The new year is finally upon us and I am excited to see what comes next for me and those I love. I've packed up all of our Christmas things (besides all the candles that smell like pine. Seriously, I love that smell year-round), I had a fantastic and filling lunch with my family, and while I should have cleaned the house after packing up Christmas, I spent the rest of my day being lazy with Andre watching Dexter. So far, 2014 has had a great start!

Not because it's obligatory, but because I truly enjoy goal-setting, here are some of the major points I'd like to hit for the new year. Of course, change can occur any time during the year, yet I really enjoy the start of the year to set new goals and work my way towards them.

Blog more. I know, I stated this in my first post, but I really want to blog regularly and hopefully take off  with some followers who enjoy what I have to say.

Read more. I love to read. I used to read around four books a week, and I dwindled down to none. I know that life is so busy, but I need to take time out to just sit down and enjoy a good book. Whether I'm at home, or maybe on break at work, there is a way to make time to read.

Lose control. I always feel the need to be in control, to pre-plan every aspect of my day, week or month. I want to feel okay not being in control. I want to do something spontaneous and enjoy it, not freak out because things aren't going the way I plan. I want to just live freely.

Try more new things. Whether those things are big or small. It could be as small as trying something different at a restaurant or as big as going someplace new. I need to break out of routine more and find new things to love.

Worry less. There are so many things in life that are uncontrollable, and to worry about those things is a waste. I need to take that in and truly believe it. I have to stop worrying my life away.

Sleep less. I sleep so much. Oh, I have an off day? Let's sleep until 4 p.m. I can't do that anymore. I'm missing out on so much and it has to stop. Eight hours a night is enough sleep. If I need to take a nap for 30 minutes to an hour sometimes, hey, that's cool, too. But I just can't sleep all day anymore.

Take more pictures. I love pictures, looking back at them. They make me so happy and the memories are truly the best. I used to take pictures at every single moment, but I stopped. I want to get back into that.

Love more than I did yesterday. Each day I want to love Andre, my family, my friends more than I did the day before. Let my love grow endlessly and continue that until the end of forever.


So, what are your resolutions for 2014?