I told you on Sunday that today I would share more about living with intention. Happy New Year!
Interested in knowing how I rang in the new year? In my super comfy bed, cozy and warm, sleeping. Seriously. New Year’s Eve has never been my thing because I am a total introverted homebody who loves quiet, calm, and waking up in the super early mornings to start a fresh day.
And here we are, super early in the day on January 1, 2019.
This is, by far, the most amazing I have felt on a January 1 in years. And guess what? This is also the first year I don’t have some big food or fitness goal. It’s true, it’s awesome, and I’m feeling freer and happier than ever before.
Again, don’t misunderstand this for some easy path getting here and/or that I’m not still on my own journey. I for sure am, but I can tell you, without doubt, that I am in a far different place then ever before.
2019 Vision Board
On Sunday I completed my 2019 Vision Board. I have made one other in my entire life. That was in 2017, and I called it a Manifestation Board. So as to avoid being complex, I went back to the basics of calling it a Vision Board.
Every last thing put on this board was done with 100% intent. I have been crafting and creating this, silently, since sometime around September/October. Why then?
You guys expect me to be real with you. So I will today.
Everyone thinks that the key to healing the gut lies in the food we eat and/or don’t eat, that you’ll find it through supplements and medication. Or even that you might find it in a magical herb, spice, or latest beverage.
It’s not.
I mean, that’s part of it.
The secret to gut healing; long, true, and lasting healing is that you uncover every last drop of underlying mental and physical issue carrying too much weight on your shoulders.
Do you remember what #47 on my gut holiday wish list was? Well here’s your reminder:
Therapist. And last, but certainly not least, ask for some money for Christmas or do this one as a gift for yourself. Get a therapist, if you haven’t already. Everyone thinks that the most important thing in healing the gut is food, supplements, and medication. I’m here to tell you, 1,000% that, while YES those are so important, the missing piece to the puzzle is almost always a lifestyle component. It’s why I advocate for people to work 1-on-1 with me, but also to see a professional therapist to work through the toughest and roughest pain points in your life. Your life could change.
Massive gut healing and all the inspiration in the world for the Vision Board transpired because I (finally) took the chance on a therapist in September/October.
Telling you that is scary, but acting like I am doing all of this on my own with diet and supplements and medication would be painting a false picture. What you see on a blog is always only half the story, and without sharing this piece of information for you, I would be doing you far less favors for your own healing efforts.
You must know and believe (and act upon) that dealing with every last thing possible is critical if healing is your main prerogative for 2019 and beyond.
So with that, and with the work I did, intention was the only word that made full sense. Because remember from my post My One Word Intention, “a thing intended; an aim or plan” + “the healing process of a wound.”
So much and all the “Yes.”
Living with Intention
Click HERE to save this post for later.
I started writing my most important things on page one of the new Bullet Journal. The first couple were futuristic statements. I stopped, noted that I was being careless and thoughtless with them. I proceeded on. Each statement after those initial two begins as such, “I am…..” or “I have…..” In other words, they have been accomplished vs. wishful thinking that they might become accomplished.
When we are conscious about the things we say and do, our intentions for carrying them through magnify.
Here is my board.
If you go to my Instagram Stories, you’ll see a bubble in the highlight reel called, “VisionBoard2019.” I talk about this board and you can see more of it up close. People started messaging asking questions about it. Here are the answers:
- I cut out pieces primarily from these magazines: Mantra Wellness Magazine, Experience Life Magazine, Delicious Living, and Entrepreneur.
- For all the nice quotes and pieces, I picked them up at Hobby Lobby (has 1,000% replaced Michael’s for me).
- I used THESE journaling pens (also used them for my new 2019 Bullet Journal, which I’ll also share with Y’all soon).
I’ll go through various pieces for context and so that my 2019 intentions and goals visible so I can come back to them anytime (also so that if any of them inspire you, that you’ll adopt them, too).
Overarching Intentions
Some of these don’t fit into a single category, but instead, all categories; over my entire life.
The year of the story.
My goal is to journal this year of intention and growth daily. I want this for me, but I also want to document it in case I can share it around this time next year to help inspire someone else.
Faith.
“I read the Bible daily, and I journal it.” I have said I was going to read the entire Bible in a year for years. I have yet to. This year it’s non-negotiable. A friend did it last year with THIS Bible. Her thoughts and words around the year of doing it inspired me so much that I put it on my priority list. I have it plus a journal to go along with it.
