I used to set New Year’s Resolutions, but these days I set goals instead. To me, goals seem like something to strive for slowly and they’re so much kinder and easier to gain momentum with once you get going than a “resolution”. At least in my book anyway. So here are my 14 goals for 2024. 🙂
Lower Cholesterol / Reduce Stress
When I went in for my yearly check up, everything was fine except one thing; my cholesterol. It was crazy high. Which I thought was pretty strange considering I’m not overweight, I don’t drink, I don’t smoke, I get plenty of exercise and I’m only on 1 medication {levothyroxine, because they stole my thyroid a few years ago}.
And while I do like cheese and pastries, I don’t overdo it. Or at least I don’t think I do because I pretty much follow the three bite rule. So that pretty much narrows it down to 2 things: Stress or some major underlying issue I don’t know about that doesn’t show up in bloodwork and other tests.
So my major goal for 2024 is to reduce my cholesterol level and the stress that has worked its way into my daily life as much as I can.
Eat More Fruits and Vegetables
More big salads, more beans and less meat. This is such a general goal that I almost didn’t write it down. But seriously, I think this is one we could all work on.
Visit 24 {new} Bakeries / Coffee Shops
Because without tea and pastries there is nothing but darkness and chaos.
Go On An Adventure
I don’t know where or when but I do know I’d like to go somewhere exciting this year. Somewhere I’ve never been before.
Contribute to 12 Free Little Libraries.
Something about walking along and spotting a free little library alongside the road makes me want to do a little happy dance. I always stop and check to see if there is a book I’m interested in.
Most of the books in the free little libraries I see are fiction or nonfiction though and since I’m pretty picky about what I read, it’s not often I take a book.
I like biographies, historical fiction, gardening and books on various arts and crafts. And now that I think about it, I’ve never seen any arts and crafts books. You know… Rug hooking or knitting or underwater basket weaving. Why is that?
So that’s my plan for this goal. Seek out a dozen free little libraries, and add some arts and crafts books for others to enjoy. Donate to one free little library a month. That seems do-able.
Tidy Up / Clean Out / Purge
- Barn
- Garage
- Closets
- Dresser drawers
- Kitchen
- Sideboard
- DVD collection
Read or Listen to 24 Books
Most of these will probably be audiobooks as I find it easier to listen to a story while I’m working on rugs rather than finding the time to sit down with a book.
Spend More Time At The Beach
Walking, collecting shells, setting up our beach chairs and people watching. I’m planning on doing it all this year. There is just something about the beach that is very calming to me. And “calm” is a thing I want to seek out this year.
Paint
With only one more thing left to paint in our home {a closet} I’ve decided that this is the year to put down the paint roller {after that closet is painted} and pick up the paint brush and get some art up on the wall. Seems simple enough, don’t you think?
In Stock and Ready to Ship by March 15th / March 30th
If there is one thing I’ve learned living here in New England, it’s that once the ground finally thaws after a long winter, all I want to do is BE OUTSIDE.
I’d like to have all my current rug hooking kits and patterns in stock and ready to ship for the year by March 15th. I’d also like to have all my wool dyed, bundled and ready to sell by the end of March.
This takes quite a bit of guesstimating on my part and it won’t be easy. But if I can get everything done by the end of March, by the time spring rolls around, I’ll have all the {super} time consuming stuff done.
I’ll still have to spend a little time each morning on shipping orders, but at least I’ll have the rest of the day to play OUTSIDE and not have to worry about making up kits or dyeing wool.
Hook 6 “Big” Rugs.
I really like hooking the big ones. Some of these will be other people’s patterns and some will be new ones I’ve designed {and will offer in my Etsy shop once they’re hooked}.
Visit 6 Greenhouses {that I’ve never been to before}.
It’s no big secret around here that I love gardening. And I especially love a nice greenhouse. Especially in the winter.
Grow Baby Grow
I love to garden, but last year taught me that maybe I don’t need to grow as much as I thought I did. It’s been a year and a half since I went all in with filling the canning cupboard. I probably still have enough jam and salsa to get us through to summer. {ie: I canned a 2 year supply and didn’t even know it}.
This year the plan is to grow vegetables in the kitchen garden and ramp up my efforts in the container gardening department.
Donate to 12 Different Organizations in Maine
Find 1 organization each month to donate to. I haven’t even begun to research this one yet, but I am really looking forward to this project.
Those are my 14 goals for 2024. Have you made your list yet? I’d love to hear what YOUR plans are for this year. Who knows, I may need to steal one or two of them. 😉
Peace out.
