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I'm Shay! I’m a cookbook author, lifestyle blogger, travel agency owner, wife and mama who loves making every day special for my family.

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Mix & Match Mama

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Let’s Look: LOW LEVEL GOALS FOR 2025



Happy happy Wednesday, friends!

It’s the first edition of LET’S LOOK for 2025!

If you don’t know what this is, once a month, Erika and I do a little link up where we “look” at different aspects of our lives (and then if you blog, you share and link up too!).  We have been doing this little linky party for years now, and it’s always one of my favorite posts each month because most of the topics are YOUR suggestions!

Just as a reminder, in 2024, here’s we “looked at”…

In January, we looked at HOW WE CLEAN OUR CLOSETS.

In February, we looked at LITTLE THINGS WE DO EVERY SINGLE DAY.

In March, we looked at WHAT’S IN OUR GROCERY CARTS.

In April, we looked at OUR QUIET TIME/PRAYER TIME.

In May, we looked at OUR SUMMER CLOSET STAPLES.

In June, we looked at OUR SUMMER SCHEDULES.

In July, we looked at OUR FAVORITE PODCASTS & SHOWS TO BINGE.

In August, we looked at OUR PANTRIES & UPDATED TRADER JOE’S HAUL.

In September, we looked at OUR QUICK WEEKNIGHT DINNERS.

In October, we looked at HOW WE PREP FOR THE HOLIDAYS.

In November, we looked at GIFT IDEAS FOR MEN.

In December, we looked at HOW WE UNWIND DURING THE HOLIDAYS.

Today, Erika and I are kicking off the year by sharing our LOW LEVEL GOALS FOR 2025.

I’m not sure which one of you amazing blog readers suggested this topic, but I love the addition of “low level” because really, do we all need to change and become completely different people just because the calendar flipped?  I don’t know about you, but I don’t have the energy for that right now.

So, here are the things I came up with for this year.  Again, these are “low level” so please don’t expect anything amazing below 😉 .

In no particular order, here are my LOW LEVEL GOALS:

I’M GOING TO STOP HUMMING

Yeah, I’m coming out of the gate strong, no?

I don’t exactly know when this habit started.  Maybe it was in 2024?  Maybe it was in 1984?  I don’t know, but it needs to stop.  I’ve always known that I talk to myself a lot, (A LOT) and this humming thing apparently has been going along with it.  Over the last few months, my kids have said things like “Is that you humming” while we’re in the car or the kitchen or whatever…but right before Christmas, I was in a store checking out and the person next to me asked me if it was me humming.  Yeah.  I’m annoying.  I don’t want to be that annoying person.  In 2025, I will stop humming.

BACK TO YOGA CLASS

After we returned from Nantucket this last summer, I never went back to my beloved yoga class.  I love this hot yoga class so much but between the four different school drop off times, I just decided to do yoga once a week at home instead of driving to an actual class.  That worked just fine (I used Peloton’s yoga classes to supplement), but I really, really missed not only the amazing class but the people in my class.  After about seven months, I showed up this week and LOVED IT!  I loved seeing my teacher, my fellow yogis, and I really, really, really loved the actual class.  I am committed to getting back into the class this year.

TAKE MY WATCH OFF AT NIGHT

Hi, my name is Shay, and I’m really, really good at putting my iPhone away at night when I’m home with my family.  I am really, really not good at taking off my Apple Watch.  Thus, I am still getting some notifications and/or receiving calls even though I’m trying to “be present” and “in the moment” and “not distracted by my phone”.  I’ve kicked off this year by not only putting away my phone but my watch too.  Does it bother the Type-A person in me that my step count for the day will be slightly off because I’m walking around without my watch?  Yes.  Perhaps working on my Type-A/controlling personality can be a resolution for next year?

STOP WALKING AND LOOKING AT MY PHONE

I started working on this in the fall, but I’m really, really committed to doing this now.  I am forcing myself not to walk around my house and look at my phone.  If I need to respond to a text, check an email, etc, I make myself stop and stand still while I do it.  There have been approximately 683 times when I’ve been texting and walking down my stairs where the thought has crossed my mind that I’m going to fall and break my leg…and well, that wouldn’t be convenient.  For me, no more walking around while looking at my phone.

STOP COMPLAINING OR QUIT

Well, this is going to be the hardest one for me.  Honestly, I’m putting it out there just to keep myself accountable (and will probably fail miserably), but there are some commitments I have/things I have to do that I flat out do not enjoy and instead of just quitting them/saying no/removing them from my calendar and getting on with my life, I continue to do them and complain the whole time.  Yeah, that’s not good for anyone.  I need to stop that.  I need to stop complaining or just quit.  I can’t voluntarily sign up for something and then gripe the entire time.  That’s just stupid.