Joy.
Creating this in and with everything that has to do with Ryan and the children. I want this for them, mostly, and I want us all to find it in the everyday moments, whenever and however we can.
Little things.
My Bullet Journal states, “I make my bed daily.” Think it’s crazy that I even have to put that? This is about making my bed daily, but it’s also about more than that. It’s about the little things; doing them right away vs. procrastinating until later. Remember when I wrote Healing vs. Wholeness? I mentioned, “Through Terri, I heard very clearly on Friday night that in order to address this and a whole host of other things, I need to –> Clean Up and Clean Out.” Read her book. It starts with making your bed in the morning, and then staying dedicated to very small things in life.
Health Intentions
Organic and tasty.
Be open to continuously trying new meals and recipes from cookbooks I might not typically choose, then making them in my own way. For example, I got Joanna Gaines’ book, “Magnolia Table.” She uses a lot of Vegetable Oil, which I never would – so just enjoying the recipes for what they are; swapping wherever I choose.
Plant-Based Kitchen.
Staying on the Flirting Vegetarian path. All of my heavy-meat eaters out there; go for it. There is no shame, and you always have to do whatever you must to feel your best. But right now, eating this way is changing my health (and my skin, by the way).
Healthy experiments.
What if, instead of setting huge fitness goals (spoiler alert for below: I’m not), you just set mini monthly healthy challenges? That’s exactly what I’m doing. I’ve set the goals for January – March. Here they are: January – 1 cup of hot water + lemon daily, February – lay still + 100% silent for 2 minutes per day (and YES, this will be insanely difficult for me), and March – 25 Burpees a day. Again, I’ll journal this all throughout the year.
To eat, drink and thrive.
Last year I started January with no sugar. If you need that, you should. I don’t. In fact, I need zero restrictions and no diets currently. I believe that once you start healing, this should be the ultimate goal for thriving.
Radially transform & renew your skin. Loved finding this statement. I’m going to continue doing this through diet and lifestyle.
Clean beauty.
I use Beautycounter 95% of the time. My latest find that is incredible is the Overnight Resurfacing Peel. Life. Changing. (It even comes in a travel size now.) And it’s not just me saying that. My goal is to continue using and sharing everything about safer personal care items, skincare, makeup, etc. Yes, it’s very important.
Fitness Intentions
Rethinking fitness.
During the past three months of Rest, I learned so much. Namely, I learned that I am never going to be some insanely talented athlete and, at almost 36 with a million other passions, I don’t need to be. I believe SIBO stays best at bay when fitness is approached sanely. I still want to trail run and do the Medtronic 10K, but beyond that, no more long-distance running.
Functional and interval training.
Instead, workouts will be more functional and interval by nature. My goal is no longer “How great can be?” And “How much can I do?” But instead, “What is the least amount I can do and still feel healthy and strong?” On my goal list are intervals to achieve a sub-6 minute mile, Jess’ new program Functional Fitness Defined (starting today) and then strength stuff (doing a version of Courtney’s Booty Program).
When it fits.
You might have read both of those and thought, “That’s still so much!” But it’s not. Rarely will you find me in the gym or doing workouts at home that are longer than 30 minutes anymore and usually only 4 days max per week. I have cut it down so much, and believe it or not, I think I’m happier and healthier for it.
Professional Intentions
What’s a FODMAP?
I’ve been saying it for a long time now, but the rise in SIBO diagnoses is going to continue spiking. My passion is helping women who are diagnosed with it understand every last thing about it that I can, and then heal as much as possible. My goal is to have Reasonable SIBO done by mid-February.
Content
Teaching.
Health Coaches reach out to me constantly about growing their own online business. I graduated from the school in 2012. I have finally caught my step and found my place, so now I just want to share exactly how I did it and help someone from there to here, too. It’s a new service I’m offering in 2019!
My business.
I’m going to really focus on it this year. I have growth goals set with action steps mapped out in my Bullet Journal to help me reach them. I have created spreadsheets and ideas, metrics and inspirations in various places to help see this through to success. This is going to be the year of doing for intentional business growth. I have a list of courses, classes, etc. I want to do. Never stop learning. It’s part of what makes business so exciting for me!
Makers gonna make.
I’m a natural creator at heart. I love to create, make, produce, and live in this bubble of creation and inspiration. I won’t stop. Makenzie calls it, “Spreading my glitter….”
Quittin’ time.