~Mavis
Cindy R says
I lowered my cholesterol considerably this year by following Dr Joel Furhman’s “Eat to Live” book. Started at a cholesterol level of 289 and am now down to 212. My goal this year is to get it down to 200 or lower. I kept hearing from the doctors “you need to be on statins,”. No I needed to change my diet. My doctor was surprised that I made the changes and my cholesterol level has been declining.
Torry says
Cindy R., I am going to try to get this book from the library before investing in a purchase. So, is this book a cookbook?
Thank you for taking the time to answer.
Cindy R says
The beginning of the book is more information as well as stories of people whose health has improved, as the book goes on it tells you how to change your diet and then there are suggested menu ideas at the back of the book. I have to be honest and say I do not follow this way of eating 365 days a year. I stuck to it for the first three months, we went on a three week cruise, I enjoyed.a wide variety of food, during the summer I followed it about 75%, in the fall I got back on track, during December I enjoyed the holiday, now I am back to following Dr Furhman. A year ago December I had my lab work done and my cholesterol was the highest it has ever been. I saw my Dr at the end of January and switched my diet. I took another blood test in April. Cholesterol dropped 40 points. This took another blood test on Dec 4th this year and it was down to 212.
Tracy says
The only goal I have at the moment is to clean, organize and purge through out my house. And have it done before gardening season so I can be out playing in the dirt and come into a tidy house.
Barb H says
Regarding your cholesterol, my understanding is that it has more to do with hereditary than anything else. For many years I ate a very healthy diet and exercised a lot and it didn’t make any difference at all. I’ve been taking a low dose statin for a long time with no side effects and it keeps my cholesterol in line. I also struggled with taking a medication to manage something I thought I should have been able to manage on my own but eventually realized that I’d rather take a little pill every day than suffer the consequences of not.
Cindi says
I was in the same boat, Barb. I’ve had high cholesterol since I was in my 30s — never overweight, didn’t smoke or drink, got lots of exercise, eat a really healthy diet. I finally gave up and went on statins to get that cholesterol down to an acceptable level.
Ramona says
My husband had high cholesterol, finding out when he was about 38 years old. He may have been told sooner but never liked going to doctors. He changed his diet and it did not help. He finally went on statins and that helped. High cholesterol ran in his family. His parents and other family members had it, but his father lived to be 100 years old, his mom 92 and grandparents into 90’s.
Yes changing your diet helps get you healthier but I wouldn’t say no to statins if diet didn’t help.
eileen says
Your goals, several of them, I have as goals this year as well.
1. Lower cholesterol. I have no thyroid, on replacement and that has a direct effect on high cholesterol. we have to work harder to keep our cholesterol down. Last year I went on a vegan diet and dropped my cholesterol by 50 points in 3 months. This year I plan on extending that diet to work better in my life.
2. Small adventures: first one will be at end of Jan.
3. Purge- Grands toys and books
4. make all my own bread
5. Spend more time in the mountains
6. Quilt 12 quilts, Hook 4 rugs, knit 12 items of clothing ( this all should be doable for me.)
7. Up my walking miles/time
8. Read/Listen to 24 books
9. Yoga for 30 days, in January ( helps w/stress and back pain, hopefully this will result in a regular yoga time. I am using you tube for guidance.)
10. Improve sleep habit.
11. Less news (too stressful and too much bad news!)
Lisa L says
Happy New year! Thanks for sharing your goals. I’m working on mine! You inspire me. Love to you and yours, especially Lucy!
Sarah says
Camp Sunshine has a beautiful mission of helping terminal kids and their families. Give their web site a look see. They are on the shores of Sebago lake.
Thank you for sharing your goals again this year!
Paula says
I think choslesterol can also be genetic.
Tammy says
My cholesterol was above the recommended levels, and then I started intermittent fasting. It didn’t help much with weight loss (I blame peri-menopause for the weight aspect) but it did bring my cholesterol down!
Jennifer G says
I believe the medicos have set an arbitrary number for cholesterol and decided everyone needs to have that number, regardless of heredity. My husbands family always had high numbers with no heart attacks or heart issues, his grandmother, who passed at 96 had a reading over 400. My father passed from a massive heart attack with having very low cholesterol. Stay fit, eat good wholesome food & enjoy life!
carrie says
I generally try not to chime in on health issues but I agree with you. Look into recent research. I was just listening to a podcast (with a Dr.) who was lkng about cholesterol. Specifically how modern medicine has decided that specific numbers are the goal. Yes if you are eating unhealthy or living an unhealthy lifestyle then high numbers could obviously be bad. However he indicated that that is not the case for everyone.
