Anyone making resolutions this year? Some of mine include:
-writing more letters (I used to be a major letter writer, but with all the Facebook, blog, etc...I've let it slip)
-stay on top of photo editing/uploading
-save up steadfastly (no cheap-trend purchases) and replace my jeans
-help my son make some friends his own age and resolve his frustration/anger issues
-stick with what I know works...Clinique lipsticks, Origins lotions and cleansers, Pantene hair care,etc...instead of shelling out the dough for whatevers on sale or new only to throw it away later.
-go back to living the life that works for me instead of living a life dictated by other's negative opinions!
In the 10 years that I've had a 'grown-up' job, I have not had any sense of joy from my job(s) and constantly get down about being bored out of my mind, not challenged, etc. So, in 2010, I am officially giving up on using my job to meet these needs I thought it should be meeting. From now on, my job will pay my bills, I won't take it so seriously, and I'll just find some hobbies and other activities to stimulate me. I think it is the only way for me to be happy and not drive myself bonkers.
I've been working on these in my head, but it's must better to write them down and put them out there.
1) Work more consistently on my writing. I used to write everyday. Now whole months go by without producing anything. I need to put more time into it. And try to get it out there more.
2) Organize my photos on the laptop. Every year I photograph my mom's garden and make a calendar for her for Christmas. I use family photos to mark special dates. But it takes me 3x as long as it should to do because I spend half my time searching for these photos! So this year I am creating a file just for the calendar photos and putting them in there as I download them. Come next year, I will have them all ready to choose from.
3) Eat out at some of the restaurants I dream of going to, instead of just saying how much I want to go there. I've been making this resolution for the last 2 years and so far so good. It takes a lot of work to find people who want to go, I scour those 1/2 off deals and what not, but I've been able to visit some great places because of the hard work. But I still have more restaurants on my list!
4) I want to tone up again. I was toned during the summer because I knew I had my youngest brother's wedding in September. But I haven't consistently done anything but my daily cardio since then. I need to get back into a routine of doing crunches and weights a few days a week.
5) I want to cook a real meal at least once a week. Not just a quick bite, but something that takes time and technique. I enjoy cooking so much that it's silly not to devote a Sunday to making a great meal.
I'm typically not one for resolutions at the New Year, but since I already have a decent amount of momentum going I feel confident enough to put it up:
- Continue working out and losing weight! I think I've finally found a routine that works for me and I'm incorporating more active hobbies into my life. I'm down 7 pounds and a whole size since September, and I'm hoping for 5 more pounds in the next couple of months. I think I can really do it this time, for good!
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To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
- to find an animal shelter near by that I can volunteer at. I just really hope I can volunteer befoe my kids are out of school.
- to tone up by either working out again or just by doing pilates or yoga. I really dont want to lose my butt so I need to work out carefully. Last time I worked out I lost everything!
-Start reading more books again. I used to read so much before and I just finished the Tori Spelling book, which as my dad says "it's not a real book" but either way it got me back to the desire of reading again. :)
-Focus more in school. It's my last year before I can hopefully apply for Nursing school and all of these classes are going to count. I am not letting anything or anyone get in my way this year.
-Help my mom out by cooking at least once a week. She does so much and with my Grandma here she needs to relax more whenever she can.
-Travel more and learn to relax and enjoy the ride ;)
-And of course exercise more. With this spinning class I signed up for, I will be forced to go so no excuses now!
Whew! Good luck to everyone! And Elle, awesome job on the weight loss!
I'm hoping that, if I call it a "theme" instead of a "resolution," I will be able to make it happen and last throughout and beyond 2010.
2010 is going to be a shouldless year for me. AKA: "The Year of No" I need to establish some damn boundaries and stick to them with minimal feelings of guilt. I've had it.
PS - I'm totally looking forward to checking out what you all said in the style resolutions section.
I don't ever do resolutions because I have always had trouble keeping them. :( So I am keeping the resolutions about behavior this year rather than action. However, I think I might want to adopt Leanna's "stick with what I know" because I am a sucker for new products and sales, usually to find that I like my old reliable brands a lot better.
1. I want to stop offering unsolicited relationship advice to my girlfriends. It's futile because people are going to do what they want to do and who am I to say that my strategy is the best for someone else? If they ask though, which they often do, I'll pipe up. But I want to try harder to sound more empathetic and soft when they make what I consider huge relationship mistakes.
