Yikes, I can’t believe we are already on the third installment of this series!  Time seems to be passing more and more quickly, especially since Marina was born, and there has been less and less time to get anything done. I really want to make the back half of the year more productive than the first, but that means that I have a lot of catching up to do! Especially since my Q2 goals didn’t quite go as planned…

Let’s check in on my Q2 goals:

Goal #1: Motherhood: Embrace my New Normal

There’s no way to rate yourself with this one (whoops) as the roller-coaster of motherhood is a tricky one. I have to think that I’m doing pretty well, otherwise I would be seriously depressed. But if I’m being honest, I think I have taken to motherhood better than I expected. Sure, I feel restricted in certain ways, but I actually feel like the possibilities in my life are more open, in a weird way. I have so much more to talk about, so many more thoughts (and concerns, sure) in my head, so many more business opportunities and creative outlets. I have yet to settle into a consistent routine, but as far as my new normal goes, I can’t imagine it any other way!

 Goal #2: Health and Wellness: Work to get my pre-baby bod back

Well, at least I got the first one down. I lost about 70% of the baby weight naturally, but I still have a ways to go. However, it’s really not just about the weight- It’s about the strength. And since I had a last minute knee surgery in the middle of the quarter, it derailed my plans to do any cardio and any heavier weight strength training. It’s not an excuse- I have still been working out in 20 minute increments here and there, using my barre training to work my arms and abs. I get in yoga and walks with Marina whenever I can, as I think just making time to get outside has to be part of my new routine. So on this goal I would give myself a B+, hoping that I can continue in the next quarter to finish the job I started.

Goal #3: Business: Renewed focus on brand collaborations

I give myself an A for effort on this goal, but maybe a C on execution… as I am still waiting back to hear from several brands. I think it’s important that I make sure any long term brand collaborations are mutually beneficial, as well as representative of my real preferences and tastes so that I am not telling you, my readers, one thing, and actually doing another. That’s why I have to be super focused on what these brand collabs are and how they are executed. Will keep working on this one next quarter as well!

2018 Outlook: Q3

While I still have some work to do on 2 goals of last quarter, it’s always important to start building on new projects.

Explore New Business Opportunities

I have some big ideas cooking… whether or not they come to fruition, however, is not the goal. By the end of the next 3 months I need to do enough work to decide whether or not they are viable ideas- whether they can be profitable, how I can make it work with a baby, and potentially put together a business plan. If I do that and decide it’s not a great idea… then so be it- but I have to try!

Building my Interior Design Portfolio (and renovating my Master Bathroom)

I have done a poor job of photographing spaces that I have helped design. I need to do a better job of finding time to style out the houses and apartments and documenting the before and after with photos, so that I can put together a more formal portfolio of work. Also, I need to work on the 3 bathrooms in my own home, and would like to get at least the Master Bathroom done before the end of the quarter, and share the progress with you here.

Motherhood and Travel

I’ve been on 3 road trips with Marina and 1 airplane flight so far, but in the coming 3 months I have 2 more road trips and 4 airplane trips with her, covering every time zone in the US. I have already learned so much about traveling with her that I hope to share with you all, from cool devices, to packing lists, to streamlining packing for myself as well to minimize bags. My goal is to slowly get more confident each time so that we can go on a bigger, international trip in Q4 and be prepared without being weighed down.

What isn’t on the list, but might be in future quarters

Revisiting Q2 Goals: Health and Wellness and Brand Collaborations

I will continue these throughout Q3, but since they were left unfinished in Q2, I would like to circle back on them before the year is over to set me up for a great 2019!

Re-instituting Date Nights and Date Mornings

Since having a baby these have fallen by the wayside. Needless to say, we could use a few.

Making New Holiday Traditions

Now that we have a ‘family’ I want to start new family traditions for the holidays. I’m not sure what they are just yet, but given all of the changes going on in our lives and our families, I think now is the time!