Navigating Change with Intention: Our 2015 Goals, Reflections, and Evolving Blog Strategy

As the calendar turns to a new year, it naturally brings a period of reflection, goal-setting, and a renewed sense of purpose. I’ve been holding onto a deeply personal post for some time, searching for the perfect moment to share it. With the fresh start of a new year upon us, a time when many of us are contemplating our aspirations and dreams, it feels like an ideal opportunity for a more introspective and candid discussion. While I plan to outline my goals for the upcoming year, much like I do annually (you can review past goals here), I also want to open up about some challenges and insights that have been weighing on my heart. My commitment to you has always been one of authenticity; I am a real person, navigating life’s complexities, and certainly don’t have everything figured out. The philosophy of embracing imperfection, which I often champion for DIY projects and home décor, extends much further into the fabric of everyday life. It’s a journey we’re all on, filled with learning and growth.

First and foremost, I cannot express enough how relieved I am to bid farewell to 2014! In all honesty, I hope never to experience another year quite like it. While we can’t predict the future, and faith reminds us that we are never given more than we can handle, 2014 presented an unusual array of trials. We faced our share of family illnesses, significant financial struggles, moments of despair, and misunderstandings. Yet, amidst these difficulties, there were also beautiful milestones to celebrate, such as two cherished graduations, precious family moments, and the unwavering support of amazing friends. We witnessed numerous prayers answered and experienced profound faith-building as the Lord provided for us in the tightest of circumstances. These moments of grace were truly the anchors that kept us grounded.

Despite these blessings, finding true enjoyment in daily life proved challenging for me last year. I confess, I am utterly exhausted, friends. It felt as though I spent the entire year in a perpetual state of frantic activity, constantly running around with endless tasks, like a chicken with its head cut off. You know those impressive year-end book lists many bloggers share – “I read 48 books in 2014!” or “I can’t believe I devoured 85 books last year!”? Well, guess how many I managed to read? A grand total of zero. Yes, a big, fat zero. (Unless, of course, you count the Bible, as I did diligently complete a yearly Bible reading plan, which I consider a significant plus!). What makes this particularly poignant is that I used to be a voracious reader. I minored in English in college and routinely read two to three books a month. I genuinely adore getting lost in a captivating story or absorbing knowledge from a non-fiction work. This stark reality reflects the overwhelming pace of my last year – rushed from dawn until dusk, with my only consistent goal being to find an hour or two to knit (one relaxing activity I did manage to make time for, even creating gifts with my creations) while watching TV with my family before bed. Even then, my reading often consisted of quickly scanning blog posts via Feedly to stay current and gather links to share, leaving no mental space or time for actual books.

Another popular topic circulating among writers and creatives right now is the art of saying ‘no’ to commitments that don’t align with one’s passions or priorities. I wholeheartedly understand and appreciate this sentiment, and I genuinely plan to implement it more in my life – particularly to avoid that feeling of constantly being overwhelmed and frazzled. However, for many, including myself, the ability to selectively decline opportunities can feel like a luxury. Sometimes, it’s simply not a viable option. Last summer, Brian, my husband, experienced the loss of a major client, resulting in a drastic reduction in our household income. This financial pressure meant I often felt I couldn’t say no to anything that had the potential to bring in money. And, as many in the blogging world know, much of what we do in this space represents potential income – a constant tightrope walk. So, the things I regrettably ended up saying ‘no’ to were often those nourishing personal activities: reading for pleasure, sewing for fun, or even finishing simple home projects like my beloved French chairs that have been awaiting completion.

And yet, in the face of such personal complaints, it’s easy to feel a pang of guilt when reading about truly heartbreaking issues – mothers grieving the loss of a child, fathers battling aggressive cancer, grandmothers grappling with the cruel onset of memory loss. These are profound, agonizing struggles that can make my own ‘trivial’ problems seem utterly selfish by comparison. It’s a common internal conflict many of us face.

But here’s what I’m increasingly coming to understand: we all navigate distinct seasons in life. Some periods will undoubtedly be incredibly hard, marked by profound challenges like the loss of a loved one or significant illness. Others will be so incredibly joyful and overflowing with blessings that you might almost feel guilty for the sheer abundance, like a trip of a lifetime. And then there are seasons, like my incredibly busy 2014, that are simply hard due to the ‘normal’ trials and stresses of everyday life. The beautiful truth is that God uses all of these experiences – the good, the bad, and the ugly – to cultivate growth within us. They expand our hearts, sharpen our minds, and deepen our capacity for empathy and connection with others. None of us can completely escape these cycles; we will all have opportunities to grow through every facet of life. Therefore, it serves little purpose to suppress or diminish your own feelings and struggles simply because someone else might, at this very moment, be facing something ‘harder.’ Our individual journeys are valid, and acknowledging our own challenges is the first step toward moving through them with grace and intention.

