January used to be a time for resolutions. And it still is, for some. But to others, resolutions are taboo. We don’t want to make them and we don’t want to break them. We are wary of broad statements that draw attention to our flaws. Making resolutions is scary. It is often too personal and too raw. And too often we simply feel as though we are setting ourselves up for failure. Breaking resolutions is even scarier.
I stopped making resolutions for a while. My ego is frail enough and I did everything I could to avoid bruising it further. When I eased back into the valiant art of new year’s resolutions, I started small and manageable. I resolved to drink more water. It didn’t really call attention to an obvious flaw in my personality but it still encouraged a general sense of healthiness. Plus, it was such a mundane resolution that if I failed to drink my 8 cups a day, it wouldn’t hurt my confidence.
This year, I’m done being scared. I’ve decided to examine myself, pick out some flaws, and resolve to be better. Normally people make their resolutions on January 1st, but I’ve used this past resolution month to really focus on what I wanted to change this year. It is never too late to resolve.
Grow
2012 was a banner year for my blog. I learned to put myself out there and expect good things. I learned to work hard and prioritize it. I don’t know what my ultimate blogging goals are for 2013, but I know I want it to continue growing my blog, increasing my opportunities, and improving my writing.
I’m a notoriously bad email manager. All those unread messages caused me so much stress that I avoided my inbox, which meant I missed even more emails. When the calendar flipped over I decided to begin anew. I archived all old emails and started fresh. In 2013, I resolve to be on top of my email. This means putting aside time each day to read and answer and clearing out my inbox at the end of every week. I’m not doing a great job so far, but I am trying.
Floss
I have a hate/hate relationship with flossing. I hate flossing and I hate going to the dentist when I don’t floss. My mouth simply cannot fit the amount of hands that need to be in it to get between those back teeth. But I am also done with going to the dentist and having my gums and my ego hurt after the beating they both get from the dental hygienist. Plus, did you know that flossing can help you live longer? And I do love my smile. I might not floss daily, but that will be my goal. And hopefully the lovely Alma will notice it next time I go to get my teeth cleaned.
Potty Train Cameron
We are so close to crossing this off the list already. It has been a long time coming.
Sleep Through the Night
This is one of those things that I have already started working on, and the baby is (mostly) sleeping through the night and sharing a room with his brother. Now I just need to start going to bed earlier (That’s not going to happen).
Read
I stopped really reading in the fall of 2012. I let myself get too busy. I’m a reader so this has to change. Ideally I’d like to read two books a month, but I am setting a goal of one. I also started the #MomsReading group to encourage community in this.
Feed My Soul
The only resolution I made at the beginning of 2012 was to read through the Bible, cover to cover. I got as far as the beginning of Proverbs, which seems awesome except I skipped some books before Proverbs by reading chronologically. (This is why people don’t make resolutions). I’m not going to resolve to start all over, but I will finish it.
Eat Veg Eat Local
I see a lot of benefits to the vegetarian lifestyle. Previously, I aimed to make one vegetarian meal a week, but in 2013 I resolve to shift the balance towards vegetarian. I’m not yet ready to give up meat altogether, but would love to move in that direction. And while I’m at it, I really want to focus on eating local. We did this quite well last year with our CSA, but we’ve decided not to renew it as we found that we were creating too much food waste. This means I really need to get my butt to the market as much as possible. Hopefully by getting to the market, I can also grab some local meat to help my carnivorous conscience.
Get Movin’ Get Losin’
I used to be a runner. In fact, I even ran my way to some pretty serious weight loss before getting pregnant with Gavin. But then it got cold and dark and did you know that I live in the city with the second highest murder rate in Canada? Obviously I got fat and lazy because I didn’t want to run at night and get murdered. 2013 will (likely) not be a pregnancy year and so I need to make serious strides towards taking my body back. I will run. I will lose weight. And maybe, I might even hit my super-goal weight by the end of the year. I want to look good in a bathing suit in the summer and I want to rock some races. I’m not going to commit to running a half-marathon in September, but that would be my ultimate dream.
Travel
Travelling is not normally important. Although I would love to travel, it has been on the bottom of my priority list ever since we started growing our kids and shrinking our money. But my fifth wedding anniversary is coming up, and my husband and I have been planning a getaway together ever since our first child was born. This will be it. And I will look good in a bathing suit. And I won’t be pregnant.
Frugality
We’re in debt, y’all. We were digging ourselves out of it until midway through 2011 when tragedy struck our family and we needed to take an unplanned trip. Ever since then, we’ve pretty much been floundering. Recently, my husband suggested that we might get back on track if I took over our finances. This is a big job for someone who really hasn’t had much to do with our finances up until now. I’m not looking forward to any of this. What I am looking forward to is getting out of debt so that we’ll be able to start saving for a down payment on a house.
