The Season Of Living

If there was ever a season of living, summer 2015 would be the poster child. But then again, I’d be hard-pressed to find a summer in my past where I didn’t say #yeswayrosé over a night in with my computer.

I’ll admit, I need fall to breathe some structure back into my life and Victoria and Meg’s linkup was the boost of motivation I needed to refocus on my purpose both as a whole, and in each area that encompasses my life.

so long, summerWith it being the first official day of autumn, I’m saying so long to the relatively carefree days of summer and hello to my long-term to-do list where there’s no shortage of ideas waiting to be made into plans.

BLOGGING

  • A few months into the year, I decided I wanted to have my weight loss story (I hate calling it that) published on a well-known site. I’ve since refreshed, revised and paired it with my quick tips to help the “average” gal find her balance. Although I’ve been told no more times than I can count, I’m determined to make it happen. Thankfully I’m not one who’s afraid to pitch/put myself out there, but I may need to rethink my approach. After all…

  • I’ve also been busy mapping out fresh content for the blog and honing in on what topics I’d like to focus on/who I’d like to work with during the last fourth months of the year – is there anything in particular you’d like to see?
  • Start using better imagery on my site. I don’t struggle with lack of words, but rather, lack of original imagery – which holds me back from posting most days. I’ve had a taste of how things can look when they’re shot professionally and suddenly my iPhone snaps don’t seem worthy enough. I’ve thought about investing in the Samsung NX300M and while I realize it’s not as good as the Nikon I have (which is currently collecting dust/taking up desk space), it’s certainly more portable and possibly a little more user friendly? If you have one of your own, I’d love to hear what you think of it!fitness and wellness | @jessicazimlich

PERSONAL

  • I’ve fallen victim to the terribly unhealthy habit of staring into my phone screen before dozing off at night and it’s important to me that I break the cycle. I tend to do most of my reading during the fall and winter months so at the very least, I’ve got that going for me! The Kansas City Public Library isn’t going to know what to do with me after they fulfill my endless hold requests.

SHOP MY NIGHTSTAND:

  • Push myself hard through these last few weeks of half marathon training. Three weeks, three days and one Caribbean cruise (oops) stand between me and the finish line.

If you’re interested in taking a peek at the goals I set out to accomplish at the beginning of the year, be my guest! While my priorities have changed a bit, I’m still focusing on these as well.

WHAT’S ONE OF YOUR GOALS FOR THE NEW SEASON?

Peruse the rest of the gals in the linkup below:
Annie Reeves
 // Alyssa J Freitas // Carly Blogs // Feathers and Stripes // Carrie Loves // White Oak Creative // PRBlonde // Sequins & Strawberries // Pieced Together // PreppyPanache // Knowing Kelly // Something Good // Life By Bri // My Beauty Cloud // La Vie Petite // Wealthy in Health // White Cabana // Mrs. on the Move // Boys and Bombshells // She’s All Smiles // Life Modifier // Everyday Cuvée // A Little Leopard // Don’t Stop Till You Get Enough // L is for Lucy // Cori’s Corner // Beauty and the Pitch // Dreams and Colour Schemes // Viciloves // Lights Camera Catwalk // Pattern Me Pretty // A Few of My Favorite Things // Chic Glamorous and Splendid // StyledbyKesha // Suzy Speaks // Luv in the Bubble // The Minimalist

Photo #2 by Alissa

Leave a Comment

73 Comments

  1. Ashley wrote:

    Great goals friend! I’ve been forcing myself to put down my phone and pick up a book at night too. It makes such a difference in helping unwind before bed!

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      It truly does. I sleep better and feel better so it really should be a no-brainer for me 😉

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  2. I love your goals and kudos on your transformation! Looking forward to following along! – Courtney

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Thanks so much, Courtney! I’m so happy you’re sticking around 🙂

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  3. Caitlin wrote:

    Loving the goals! I feel you on the whole looking at your screen before bed. it’s so hard to break this cycle but we can do it! plus, we should read more, that was one of my goals as well.

    xx!

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Yes we can!

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  4. I should have put the not-browsing-on-the-phone-before-sleeping on my goal list. These are good goals, some of them inspired me, thanks :)))

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      I think the majority of people could 😉 Have a great weekend, Noemi!

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  5. Suzy wrote:

    Imagery for my blog holds me back too! I understand the struggle. I’ve also been looking at the Samsung camera because I’ve heard such great things. I agree – it’s definitely a lot more portable than whipping out a big Nikon DSLR lol. Great goals!

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      I feel like this is a common thing among some of us bloggers and it’s reassuring to know I’m not the only one struggling! Thank you, Suzy 🙂

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  6. Elizabeth and I have struggled SO much with how to use our DSLR. We’re still learning, but refuse to give up on it lol! Hope you have a great week!
    xo Emily
    http://www.fashioncolumntwins.com

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Well I’m glad I’m not the only one! Cheers to the weekend ahead 🙂

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  7. Lindsay wrote:

    I’m so glad you are working on sharing your weight-loss story! I think it is such an inspiring and honest narrative, and that it helps out a lot of people. I really admire your determination!

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Thank you miss Lindsay! 🙂

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  8. Totally agree with you! There’s something about fall that makes you want to buckle down and get your life together. Love your goals – I definitely feel you on honing in on new blog post ideas.

    xo Jen
    Skirt The Rules

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      There certainly is 🙂 Thank you so much for reading, Jen!

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  9. These are great goals! I am looking forward to hearing more about your weight-loss story too!