I could continue to elaborate on my ‘little sob story,’ but you’ve likely grasped the essence: when it came time to set goals for 2015 – a process that naturally involved evaluating my 2014 goals – I felt an unusual lack of motivation. This was surprising to me, as I typically look forward to the blank slate and fresh possibilities that a new year offers. The thought of confronting all that we hadn’t accomplished in 2014 felt daunting, and it was challenging to “dream big” when my primary focus had been merely putting one foot in front of the other. So, I’m embracing the idea of setting fewer, simpler, and more attainable goals – what I’m calling “small dreams.” These are aspirations I genuinely believe I can achieve, regardless of the unforeseen challenges or opportunities this new year may bring. It’s about intentional progress, not overwhelming ambition.

A concise recap of our 2014 goals (because sometimes, it’s best to simply acknowledge and move forward):

Regrettably, we didn’t complete any of our home improvement goals. The chicken coop, however, was officially removed from our aspirations list. Our season for keeping chickens has passed as we are looking to downsize our property in the next few years, and managing a brood of chickens is not something we wish to undertake at that time.
Our only financial goal achieved was the timely purchase of a used car to replace our beloved 250,000-mile Jeep. We secured this reliable transportation literally two weeks before our financial situation took a dramatic turn for the worse. Despite the subsequent challenges, we are incredibly thankful to have dependable transport.
I’m pleased to report that all our business and blog-related goals were met. While I’m still refining the best way to organize our extensive gardening posts, and I experimented with a specific editorial calendar for six months before shifting to a more flexible, general-theme calendar that ultimately proved more effective for my workflow and creative process.

Our 2015 Goals – Intentional Aspirations:

We have compiled a list of essential ‘things to do before selling’ our home. This includes refreshing paint, adding new gravel, and other necessary maintenance tasks. We are committed to working steadily towards completing these items this year. And yes, painting the laundry room is still stubbornly on that list!
Given our recent financial shifts, we are not currently in a position to set generic financial ‘goals.’ Instead, our focus is squarely on exploring new business ideas and job opportunities to not only replace our recent income reduction but also to replenish our emergency fund. We are immensely grateful that we had an emergency fund to lean on during a challenging time – a true testament to its importance.
Read 1 book a month: While this might seem like a modest goal, after reading zero books last year, it genuinely feels like a significant accomplishment to me! The good news is I’ve already started reading two books – a personal growth self-help book and an engaging biography. I’ve intentionally carved out dedicated reading time before bed each night, which I believe makes this goal entirely attainable and a vital step in reclaiming a piece of my former self.
Blogging Goals: This is the area where I feel most confident in setting concrete and impactful goals. My desire is to deliver even more valuable content to you, my readers, while simultaneously optimizing my own time and workflow. I also want to create space to share more of our real life and engage with you regularly. While the fundamental essence of An Oregon Cottage – simple & imperfect DIY, recipes, and gardening – will remain unchanged, here’s what I’m envisioning for some exciting updates:

Revised Weekly Posting Schedule: To provide more structure and consistent content, we’re implementing a new rhythm. Mondays will feature practical content like monthly menus, seasonal garden chores, and republished classic AOC posts from our extensive six-year archive, bringing timeless favorites back into focus. Tuesdays will be dedicated to gardening posts, alongside our popular Tuesday Garden Party Link-Up, fostering community and inspiration. Wednesdays will focus on engaging DIY and Crafting themed posts, encouraging creativity. Thursdays OR Fridays will bring a fresh, delicious Recipe to your table. Finally, Saturdays will introduce a brand-new “Three Things” post. In this new format, I’ll share three highlights from the previous week, three things I’m currently loving, the three most popular posts on AOC, and any other three interesting tidbits I might want to add – a fun, conversational way to connect. This format is inspired by my friend Amy’s wonderful It’s the 3 Little Things posts.
Content Expansion and Skill Sharing: My aim is to broaden our content offerings and provide more immersive learning experiences. This year, I plan to write another eBook (or perhaps even two!), focusing on practical skills or seasonal guides. I also intend to add more helpful and engaging videos to our You Tube channel, demonstrating DIY projects and gardening techniques. Furthermore, I’m excited to develop a comprehensive online course designed to illustrate easy DIY skills, empowering you to tackle projects with confidence and competence.
Intentional Scheduling and Work-Life Balance: A key lesson from 2014 was the critical need for better time management. My goal is to intentionally schedule specific time blocks for work tasks and, crucially, to stick to them. This disciplined approach will create necessary space for quality family time, nurturing important relationships, and dedicated personal growth activities. It’s about setting boundaries to avoid burnout and foster a more balanced, fulfilling life.
Monthly Recipe ‘Themes’ for Streamlined Content: To streamline my creative process and offer more cohesive recipe content, I’m implementing monthly recipe themes. This approach will guide my recipe development and help me consistently share recipes that are seasonal, relevant, and inspiring to you all. It’s an effective way to organize content and ensure a diverse yet focused culinary journey throughout the year. Here’s a glimpse of the planned themes:

So, there you have it, friends – a transparent look at what this year holds for me and for An Oregon Cottage. You know, just the act of writing all this out has been incredibly therapeutic and empowering. It’s helping me cultivate a sense of hope and clarity, reminding me that there are indeed aspects of my life that are within my control, and I can actively work towards them. Thank you, from the bottom of my heart, for continuing to hang in there with me, for your understanding, and for being such a wonderful part of this journey. Your support truly means the world as we embark on this new chapter of intentional living and creative sharing.