Know when it’s quittin’ time. Evaluations on every last piece of my professional life. Where I’m not finding joy, inspiration, and where I am finding negativity and bogged down stressors, I will remove.
Personal Intentions
Make a Vision Board..
Well, looks like I got this one down. I’m still undecided if I’ll keep this at the home office or my studio (thinking the latter)
Truth. Being honest with myself and others.
Grace.
Giving myself this.
The life you want.
What is this? Living the life I want and helping others do the same vs. living the life we think we should live in order to be, do, say, accomplish XYZ. Big difference.
And now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good.
Ahhhhhh……when I saw this, I started dancing. Actually, I didn’t, but felt like it. Perfection has always been my enemy.
A new diet for digestive wellness. And there she is, the most perfect and sound diet I’ve ever experienced for digestive wellness. I already discussed this at the beginning of this post. It’s not a diet.
Give.
My Bullet Journal states, “I am involved with a charity to do with less-fortunate children or I start one.” I have been wanting to do this for awhile, but I’ve felt stuck with where and what. We will continue giving, and I have dreams of starting an Adoption Support Group for those who do foster-adoption or straight adoption. I’ve seen the need for this so much during this past year.
Start each day with a grateful heart.
No matter what, there is always something to be grateful for. The more we practice it, the better life naturally becomes.
Find your inner calm. This is another secret to unlocking your best life for living, loving, and healing.
You gotta stop watering dead plants.
And last, but not least, yes, yes, and more yes. I found this sticker, and I plopped it up right away. No use in keeping something alive if there is no chance of it coming to life again. The first step in this, though, is discovering what those (already) dead plants. The truth is that some are not dead, they are just sick and tired and need reviving. You hear me?!
Look like a lot? It’s actually not. There are no real “I-have-to-hit-it-hard-goals.” Most important in all of this is the word, “Intention.” With and in everything I do, there has to be intention, mindfulness, thought, and reason. And I have to journal the year of this intentional growth.
And with that, I’m off to read and write in silence for awhile.
I’d love for you to share with me in the comments section if any of this resonates with you, if you’ll adopt one or more of mine, and/or if you did a 2019 Vision Board.
Xox,
SKH
You will heal. I will help.
Enjoyed the reading today. Very encouraging.
Thank you! Xox
Aligned with you 100% felt so inspired by your vision board i made my own. ❤️????????
Love it! Xox
Yes, girl! So much of this makes sense. I started my vision board last week and am going to try to finish it up this week. I am so glad I found you on instagram- I have already learned so much!
So happy to hear it, Megan! Xox
Loved your first article of 2019! Tons resonates with me! My journey has been a long hall… I was diagnosed with ibs in my early twenties, I’m turning 49 this Year and the last couple months of 2018 were absolutely pivotal for me!!!! I stated out 2018 with an airflight to a hospital! Among many other health issues my sodium level tends to run low, a year ago it dropped so low I earned a four day stay in the icu! Sick and tired of always being sick and tired I began my climb back up from the depths of my personal hell after my hospital stay and set my intent to finally get to the bottom of my health issues. A year later I’m a whole new person and 2019 is going to be the year i really start living again! I have learned so much in just the last fee months of 2018! Started the FODMAP diet mid October and it’s been a gamer changer!
I also adopted a son I fostered, and would love to hear your ideas on a support group and share mine with you as well. (I suffered with infertility issues, too)
Going to start my vision board TODAY! Thanks for reminding what a great tool they can be!
Sarah, may you be extremely blessed this new year!
Love and light, Christine ????❤
Oh wow! So many things in common, Christine. Thank you for sharing. How scaring being in the ICU. 2019 is going to be YOUR year! Xox
Thanks for your inspiring writing. There is so many take aways today. I am going to start with the mini monthly goals and some journaling.
Wonderful! Mini monthly goals are totally doable and you will achieve them. Keep at it, Jane! Xox
I’m piggy backing off your word—Intention. It fits how I have “always” tried to live my life but I’ve really slipped away from it over the past several years because of some changes in circumstances and feeling lost and discouraged. I have to intentionally get back to being intentional! My health, my relationship with God, my witness to others, my daily routine, my job in a high-stress medical/social office that helps abused, neglected, drug endangered children, children in foster care and their families and the most important/favorite people in my life (husband, 3 adult children, my extended family and a few friends) ALL will benefit from me being intentional. Joining your 21 day program is something I settled on as my first intentional step for myself in way too long. Another word I considered was SPEAK. I’m not one who is afraid to speak up, to speak Truth, to speak for those who need a voice on their side. But I also want to speak up for myself. I need to not let things go unsaid that are needing addressed. Of course I know I must be intentional and tactful, loving and full of grace when I speak, but I also must not be afraid to speak about things that are important to me. Thank you for pouring your heart into helping others!
