At the start of each month I like to set myself a list of goals for the coming weeks, a monthly bucket list if you will. I’ve found it really helps to keep me on track and by publishing it on the blog there’s an element of accountability that gives me the proverbial kick up the butt needed. The idea came from the lovely Beth at twinderlemo.co.uk who hosts a linky for this purpose each month and I’ve found it invaluable. I like to keep a mix of blog/family/life/home goals to keep life balanced. Each month I will quickly recap how I got on with the previous months goals before listing the goals for the month ahead.
This last month has been a very busy one and I didn’t achieve many of my goals, but we did have a great time together as a family and that’s the most important thing for me, so I’m counting it as a successful month.
April Goals Round-Up
Family
- Make the most of every weekend and get out and about. Done, I don’t think there has been a single weekend when we haven’t got out as a family.
- The Easter holidays are coming up so I’ll cut down the workload slightly so we can spend more time together and have lots of days out. Done, we had a great Easter. Read – Happy Days: Ending the Easter Holidays in Style
- M turns 8 at the end of the month so there’s a party to plan. Done, he went for a Minecraft theme! Read – Happy Days: Owls, Creepers and Zombies
- Arrange a Spa afternoon with my Mum. Nope.
Home
- Weed the front garden. Done (well, Hubby did it).
- Find a nice storage box/ottoman to contain the clutter in the bedroom (mainly all the wool I have for making this blanket). Not yet, although I know which one I’m going to order.
Blog
- Catch up on the all the blog comments I haven’t replied to yet. I always used to reply through the WordPress app on my phone or iPad but for some reason it’s stopped working this past month and now I’m so far behind. Epic fail, I haven’t been able to keep on top of this at all so think I’m just going to have to draw a line under old posts and start fresh this month.
- Set up my collaborative series. Not yet, but keep your eyes peeled next month.
- Write my posts for the Blogger Recognition Award and Versatile Blogger Award. No, really must get these done.
- Promote and expand the #funseekingkids Instagram community. Yes. The number of photos we have linked up each week is incredible.
- Take a break from the Words To Live By series over the Easter holidays. Yes, this is still on break but will be returning later in the month.
Me
- Continue meditating. My routine has slipped this past few weeks and I really need to get back to it as I notice such a difference when I make it a daily practice.
- Finish the book I started in March. Nope, I don’t think I’ve read anything this month!
- I’m going to aim for 3 crochet squares a day again and see if I can hit it this time. Epic fail, I think I managed about 10 squares total!
May Goals
Family
- Finally get L out of nappies. We’ve actually just started but we’re only a couple of days in and its not going too well yet. It’s making us realise just how easy we had it with M, he practically trained himself by age 2.
- Continue getting out every weekend, we are all feeling so much better for it and we are staggered at just how far L can walk.
Home
- Replace the boiler. We actually have someone coming to do this next week so a nice easy one to tick off.
- Buy an ottoman for the bedroom.
- Look into replacing the sink and cabinet in our bathroom as we hate the one in there at the minute.
Blog
- Keep up with all the comments this month.
- Set up my collaborative series.
- Write my posts for the Blogger Recognition Award and Versatile Blogger Award.
- get my old posts loaded to social oomph. I started using it about half way through last month and I am loving it.
- Try out Tailwind for Pinterest.
- Attend BlogOnMSI in Manchester!!!!!!!
Me
- Start meditating regularly again.
- be more mindful with children. You can read more about that in my post A Month Of Mindful Mothering: Can You Take On The Challenge
- Get back to crocheting or this blanket will never be finished. I’m aiming for 3 a day again.
- Start exercising AGAIN. Please don’t laugh, one of these days I might actually tick this one off!
How about you? How did you get on in April? Did you achieve all you set out to? What are your plans for May?
I love your monthly lists, they’re a great way to set goals and reflect on them! Thanks for joining us for #marvmondays
Fran Back With A Bump recently posted…Marvellous Mondays
Some challenging but realistic goals there I reckon (without knowing the ins-and-outs of your life of course!). I have never set myself monthly goals like this but I’m starting to wonder if I should…
(As an aside, the WordPress app has been a bit temperamental for me over the last couple of months too. Have you tried re-installing it? Sometimes that helps. Although I’m on Android…)
Angela Watling (Life, Motherhood and Everything) recently posted…What Little H did – 2.3 years
I love this list. I’ve been trying out mindful meditation for me and Amelia too recently, but like you my routine slipped for a couple of days. It’s been working so well and Amelia keeps asking for the talking man at bedtime haha!