Anyway I encourage you to look into some recent research on the topic.
Lana says
You are exactly right. A friend of our family was one of the team who developed statins and before they were developed everyone’s cholesterol was pretty much between 200 and 300. After the drug company spent the millions to get the drug to market they convinced or possibly bribed the FDA to say that the number had to be below 200 so suddenly most everyone needed to be on their drug. The friend said he will never allow a family member to take statins and we have had two friends die from taking them.
heather says
THIS!! YES YES AND AMEN! It’s all such a racket! I believe every word of this! Once these companies spend billions to formulate a medication and the government spends our tax money to help them they aren’t about to not find customers. We are in such a mess and there is no way out as far as the system goes. Come Lord Jesus Come!
Marianne says
The minute I hit menopause my cholesterol went sideways – along with a number of other things I believed were unrelated (dental issues, joint pain, disrupted sleep patterns). HRT has helped enormously getting all this back in line. The lack of research and education about women’s hormones has been stupefying, but it is being slowly rectified and there are A LOT of options out there!
Lana says
Read Dr. John R. Lee’s book ‘What Your Doctor Won’t Tell You About Menopause’. It was life changing for me when I went on natural progesterone cream after reading it.
Tracey says
I was just going to add a comment about menopause/perimenopause and cholesterol. There’s a significant link for many women.
Wendy says
Yep. As soon as I hit menopause my cholesterol went higher. It is directly related and I also have Hypothyroidism which is another contributor. I’ve started taking Red yeast Rice+COQ10 by Thorne. It lowers it naturally.
Claudia says
Red Yeast Rice and Krill oil brought my cholesterol down.
Lauralli says
THIS! Women do your research on peri and post menopause. It’s staggering what all it affects. I’ve been on HRT since March and I’m never going off! New 20 year follow up study on the study that scared everyone off of HRTs has refuted nearly every single thing.
suzanne says
Please keep us up to date on the cholesterol goal. Mine is currently over 400 and I too am on levothyroxine. Don’t smoke, drink, etc. My father and his mom had high cholesterol as well. Both developed dementia not that it’s related (?). Gram made it to 100. My dad to 80 and he was not fit. My older sister was put on a statin but developed severe leg cramps. I look forward to seeing your diet changes.
heather says
Cholesterol naturally rises as estrogen decreases and instances of alzheimers and dementia rise as well. Bioidentical hormone replacement is the way to go. Statins are horrible and most people on them have increased body and joint pain as well as can’t even remember their name much less what they walked into the room for. Fix the hormones Fix the body!!
Lana says
My husband has a brain injury and has to eat a lot of good fats every day for brain function. A year after we boosted our fat intake probably 75% our numbers that we had struggled with for many years just fell into the normal range and have stayed there. SO all the years of eating low fat were the wrong thing to do. My Late MIL always said this was the case and she was right. We do eat a big salad everyday and raw fruits or vegetables at every meal but we had been doing that long before the fat increase.
Torry says
Lana, I am now going to look up “good fats” because I have high cholesterol and my former neighbor has a brain injury. Maybe we will both benefit.
Rosemary says
I am also on levothyroxine – I still have my thyroid, it just doesn’t work anymore. I did the tidy up/clean out/purge last year – now I just need to keep it that way. I have a list of 18 things to do (eventually) – it was 17 but I just added another one. So, not exactly 2024 goals, but something to remind me that there are things to do when I think I have nothing to do.
Connie Losee says
Sorry to add to the comments on this, but high cholesterol can be simply a low copper problem.
I hope you find your personal solution!
Diana says
My husband hadn’t been to the doctor for a few years so he went in to have his bloodwork done. The Dr. said he had never seen anyone with such healthy numbers, especially at his age, 70. He actually got out a paper and pen and asked him to tell him what his secrets were. My husband’s answer was so sweet, he said my wife!
He then told him about our diet and lifestyle and the Dr. wrote it all down. We eat as much fresh and local food as we can. We grow a huge amount of produce and have our own chickens. I am an advocate of growing as much food as you can as grocery store food is not as fresh, apples can be a year old! We do not eat processed food. I love to cook so I make most things from scratch. We also eat a huge variety of foods with the main focus on plant based. Our goal is to live a long healthy life and have fun!
Jennifer says
I too have had high cholesterol for years. I got a cardiac CT scan and everything looked great so it doesn’t seem to be affecting my heart health. That being said I am always trying to eat more fruits and veggies.
