Allow me to state the obvious here…this is the first post I’ve penned for the blog in 10 whole months. I took a huge step back from a lot of things in life in order to prioritize myself and continue to build on the inner work I started back in August of 2021. I think at the time I was worried about where this would leave me and this space, but sitting down now with such a clear mind it just feels right and natural.

There’s something about Virgo season that really agrees with me. The tidying and to-do lists, the organizing, a renewed sense of focus moving into fall–it all checks out. I’m a Cancer Sun, Capricorn Moon, and Libra rising, but I swear I had Virgo in my chart in another life.

And it’s no secret I’ll use any excuse to pick up a new paper product or a fresh pack of pens.

I spent a good chunk of time back in January mapping out what I wanted this year to look and feel like and while I never shared openly, I’ve been chipping away at things. 

I listened to the audiobook of Atomic Habits to kick off the new year (also bought the hardcopy to read) and have since implemented so many of the key takeaways based on James Clear’s idea that goals set the direction and systems are best for making progress. I’m very much an ideas person but that only gets you so far.

With the shift into a new season, I naturally found myself checking in with where I’m at, reassessing and tweaking where needed. I’ve removed some items from my original list completely and omitted a few others in the below that were too personal or involved other people. I know allowing for more fluidity overall has been hugely instrumental when it comes to the strides I’ve made.

Some of these are ongoing and have since become habits that I don’t have to give much thought to, others I’m continuing to work on, and there are a few one and done’s.

Read on for my {updated} intentions, priorities, goals, and rewards.

Starting with the two things I’m most proud of, both of which have caused a huge trickle-down affect allowing for growth in ways I never imagined possible.

OVERALL WELLNESS

MIND/BODY/MOVEMENT

• Continue to live life without alcohol ✅
• Start working with a trauma therapist ✅
• Keep working toward healing what started out as gut issues (and because nothing with the body and mind work in isolation…a myriad of other health issues that have come along with a dysregulated nervous system) 
• Implement the behaviors that regulate circadian rhythm and positively impact my overall health ✅
• Take one mental health day/month 
• Log my strength workouts in Train Heroic ✅
• Be able to do a strict pull-up by EOY
• Increase ankle dorsiflexion 
• Focus on my form and advocate for myself in classes/listening to my body and not letting my ego get in the way if something isn’t serving me that day ✅

PERSONAL

• Consume more through reading, listening to audiobooks & podcasts that interest me (I really like habit stacking with treadmill walks to get light movement in while I listen to break up my WFH days) ✅
• Take more pictures with the people I love ✅
• Less food waste ✅
• Visit NYC at Christmastime 
• Get my drivers license

MONEY

FINANCIAL HEALTH

• Move my checking account over to Capital One. I’ve been putting this off for the longest time but it needed to be done/I wanted to streamline things a bit ✅
• Set up a better tracking system for medical expenses (to be used for my HSA later in life) ✅
• Put a system in place to keep better tabs on taxes to help maximize my return
• Create a system to track credit card rewards and ensure I’m maximizing the cash back offerings ✅
• One late/no show fee max per quarter at Ethos and/or other workout studios ✅
• Don’t let lifestyle creep happen, especially with inflation ✅
• Start using a rewards program since I spend all my money at the grocery store these days. Fetch Rewards couldn’t be easier. I just scan my receipts as they come in and earn points toward gift cards. You can use code DM6Q85 to get the sign-up bonus (you’ll have to manually enter this in and then scan your first receipt–takes two seconds!). The points can be cashed in for gift cards at Amazon and other retailers. Side note: I’ve been updating my Amazon shop (the book section is my favorite) ✅

INVESTING/SAVING

• Set up My Wealth Dashboard. I’m a very visual person and this spreadsheet is so well-done. I also purchased the Expense Tracker. There are several add-on financial trackers, depending on your goals and needs! 
• Hit my IRA ✅, 401k, HSA ✅ , savings goals, etc. ✅
• Take an investing course

PROFESSIONAL

WORK

• Surpass 2021 income ✅
• Find a new contract position that allows me to work in a less stressful state. ✅ I can’t say enough good things about the relationship I have with my recruiter. I’m happy to connect you if you’re looking for consultant/project-based work or a direct hire role in the creative, digital, and/or marketing space. Just end me an email along with your resume to jessica.zimlich@gmail.com 🙂 

BLOG

• Improve Reels/Tiktok content
• Keep my Amazon storefront up-to-date ✅
• Create content that sparks conversation in the comment section of my blog and Instagram (admittedly, i’m hoping to move away from DMs)
• Secure 3 long-term brand partnerships in the wellness space

REWARDS

• Invest in the OuraRing to track my sleep and get a better understanding of my overall health and how the choices I make in my day to day effect me on a deeper level ✅
• Get a new tattoo. I have something in mind and *think* I finally found the person I’d like to commission a piece from! She’s in Europe, so I’m looking for someone who does fine line/single needle tattoos in Chicago now (and is taking new clients)
• Get an astrology reading from The Modern Astrologer

Again, this isn’t the entirety of what I set out to do as I kept some of the super personal things just for myself, but I hope it serves as inspiration if you are looking to make the most of the coming months!

If there’s anything you’d like me to expand on in other blog posts, let me know.

Alright, your turn. Talk to me down in the comments 🙂