Happy New Year: 2019

Word for the Year and Reading List

My tradition of choosing a guiding word for the year is going strong. This year has been jam-packed and there are no signs of slowing.

Assertive was my word for 2018 and I’m glad I explored what that meant for me. It was exactly what I needed. I knew the big tasks ahead, and that mindset helped me navigate with confidence. There were also many surprise challenges at work that I learned quickly to rise to. My work life and home life were equally frenetic, which had me “all in” all year. It felt rewarding and I learned there’s lasting value in sacrifice and struggle. This year it’s like we’ve leveled up — literally. With doubling down on our house addition, we’ve been stretched and have grown so much. I know God’s been preparing me for something more through this growth. This feels like a huge building year. It hasn’t always been pretty, but we’ve come so far. Read about some struggles here. Trusting myself each step of the way, I now know through experience I am equipped to tackle the challenges in 2019.

Equipped

That is my word for 2019. I was driving around and saw a Northern Tool Equipment if you want to know the truth. And that was it! Equipped. Empowered is another way to think about it. In 2018 I was forced to go full-steam ahead and that left me feeling empowered. It’s not my preferred way, but them’s the cards I was dealt this year. I feel like I have the tools to figure things out. I don’t have to do it alone, however. We received a lot of help this year and it was great! I’m not asking for problems to come my way, but we’re all going to encounter them, so we might as well learn to like solving them. Joe says people who are best at handling problems and stress are the ones who deal with them the most. 2018 was good practice. Pretty soon, stress doesn’t affect you because you’re so used to putting out fires and it feels like nothing at all. I’m going to need to adopt that mindset this year as we finish our addition. We’re 55%-60% complete, so we need to fuel up. We want to be finished by May/June this year. Consider this my halftime pep talk!

Bucket List Review

• Take some pottery throwing classes. Still on my list for 2018 2019
• Travel more. Always on my list. We did go to San Franciso briefly, so maybe we’ll do similar mini-trips this year.
• Grow vegetables. Only herbs again. 2019 might be the year of the garden
• Supplement my income in multiple ways, diversify with investments etc. Basically just worked my 9-5 this year. I’d like to invest in some real estate and do more freelance writing projects in the future.
• Pay off one student loan and make one additional house payment. Whoo hoo! I think I actually paid off two student loans this year and I have only ~$2,000 left in student loans. I think I made an extra house payment as well.
• Join a book club. Yay! I’m in a great group that came together spontaneously for monthly book reviews. Living my best life.
• Kickboxing — I definitely want to get back into a routine of some kind. Not sure yet what form of exercise is calling me.
• Redesign Blog — Ok it’s now been years! I need to admit I’m afraid to lose content by changing things on the backend of the blog. Maybe I need to find some help with this…
• Skiing — I went a few times this past winter and we have a trip planned for 2019 too. I did some fun ladies nights at Wild Mountain and want to increase my confidence on skis even more.
• Church — Well, we’ve been inconsistent with this one, but we do have a church we like and call our home church. I also joined a small group! They’ve been such a constant encouragement and we’re always adding new friends to the group for bible study and events.
• Appraiser’s License — I’d love to get my appraiser’s license to become more knowledgeable about the real estate market and property values. I took the first step by successfully completing the coursework and passing the exams! That was a significant investment in time and money. I still need to become someone’s trainee in order to get the needed training hours to become a certified appraiser.

2019 Bucket List

• Journaling — I always attempt to, but never stick with it. This year, I bought a book of daily journal prompts, so I’m excited to work on them.
• Have more fun — that’s all! We have our work cut out for us this year, but I want to leave space for spontaneous adventures.