Oops, forgot to let you know I’ve popped over from #MarvMondays
Aleena recently posted…Cross Stitch With Ella + Kat: Finding Time For Me
I love this idea! #DreamTeam
Heather Keet recently posted…I may never get out of bed again…
I had come across a few of your posts before, and I love them! My mind works exactly in the same way – with categories and bullet points underneath!!! And I love the accountability that the blog gives you – sounds like a perfect plan to me. Keep doing them. And good luck with your goals! I’ll start exercising if you do 😉 Thanks so much for linking up at #KCACOLS. Hope to see you again next time!
Sara recently posted…How to turn your bedroom into a place where you can relax
This is a great idea, so good that you’re honest when you haven’t achieved something but it’s a brilliant way to feel like you have done things, I love making a list and ticking things off! #KCACOLS
Mummy Lauretta recently posted…Me & Mine Project – April
You have some great goals set out – good luck with completing them. Happy May! #DreamTeam
Jade @ Captured By Jade recently posted…10 Spring Scavenger Hunt Printables
Eek I’m going to sign up for Blog on in Sept. You do sound like you have done a lot hun. I so need to meditate more. Hope getting your boiler goes ok. Thanks for sharing with #bestandworst x
Sarah Howe recently posted…Best and Worst Week #92
Wow, I love this idea of you monthly bucket list. I’m partial to these kinds of posts. That’s so great that L is nearly out of nappies, I was a little sad when my little one did. Last bit of being a baby. You have lots of good thing to look forward to in may! #BestAndWorst
Ahhhh I can’t wait to meeting you at BlogOn!!! You sound so busy too. I need to try Tailwind out but never get round to it! Xx #FamilyFun
Ahh good for you getting all the family time it’s totally worth it. Definitely draw a line under the comments, I’ve got past the point of replying to all and just replying to those that ask a question or deserve some sort of response! Look out for me at BlogOn! I’ll be hanging out with SquirmyPopple eating cake! Thank you for linking up to the #familyfunlinky it’s always a pleasure 😀
Karen | TwoTinyHands recently posted…Painting on the #FamilyFunLinky
What a great idea. We should all be so organized and set monthly goals for ourselves. #MarvMondays
That’s a good bucket list. I need to get back into my good meditating habits again. I’ve really let that one slide recently. I’d be lost without my WordPress app so I’m not surprised you’re struggling without it. I hope you get it working again soon. #coolmumclub
Briony recently posted…Feeling Calm #61
A few of these are on my to do list too! I’m shocking with replying to comments – I let myself off by thinking i can’t do everything 😐
We also need to do potty training aargh! Maybe ext month 😉
Thank for linking to #coolmumclub
MMT recently posted…#coolmumclub Linky week 64
Keeping up with comments is hard especially when your comments are playing up!!! I am so fed up right now! Sounds like you had great family time and get that spa booked! Thank you for linking up to #ablogginggoodtime 🎉
Thank you, it’s a real pain. Cant figure out how to fix it either!
I am loving the mindful mothering challenge! I think I may need to add this to my to do list, although we should finally be moving house this month so all bets are off! 😉 It sounds like you have a brilliant and productive month linked up! Hope you have a brill time at Blogon. Thanks for linking up to #DreamTeam x
Thank you. Moving house is a pretty exciting, good luck x
I hope the party went well! I’m going to BlogOn I hope to meet you 🙂 x
Laura – dear bear and beany recently posted…A Snapshot of…April 2017
It did, thank you. Yay, will be great to meet you x
I love reading these posts – they give me some inspiration for the blog! So pleased you’ve been enjoying some lovely family time and well done for how well the IG #funseekingkids community is developing #familyfunlinky
Hayley@ Mission: Mindfulness recently posted…Giveaway: Win Tickets to The Mindful Living Show
Aww, thank you Hayley x
It can be hard keeping up with comments sometimes. I’ve had times when I’ve just had to draw a line under it and start again. Good luck with getting L out of nappies. I need to do this with Sophie sometime soon. Off to check out your Instagram community 🙂 #sharingthebloglove
Louise (Little Hearts, Big Love) recently posted…Friday Focus 05/05/17 – Being thankful for the here and now
I think it was the only way forward. Good luck when you take the potty training plunge, its actually gone really well so far (other than the first two days). See you on Insta x
I love the idea of a bucket list, maybe that should be the first item on mine: to find time to sit down and start a bucket list 🙂 #TheListLinky
Ha ha, I know that feeling x
Sounds like you had a great April! I love this idea for a monthly series, I may have to hop on the bandwagon! I wish you all the luck with this months goals!
