This week, I was reflecting on how quickly the year is coming to an end.
I know, I know. It’s only October. But it may as well be December. The next 2 months will go by in a blur with all the holiday festivities and everyday life.
I wanted to give a little update on the goals I set at the beginning of this year. Some have been accomplished and some amended.
Family 
I originally wanted to go to my brother-in-law’s house in Vermont this year, but he ended up selling the house. We ended up on the beach in Cape May, NJ instead, and it was wonderful.
Faith
I have yet to complete this goal. At the start of the year, I had planned to look for a Bible study or life group at a different church since I am searching for a community that isn’t really available at my home church.
But then our home church restructured their programs and I started volunteering in one of the kids’ ministries. This has prevented me from checking out a Bible study group at another church so far.
I’m currently working through a Bible app study but it wasn’t what I was originally looking for. We’ll see if I figure this out before the end of 2024.
Friends
I’ve managed to keep up with a regular girls’ night, and with the addition of a book club, I’ve actually spent more time with friends than I originally planned. This one is definitely a checkmark!
Fitness
I really wanted to spend 2024 training for the Disney marathon so I can participate in the January 2025 race. When registration opened, however, the race filled up before we could enter.
So instead I settled for running most of the year and finishing with a half marathon race at Misquamicut Beach, RI. I spent so many hours running the last month of training that I couldn’t even imagine training for a full marathon.
I’m still so proud of my body for doing this!
I had some additional fitness goals that I’m still working on, so stay tuned!
Finance
Each year, I typically do 1-2 no-spend months. Often this includes the popular no-spend September, but time got away from me this year. Instead, I’m preparing for no-spend November!
Fun
The weather in my area cooperated this year, and we spent so much time at the beach! We invested in a paddleboard for our family, which combined with our friends’ kayaks and paddleboards has lead to a great deal of water-based fun.
I love summer, the sunshine, and the beach most of all, so this goal was definitely accomplished in my mind.
Feng shui
I definitely worked my way through my house at least twice this year (and more for some rooms). With the constant influx of items, it always feels so good to purge.
I am hoping to mount some pictures on the walls in our home before the end of the year to round out this annual goal.
AND while this doesn’t fit into one of my pre-established “year of Fs” categories, I’ve always wanted to go north to see the Northern Lights. There was an opportunity for us to see them in our area this year, though, and it was the coolest thing I’ve ever seen!
This was a fun family and friends project and I have plans to do it again in 2025. I’m already brainstorming ideas for the new year!