Reads from 2018

• You are a badass at making money : master the mindset of wealth by Sincero, Jen, I started my year with this one. Easy read
• You are a bad ass : how to stop doubting your greatness and start living an awesome life by Sincero, Jen, I liked her writing style so much I read another one of hers. She’s very blunt and funny.
• Two by two by Sparks, Nicholas. Refreshing profile of the dad in this book that challenges stereotypical gender roles. But a Nicholas Sparks book nonetheless, sorrynotsorry
• Braving the wilderness : the quest for true belonging and the courage to stand alone by Brown, Brené. This book was timely as I charted new territory this year. All of her books are must-reads.
• O’s little book of happiness by The Oprah Magazine O. Quick stories from different authors. Easy read.
• Creative block : get unstuck, discover new ideas : advice and projects from 50 successful artists by Krysa, Danielle, This was such a good one! Different people were asked for their best tips
• Knot thread stitch : exploring creativity through embroidery and mixed media by Solomon, Lisa. I think I picked this up in my cross-stitch phase, hoping to get more into it. At least it’s a pretty lookbook.
• Sapiens : a brief history of humankind by Harari, Yuval N., If you are looking for a science book that isn’t too hard to read.
• A wrinkle in time by L’Engle, Madeleine. I reread it in anticipation for the movie. Spoiler alert: the book is better.
• The upside of stress : why stress is good for you, and how to get good at it by McGonigal, Kelly, author. A really good read and one of my favorite authors. The big takeaway: Stress isn’t bad, it’s only in thinking it’s bad that harms us. Reframe your thinking about stress.
• The creative habit : learn it and use it for life : a practical guide by Tharp, Twyla. LOVED this book. It’s writed from a choreographer’s point of view, but applies to any creative field with tactical tips.
• This messy magnificent life : a field guide by Roth, Geneen, I guess I was underwhelmed by this. Expecting it to be more relatable, but missed the mark for me.
• Finding your own North Star : claiming the life you were meant to live by Beck, Martha Nibley, I don’t remember much, but I remember liking it. One of those books that goes right through you and does you good, like fiber.
• Behind closed doors by Paris, B. A. author. Ooh this was a really good read. Pretty twisted, but really good psychological thriller. Couldn’t put it down.
• The greatest salesman in the world by Mandino, Og. I would maybe consider this required reading. I breezed through it, but I wish I would have spent the time on each chapter. It’s a small book, but don’t be deceived. There’s a lot of wisdom packed into each chapter and it’s meant to be read slowly. Something I will revisit.
• Design thinking for the greater good : innovation in the social sector by Liedtka, Jeanne. Not sure I actually finished this one, but really relevant for tackling big problems on a global scale and how we need to be thinking about solutions.
• Crazy Rich Asians by Kwan, Kevin. This was our first book club book. I actually liked the movie better, but the book was good too.
• The woman in the window by Finn, A. J., Second book club book. Another phsychological thriller.
• My own devices : true stories from the road on music, science, and senseless love by Dessa (Vocalist) Lived up to the anticipation. Local MN artist who is a master of spoken and written word.
• E-Squared by Grout, Pam. I really tried to be open minded, but couldn’t make it half through. Each chapter is a thought experiment where you are to focus on a particular outcome. Sorry, none of them worked for me.
• A glorious freedom : older women leading extraordinary lives by Congdon, Lisa. I realllly like this book. Although it’s about women later in life, it’s so relevant for anyone! Each page is a different woman’s story about achieving her dreams at an older age than what society would consider thier “prime”. These women are inspiring and in their personal prime at all ages, living admirable lives of their own creation.
• When : the scientific secrets of perfect timing Pink, Daniel H., author. I think it took me awhile to get into this one, but overall really interesting by another favorite author of mine.
• One question : life-changing answers from today’s leading voices Coleman, Ken. A read from a guest on a podcast I heard. He interviews top leaders and tailors each question to each of them.
• Fiercehearted : live fully, love bravely Gerth, Holley, author. An author I’d never heard of, but listened to a radio interview with her. Thoroughly enjoyed the book.
• The way of abundance : a 60-day journey into a deeply meaningful life Voskamp, Ann, 1973- author. I liked some of her other books better.
• The untethered soul : the journey beyond yourselfSinger, Michael A. Definitely required reading! Not even a hard read. Game changer.

That’s it! On to 2019. Tell me some of your lessons from 2018, your word for 2019, and any good reading recommendations.

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