And finally…

BE BRAVE ABOUT UNPLEASANT THINGS

Right this minute, it’s 2:58 PM, and I’m looking out my beautiful office windows at the winter sky as I type this sentence.  There are four dogs asleep at my feet, the fireplace is going, I have a candle burning, French music is playing, I’m sipping coffee, and there is a frozen dead bird on my balcony that’s been there at least a week.  I keep forgetting to have Andrew dispose of said dead bird (hence the week), but honestly, I could do it.  I’m sure there are gloves or a shovel or something like that in my garage to remove a frozen dead bird.  I just need to suck it up and do it.  Maybe I’ll do it today?  I just need to stop asking Andrew to do certain unpleasant things and just do them myself.

Those are my low level goals for 2025!

WHAT ABOUT YOU?!  I would love to hear what you’re doing too!!!  Please comment and share!

Coming up this year on Let’s Look…

Next month, HOW I WORK ON MY MARRIAGE.  Clearly the answer is he removes the dead birds for me 😉 .

Now, don’t forget!  If you blogged along with us today, please make sure you link up below!

Today, I have TWO POSTS!  I have this post here, and then I also have my first WELLNESS WEDNESDAY POST, so make sure you check that out HERE too!

Have the best day, friends! xx

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Comments

  3. Natasha says

    My husband’s coworker broke her ankle, quite badly, walking down the stairs while looking at her phone. It only took that story to cure me of “walking and looking at my phone.” Maybe it will help you too!

  4. Amanda Wison says

    I don’t know if this is low level but I am easing into my goals lol. Instead of cold turkeying…..
    I do want to eat better but instead of going from Christmas to 0 I decided to eat clean 4 days a week for January. Then February move up to 5 then March 6. I’m hoping then if I see results and feel good it will be easier to keep going. As well if I “mess up”:it will be easier to think I used to eat clean 4 days a week so it’s not a big deal if this week I do that.

    Walking my dogs…. I am NOT close to as good as you about walking my dogs. It’s a chore I’m our house so the teens/kids do it. But I know they do it…..well like a kid or teen….and the dogs aren’t getting nice long healthy walks. Again I am starting slow… on my rest days from working out making sure I go with kids. I know the walks are good for my dogs but I also know they would be good for me….fresh air, bonding time teen/kid so I am going to try.

  5. Jeanie H says

    My goals are pretty simple.
    1. Love Jesus more and spend time daily in His word.
    2. Decide whether we are going to keep or sell our second home in Florida.
    3. Get rid rid of clutter.
    4. Quit all processed foods.
    5. Love my people to the best of my abilities and make a conscious effort to do this every day.

  6. Ashley D says

    I love the idea of low level goals, and I actually discussed this with my husband last night at dinner (as I knew this post was coming!) 🙂 Here are a couple that I am committing to this year:
    1. Read 30 books (or more) – I love to read but sometimes can get distracted.. I am talking to you phone! So I want to commit to sitting down for at least 1 hour a day to read.
    2. Complete 1 puzzle each week – This is a new hobby for my hubby and me. We are starting with 500 piece puzzles, and it’s just so relaxing! We have a table set up in our basement, so it is out of the way… but a fun activity especially for us here in the Midwest where it currently feels like 1 degree!
    3. Song posting – I decided that each Monday morning I am going to post a “Song of the Week” on my instagram story, and I am going to listen to that song every morning to start my day. I am choosing Praise & Worship songs and am hoping I can encourage some of my friends/followers on social media. I have created a highlight so I can look back on all of the songs I have posted throughout the year.

  7. Jeanette says

    I talk to myself a lot also 😂. As far as the step count goes, are you still wearing the Oura? If so, you could take a break from your watch 😉.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I am going to do an Oura update, but right now, I’m pretty much just sleeping in it and letting my Apple Watch count my daily metrics.