Sarah recently posted…15 Movies That Will Mess With Your Mind
Thank you, it certainly helps me x
Sounds like you have a lot of things to occupy you this month. Good luck. #MarvMondays
Ha ha, just one or two. Thank you x
Well done on getting out every weekend, it makes family time special. Keep going with L and the toilet training, she will soon master it #fabfridaypost
Fiona Cambouropoulos recently posted…Country Kids 6th May 2017
It really does, we’re all having such a great time at the minute. Toilet training is going brilliantly now thankfully x
It’s great that you are getting family time. It is so hard isn’t it – blogging & family balance. I did tried social oomph once – a long time ago but it wasn’t for me. I can’t remember why. Perhaps, it all changed for the better now. Let me know how you get on with Tailwind. Thank you for linking up with us on #FabFridayPost xx
Su {Ethan & Evelyn} recently posted…#FabFridayPost #82 {05.05.17}
It’s definitely a juggling act. I’m loving social oomph so far but haven’t got around to Tailwind just yet.
I love reading your bucket lists. I’m sure you will continue to succeed in what you put your mind too. I’ve yet to start a monthly list, I just have a multitude of lists! Thanks for linking up with us at #FabFridayPost
Sarah TheRealLaraShoe recently posted…How to make Geodes
Aww, thank you x
Ooh have fun at Blogon! I would love to go to that, but it’s just so far from Cornwall. I’m doing Britmums again this year though 🙂
Stevie x #MonthlyBucketList
Stevie recently posted…Photos of Cornwall with Lost Without A Name
Thank you, I’m really excited. I’m the same in that Britmums is too far for me too x
This looks like a great way to keep track of everything (I love a list!) I find it so difficult to manage everything (especially the blogging stuff) #SharingtheBlogLove
mymummymanual recently posted…Baby, Mummy and The Blog – Seven month update
Helps keep me on track (most of the time), even if it does mean rushing through everything in the last week when I realise I have to write up how I got on x
The trouble with weeding at this time of year is that as soon as you’ve done it it needs doing again! #marvmondays
Crummy Mummy recently posted…#MySundayPhoto
Very true, may as well leave it then, he he x
Right now I am trying to get caught up on blog stuff so I am not on the computer so much! Plus hubby and I are actually getting away for our anniversary (by ourselves!) next weekend, so I don’t want to have anything to worry about. 🙂 Other than that, we still have some flowers and herbs we need to plant in the garden and get our tent ready for camping!
Alicia Owen recently posted…Softbums Diaper & Leggings Giveaway
Ooh, Happy Anniversary. Hope you had a great time, it always feels so naughty going away without the kids doesn’t it x
Loved how you actually set goals for yourself. Beyond Meal planning every Sunday night I set too many other goals that I don’t get to tick off as many as I should. Maybe your way will motivate me!!! Good Read though:)
Samar AlHajjaj recently posted…Tribute to Moms
Thank you, hope you tick off a few more this month x
Popping back to say thank you for joining us at #SharingtheBlogLove
I have gotten a little behind with my commenting this week, I am trying hard to catch up, which means I am not getting a lot of writing done!
#KCACOLS
Glad I’m not the only one! x
I love bucket lists! Great ideas. I really need to get back into the For myself #KCACOLS
Amie recently posted…Stay At Home vs. Working Mum
Thank you x
This is a great list of goals. I really should set up something like this but I never stick to doing it. I am also behind on my blogger recognition post too and have been tagged twice now#kcacols
Tracey Bowden recently posted…The All New Beauty and the Beast Belle Dolls
Ha ha, me too. It’s not writing it that’s the problem, it’s who to tag, I think everyone has had it now 😬
You sound incredibly organised!! With regards to the potty training, don’t worry too much. My daughter literally trained herself, her brother on the other hand had lots of false starts and we kept returning to nappies. In the end he took the lead just before he was 3. He clearly just needed more time. I will be less panicky with no3 🙂 #KCACOLS
Ha ha, thank you, I’m not sure my husband would agree. I’m definitely the least organised in this house 😬. After those first couple of days potty training has actually gone great, the odd accident every now and then but she’s mostly dry now during the day, just need to tackle the nights now 😬
Good luck on the potty training – it is my parenting nemesis! I am so bad at replying to comments, I really should start
I will see you at Blog On. I’ll be the greying ginger one – say hi!!
Beth @ Twinderelmo recently posted…Instagram Woes, Broadchurch and Parties #LittleLoves
Ha ha. Will be great to meet you x
Also just to let you know – your share buttons won’t let me share this post for some reason!
Beth @ Twinderelmo recently posted…Instagram Woes, Broadchurch and Parties #LittleLoves
Oh no 🙈. Thanks for the heads up, I’ll have a look x
What a fab idea to do a monthly bucket list! I set years goals and never get anywhere so will definately be giving this a go 🙂
Thank you. I never get anywhere when I set yearly goals either, it’s all too far off in the distance and easy to forget about and put off 😬
I’m terrible at keeping on top of blog comments, with working & toddler plus being shattered I just don’t do it as much as I should. Lots of great things on your list