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January in Photos & Reverse Goals List

January 31, 2017 Crystal // Dreams, etc. 15 comments
January in Photos & Reverse Goals List

Happy Tuesday!

As I thought through how I wanted to approach “month-end” in 2017, I thought back to my December in Photos post. I loved that one and enjoyed sharing a glimpse of some photos that don’t necessarily make it to the blog or Instagram. That didn’t happen quite as much this month. If you follow me on Instagram, you’ve probably seen some of these before. I think some months you’ll see more that have been shared already and some months you’ll see less.

I also wanted to talk about some of the things I’ve worked on each month. There was a time when I shared monthly–and even weekly–goals on my blog. I thought about reviving those this year, but I decided not to, in favor of thinking about what I can do each day to further advance my bigger goals. A few years ago, I first heard about a reverse bucket list from my friend Erika. With that idea in mind, I decided I’d rather end the month with a reverse goals list, instead of starting it with a list of goals.

Stick around to the end of the post to see that. First, let’s start with the photos!

Sharing: a peek at January in photos and what I accomplished this month. // dreams-etc.com

New Year’s Day started with a book, some coffee and smooches from my NYE date, Odin.

Sharing: a peek at January in photos and what I accomplished this month. // dreams-etc.com

I spent a lot of time at my desk this month, jotting down notes from different webinars. It started with one on planning, led by Callie Gisler and Kayla Hollatz.

Sharing: a peek at January in photos and what I accomplished this month. // dreams-etc.com

Here’s a little before and after of an Instagram shot. Messy desk to not so messy desk.

Sharing: a peek at January in photos and what I accomplished this month. // dreams-etc.com

I’m a member of the Loft Literary Center — the place where I’ve taken a lot of writing classes recently. They recently held a Member Happy Hour, where they released their new look (which I like SO much better than their old one!). A friend and I attended and stopped for coffee between work and the event.

Sharing: a peek at January in photos and what I accomplished this month. // dreams-etc.com

The end of 2016 was so busy that I felt like I didn’t get to spend as much time with my sweet Little One as I like to. I’ve soaked up lots of time with her this month. We sat in this chair quite a bit as I read and she snoozed/kept an eye on any passersby outside the house. I also started to use the portrait mode of the iPhone 7 Plus and wondered why I didn’t use it right away.

Sharing: a peek at January in photos and what I accomplished this month. // dreams-etc.com

I have been in love with playing games recently, which is a little unusual for me. There might be a post with some of my favorites in the near future.

Sharing: a peek at January in photos and what I accomplished this month. // dreams-etc.com

Castle Danger Brewery did a tap takeover at a pub in St. Paul so a friend and I camped out in a booth that night. It was fun to have a few drinks and talk for awhile.

Reverse Goals List

1 // Rearranged the furniture in my room. I love the new setup and am now inspired to do some organizing that needs to be done.

2 // Finally created my @dreams-etc email! I can’t even tell you how long this has been on my to-do list.

3 // Put together three videos. I uploaded my Pep Talk earlier this month and my overview of 2016 this morning. You’ll see the third later this week.

4 // Worked out five days a week. Until the last week of the month, because I actually decided to have a bit of a social life. And I’m not sorry about that at all.

5 // Wrote a short story. The shitty first draft, but one that’s been on my mind for awhile. Also, I think I came up with the perfect names for the characters. That’s always a good feeling!

Get Caught Up!

>> Word of the Y ear // 2017  |  Shared my word to guide 2017.
>> Favorite Books Read in 2016  |  My top reads from 2016.
>> Happy Friday // 01  |  A new series to share gratitude and inspiration from the week.
>> What Steps Can You Take Today to Achieve Your Goals?  |  Taking daily steps to achieve goals.
>> Anticipated YA Releases of 2017 (January – June)  |  YA novels to keep an eye out for in the first half of 2017.
>> Happy Friday // 02  |  Gratitude and inspiration from the week.
>> Book Tour // This Is Not Over by Holly Brown  |  An online battle ensues between a temporary renter and a host.
>> Current Skincare Routine  |  The skincare products that recently cleared up my skin.
>> Happy Friday // 03  |  Gratitude and inspiration from the week.
>> 25 Creatives to Follow On Instagram  |  A list of artists, bloggers and other creatives to follow.
>> Happy Friday // 04  |  Gratitude and inspiration from the week.

What adventures did you have in January and what’s on your Reverse Goals List?

[Tweet ”  Sharing: a peek at January in photos and a reverse goals list. #goals #lbloggers”]:

About Crystal

About Crystal

Hi! I'm Crystal, a millennial learning how to live slowly and sustainably, while still seeking adventure and following my dreams, etc.

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Happy Friday // 04
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15 comments

  1. Leslie Nichole says:
    January 31, 2017 at 10:01 am

    I like the idea of a reverse list, that’s a fun idea. Wow, it seems like you were a busy one this month. Aww, your little sweetheart is adorable!

    Reply
    1. Crystal @ Dreams, etc. says:
      February 14, 2017 at 2:36 pm

      Thank you! It was nice to see how much I accomplished and to be happy with that instead of stressing over a list of goals at the beginning of the month. 🙂 Thank you! She’s always the highlight of my day.