  9. Christy says

    Wait! Before you stop humming. You should look up the health benefits of it. I saw a video once and it was talking about when you hum, it stimulates your vagus nerve, which can actually calm you down etc. I actually try to hum more often! lol

  11. Kristin Cosmas says

    Hi Shay,
    Love all of your low key goals! I’m not a big resolution person either. I love to plan on adding some positive things to my year rather than taking away. Sometimes that just feels more doable .
    But I did want to mention something about the humming. Did you know humming is a great way to regulate your nervous system? It stimulates our vagus nerve which helps to take is out of fight or flight (which is the default for so many of us with how stimulated and busy we are constantly). So maybe the humming is a good thing to do, albeit in moderation around others if it is so bothersome to them 😆

  12. Debbie Hibbert says

    Oh my goodness … the HUMMING!!😂 I was actually humming when I read this! I hum all. the. time. So much so that it even drives me a bit crazy😁 I try to stop myself, when I notice I’m doing it, but 5 seconds later I’m back at it. And, same, with people asking, “are you humming?” I like to think it’s because I’m just so darn happy and content!😂

  13. Martha says

    I am a teacher, and I have lots of kids that hum. This is not research, but I read once that you cannot have thoughts while you are humming. It’s a way of giving your brain a rest. It helps you regulate and feel less anxious. I think of this often, but I haven never researched it.

  14. Kacey says

    A small one for me is being more committed to walking outside year round! I live only a few minutes from the beach and in the warmer weather I’ll go there often to take a nice walk, but have never been great about going in the winter. Well, this year that’s changing! Was there snow on the beach when I walked on Monday, yes, but was it also so peaceful, YES!! Finding joy in the small things <3

  15. Bev says

    Two things: I’m going to join you on #4 and share that #5 brought a smile to my face because I said it many times to my husband as it related to serving as an elder/deacon at church. He’s always taught adult Bible class and LOVES it, even the many hours it takes to prepare, but hated going to meetings and all that church leadership involved. I would tell him if you can’t do it with the right heart attitude, don’t do it! So he no longer does it! 😂 But it’s true, there’s someone else that may love it! (Kudos to those who do!)
    As always, thanks for sharing your life with us! 💞

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I am so thankful you’re joining me!! We have to keep each other accountable (and not complain about it 😉 ).

      • Bev says

        Just today we were walking at the Henry Ford museum and I received a text that I wanted to read and literally thought, I told Shay! #Shay’sWays, one day strong so far! Then I saw people walking, looking at their phones and remembered your reference a while back of “phone zombies” and I don’t want either in my life! 😖

  18. AliJ. says

    After the awful year my family had in 2024 (my only brother passed away, and my Mom’s last sibling passed in December) , I decided to work on being more in the moment; open to new experiences; saying no instead of feeling guilty and saying yes to something I do ot really want to do or have the bandwith to do;and following my daughter’s lead about technology. Thankfully I do not have a smart watch and either does my daughter; my husband does and I hate it. After dinner I have my phone nearby only to answer phone calls or texts but I am sitting down watching TV. Once I go up to bed, only my daughter, and a few relatives would be able to get a hold of me as I have my phone set up to not allow calls to come thru from 10PM to 6AM. I do not allow myself to play games or mindlessly scroll social media.

    Implementing these low hanging goals, have made me feel so much better, both mentally, and physically.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      I am just so sorry about your losses in 2024. I am just so sorry. I hope your 2025 brings you much love, joy and peace. Thank YOU for sharing this today. I’m grateful for you. xx

  19. Jessica says

    As someone who’s in-laws both hum all the time, different tunes/ sounds, without stopping, I implore you for the love of your family and their sanity. Please break the humming habit 🙂

    That is said with all the love and humor in the world.

  20. Heather Palmer says

    I feel like you can still let Andrew remove the dead bird. There are things I can and will do if I’m home alone (my significant other works away 10 months of the year – 4 days off a month), but if he’s home, I forget how to do that stuff. 😝

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      You know what, it’s not there right now. I’m not sure when he removed it but this morning when I was mentally gearing myself up to dispose of it, it was gone 🙂 .

  21. Taylor R says

    Shay – my husband just told me he read a study that humming is good for your health. I should ask him for the link to provide to you. But I think it was in the Wall street Journal or some well known publication like that! Anyway, just wanted to share because I was really impressed with the info he shared from the article and encouraged that such an easy, uplifting thing like humming throughout your day can impact your health. 🙂

      • Taylor R says

        This is the article my husband ran across. It’s from 2023 from the National Institute of Health!

        https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC10182780/

        From the Conclusions section:
        Humming can be an effective stress-buster based on the assessment of several HRV parameters during its practice and in comparison with other activities. A regular daily humming routine can help enhance the parasympathetic nervous system and slow down sympathetic activation (I think this means your fight or flight instinct, so a person isn’t as jumpy or flighty?!)

        Anyway, I hope you still hum some! 🩷

  22. Amanda says

    HI Shay! I also try to put my phone away at night, but really need my steps to count so I’ve started putting my phone on Do Not Disturb and then my notifications don’t pop thru on my watch!

