnant with Izzy. Sixty seems maintainable to me, just have to get there.
5. Take the kids to a cinema on mums and babies day. Sucker for punishment, I know. 
6. Get enough stuff together to one day have a market stall. Just once. Whether it be used stuff or made by me crafty stuff.
7. Take the kids to a circus.
8. Go and holiday on the NSW south coast.
9. Holiday in Tassie, again.
10. Enter something into the local show for judging. A rose out the garden or maybe a photo or two.

Hoping to tick some of these off this year, and adding some more to achieve and strive for.