…I don’t know.
I haven’t the foggiest idea about what I should resolve to do, because for a ridiculous number of years, I’ve been resolving to lose the same ten pounds (plus the ten that I added that year, which means that I’m up to a butt-load of pounds that I’m supposed to resolve to lose), and I haven’t done that.
If I’m honest, I look at my life, and there are so many things that I want to change about it that it seems trite to just “make a resolution” to change it. It’s a Herculean task, one that needs breaking down into little, bitty pieces. So how do you make a single resolution out of that mess?
I suppose I could resolve to “eat an elephant”, you know that old adage, “how do you eat an elephant? One bite at a time.” So I could resolve to just break down that “change my entire life” problem into a series of little bits, and get started on one of them. But that turns it into a mountain of a to-do list that Hercules himself would shy away from.
I could, on the other hand, just resolve to be happy and at peace with what I have. I have an amazing little boy, who delights and challenges me on a daily basis. I have a beautiful house on a generous piece of land. I have several ponies living here so I get my daily equine fix without all the expense that goes with that hobby. I have a family that mostly loves me, and wants the best for me… and never ceases to advise me on just how best to accomplish that goal…
But those things still don’t change the fact that I’m twitchy, and want some different things. And I’m impatient enough to say that I want them right.now. So maybe I’ll just do what the Martha Stewart in me is saying (and believe me, she’s rarely allowed free of her duct-tape bindings): make a list, and start ticking things off as I go.
Hey, that’s kind of a cool idea, come to think of it. A big, long list of everything I’d like to change. Kind of a “bucket list” of things to accomplish before 2011 kicks the bucket. Put it in my shiny new planner, and at the end of 2011, see just how many things I’ve accomplished.
How about you guys? Do you have a New Years Resolution or tradition? Anything you’d like to put on your list?
Us Girls..Our Views 
I really like the idea of a list. Just one thing seem so general. Many MANY moons ago I was going to quit smoking. I sure wish I’d have done it before I got to where I am.
I’ll be back. I have a big list too.
On my list is absolutely nr. 1: Being less judgmental and having more patience with other people’s way of doing things. As you can imaging, this is a huge task for me! Wish me luck and if you have advice, please, please give it to me! Thanks!
My piece of advice is with accepting the way others do things: my philosophy is, “if it gets done, we’re good”. For example, if I ask Steve to clean the bathroom, and he decides to pick up each individual whatever and clean under it, instead of taking everything off the counters and just wiping it all down at once? It’s getting done, right? I go to another room and don’t watch him. When I go back up later… it’s done. Same with folding laundry, etc. Unless it HAS to be done a certain way (fold the undies *this* way or they won’t fit in the drawer), I’m just happy it’s done.
Lord knows I have plenty of room for improvement. I’m not big on formal “resolutions,” though. I will tell myself I’m gonna change a few things, then forget what I’d “resolved.”
Mostly I know on a daily basis what is and isn’t good for me, and sometimes I choose to do what’s bad for me anyway. Like the Stir thing – I have changed that rule on myself about 5 times in the past 4 days (always making it more lenient and then breaking it anyway). Eventually I’ll get so sick of myself that I won’t need a written promise to do better. I guess that’s just the way I operate.
This year, I think I’ll find a “rhythm” that I can really live with. I am actually pretty close to this now, I think. No more regrets or resentment about things not being “how I thought they could be.” Just a realistic structure within which I can be peaceful and purposeful most of the time. Of course I’ll screw up along the way, but I still think the realistic goal is within reach.
I actually have 3 this year.
1. To be a happier person! Which is really hard when you work at a “micromanaged” crap hole like me.
2. Quit chewing tobacco! Which I’ve stuck too so far. It’s only been a few days but they say those are the hardest.
3. Gain 10-15 lbs. — that one won’t be easy.
Congrats on not chewing Shane! That is great news!
GAIN weight???? You are no longer allowed to comment here. 😉
LOL !
Jason has the same problem. I think you, him and Eric are so alike when it comes to that. He is trying to quit smoking right now, and has for the 1st time given it a hard honest shot. When he wants a smoke, he eats. So maybe that will help you both. When you want to chew, go eat something…just make sure it’s something healthy with some protein in it! And start lifting weights if you have them. Good luck Shane, you can do it!
I have a lot of things I want and need to work on. One I know is sorting through the emotional baggage in my life. I’ve been thinking about it since it is the start of new new, but the thought alone of all the ways I could/should improve myself is overwhelming at times!
I don’t really have any resolutions this year. I was going to give up Pepsi, but I did that back in December when I got sick. I only drank 1 can a day, but I can’t tell you how much better I feel! I have had a half cup twice and both times it didn’t sit well so I will just stick with Sierra Mist. Otherwise, we’ll just keep plugging away!
Here is (what I think) is the BIGGEST problem with annual resolutions.
1. People MAY actually make a plan for their resolution but they fail to itemize (in detail) on how to succeed in it.
2. The BIGGEST PROBLEM with succeeding with an annual resolution is that MOST people fail to write down the things that may get in their way of achieving their goal. Then after writing down what will get in their way they RARELY write down how to overcome that challenge.
JUST THINK ABOUT THAT…. LET IT SINK IN… WRITE IT DOWN!!!
Resolution – Lose weight
Steps to help me achieve my long desired resolution.
1. Use sugar substitue or natural sweetners such as honey.
2. Do NOT eat anything after 6 p.m.
3. Exercise.
3a. Get up 30 minutes earlier on Monday, Wednesday and Friday for a walk. Or walk during my lunch. Or take the stairs (up and down) at work. Look for places that I could walk instead of using elevators, escalators. Ride my bike instead of taking the car. (Now stop AND WRITE THAT LIST OF PLACES YOU CAN WALK INSTEAD OF THE OTHER).
