How 2023 Went & 2024 Habits
We just wrapped up 2023, and it was a good year! My family and I enjoyed exploring our area, and working on our homestead. With both kids in school, there’s been a lot more balance and structure in our lives.
I’ll try to keep the end of the year recap short, and sweet.
They weren’t joking when they said time flies! I still can’t believe my oldest graduates in 2 1/2 years, when did I get that old. Kids are doing great in school; my oldest is definitely a teenager when it comes to enjoying school, and my youngest absolutely loves it. I’ve been volunteering a little at her school, and we’ve found an awesome school group.
I’ve been taking my health, and wellness a little more seriously. But I needed to, can’t believe I’m almost 40!
It was another great year on our homestead, and I’ve learned so much already. We continued improving the food forest, learned more about , grew lots of food and preserved some. I learned how to make stuff; usnea tincture, fire cider, harvested wild mullein from our property, lots of borage & calendula teas.
We raised 6 chicks in the spring, and lucked out with only 1 turning out to be a rooster. Raising animals on a homestead is very rewarding, with some heartache though, as we did loose one of the older chickens to sickness and the elderly rooster we adopted. We’ve also learned how important making a poultry first aid kit is, as we dealt with bumble foot, lice, cuts, worms, broody chickens, dirty bottoms and a hawk attack to one of the chickens.
2023, you were a good year!
Now, let’s talk about 2024. If making goals/resolutions isn’t really your thing, you should still sit down at the beginning of the year, and think about how you want the year to end. Is there anything you want to do differently, or maybe more of the same?
I’ll be making some changes for the new year, habits I’d like to form and should have formed years ago.
5 Health & Wellness Habits for the New Year!
I’m not necessarily unhealthy, but there are quite a few things in my life that need some adjusting, and I’m already struggle with at 39 years old. And I realize will just get harder with age. Daily soreness in my body, and it’s not due from exercise. Indulging in certain foods one day, make me sick the next day. Not to mention being a better role model, and a better me.
Move My Body.
I’m not saying I’m going to go live at the gym, and get into the best shape of my life. I’d just like to move my body more.
During the growing season I do get some movement almost daily, but it’s just not enough. I’d like to start moving my body 4 times a week. Get outside, walk and hike. Yoga session. Lift the weights I have at home.
A habit I’d love to form every day, would be to take 5-10 minutes to stretch my body. Simple stretches.
Food.
Over the years I’ve learned so much about food, and my own body. Some things I’ve changed in my diet, and some I just haven’t been able to yet. It’s a commitment. This year I’d really like to heal my body, and also form good healthy habits around food. Not just for me, but those around me.
I’m going to focus on these things:
- Drink more water, and tea – also buy less of the pre-packaged teas and grow more of my own or buy in bulk
- Cut back to 1 cup of coffee a day
- Limit dairy – I rarely have cows milk anymore, but cheeses are so good
- Limit processed foods
- Cook more from scratch, limit eating out
- Eat more organic, and local if the budget allows
- Eat more, and other gut healthy foods
- Continue taking daily supplements(vitamin D, apple cider vinegar, , 5 htp, CBD, l-lysine, )
Relying On The Grocery Store.
Brings me to the next habit I’d like to work on this coming year. We rely so much on the grocery store, from food to hygiene products. Not saying we’ll be 100% living off the land, far from it. But I’d like to start forming some better habits.
I’d love to try growing more plants throughout the year, and preserve as much as I can. Like straight from my garden, so I’m not buying any from the grocery store in the winter.
Learning how to substitute ingredients. instead of running to the grocery store for things. Not to mention we live in a smaller size house, and have limited space. Something I started a few years back, is stop buying pre-made spices; I no longer buy pumpkin spice, apple pie spice, Italian seasoning, taco seasoning, ect. I make my own from the one ingredient spices I do have.
I’d like to also to make more of my cleaning, medicinal and hygiene products. This past year I learned how to make fire cider, usnea tincture, all-purpose vinegar cleaner, sugar scrub that’s safe for septic tanks. I’ll be making some clove mouthwash, and laundry scent booster this coming week from items we already own.
Me Time.
I’d love to also start spending more time on ME. One thing I started doing a while ago was wake up a little bit before the kids, so I can have a little peace and quiet. Usually in that time I’m able to take a shower, and drink my coffee. I’m going to try waking up a little earlier, so I can have time to put myself together a little more. Because most days I look like I just rolled out of bed.
I need to work on a better skincare routine, anti-aging routine.
Financial Changes.
There’s a few habits I’d like to form this year with our finances. I’d like to contribute more financially through my social channels, and blog. So, I’ll need to spend more time producing content, and being present. I’d also like to track our expenses more, and stop spending money on unnecessary things. Does that mean I’ll be participating in a “no spend January”? Absolutely not, I would just like to consider each purchase, no more impulse buying.
When I look over my list, it looks a little overwhelming. But some are habits I’ve already started doing, or they blend into one another.
Comment on your resolutions and/or habits you’re working on for 2024! May we all have a wonderful year ahead.