I love this, Kristen! Speak is also such a great word. You can have 2 🙂 Xox
You are SUCH an inspiration to me, Sarah! I’m so thankful to have stumbled upon your instagram months ago. You’ve given me true hope that this will be the year I conquer my SIBO for good… The thing that resonates with me the most from this post is getting a therapist – it was just the push I needed to convince me that it’s THE missing piece I need in my healing journey. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you. P.S. I read the entire Bible in one year a few years ago and it was an amazing experience—highly recommend!
Awwwww…..THANK YOU, Reiley!!!!!! Xox
Thank you for sharing. I loved the “stop watering a dead plant” part. It is something I need to add to my own board.
But it’s SO true. Xox
I posted a big ol comment and now I don’t see it 🙁 Did it get lost!?!
No, I just have to approve it. Will now 🙂
Day One and I’m already feeling optimistic and inspired. I think about doing a Vision board every year. I also tell myself I’ll get back into journaling. My goal is to at least start my daily journaling again.
Good. I want you to feel all the inspiration in the world, lady! Xox
Thank you for your inspiration and intelligence!
Thanks for stopping by!
I received your 21day email today and followed it here to read your blog post about intention. The word intention has been on my mind for months and your post really resonated with me. But, what really grabbed me was the advice about seeing a Therapist. I will soon start seeing someone who was recommended to me because I know that my health issues will not be resolve solely through food changes, supplements, etc. I need to talk to someone who can help me make changes . Truthfully, I’m scared…of all of it. My history of sticking with things is not good…especially when it gets difficult. I will turn 70 in April and I want my remaining God-given years to be filled with vitality and health. Thank you Sarah.
Oh hugs, Eileen! Thank you for stopping by to share. My goal is to just be very transparent. Take care of you. Xox
I stumbled onto your account on Facebook and bought your book a week ago. I am so in love, and am very excited to start my healing process. I’m taking your quote, “now that you don’t have to be perfect, you can be good”. I’m a special education teacher, so there’s so many aspects of my life that I can apply it to.
Awwww…..LOVE this so much, Heather! One of my BFF;s (I talk about her sometimes on my blog) is also a Special Education teacher. Xox
I have now picked a word of the year….”Action”. I have always given everything I have to make everyone else happy. This year I am taking action to also make myself happy….health wise is my number one priority, then I am looking into going back to get my 4 year degree. To do all of this I need to take ACTION. Thank-you for sparking all sorts of goodness with me.
LOVE, LOVE, LOVE this, Cassie! You go 🙂 You can totally do it! Xox
I truly enjoy each and every post. You are an incredible human being and blessed to get a snip it of your special gift. So much of this post resonated with me. I will no long water dead plants! Thank you for taking the time to do this. You are appreciated. Xo
Don’t you dare water those dead plants 🙂 Xox
What a great read! I really enjoyed this post. It was refreshing and encouraging. Thank you for sharing.
Anytime! Xox
Wow! I waited until this evening to read the post. I can’t get over the coincidences that occurred for me. I just purchased a FODMAP book, I decided to kick off the new year with a renewed dedication to changing my work, and I chose the word “faith” for this year. Thanks for being one step ahead of me…which means I appreciate your guidance! Looking forward to this journey with you!
Yay!!! p.s. I have a SIBO/FODMAP e-book coming out soon —> REASONABLE SIBO 🙂 Xox
Thanks for this! I will be making a Vision Board next week Tuesday so that was exciting to see 🙂 I have so many goals now!
Yay! I’d love to see it, Melissa!
Thanks for adding me to the email list. I made a vision board for 2019 for myself (and have our Girl Scout troop and my daughter do the same!). One of my daughter’s goals is to eat more cookies ???? lol… she’s 11 ????. Two items on my vision board are to eat more veggies with breakfast and continue my strength training journey, but I really don’t have too much gut health related items. I’ve been doing well until about a week ago where symptoms have gotten worse. Hoping between your bible and my doc I can get on the right track.
All my very best, Rachael! I’m here to support you on your journey.