Simplify
I have a hard time letting go of things for fear that we’ll need it later. Especially when we’re in the middle of trying to live more frugally, I don’t want to get rid of something that we’ll have to buy again. But the truth is, we really need to simplify our lives. We need to create a home out of this little two bedroom apartment. We need to feel like this is a place for a family, not a place for stuff. This is going to be a hard one for me. I have no goal, just a resolution to do better.
Contentment
I have a great life, but often I wish for more. This year is a year where I will appreciate what I have and learn to make it great. If I can get a good grasp of contentment, I might be able to get a handle on our finances and our clutter too.
Did you make resolutions for 2013? What are they? How are they going?
Alma says
Laura, you have a great smile. You wear it well…honestly you look like you are better at flossing than me.
These are great goals! I am with you on the reading more…I will check out that group.
Potty training was a big one here too, so glad that is over. And simplify … we have been practicing a lot of that since we moved into a new home. Looking at all the junk we had collected was a wake up call to do more with less. To reuse and giveaway.
Great post !
Good luck on the marathon!
Alma recently posted..Grand Opening of my shop and a discount !
Angela says
Great post Laura. Those are all really manageable goals for the year. Good luck.
Kristin Shaw (Two Cannoli) says
What gorgeous teeth you have! Great resolutions and good goals – as long as you don’t beat yourself up but try your best, I say go for it!
Kristin Shaw (Two Cannoli) recently posted..Wait for me
Carolyn says
I had made a few resolutions for January 1st, but then Max started daycare and about 90% of January was spent with sickness in our house. That pretty much railroaded all my resolutions. When I’m tired I can’t muster up the will power to eat well, exercise or clean the house. So I’m re-starting my resolution for Feb 1st too. See ya later January! We have a few of the same resolutions too. Sleep through the night…oh please happen soon! haha
Greta says
I’m so with you on a lot of these. I think it’s fantastic that you’ve looked deep down to figure out what needs work this year. And you know I’m already loving #momsreading!
Galit Breen says
Lovely! I’m so impressed by and in awe of how seriously and thoughtfully you’re approaching this.
“With intention” comes to mind. Love!
Galit Breen recently posted..A Swoon-Worthy Tween Valentine’s Gift Idea, on allParenting
Doctor G says
What a great list. Doing any of these would be great parenting, just because of the great choices you’re modeling. Way to go!!!
Elaine A. says
Wow, I am pretty impressed with you right now. I just resolved to Listen more (my word for the year) and so far it’s going pretty well. I just think of the word and I stop and DO listen to my kids or the hubby. I’ve also been “unplugging” more and listening better that way.
Anyway, your resolutions are great. And I hope you can get back to running soon. It’s such a good stress reliever, I now for me too! :)
Robin | Farewell, Stranger says
That’s awesome. I don’t really do resolutions. More like intentions, but I think that’s what some of these are. I’ve got travel on my list too.
And for email, check out this approach: http://www.5minutesformom.com/33040/tackle-it-tuesday-managing-email-like-an-expert/ I did it at work (huge difference) and use a modified version at home. It really helps!
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Jennifer says
I hear ya… particularly on the debt issue. Why does there have to be so many things I want? :(
Jennifer recently posted..Gossip, continued {Creative Writing}
Angie Kinghorn says
I love the way you’re approaching this. I hear ya on the email thing. It’s one of those things I’ve resigned myself to simply not having control over. But that’s why apple made spotlight search, right?
As for flossing, have you tried plackers for the hard to reach spots? They can be useful if you have trouble getting your hands where they need to be. Or a waterpik. (Sorry, daughter of dental hygienest here!)
It’s hard as moms to fit in all the things we want to do. Exercise, write, take care of ourselves. A tip on the water: have you tried a Camelbak bottle? They make a huge impact in the amount of water you drink, and they’re nice and environmentally friendly.
Angie Kinghorn recently posted..A beautiful ruin
Alison says
I think you’re well on your way to making these days happen – by putting them down, that’s setting intention. And that’s half the battle won. (for me anyway, I find that when I write things down and make them clear in my mind, then dissect them into baby step goals, I have more chance of following through).
Lots of luck and love your way!
Alison recently posted..7 Deadly Sins Of Blogging
Katie B. of HousewifeHowTos.com says
Great resolutions! I didn’t make many this year, and the one I’m most focused on is reading. Every night. I used to browse news online and go through my feeds before bedtime, then found I couldn’t fall asleep. Now I curl up with a book in front of the fireplace and hour before bedtime. I’m lucky if I can keep my eyes open that long!
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Life of K says
I love how obviously thought-out these resolutions are. Very well put. Good luck! Oh, and for me, the key to flossing was doing it every day. I had to make it habit or I’d forget after a while.
Life of K recently posted..Little K 23 Months
Catherine says
These are great goals! We have a lot of similar goals actually…Might I add that as a dental hygienist myself you do have BEAUTIFUL smile so please keep it healthy! There is a huge disconnect between the mouth and the rest of your body. Good luck!
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Jillian Brittney says
Laura, this is beautiful! Thank you for being so honest and open, it has really made me re-think what my goals are for this upcoming year, Thank you for sharing