My goals are to pay off my car by June, road trip to Canada and then back through Maine, save for a European trip for 2025 and increase our retirement savings by a lot. Our financial picture will improve drastically when I get my car paid off and when we are done paying rent for college kids. Both things should happen by June and I can’t wait to start working on other areas of our finances.
One last goal is to get in better shape. Yes I would like to lose a few pounds but really the goal is to get stronger and in better shape. I had a hysterectomy and pelvic floor rebuild in November and I am hoping that helps improve my general health enough that I can get into better physical shape.
Carolyn Rust says
My goals for 2024 –
1 – Shelving for my yarn and knitting stuff
2 – Garage make over – clear out dad’s tools that I don’t use, replace window, establish sound proofing for recording (my son is a composer – this is his studio now)
3 – Drywall, paint and texture laundry room
4 – Clear out rock garden and replant with berries.
Randini says
1. Year of YES. Saying YES to invitations, adventures and opportunities.So far I”ve signed up for a Tough Mudder race from a co-worker’s invitation. Also saying YES to staying home and resting. Maybe those conflict?
2. walk the dog daily, even if it is just around the block. I made good progress on this last year and invested in good walking rain shoes, lit leash and collar and a good rainjacket for me (living in the PNW-if you know, you know)
3. get soil tested in garden in early spring so I know how/what to ammend it with
4. declutter- this seems to be an annual goal. Now how to get HH to declutter his stuff?!
5. travel to see my aging mother at least 4 times this year. This is an expensive goal with airfare, but you don’t get the time back with your loved ones.
Mel says
My goals, in no particular order:
1) Stop eating like a raccoon. It’s been a very rough couple of years, and I often don’t get much choice in when or what I eat due to a variety of factors.
2) Drink some water.
3) Declutter and reorganize kitchen cabinets and holiday stuff. Already done! I reduced 13 tubs of holiday stuff (all holidays, not just Christmas) down to 7. I donated some, but mostly things were not packed efficiently.
4) Start celebrating holidays again. We haven’t been able to really celebrate any holidays for about 3 years now. I’d like to at least celebrate Christmas this year but possibly Halloween or Thanksgiving if we can get it together by then.
5) Watch money. We’ve had to throw money at problems for a while now, so I’d like to be a bit more discerning there.
6) Take a day off work to clean out my closet.
7) Get organized on baby appointments. We’re already doing immunotherapy and physical therapy. We’re about to start Occupational Therapy and then maybe speech. There are other appointments and activities as well.
SANDYF says
Love hearing everyones goals and comments. What a fine bunch of folk.
1. My son is getting married (destination wedding ugh-a trend that needs to die) so goals are :
a. finding a dress that doesn’t make me look matronly, sweaty ( Dominican Republic beach wedding) or cost a fortune. As a redhead, over 60 and pale as can be-This may take 6 months.
b. Find suitable boarding for our 2 corgis that mean the world to us.
c. Mentally prepare myself for a 14 hour flight, 5 days in DM at an all inclusive resort when I don’t drink (yuk)
d. Convince my husband that no-he cannot wear shorts and flip flops to our sons wedding.
2. Clean the garage and basement
3. Donate clothes
4. Learn to crochet
5. Ignore crazy family that causes drama.
6. LOVE LIFE
Virginia says
You’re a hoot!
Christy says
I’ve been following some of the new info out on Menopause and evidently declining levels of estrogen can contribute to increased cholesterol. Hope you figure out what works best for you. Great goals for the year! I’m working on defining mine.
Sue S. says
I take Red Yeast Rice for high cholesterol. Works well in my case. I have about the same goals as everyone else. Clean, declutter, spend more time relaxing, and finishing UFO’s in the knitting and rug hooking departments. I’d like to be more project-based and not add to my stashes just because I like the yarn or wool.
Mrs. M says
Red yeast rice is a natural cholesterol lowering supplement, but make sure you also supplement with ubiquinol when taking it. It’s something we didn’t know when my mom was on RYR, and she had problems that went away as soon as ubiquinol supplement was started. She’s off of both now.
Perhaps an internet search can provide you with more information as to why and how ubiquinol is important when taking Red Yeast Rice.
Diana near Atlanta says
Goals for this year:
1) Create and file my will and other docs
2) Finish kitchen remodel and be able to cook and bake with real countertops again
3) Repair and paint the fence around the property
4) Install a new decorative fence for my secret garden
5) Start on the greenhouse build
6) Do my ‘knee’ exercises 2-3 times a week and get ready for another knee replacement in late summer (had the first one last August).
