Every year, I make approximately a thousand resolutions, and keep approximately 1-2. By accident. Or because it's a resolution like, "go skydiving this year!" This year, hopefully with the impetus of blogging about it, maybe I'll actually keep all of these.
So the list and the motivation behind each resolution:
**1) I will continue to live life the way that I feel is right for me and will not fall prey to the well-intentioned, yet potentially faulty, expectations of others.
For most of my life, I've been a fairly self-assured person who has more or less followed the beat of my own drummer. But moving to NYC in my late 20s did a bit of a number on me, making me question for the first time if who I am is good enough. In addition to the usual NYC oh-my-god-I'm-walking-down-the-street-with-supermodels self-image issues, I also neared 30 thinking of all of the things I was "supposed" to have accomplished by that point and hadn't. The morning of my 30th birthday was one of the most liberating moments of my adult life, in which I woke up, breathed a deep breath and thought, "Well thank God that's over." Imagine that- nothing catastrophic happened when I didn't meet those self-imposed/societally-imposed accomplishments. I really felt like I had woken out of a dream and back into who I am supposed to be. Occasionally, I lapse back into the, "Wait! But I'm supposed to be doing something else with my life!" mentality, and this resolution is to remind me not to do that.
For most of my life, I've been a fairly self-assured person who has more or less followed the beat of my own drummer. But moving to NYC in my late 20s did a bit of a number on me, making me question for the first time if who I am is good enough. In addition to the usual NYC oh-my-god-I'm-walking-down-the-street-with-supermodels self-image issues, I also neared 30 thinking of all of the things I was "supposed" to have accomplished by that point and hadn't. The morning of my 30th birthday was one of the most liberating moments of my adult life, in which I woke up, breathed a deep breath and thought, "Well thank God that's over." Imagine that- nothing catastrophic happened when I didn't meet those self-imposed/societally-imposed accomplishments. I really felt like I had woken out of a dream and back into who I am supposed to be. Occasionally, I lapse back into the, "Wait! But I'm supposed to be doing something else with my life!" mentality, and this resolution is to remind me not to do that.
2) I will pay off my credit card debts. Enough fooling around on this. I will also check my credit score and resolve any outstanding issues if they exist.
This shouldn't really need explanation. It's just the grownup thing to do. Mine is certainly not as bad as it could be, and I've been working it down for the past 6 months, but I'm going to really make a concerted effort on this front this year. You probably won't hear me talk about this much, I assume, unless it's something like, "I chose NOT to buy that really cute shirt, even though it was on sale..."
This shouldn't really need explanation. It's just the grownup thing to do. Mine is certainly not as bad as it could be, and I've been working it down for the past 6 months, but I'm going to really make a concerted effort on this front this year. You probably won't hear me talk about this much, I assume, unless it's something like, "I chose NOT to buy that really cute shirt, even though it was on sale..."
3) I will get back into shape and get back into the middle of my weight range. As part of this, I will get back to eating healthier and I will work out at least once every 2 weeks. Preferably once a week.
Ok, ok, I know, I shouldn't be judging my weight, etc. based on post-holidays weight. But I've been creeping up the scale for the past year now, and as of this morning, was 2 pounds over the average weight range for my height and age. That said, I have been here before, and know where it goes from here. So I'm currently eating a clementine rather than the chocolate bar I'd rather be eating. Ok, 2 clementines. But that's still got to be better, right? I'd just like to get back down to being in the middle of my average weight range where I felt more healthy and energetic.
Ok, ok, I know, I shouldn't be judging my weight, etc. based on post-holidays weight. But I've been creeping up the scale for the past year now, and as of this morning, was 2 pounds over the average weight range for my height and age. That said, I have been here before, and know where it goes from here. So I'm currently eating a clementine rather than the chocolate bar I'd rather be eating. Ok, 2 clementines. But that's still got to be better, right? I'd just like to get back down to being in the middle of my average weight range where I felt more healthy and energetic.
4) I will go to mass at least once a month.
Doesn't necessarily have to be a Catholic mass. I just have to go to some sort of religious service once a month, as I've been getting really lax about it. In past years, when I've given myself this goal, I'll go every couple weeks for a few months and then go 3 or 4 months without stepping into a place of worship. I'd rather be a little more consistent about my faith. (I also wouldn't mind finding a retreat to go on, but that'll just be an added bonus, not a resolution this year)
Doesn't necessarily have to be a Catholic mass. I just have to go to some sort of religious service once a month, as I've been getting really lax about it. In past years, when I've given myself this goal, I'll go every couple weeks for a few months and then go 3 or 4 months without stepping into a place of worship. I'd rather be a little more consistent about my faith. (I also wouldn't mind finding a retreat to go on, but that'll just be an added bonus, not a resolution this year)
5) I will make at least one new recipe from every cookbook I own.
I assume this will be the one y'all will hear about most. After getting 5 cookbooks for Christmas (best Christmas EVER!!!!), I realized that I need to go to these resources more. So, you will hear about at least 32 new recipes this year. Yep- 32 cookbooks. It's an addiction. (so probably related to #2, you may hear alot about "I didn't buy this new cookbook that looked so delicious and amazing!!!" But they always make good holiday gifts :-)
I assume this will be the one y'all will hear about most. After getting 5 cookbooks for Christmas (best Christmas EVER!!!!), I realized that I need to go to these resources more. So, you will hear about at least 32 new recipes this year. Yep- 32 cookbooks. It's an addiction. (so probably related to #2, you may hear alot about "I didn't buy this new cookbook that looked so delicious and amazing!!!" But they always make good holiday gifts :-)
6) I will meditate at least once a week.
You know, this has been on my resolutions list for about 3 years. You know how many times I've meditated? Probably about 4. Maybe less. Let's see if this blogging thing-a-ma-jig helps.
You know, this has been on my resolutions list for about 3 years. You know how many times I've meditated? Probably about 4. Maybe less. Let's see if this blogging thing-a-ma-jig helps.
7) I will attempt to pray at least once a day.
I actually am ok with this, but I just want to keep it on the list so I don't get lax about it as I have in past years.
8) I will organize my room and give everything a place. If it stays there, great, but everything should have it's own place by this point. I actually am ok with this, but I just want to keep it on the list so I don't get lax about it as I have in past years.
If you know me, or have seen my room (or my office and can extrapolate) you know that things in my room generally end up on the floor. Or other flat surface that isn't already covered. Often this happens because things don't have their official place. I'm going to change that this year. Hopefully. I actually spent this last weekend organizing a bunch of junk in my room- tossing a bunch of useless stuff, and finding places for other things. i just hope I can keep this up once classes start again.
So, basically, all of these can be consolidated in #1, which can also be rephrased as, "Be more Me this year." That's what 2010 is going to mean to me. What about you? Have you made any resolutions? Do you want to join me in any of mine?
Happy New Year, everyone!
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