      Reply
  2. Sarah Prince says:
    January 31, 2017 at 11:43 am

    I think even working out just 3-4 days a week is a huge win. Be glad of how much exercise you DID get done!
    sarahbethprince.com

    Reply
    1. Crystal @ Dreams, etc. says:
      February 14, 2017 at 2:37 pm

      Thank you for the encouragement! Yeah… it can be so hard to fit exercise in. I used to get upset if I didn’t work out for at least an hour most days of the week, but even these half hour workouts throughout the week feel so good! 🙂

      Reply
  3. Charlotte says:
    January 31, 2017 at 11:51 am

    LOVE the idea of a reverse bucket list! And you’ve had quite a productive month!! Always love to see what’s happening in your neck of the woods (and your adorable puppy pics!!). Also way to go on the exercise front–that’s amazing! XOXO

    Reply
    1. Crystal @ Dreams, etc. says:
      February 14, 2017 at 2:37 pm

      Thank you Charlotte! I love being able to connect with you via our blogs. 🙂

      Reply
  4. My Urban Family says:
    January 31, 2017 at 12:18 pm

    My desk is looking like your before photo of yours… I really should add that to my todo list this week. It’s another thing on the list, but I always work so much better when it’s clean and organized instead of working in the chaos!

    Reply
  5. Chelsea Jacobs says:
    January 31, 2017 at 12:46 pm

    Pictures of dogs in chairs will NEVER get old. So cute!

    Reply
  6. Becky @ Disney in your Day says:
    January 31, 2017 at 1:32 pm

    I love the idea of reverse goals! I’m still doing goals at the beginning of the month but I’m trying to break them down into very specific, manageable bits and pieces that I can really tackle.

    Reply
  7. Neely says:
    January 31, 2017 at 2:53 pm

    Reverse goals! Love it! Looks like a wonderful month!

    Reply
  8. Tayler says:
    January 31, 2017 at 7:44 pm

    Your dog looks so cute! And those coffees! Beautiful!

    Reply
  9. Debora Dahl says:
    January 31, 2017 at 11:19 pm

    That is a great list. I still havent made to the gym this year! So bad! You have such a cute dog!

    http://www.deboradahl.com

    Reply
  10. Aishwarya says:
    February 1, 2017 at 5:48 am

    Firstly, loved your desk! This is such a fun post! 🙂

    Reply
  11. Erin of Very Erin says:
    February 1, 2017 at 11:16 am

    I love the idea of this post, you accomplished a lot!

    Reply
  12. Autumn @ Stay gold Autumn says:
    February 7, 2017 at 11:09 pm

    Your puppy is always so darling! I love how you contribute to yourself with writing classes and webinars. I hope you keep having an amazing year 🙂

    Reply

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hi!

I'm Crystal, the storyteller behind Dreams, etc. I'm all about learning how to live slowly & sustainably, while also seeking adventure as we follow our dreams, etc.

May 2023. Savannah, Georgia. Lots of Mina. Lots of May 2023. Savannah, Georgia. Lots of Mina. Lots of new growth on plants.
The other day I realized that there is no Savannah The other day I realized that there is no Savannah on my feed and…well, Savannah is beautiful and needs to be there. These were taken in Lafayette Square on my second day in Georgia.
Picture it. It’s the day after Thanksgiving. I d Picture it. It’s the day after Thanksgiving. I didn’t go on my weekly dam walk earlier in the week when I was excited about it. On this day I was tired after a long week and my least favorite holiday. My bed was oh so comfortable. I forced myself to roll out of bed and journey to the dam. It was filled with people and I was pokey…taking my time to get there and even journeying down one of the other paths to avoid walking across the dam. (Which isn’t long.) I finally joined the crowd and walked across. And then came back, happy to have made my weekly journey. This is when the top layer of the water started to freeze.
From March: an old mini vlog from a bagpipe rock c From March: an old mini vlog from a bagpipe rock concert, which is mostly me trying the say bagpipe rock. Some word combinations are hard! 😂 There was a sign asking us not to film, which is why there’s no concert footage.
Some of my weekly dam walks have been therapeutic Some of my weekly dam walks have been therapeutic and while the walks haven’t fixed the problems, they’ve help me breathe and connect with the world and relieve stress. 💕
April 2023. We got more snow, but it also melted. April 2023. We got more snow, but it also melted. The dam was almost overflowing. The animals are beginning to emerge. Spring is here!
Happy Independent Bookstore Day! After a coffee st Happy Independent Bookstore Day! After a coffee stop (of course) a friend and I checks out two indie bookstores that we have never been to before. I definitely want to go back to Uncle Hugo’s and Uncle Edgar’s! Did you do anything for #independentbookstoreday

#indiebookstore #indiebookshop
After watching some shopping ASMR videos I had to After watching some shopping ASMR videos I had to try it.

#asmr #groceryshopping #groceryshop  #asmrvideos
I’m a little behind in weekly dam walk reels. Le I’m a little behind in weekly dam walk reels. Let’s go back to the third week in November when there was just a little snow on the ground and the footprints in the snow seemed notable.
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