As I sit here on the first morning of a new year, my coffee has gone cold and it's only a whopping 8 degrees out. I confess that I did not necessarily do everything I set out to do in 2017. If I am really honest, I feel like 2017 raced right over me. It truly has been the fastest year of my life. I remember clearly sitting in a coffee shop the week before the end of the year last year filling out these pages of hopes, dreams and goals for 2017...but what I really felt like happened was I just held on tight for the crazy ride!

I think the best way for me to start this year is to look at what the 2017 intentions were and see how I did! These were 5 intentions I set last January and here's my res

1. Self-Care needs to be a better priority - I think this needs to stay a goal for me. Getting back on track with water, exercise, sleep, vitamins and showers :) I am only half kidding here about the showers... being a mom hasn't gotten any easier this year, just different as the kids age. The only way we will all survive is if I survive! I want to get back into a morning workout routine and set weekly goals.

2. Spiritual focus- I do feel like I made some progress in this area and read through several different series with She Reads Truth. I know that this element of my life has to stay a priority to keep everything else in balance.

3. I want to be committed to the creative process this year.... fail, fail, failed on this one. I struggled to just be creative when not forced. I did get to be a part of a great photography workshop in April that was encouraging and helped me create for the fun of it. It would be good for me to find another workshop to attend in person or online this year. The in person aspect of the April workshop allowed me to make some new friendships that I have valued this year!

4. Renewal in relationships... I'm not really sure how to "measure" this one but I know it needs to remain a focus for me, especially with my immediate family. Allowing my family to act as a mirror to my own heart is important. I need to grow in how I relate with them and not grow complacent.

5. Keep reading... I haven't kept a count but I was pretty consistent in reading this year. I read through a lot of non-fiction, which I want to balance out with some fresh fiction this year as well. I learn so much from reading and if I am honest, many days come and go without adult interaction other than talking to Matt. That can be really hard on my naturally outgoing personality. Reading is a way to feed my brain and soul even if I sometimes find myself isolated in my little family world.

I just finished reading Wonder and saw the movie with the kids! If you haven't read it, I highly recommend it and then see the movie too, totally worth it :) Great book to start the year on!

Emily Troutman Photography