Hi, friends! I took a little break last week to organise my thoughts and make some plans for the new year. I spent a lot of time jotting down ideas and made some goals for my blog, Etsy shop, social media, and my personal life. Do you pick a word of the year? I typically don’t choose a word of the year, but one word kept coming to me as I went through this process. GROW!
word of the year – grow
What initially brought the word to mind was, of all things, one of my fiddle leaf fig plants. I’ve had two real fiddle leaf fig plants for several months and they both have failed to grow. I moved one of them into my office in the fall and it bit the dust over the holidays! Totally dead and gone! I thought the other would soon follow, but as I was cleaning up my Christmas decor, look what I saw!
To my amazement, there was a shoot of new growth! Seeing this got me thinking about the word grow and how I want to grow in so many areas of my life. I made this little definition print for you and me to remember how I chose the word grow as my 2018 word of the year!
grow printable
Here are some goals I’ve set for myself this year to help me grow.
Blog
- Be more consistent with my posts – have a weekly schedule that is planned in advance.
- Make it a priority to reply to comments and answer questions.
- Make some technical improvements that are needed.
Etsy Shop
- Work on new products that are easier to produce and ship.
- Find alternative ways to produce products.
- Update shop design.
Social Media
- Engage more with you on facebook and instagram.
- Do facebook lives on my Facebook Behind the Scenes group with tutorials and glimpses into everyday life.
- Set limits for myself on how much time I spend on social media.
Personal Life
- Spend more time in God’s word and prayer
- Make time to connect more with my family and friends
- Focus on health – get active and make healthy food choices.
This is just a basic outline of the goals that I’ve made for myself. I have pages and pages of ideas and plans written down that I can’t wait to implement! Growth can be slow or fast, but more than anything, I want to have consistent growth.
It’s a new year and a fresh start! Let’s make 2018 a year to
Grow in Grace * Live by Faith * Walk in Love
Debbie Rhoades
Thursday 18th of January 2018
Doreen, I love your word of the year! That is so wonderful how your plant surprised you that way. I am interested in anything you want to teach us on the tutorials. I am not really good at DIY but with your projects, you make things look do-able. I have purchased a pillow cover and also a hymn print also. Love your Etsy products! I never miss your blog.
Doreen Cagno
Friday 19th of January 2018
Thanks so much, Debbie! Working on some easy and quick DIY's for this year!
Claudia
Thursday 18th of January 2018
Thanks for your hard work here, Doreen! So I’m battling a nasty flu bug and deleted every blog notification but yours! Your blog is beautiful and while we are extremely limited in finances, I still feel like your decorating is for me too! You are very accessible and relational and it’s always a treat to see Hymns and Verses in my inbox! Thank you!
Doreen Cagno
Thursday 18th of January 2018
Thanks so much for this comment, Claudia! I totally get the limited finances! So been there and still am to some degree! I really want to share more of how to decorate on a budget - because I've done it most of my life! Lots of experience from this girl, ha, ha! I'm always trying to figure out if I can make something for less! It can be a fun challenge! Thanks for being here!
Janna
Tuesday 16th of January 2018
Hello Doreen, I discovered your blog jut recently, it's definitely a favorite, I love your clean crisp style! I've been looking for a vibrant print for pillows, and I absolutely love the rich magenta colors in the floral pillows you show in your summer home tour! Would you be willing to share where you found that print? I didn't see them in your resource guide. Thank you, keep up the beautiful inspiration! Janna
Doreen Cagno
Thursday 18th of January 2018
Hi, Janna. I so wish I could give you a link, but I actually made those pillows from fabric I found at Joann Fabric. I checked online and didn't see it. It was last spring and I found it in the apparel fabric, so it's not even a true home decor fabric. But, like you, I fell in love with those bright colors!
Christina
Tuesday 16th of January 2018
Thanks for sharing, Doreen! I want to let you know again, that I believe reading and enjoying your blog adds value to my life. Our time is precious, and at least for me, I try to limit my time online to things that will really add something to my life and not just "waste time." I can see that you're a fantastic lady, and I look forward to learning more from you this year!
Doreen Cagno
Tuesday 16th of January 2018
Your comment means the world to me, Christina! Thank you for being here! Blessings to you in 2018!
Norma Rolader
Tuesday 16th of January 2018
Love love your word grow...so much meaning to this word! Love your saying: I love Grow in Grace, Live by Faith, Walk in Love. I am looking forward to see what you have for us in 2018... God bless