A new year has arrived, which has had me thinking a lot about what I want the next 365 days (and beyond) to look like. I’ve reflected on all of the wonderful things that life brought me in 2014. On the other hand, I’ve also taken time to recognize those things that could have gone better, or as some may say “areas of improvement”. As I worked to define my 2015 resolutions I found myself alone with my thoughts, my computer and the good ol’ worldwide web. In that moment I stumbled upon a quote on Pinterest:

“My best project for this year is working on me.”

Bam. That’s just it. From another lens, people may look at my life and assume it’s perfect. Well, let me let you in on a little secret. There are a few things that I, The Jeweler’s Wife, could work on. I have no shame in admitting that I have flaws, in fact they define who I am. That said, as I look to 2015, here are some things that I hope to accomplish. You know, to create a better me.

Set More Goals: Ideally I would love to start every single day with specific goals. I’ve always been a bit obsessive about keeping a running to-do list, but this is different. It’s less about completing tasks and more about nurturing myself, as well as those around me. Imagine how different life could be if you crossed off things like “make someone smile today” from your daily list, versus “pick up the dry cleaning”. Even the thought is refreshing.

Eat Real Food: It sounds so simple, but as many of us know, getting your hands on non-processed, non-modified food can be a challenge these days. As a busy working mother, I’m certainly not striving for perfection, but every little bit counts. From taking more time to read labels to making things from scratch, in 2015 I’m committed to feeding my family and myself more delicious, nurturing, and real foods.

Hug The Ones I Love: Aside from the obvious bonus of bonding with those people that are most important to me, I’ve also heard a lot about the health benefits of those oh-so-enjoyable daily squeezes. Research shows that a simple embrace can help you reduce stress, lower your blood pressure and even improve your memory. For results like that I might just turn into a hugging machine. Watch out.

Show Off: No, I’m not talking about singing loudly in the store, or sharing every detail of my life on Facebook. I’m talking about showing others the very best version of me. Through my actions and the words that I choose, I want the compassionate, spunky, grateful spirit inside of me to shine. While we’re all bound to have challenging days, I’m determined not to let them get in the way of what I’m putting out there.

As I look at these goals and imagine the possibilities, I feel good about what 2015 has to offer. In fact, I’m excited. When you think about what you want to accomplish over the next 365 days, what’s at the top of your list