January 31, 2018 – As I sit here watching What A Girl Wants, I wonder how often have I bent over backward to please others and being let down rather than staying true to myself. One of my goals for 2018 is to continue becoming the best version of myself. I am a notorious people pleaser but this year I am determined to stop doing everything I can to please others and ending up hurt for lack of return.
Staying on the topic of 2018 goals, I wanted to give y’all an update on how I’m doing on with my resolutions one month in. With February just one day away, I would like to think that I’ve done a very good job of sticking to them.
- Read More: I haven’t quite read a whole book for the month of January but I have made sure that I take time out of most days to turn off electronics and open a book. I have definitely rekindled my love for reading, now I need to work on getting much better at reading more.
- Take Better Care of My Hair & Skin: I may not have been as good as I wanted to be about reading this month, but I sure am proud of how well I have done with taking care of my hair and skin. I have gotten into a habit of washing my skin twice a day, every day. My favorite products are any and everything by Aveeno. I swear by the Aveeno Positively Radiant 60 Second In-Shower Facial, the Positively Radiant Skin Brightening Daily Scrub, and the Daily Moisturizing Lotion. On top of Aveeno, I also love Clean & Clear and I have been using their products sporadically over the years. My go-to Clean & Clear product is the Deep Action Oil-Free Exfoliating Scrub. I love the way my face feels and looks after using these products (not all at once though).
- Learn to Cook: HAHA is all I have to say about this! I am trying but I still need lots of work. I have barely even made a dent in this goal of mine. However, I may not be able to cook very well (if at all), but I can make a killer breakfast sandwich and grilled cheese. So it’s a start. But, I’ll keep y’all updated on my dismal cooking skills.
- Put Some Meat on my Bones (aka MUSCLES): This is one resolution that I have been SO GOOD about. Last Monday, I dragged my mum to the gym and we have gotten into a routine of going to the gym each morning. Man is everything sore but I am so happy with the progress that I’ve made already. Today I worked with a trainer and found out that my legs are so much stronger than I thought. I have the ability to lift and squat A LOT of weight for me (I’m about 108 pounds so the amount of weight I can use is very small compared to others), and despite how I feel I have about 14.6% body fat (which is apparently SUPER lean). I am so excited to continue going to the gym so that I can keep gaining and keep seeing results.
- Be More Confident: Almost immediately after I posted my resolutions blog, this was something that I began working on more than I already was. I’ve hit some roadblocks in my life and previously I would let those deeply affect me and bring me down. Not anymore. 2018 is definitely going to be my year and there are no more if’s, and’s, or but’s about it. Emily Jane is here and ready to kill all things 2018. She’s got the skills and it’s going to be her year, so brace yourself y’all big things are going to happen for me!
- Improve my Blogging Skills: This is going to be something that I am working on each time I blog. I hope that each blog improves my skills and helps me to gain a larger following. But to be honest, I’m doing this for me and if I gain followers doing what I love that would be wonderful but I’m here to share my passion.
- Start Budgeting: If I’m being completely honest, this has not happened at all yet (oops). But I have been very good about my January spending habits. I have curbed my shopping addiction and I have learned how to say no to clothes. So we’ll see if I can make a budget starting in February, I really should and I need to stop putting this off. Stay tuned to see if I actually do this.
- Be More Present: Being honest totally honest once again, if there has been anything that I have completely failed at this month it has been being more present. If anything my phone usage has gotten even worse. My big goal for February is to put down my phone and enjoy everything around me because the world is beautiful. I really need to work on this because I’m starting to see how my technology obsession is affecting my relationships.
Check back at the end of next month to see how I did in month two of my twelve months of resolutions for the best version of Emily Jane. I am so excited to continue on this journey because month one has been amazing and I already feel amazing.
Until Next Time,
Emily Jane
SimplyEJV 