As we coast into the new year, we all have a lot to contemplate. We have we learned? What are our goals? Where are we going and why are we in this hand basket? Deep stuff.
I usually don't make resolutions. I'd like to say I live so well that I don't need to change anything, but we all know that is not true. I'd like to think I just change as I need to, throughout the year, when I realize I'm off track. I suppose I do it some, but not as much as I should. I'm pretty lazy.
But since this year is bringing about a HUGE change to my otherwise self-absorbed existence, I figure I need a plan.
Several years ago I took a "goal-setting for women" class. It was based on the Meyers-Briggs personality test (which I love and still refer to; I'm an ENFP) and taught you how to make a "lifemap" of goals and how to get there. The two girlfriends that I did it with still use theirs. They also use vision boards and both have succeeded in most, if not all, of their plans. I just liked using colored markers and cutting out pretty pictures. I couldn't commit. I didn't know what I really wanted. One trait in my personality type is that I am "paralyzed by my options". This applies to career choice or whether I want a fire in the fireplace. Although I got so much out of that class, I did not accomplish the... goal.
I realize I need help staying focused. So this year, I'm going to make some resolutions. Not a "lifemap" if only because I can't get to my craft stuff because of all the crap in front of the craft closet. I have a lot to do in the first half of the year to get ready for the overwhelming responsibility that lies ahead. I need to establish some good habits that I will be able to maintain when I'm a walking zombie just trying not to shake the baby. I figure making formal resolutions will help me do that. I sure as shit hope so.
Well. Here goes everything.
1. Exercise!
So damn cliche, right?! I think every single person, even an athlete, puts this into their resolutions since there is always a way to be better, more efficient, stronger. I just need to get off my ass. I fell off the wagon last May when I hurt my Achilles tendon running through an airport in sandals. So stupid! How does that even happen?! Then it got hot, then I got pregnant, then it was the holidays, yadda, yadda, yadda. Not only do I just flat out need to exercise in general, but it will lead to an easier birth and faster recovery if I'm in shape. I was teaching myself to run when I hurt my ankle, but it's not comfortable for me now that I'm pregnant. So I decided I will do prenatal yoga at least twice a week and walk at least 5 days a week, which ties in with the next one...
2. Live up to my responsibilities to my dog
I have learned so much about dogs in the last year. It has made me sad that I didn't do Polly justice; Poodles are so smart and I squandered her talents. Dogs only have you. They only have what you provide. You get to leave the house to go to work or meet friends for drinks or go to a movie. They see the same four walls and the same fenced yard day after day. They need physical and mental stimulation too... just like you. I have seen the difference this makes in Georgia. She is less frustrated and more calm if we work and play with her. Therefore, I will walk her at least five days a week (it should be everyday, probably twice a day, but I'm being realistic), I will play fetch or keep away (her favorites) with her for at least 10 minutes straight and work on commands for another 10 minutes straight every day and finally, I will feed her using her food toys at least 3 days a week. It all seems so pathetically minuscule when you write it down. 10 minutes? Who doesn't have 10 minutes?! Well apparently, I didn't. No more!
3. Get involved in our finances
For a long time, I did our finances. I was home more and could manage the bills better. Then I got... busy? Lazy? Just plain bad at it? and had to turn it back over to my husband. He's very organized and bless his heart, worries about it all so I don't have to. He is very good about talking to me about the investments and payments and the like so it is not his fault that my brain is like a sieve. I'm like a 1950's housewife - I buy things and the bills get paid. Well that is just crazy. What if something happened and I was in charge all of sudden?! I'd panic, that's what would happen. At the very least, I need to familiarize myself with all of our online accounts so I can log in without asking for the website and password every time and I need to review our monthly expenses at minimum to make sure I'm not buying too many half double decaffeinated, half cafs with a twist of lemon.
4. Be a better housewife
The Mae West quote "When I'm good, I'm very, very good, but when I'm bad, I'm better" does not apply to housekeeping. When I do clean, I am good. I'm a baseboard duster. But the operative word is "when". In my head, I clean once a week. It's more like twice a month and usually because someone is coming over. Okay, okay... it's like once a month. Sheesh! I know it's easier to maintain clean then have to do a top to bottom every single time. I started out with a daily schedule like old-timey housekeepers used to use - Monday was dusting, Tuesday was bathrooms, Wednesday was floors - but somehow that didn't even work. In a way, I like doing the whole house at once. It's all done and I don't have to think about it again until next time. Housekeeping refers to more than cleaning, I know. It's laundry, shopping, cooking, doing the dishes and other household projects. I haven't quite worked out what my plan of attack is yet, but the whole thing is at the forefront of my mind. Mainly, I just have to do it all once week, however I break it down.
Side note: I've always been a "dishes can wait until tomorrow" kind of girl. Hubby liked to do them right after dinner or at least before bed. When I took over everything, he resigned himself to my way just so he wouldn't be stressed out by it anymore. The other night I did all the dishes after dinner. And you know what? I liked it. I liked waking up to an empty sink. (And I can hear my husband rolling his eyes from here and he's all the way in Colorado.) Anyway, that's one thing I can commit to! Honey! Aren't you excited?!
5. Develop my business
Yes, I actually have a business! I just haven't bothered to make any money at it yet! I have an LLC, a tax ID, a bank account, a PO box, health insurance through it and we're working on a logo. What I don't have are business cards, a website, an accountant or a marketing plan. But if you need a carseat inspection and consultation, I'm your gal. I'll even give you a discount.
6. Eat a damn piece of fruit every day
I love fruit! Why don't I eat it?! I even have some in the fridge right now. I'm pretty good on veggies every day, although I do notice a handful of my meals are protein, grain and dairy, but still I do way better on veggies than I do on fruit. So I vow to eat at least one piece of fruit every day! It's the simple things.
Funny how silly it all is; all the stuff we should be doing anyway, we have to re-commit to doing. But there you have it folks. My resolutions. (Or "intentions" as some people prefer to call them and by some people I mean neo-hippies.) Now that they're out there, you all can help keep me honest. You'll be happy to know that I have already walked the dog three times this week (which means walking myself) and I've had a piece of fruit for a snack the last three days. It's a start!
"Cheers to a new year and another chance for us to get it right." - Oprah Winfrey