  24. Diane says

    Talking about looking at your phone while walking—-As a Medicaid provider for in home speech therapy services we have to do the progress note on our phone for electronic visit verification and I always think anyone observing wonders “why is that lady on her phone .” ! Hugs from Waco !

  25. Erika Slaughter says

    Shay, I’m now stressed about your #4!! Why are you walking down the stairs while you look at your phone?!

  26. Whitney Greenlee says

    I LOVE this post! The complaining one hit home for me. Also, I must have been humming the other night when I was doing dishes, my daughter asked me “are you humming Morgan Wallen’s new song? MOM, please stop” I just simply replied “aren’t you glad I am humming and not asking you to do the dishes” HAHA!

  28. Jordan says

    I love all of these! I will say I love my watch as a fitness tracker more than anything, and I just have it set up to mirror my phone’s settings (e.g., if my phone is on do not disturb, my watch is as well). Just thought I’d share if you’d like to still use your watch for fitness tracking without getting notifications! Now, if it’s too much of a temptation to look just having it on your wrist, I can’t help with that… haha!

  29. Beth Valenta says

    I love these growth goals. I felt the same about no resolutions, but things I need to do better. Walking…I need to walk more consistently. I am still saving for that walking pad, and hope that this addition to my home will be an easy every day thing. I have been a gym girl for a long time…but now changing and going back out just takes a back seat to errands. I am going to continue to send cards each month to my mom and play cards with my giftfriends twice a month. I laugh so hard at the humming…I talk to myself ALL the time, so I am trying to do better as I catch myself talking in the stores. Good luck on that. 🙂

  30. Marisa Patel says

    #5 and #6 are both on my list as well, so far I do not feel like I am going to slay them 🙁

  31. Angie says

    Shay! Humming is great for your parasympathetic (aka rest and digest) nervous system! It’s one of the things that can help get us out of fight or flight and is often recommended to stimulate the vagus nerve! I often notice myself or my daughter humming when we have a lot going on and the stress is starting to get high. I let it be because I think this is our body’s way of calming us down!!

    Copied from some AI resource 😉 –>
    ——
    Humming can stimulate the vagus nerve, which is a key component in regulating the body’s stress response and promoting overall well-being. When you hum, vibrations produced in the throat stimulate the vagus nerve, which runs through the larynx and pharynx. This stimulation activates the parasympathetic nervous system, often referred to as the “rest and digest” state, which helps reduce stress and lower heart rate.

    Research indicates that humming can significantly reduce stress and improve heart health. It does this by increasing heart rate variability, which is an indicator of a healthy, resilient nervous system. Additionally, humming can boost immunity and improve the health of the nervous system by increasing the release of nitric oxide, a gas that helps sterilize the air you breathe and increases arterial oxygenation.

    Incorporating humming into your daily routine can be a simple yet effective way to manage stress and enhance your overall well-being.
    ——-
    Keep on humming, friend!!! 🙂

  33. Sarah Shaneyfelt says

    I linked up but I’ve decided to add one more goal: to keep my nails painted this year! I always feel so much more put together when my nails are painted, but I haven’t really done anything to my nails the past two years. Time to set aside that time each week!

  34. Christina says

    I am always humming! My son pointed it out it out to me a few years ago. He said, “Mom do you know that you are always humming?” :). Helps me think while I’m completing tasks.

  35. Jenn Workman says

    This seems kind of silly but for some reason, I HATE opening the mail so I used to put it in a pile on the kitchen island. Then 2 weeks later, there is a huge pile on said kitchen island, which I also hate because I hate clutter haha. For 2025, I am trying to only have the mail be in my hands once…it gets opened immediately and shredded/recycled/thrown away right then.

    • Mix and Match Mama says

      It’s not silly, it’s relatable and practical! I love it! Thank you for sharing, Jenn!

  36. Tina says

    The way you set up the frozen dead bird comment.😂💯 Totally caught me off guard and made me laugh out loud. 😂

  37. Tonya Roberts says

    I hum/whistle. I know, I know! Who wants to be around a Whistler??!! So annoying! I learned through my aunt one day, though, when she heard me whistling, that my grandmother used to whistle all the time. Now I love when I catch myself whistling. It makes me think of her! Also, I feel like if someone is humming, singing, whistling to themselves that they must be happy and just have a song in their heart! I say hum away! 💗

  38. Sarah Snavely says

    I’m a mental health therapist and work with the vagus nerve which is linked to the central nervous system. Humming is a way to regulate ur nervous system! Keep humming!!

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