Tuesday, December 30, 2008

I resolve...

Most years, I make a long list of New Year's Resolutions, most of which are promptly forgotten by March and re-resolved the following January.

So last year, I decided to make just a couple of resolutions and focus on them. But, when I didn't even accomplish those two goals, it was kind of disheartening. What, I can't even do TWO things in an entire YEAR?

It's a lot more satisfying to make tons of resolutions. Then, when I don't accomplish them I can look back and say, What did I expect? It was completely unrealistic to think I could accomplish ALL THAT in ONLY a YEAR!

That's why, in 2009, I resolve to:

Cut back on the lattes, drink more green tea, put the kids in daycare one morning a week, take a martial arts class, walk the dogs, start a new website, add book and product reviews to this blog, start composting, plant a vegetable garden, compile some of my writing into a book, begin writing a novel, end my relationship with diapers, quit making separate meals for picky family members, take a yoga class, put out the hummingbird feeder, go to bed early, exercise every day, learn a second language, keep the house clean, do a better job keeping up with friends, post inspirational quotes around my house, always remember to bring my reusable bags to the grocery store, push back my cuticles, file papers once a week, put all the bills on autopay, establish more of a routine, quit using the word "actually" so much, improve my knowledge of history and geography, keep up on current events, print off more pictures, send photos of the kids to the grandparents via email, check email less often, join my kids in play more often, get to know my neighbors, go on weekly dates with my husband, start riding my bike again, start playing my guitar again, and clean out the refrigerator.

I already know there's no way I can do all of that. But, there's a really good chance I can do at least some of those things, some of the time. And that's good enough for me.

How about you? What are your resolutions?
Do you make them? Do you keep them?

4 comments:

Cristina said...

I think we're going a different resolution route this year. Good luck and happy new year. At least I'm making progress in writing in my blog more often. Now I just have to increase my readership...also I found our shared journal. I made a entry, and I'm going to send to you. So send me the other one. Cheers!

(her name is Torrie) said...

One thing that helps me is to take each goal and break it down into the tiniest step. Just do that one step that week. By the end of the year, you will have taken 52 steps towards the goal instead of none because the goal seems too overwhelming. Happy New Year! Is coming to denver one of your resolutions?

Ruth said...

Cristina, thanks, there's another item for my list: write in our shared journals! Now, if I can just figure out where that is, hmmm...which one do you have?

Torrie, what a great idea. Step one: find the shared journal. Another step one: figure out a good time to go to Denver. Definitely.

Unknown said...

Yay for coming to Denver...
How about...moving back to Denver? :)

Just wrote about my big one on my blog. Making healthy, waste-free lunches for the kids and Marrty and I...

and...trying to consciously dwell more on the FUN than the HARD.

Thats it. Not much. But enough that it will be a challenge. :)