The New Year Resolutions Post

(this is published late. notice that I did not mention anything about improving my procrastination this year... I've pretty much mastered it--why make all of the practice-procrastination be in vain, right? Read on, good person.)

Welcome to the last day of the year, everyone! It's bittersweet, because I'm a little happy to see a New Year with new opportunities on the horizon, but at the same time, I'm a little sad to see everyone turn one year older and for everything that just happened to become a new memory for the photo album. Do you get nostalgic on New Year's Eve/Day, too?

Over the weekend, I took a moment to throw myself across my bed with a flowery notebook and a colored pen and jot down some hopes, dreams, plans for this year. The best thoughts can be put into words with notebooks and colored pens, I think; it's always worked for me.

My New Year Plan

>>Get healthier and fitter.
I've said this before, and I've made some great gains on it (pun?) by eating healthier and replacing a lot of my mainstream stuff with natural/organic/toxin-free options. This time, though, I mean I want to lose weight, get toned and be able increase my cardiovascular blah blahs. Word it however you want, I want to be able to run up a few flights of stairs without having to stop and breathe "check out the view" from each flight.

>>Eat Cleaner.
I love cooking and I'm about to show you exactly how much this year! My menus will include juicing, for sure. I'm starting my big juice cleanse tomorrow (Friday, January 3rd!). Follow along as I tell you all about it and you can see if it's for you. I've never done this before, either :)

>>Organize my life, bills and everything else around me.
This is code for I'm about to throw a lot of shhhht away. I'm redoing my files and putting everyone who comes in this house to work shredding all of the junk mail that I have stored in containers (yeah, really, how annoying is that). Redoing the way I keep everything--linens, cabinet contents, the whole nine. You, too?

>>Spend Less, Save More.
I'm not going to sit home and hoard coins like a fat cat with a new toy, but I'm definitely planning to spend less money this year on the little things that add up too quickly (disposable stuff, fast food etc).


>>Talk more, keep secrets less.
I'm a secret keeper like no other. I never want to start trouble, so I keep everything to myself; this is much to other peoples' advantage, but not mine. I plan to say more this year and stop keeping everything private--it's so stressful to dance around secrets. There has to be a fine line between privacy and openness; I will find that line and walk it well.

>>Live more, worry less.
 I just want to let it all go this year. I've blamed myself for the wrong things for too long. I want to surround myself with accepting, easy-going people (old and new) who love me and support my decisions and life choices. I'm exhausted from worrying what people think about me or what they think of what I'm doing or not doing. I will let in people who want to love me. I hope to enjoy life without worrying about everything that is beyond my control. Que sera, sera. 

>>Sleep better.
The other goals will help with this. So will a new bed frame... storage bed frame or platform? I'm trying to decide. You have any experience with these?

>>Be less afraid and more brave ( I worded it that way on purpose)
It makes sense, right? Stop doubting myself and follow my heart. Stop being afraid of "what ifs" and just do what I consider to be "the right thing" more often. Fear is what keeps us from following our heart. If you're in a situation that you don't like, then you need to ask yourself what don't you like about it and what is it that you miss/want the most. If you answer those questions, you will find the right path to your own contentment.

>>Love myself more {and show my son how to do the same, through example}

I'm starting by eating healthier, getting in shape and making more time for my writing. If you want something, you have to make time for it; yes, you can. Yes, you can. Hey. Hey... Yes, you can... I want to feel more confident about my appearance and my importance in the world (beyond being a parent, which is my most important role, of course).

I want to feel like I have a place in the world, too; I want to be "me". I want to be known by my first name, too, and not just as "N's mom."   I love art, music, nature and cooking; I want to embrace all of those interests/talents, this year, and let my baby boy love me for who "I am" instead of him growing up never knowing me as a person. I want to be friends with him, and to love and support each other through our many, many life experiences, successes, challenges and journeys. I want to create memories together and have positive, supportive views of each other and ourselves. I want him to see that it's ok for women to "have a life" outside of the family and home. I want to instill good values in him that will lead to more successful relationships in his future. I want to teach my very young son how to love himself for who he is, by becoming a living example of just that.

What are your goals for 2014? Did you love or loathe 2013? Comments are very welcome, so get to writing!


love,