Sounds like a lot of big stuff, but I think I need to go big or go home, lol. Getting too old to put it off any longer and I need to get moving on it.
Happy New Year Mavis!
Tiffany F says
I have the same goal of getting cholesterol down. I believe we are right about the same age and the only difference I have is not on any meds. I believe my problem is either too much sugar, menopause, or a combination of the two. My Dr. wanted me to start statins but I told her I’d try diet changes first.
Deb says
I like your goals, I will miss the groceries but I will carry on that idea in my personal goals….I will look forward to reading about your accomplishments.
Amy W says
Pinetreesociety.org
Pine Tree Society serves kids with disabilities. I learned about it as one of the Deaf victims of the Lewiston mass shooting was involved in the camp for Deaf kids. I donated in his memory.
Rosaleen says
Mavis-
Check on your triglyceride level. It should be part of your bloodwork. Triglycerides are related to carb intake and are precursors to cholesterol. Good luck and Happy New year!
A T says
Yes, Rosaleen, my DH totally quit sugar a few years ago (he has extreme self discipline) and his triglyceride numbers fell so low they were off of the chart. He continues in his sugar free life. I worry about cholesterol drugs being so effective they take too much, like contributing to dementia because there is no fat left in your brain. Good luck to you, Mavis!
Carolina Cooper says
Just a suggestion for a new pastry place to visit Scone Goddess in Northport, Maine. I have not been there yet just read about it in AAA magazine this month but it sure sounds like your kind of place! Your might also enjoy the book Out of the Way Gourmet/Discovering the Hidden Gems of the Maine Food Scene. You have already discovered some of my longtime favorites…but in Maine there are always new delights mixed in alongside the old time favorites.
Rebecca says
Greatly enjoyed learning from these comments, Thanks to all for sharing.
Tracey785 says
another one in the camp of “you know your body best – but your MD is not a slouch”
I will tell you the one thing that my doc said that made me sit up straight:
” if you don’t pay attention to this Tracey you will have an event, and the outcome may be life changing”. (Let me add here that I work in a Heart Center – maybe I should know better ?- but I am not clinical staff.)
Now, for about a week I laughed about his choice of words: an event? and then I looked at the list of meds for patients post heart attack… yeah, nah…
Molly says
You have high cholesterol because your hormones are disappearing. Do some research on menopause and hormone replacement. There is a place in Portland called Age Management Center that I highly recommend. The same thing happened to me with cholesterol and while I do have a genetic component it is also due to hormones. The medical field is just starting to figure this stuff out. I was really hard on myself because I couldn’t lower the numbers and I’d hate for this to happen to you.
Jules says
Looking forward to watching you achieve your goals Mavis.
And I think I will take some time this week to set a few of my own.
Ashley Bananas says
I love your new goals Mavis. You inspire me!! =)
Faith Fletcher says
The Little Free Library is on my list as well! We will be empty nesters this year, and decluttering is a major goal. We have tons of books that need a new home, so I’m committed to adding books to our local boxes each month this year.
I am also making it a goal to take items to our local Blessings Box each month. With so many in need, it’s just a small way I can give back by adding food and necessities to the boxes.
Another goal is to support more local businesses. Our downtown area has changed from all antique stores to wonderful little shops, restaurants, bakeries, and coffee houses over the last few years, and I want to support them more.
Find a way to give more time/money to a cause I’m passionate about. I’ve always had a payroll deduction to United Way, but decided to change that this year. There are so many worthy organizations that don’t always receive funding from local sources, and I want to support them this year.
Making my health a priority is another goal. I’m getting to the season of life where I can focus on my needs instead of everyone else’s.
These are just a few things on my list. Thanks, Mavis, for motivating me for over 13 years now!
Amy Drorbaugh says
I have been following your blog for several years now, mainly for these goal posts. I love your system, tracking, and accountability! I was inspired by you to make my own list and post it on Facebook. This year my goals are:
1. Eat gluten and dairy free (dealing with some allergies I’ve been in denial about)
2. Go on 12 unique dates with my husband.
3. Go camping 3 times this year.
4. Do a major clean of one room each month.
5. Read 12 classic novels.
6. Read 12 non-fiction novels.
7. Go on a trip with my oldest daughter.
8. Invite one family or couple over for Sunday dinner each month.
9. Crochet one blanket.
10. Spend some time every weekday writing. (I’m an author)
Mavis Butterfield says
Those are great ones!!!