SMART Goal #1: I will walk 13,000 steps per day.

Deciding to walk 13,000 steps each day has been a transformative commitment for me,

considering my usual range of 9,000 to 10,000 steps. To achieve this goal, I've incorporated

intentional mental health walks (“hot girl walks”) and gym sessions into my routine. This shift

required a mindful approach, ensuring that I stay active throughout the day instead of being a

lump on the couch and wasting time.

Tracking my progress has been streamlined with the

step goal feature on my phone and Apple Watch. The Apple

Watch app's automatic tracking provides a daily snapshot of my

goal completion, serving as a valuable tool for accountability

and adjustments. In the included screenshots, The pink outside

ring on each day accounts for my 13,000 step goal. When the

ring is full, that means it was completed.

Overall I did a really good job at meeting my 13,000 steps per day. There were definitely

times I did not want to go, but I started to plan around when my roommate went so that I would

feel guilty for not walking with her. You can see a pattern arising on Mondays of not completing

my goal. On Mondays I have 3 hours of sedentary office work, 2 RSO meetings, and no

intramural sports. This makes it very hard to find time to exercise and means I am crunched for

time to do homework let alone go to the gym. Through this difficulty, I learned it is okay to be

lenient with goals, and that it is easier to work towards the goals you set when someone is there

to support or reach your goals with you and hold you accountable.

This goal aligns well with my personal mission statements, particularly emphasizing the

connection between exercise and mental health. Acknowledging the importance of physical

activity for my overall well-being has become a cornerstone of my self-care routine. The

commitment to avoid extended periods of inactivity, as stated in "I WILL NOT BED ROT,"
reflects my determination to prioritize both my physical and mental health. This was what

motivated me to stay consistent with this goal.

In terms of future goals, I'm inspired to continue prioritizing self-care and physical

activity. I think an adjacent future goal may be creating some meal plans/recipes that are

healthier than eating out and that are quick and tasty for me on school nights. The goal could be

“I will cook healthy and yummy breakfasts, lunches, and dinners at home in order to make sure I

am getting the nutrients my body needs”. By being physically healthy, I will be great!
SMART Goal #2: I will make time to pursue artistic hobbies for 2 hours every week.

Carving out dedicated time for my hobbies has proven to be a healthy commitment.

Despite loving these activities, I often found it challenging to initiate them. By setting aside

distraction-free time and incorporating them into my routine, I've

discovered a form of meditation and a source of immense satisfaction

and accomplishment.

The act of neatly storing and organizing my supplies is a pivotal

component of this goal. This strategic approach ensures that the

barrier to starting and stopping my hobbies is minimized, eliminating

the need for extended cleaning and organizing sessions. This simple

adjustment has made a significant impact on my optimism and desire to engage in these

activities. I learned that establishing systems in your daily life like staying organized can help

make reaching your goals easier.

Setting aside one hour every Sunday and one

hour every Wednesday to dedicate to my hobbies

has been a game-changer. This regular schedule

not only ensures consistency but also provides a

structured framework that fosters productivity and

creativity. By committing to finishing three ongoing

projects, I'm not only engaging in my hobbies but also achieving tangible results. While I did not

actually finish any of my “arts”, I did start a bunch, tried and learn new styles, and made

sufficient progress. I finished an entire panel of a queen-size blanket and started 8

bracelets/keychains! Part of the reason I did not actually finish 3 projects was because I often

got bored of it or found another beautiful pattern on social media. I am proud that I stuck through

with the blanket panel because that took a very long time and a lot of concentration, and the
accomplishment I felt when finishing it was amazing. This is what motivated me to stay

consistent with my goal and make the change in my life.

This goal aligns seamlessly with my personal mission statement: "I will make time for

hobbies I enjoy but procrastinate doing." It serves as a direct response to the challenge of

procrastination, urging me to prioritize activities that bring joy and satisfaction.

In terms of future goals, I plan to maintain this commitment and, as I become more adept

at integrating hobbies into my routine, perhaps explore ways to expand and diversify the crafts

and hobbies that I enjoy at school vs at home due to time and/or space in my apartment. The

goal could be “Every month I will switch to a new hobby to delay boredom and keep my skills

vast.” This will make me great because I will be having variety in my life and will find and solidify

new loves!
SMART Goal #3: I will call/facetime my parents 2x per week for at least 15 minutes.

Establishing a routine to call or FaceTime my parents at

least twice a week for a meaningful 15-minute conversation has

proven to be my favorite and easiest goal. As I navigate

through this semester, I find myself missing my parents, and

this goal serves as a dedicated time to bridge that gap,

fostering a healthy connection.

Setting aside uninterrupted time for these conversations

has been instrumental. By doing so, I immerse myself fully in

the dialogue, fostering mindfulness and ensuring that our

discussions are meaningful. This intentional approach contrasts

with brief moments between classes, allowing for a deeper

connection and the opportunity to share important aspects of

our lives.

A key element of this goal is leveraging existing routines

to create dedicated space for these conversations. Every

Sunday, as I prepare frozen croissants for breakfast, I allocate

the 45-minute defrosting and baking process to speak with my

parents. This not only ensures a regular check-in but also adds a pleasant layer to my breakfast

routine. The four-hour window after ice skating on Thursdays provides another opportunity to

connect with my parents. By integrating these calls into existing time slots, the goal seamlessly

became part of my routine, reducing the likelihood of it being overlooked. In just the first couple

calls, I already felt calmer and less homesick, and started finding more time to call my parents

other than the originally planned Saturday and Thursday. With this goal, I especially learned that

the more often you do it, the faster it becomes a habit, and having habits that stick is how you

effectively reach your goals.

 Prioritizing regular conversations with my parents reinforces the importance of nurturing

significant relationships. Their advice and insights have proven invaluable, serving as a source

of calm amid the anxieties of daily life. This is what motivated me to stay consistent with my goal

and make the change in my life. An additional goal for the future will also be to keep

communication with my grandparents as they are getting older and I should appreciate every

moment and conversation I have left with them. A future goal could be “I will speak to my

grandparents once a week for at least 15 minutes.” This will make me great because they are

also a calming presence in my life and offer good advice, which is good for my mental health

and decision making skills.