2015 was incredible.

The #texasstrong flood relief fundraiser, catching waves in Port Aransas with my in laws, my longtime friend Carly’s beautiful and rainy wedding, the For the Love and Out of Sorts launch teams and browsing Boston with my hubby are just a few highlights.

Last month, I gave you my writer’s wishlist for this year. Today, I’m sharing my hopes and dreams for 2016.

My Hopes and Dreams for 2016

I summed up my big goals in the first guest post I ever wrote last summer:

I want to take risks, be vulnerable, have important conversations and accomplish goals. I want to publish my children’s book about losing a grandmother, write a devotional for dementia caregivers and continue to build a community that empowers women, in all circumstances, to be brave and do good at all times.

I’ve got big plans for the blog, including a “Permission to Grieve” guest post series for January and February and a maroon #texasstrong fundraiser in memory of my friends’ Carrie and Megan’s dads for March. I also have two e-books in the works for this year!

I want to continue exchanging guest posts with fellow bloggers. I want to start interviewing #texasstrong women each month about their “Purpose + Passion.” And I want to get the Daughters of Dementia contributor blog up and running and attend my first writing conference in 2016.

But I’m unlikely to succeed in writing if I’m not succeeding in my personal life. Using Your Best Year 2016 by Lisa Jacobs, which I highly recommend to any blogger or entrepreneur, I’ve set goals for next year in five key areas.

Physical

I’m an avid yoga and Pilates enthusiast but I’d like to spend more time exercising outdoors this year–soaking in the Vitamin D–gardening and jogging with my girls. I’d also like to actually remember to take my vitamins every day!

Spiritual

I’m committed to getting up earlier this year, so I can spend a few minutes in prayer and Bible study each morning before my girls wake up. I think this will be a real game changer for my attitude and focus.

Mental

After finishing 6 books this year (yes, I finally finished The Life Changing Magic of Tidying Up by Marie Kondo), I’d like to read at least one book per month this year and also brush up on my Spanish.

So far, my reading to do list includes The Discarded Image by C.S. Lewis, Seven by Jen Hatmaker, I Will Carry You by Angie Smith, Jesus Feminist by Sarah Bessey, The Devil in the White City by Erik Larson, One Thousand White Women by Jim Fergus and Travels with Charley in Search of America by John Steinbeck.

I also want to refresh my second language skills by reading Spanish books to my girls.

Relational

I’m committed to doing monthly date nights and family outings this year. My husband and I have already scheduled our first two dates–this month, to celebrate our wedding anniversary, and next month, to use the I Love the 90s concert tickets I gave him for Christmas.

Financial

Mug swaps, blog giveaways and shirt fundraisers are fun, but they sort of me did me in financially this year. I’m committed to better meal planning, more self discipline with spending and just having less stuff in general, so that I will have more money to invest in things like travel and writing.

What are your hopes and dreams for 2016?

Let me know in the comments. I’d love to cheer you on!

Want more goals for next year? Check out our #FridayFive linkup here.