    Xx Taylor
    http://www.lightscameracatwalk.com

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Thank you! If (when) I get the updated story published, you’ll be the first to know. Here’s the original, if you want to read! http://bit.ly/1embIgd

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  10. Lauren wrote:

    I found you on the Link-up – I’m excited to read more books this fall as well!

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Thanks for taking the time to read, Lauren!

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  11. natalie wrote:

    I’ve loved reading everyone’s goals today! It’s definitely motivation to get some of my own set up 🙂 These are great!

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      So glad that you stopped by, Natalie!

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  12. Erica wrote:

    I’m so glad you mentioned feeling like photography and images are holding you back. It’s probably my biggest source of anxiety about blogging too. I love to dream up outfits and do style posts, but there’s only so many times I can ask my partner to take my photos, especially since he has a full time job and photography isn’t his passion. I’ve bought about hiring photographer but that’s a hard decision when I don’t make much blogging.

    Good luck with your training and all of your fall goals!

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      So true. We will get there, eventually! Thank you 🙂

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  13. Love these goals! For photography, I love following along with A Beautiful Mess and Gal Meets Glam photography tips and tricks. Can’t wait to see how your skills evolve.

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Yes, I love both of them as well! Thanks for saying hey, Cori 🙂

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  14. Angela wrote:

    Great goals! Putting my phone down before bed is something I struggle with too! I usually have a good book to wind down with, But intsa always seems to call my name before the lights go out.

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Thanks, Angela! The struggle is too real. Damn that Instagram 😉

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  15. Karly wrote:

    Good for you, lady! I think this is a great time of year to take a step back, reevaluate your goals and life in general, and set out on a new track for the rest of the year. I think your blog photography is fantastic as it is, but I’ve heard lots of rave reviews about that Samsung camera – I’ve been eyeing it for myself, too. Hope you get lots of reading accomplished, too!

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Agreed! Here’s to getting back on track 🙂 Have a great one, Karly!

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  16. Lauren wrote:

    Relate to so many of these! Ever since I arrived back at school, it’s been the biggest struggle trying to find a photographer that I love! So I’ve been holding onto the photos from my home photoshoots, trying to space them out, which has definitely hindered my posting. Also, I need to make more of an effort to cross books off of my reading list – the fall and winter months are for sure the best times!

    Lauren
    http://oliverstwistblog.com

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      I hear you, Lauren! I hope you have a great weekend 🙂

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  17. Marisa wrote:

    I love you goal about putting your phone down and falling asleep without a screen in front of your face. I’ve fallen victim to the same thing recently. Glad I got to swing by as part of the linkup!

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Haven’t we all! Thanks so much for reading, Marisa 🙂

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  18. Brittany wrote:

    Good luck with the marathon training! Sounds like such a blast. I participated in a half marathon last year and absolutely loved it.

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
  19. Brittany wrote:

    Good luck on the marathon training! So exciting. I participated in a half marathon last year and absolutely loved it.

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Thank you! I’m going for the half, too! After running a few of them, I’m not sure my bod is cut out for 26.2.

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  20. Alyssa wrote:

    I started using my Kindle with my library card (which I haven’t had in YEARS), and it made a huge difference – plus, I sleep horribly when I’m on my phone right before bed!

    Alyssa
    Feathers and Stripes

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      I think it effects my dreams as well! Not healthy at all.

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  21. Ellese wrote:

    Good luck training! That is so exciting. XO, Ellese

    http://rockpaperglam.com/

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Thanks so much!

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  22. Nicole wrote:

    Jess, I totally hear you on photos! It’s like “if they aren’t perfect, I’m not posting.” Which is such a hold up! Between uploading, editing, making them web friendly, labeling, entering in the description, etc. – it’s exhausting! Let alone have time to write on top of it all. As for the phone, don’t keep it by your night stand and put it on airplane mode!

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Precisely! It really holds me back. I think your photos keep getting better and better, so you must be doing something right 😉 I’m going to try airplane mode for sure. I hope you have a great weekend, girlfriend!

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  23. Natalie wrote:

    Good for you putting yourself out there—not only have you worked so hard, you’re inspiring others to find a lifestyle that works for them too! And I totally feel you on needing to put the electronics away before sleep. My nightly habit is to do a final round through Instagram and Facebook before bed, but that’s definitely not healthy.

    Posted 9.23.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      I really appreciate that, Natalie!

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  24. Summer wrote:

    I love your goals! All the best with them♥

    chocolateandsunset.com

    Posted 9.24.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Thank you!

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  25. Kelly wrote:

    Great goals! Marathon training? That’s awesome!!! Hope you’re able to break that screen-time habit. I have the same one… gah. It’s so hard!
    Photos are also SO hard. Everyone’s using stock images and they’re so easy but so overdone. It’s almost like we need photographers to follow us around all day to take some good, original shots hah!

    Posted 9.24.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Half marathon training! As for breaking the screen habit, we can do it 🙂

      Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  26. Jenny Kim wrote:

    I just need summer to end because this heat is making me mad.

    Posted 9.24.15 Reply
  27. Abby wrote:

    Great goals, Jess!! I just read your weight lost post, and O M G, you go girlfriend!!!!!! You look great!

    Posted 9.25.15 Reply
  28. YT wrote:

    Been reading your site for awhile and your weight loss story is such an inspiration! Thank you!

    Posted 10.11.15 Reply
    • Jess wrote:

      Hey, thank you so much for letting me know! It really means a lot to me. I’m so happy to have you following along 🙂

      Posted 10.23.15 Reply