3b. Get an exercise DVD to use at home.
3c. Find a friend who has the same goal and get them to join with me so we can hold each other accountable and walk together (possibly).
Things that might get in my way and ways to overcome them.
1. Road Block – I REALLY like the way sugar tastes!
SOLUTION – Remember that the feeling of achieving my long sought after resolution FEELS BETTER THAN SUGAR TASTES!!
2. Road Block – I already get up early and need my sleep.
SOLUTION – Turn the TV off earlier the night before and go to bed earlier. I can retrain my sleep pattern to achieve my goal!
3. Road Block – My mind keeps telling me that I have tried this before and I won’t do it.
SOLUTION – Speak (audibly) to myself that I WILL take my walk, I will use sugar substitutes, I AM WORTH MAKING THESE SHORT TERM SACRIFICES FOR A BETTER LONG TERM LIFE STYLE!!
4. Road Block – I have to walk in the dark.
SOLUTION – I will put reflective tape on the back of my walking shoes and on the front shoulder of my outer garment and carry a small flashlight.
5. Road Block – I missed a day or two so I have failed.
SOLUTION – So what! I can keep doing it now.
*******************************************************************************
My Mrs. has been on the weight loss rollercoaster ever since I can remember. Well over two decades.
In February of 2010 she went to see a weight management doctor. She radically changed the way she eats and is getting some exercise. To date she has lost SIXTY SEVEN POUNDS!!!! I help when I grocery shop by looking at the protein vs calorie numbers. It’s very important to keep the protein/calorie numbers within the ten multiplied factor. For instance if an item has ten grams of protein you want to try to have the calories within 100. It wasn’t easy at first but the more I looked (and it does take more time initially) but it has certainly paid dividends.
Our children are 30, 26, 21, 8 & 6. We had not had family portraits taken since our oldest daughter was in elementary school simply because my Mrs. did not want her picture taken. I am excited and so happy to say that in December the entire family went down to Folly Beach and had our individual, couples and FAMILY PICTURES DONE!!!
I do have a resolution idea of what I want to do and yesterday was the first time I tried it. I think I’ll write a Blog post about it.
Geez, I’m gonna need more than this half-slip of paper….
Seriously, I agree with you on the power of writing. And by writing, I mean “taking pen in hand and physically putting the words on the paper” instead of tapping it out on the computer. I’m guilty of the second. I can type and type all the words I want, but they rarely sink in. There’s something about the act of writing it with your hand, the effort it takes, that makes it sink in.
Interesting point, about the protein vs calories. I never knew that one. Seems like it would be a good guideline, though.
I have never really been one to make a “resolution” but there are things I am always trying to better about myself. I don’t wait until Jan 1st to do them. I starting running and really eating healthier back in October. I watch my cholesterol, and sugar intake. I don’t fuss too much with calories or fat grams, or carbs. I eat what I want to a degree, and lately it has been that I want healthier food. I don’t eat nearly as much candy as I used to. That was probably the biggest thing I gave up, but not entirely. I do need to sink my teeth into some candy now and again.
The other thing I am doing different, is being more assertive, which is a big step for me. I’ve never had the courage to do so. I had to dig deep to find it but I did find some, I hope I continue finding that!
All in all, I just try to become a better wife, mother, friend, aunt, daughter, human being.
I think the list thing is a great idea for those who have certain things they want. I do want certain things, a house to call my own and never move again, a career, and a happy life. 3 things I will work hard to achieve in the next year.
When I was your age I wanted to be assertive so bad. Now that I don’t really care if people like me or not, it’s considered being a bitch. Why is that? The minute you stand up for yourself, people think that. Why?
I’m not sure, but that is true. I think we just have to find our own happy medium, be assertive and get what we want out of life, but keep that smile on our face. That’s what I intend to do. I have stopped caring, for the most part, what people think about me. Especially if they have NO part in my life.
I had a big, long response to the “bitch” thing, and decided to turn it into a post instead… stay tuned…
Well we got rid of all the cookies and snacks from the holidays. Jason took them to work yesterday. So I guess thats one resolution to stop buying all that crap food!! LOL.. I love it though. Gonna be hard. Another one is to cut back on going out to eat. Save more money. Hopefully this year we will have way less Dr. bills than last yr. since Jason’s MRSA infections have calmed down. Or I guess we have found a way to treat it at home! Here’s to a better year of no dr. bills & better health! 😀
My brother has had very bad MRSA infections in the past, so bad that he has been hospitalized. What do you do at home to treat it?
Well Jason has had in the past where he would get the red streaks going up. He’s had infections on his arms, hands, legs. He would go into the dr and they would have to lance it. GROSS! Well if he gets an infection he puts a hot pack with a wet wash cloth on it and waits until the infection comes to a head. And pokes it with a sterile needle. Gross I know, but it has worked for us. And saves on Dr. bills!
That is gross, but I will tell my brother that. He had it so bad on his face, it was going into his eyes and his mouth. They were afraid it would go into his throat and cause him to have a hard time breathing. That’s when they admitted him.
This yr I resolve to do my best and trust God to handle the rest. This is NOT as easy as it may appear. I have always been a very “handle it myself” person and have suffered the stress to prove it! 😦 I’m finally learning to “pray, believe, and receive”. But it’s often hard not to meddle when I’m not seeing results fast enough!!