2. As a bit of a social experiment, I am going to *try* not to argue with any men and instead act the opposite of what I am compelled. I got yelled at/cold shouldered a few times this year (by admittedly immature and verbally competitive men) because I am a little too standoffish, dry humored, ball busting, quick witted, sharp tongued and apparently I say little remarks that make men feel attacked and react with anger...the same men who will be total sweethearts to another girl who can restrain herself from sarcasm! Like the time one guy said he felt "attacked" because I told him I was not promiscuous... and it made him feel like I was insulting him. My resolution is to STFU and just try to be sweeter and more appreciative overall so that I stop angering men. Ex husband not included... I'll continue to say whatever I want to him because I am not trying to improve for that guy and frankly, he is just too easy of a target.
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"Go either very cheap or very expensive. It's the middle ground that is fashion nowhere." ~ Karl Lagerfeld
2. As a bit of a social experiment, I am going to *try* not to argue with any men and instead act the opposite of what I am compelled. I got yelled at/cold shouldered a few times this year (by admittedly immature and verbally competitive men) because I am a little too standoffish, dry humored, ball busting, quick witted, sharp tongued and apparently I say little remarks that make men feel attacked and react with anger...the same men who will be total sweethearts to another girl who can restrain herself from sarcasm! Like the time one guy said he felt "attacked" because I told him I was not promiscuous... and it made him feel like I was insulting him. My resolution is to STFU and just try to be sweeter and more appreciative overall so that I stop angering men. Ex husband not included... I'll continue to say whatever I want to him because I am not trying to improve for that guy and frankly, he is just too easy of a target.
Or you could, ya know, make a resolution to stop hanging out with men who are so unconfident in themselves and their manhood that they can't take a woman who has a perfectly acceptable, strong, sarcastic, opinionated personality. Just sayin' ...
__________________
To be yourself in a world that is constantly trying to make you something else is the greatest accomplishment ~ {Ralph Waldo Emerson}
Lose weight/start working out on a more regular basis.
Stop shopping/spending so much money on stupid stuff! (My new budget will prob. help with this)
Focus more on my homework and less on watching tv.
Start cooking more meals (I usually resort to frozen) and cook more healthy meals.
Try to spend more time with friends, and also, try and make more friends. I don't have very many friends where I live, and I'm shy so it's hard for me to strike up conversations. I'd like to change this.
Some new goals (rather than resolutions) for 2010:
Get a cat (I want a Birman cat) when I have a job/can afford to buy and care for it. My roommate had a cat, and I've missed him (the cat, not my roommate) ever since she moved out. My dog needs a pal too; she's probably so bored when I'm at school.
Find a job that is at least sort of interesting. I'm graduating in May, and I'll probably be tempted to accept the first job that comes my way. Hopefully I can find one that I sort of like!
-- Edited by wetbandit42 on Sunday 3rd of January 2010 11:02:13 AM
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Know first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. - Epictetus
Oh Elle! I know, right? If only it were that easy... I WISH I would meet a guy like that. I know they exist somewhere... but where do they hang out in the Dallas area? So it's gonna be a lonely year. I would make a resolution to actively seek them out, but alas, I barely have time to go out socially as it is.
__________________
"Go either very cheap or very expensive. It's the middle ground that is fashion nowhere." ~ Karl Lagerfeld
Get a cat (I want a Birman cat) when I have a job/can afford to buy and care for it. My roommate had a cat, and I've missed him (the cat, not my roommate) ever since she moved out. My dog needs a pal too; she's probably so bored when I'm at school.
Are Birmans known to be dog-friendly? A rescue group can match you with a cat that has lived around dogs and already likes them.
Get a cat (I want a Birman cat) when I have a job/can afford to buy and care for it. My roommate had a cat, and I've missed him (the cat, not my roommate) ever since she moved out. My dog needs a pal too; she's probably so bored when I'm at school.
Are Birmans known to be dog-friendly? A rescue group can match you with a cat that has lived around dogs and already likes them.
From what I've read, yes. They love people and apparently get along well with other dogs, but I'd like to read a book specifically about Birmans. In all honestly, it probably wouldn't be until the end of 2010 or even 2011 before I get a cat.
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Know first, who you are; and then adorn yourself accordingly. - Epictetus