New Year's Resolutions/Goals

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

Every year at this time I like to make a little list of things I want to accomplish in the year ahead. I think of them more as goals than resolutions. Some I achieve, some I don't, which is ok. At least I feel like I have some direction. My list consists of everything from the frivolous and mundane to the extraordinary or life alternating. Sometimes I carry things over from the year before, other times I reflect on how my priorities have changed and head in an entirely new direction. The important part is to reflect on life and set my direction.

 

While I sometimes like to think things happen for a reason, I also don't like the idea of leaving everything up to fate. I like to believe we create our own destiny, and every once in a while the universe throws a curve ball to alter our course. For example, last year I set out to get my first dog and when a squirmy little Sophie Bear was plopped into my arms a whole new chain of events was set in motion. What I didn't expect at the time, but appreciate more than I can say, was the way I would fall head over heels, mind, body and soul embracing the world of pet ownership and uncovering a passion I had previously only glimpsed from within me. And along came the addition of Winston into my life, a random curve ball that I never saw coming but now, seems completely obvious.

 

When you start yourself down a path, amazing opportunities and experiences become yours, without ever even knowing they were there to begin with.

 

Below is my list for this year:

 

1. Stop using my credit card. Some people are really good about using their card and paying it off every month, but not me. There always seems to be more stuff I want to buy and less money in my account. I make enough money so there is no reason why I should be using my credit cards and accumulating a balance. 2012 will be a cash and debit only year. So here it is, my new credit card system:

2. I will stop eating frozen pizza (see photo above). I know how to cook and am quite good at it when I try. So who cares if I have nobody to cook for, there will be more for me! So in 2012, not one box of frozen pizza will be brought home and placed in my freezer (and no ordering either! - see #1).

3. I will learn to use my DSLR camera. I bought a fancy camera that I really couldn't afford at the time (see #1). So now that I have it, I'm going to figure out how to use it. Except, without paying for classes (again, see #1). The internet is my friend.

4. I will restart my blog - remember, the blog I started this past summer, after years of saying I'm going to do it, and then I wrote one blog entry, and abandoned the project. In 2012 I will write at least 2 blog entries per month. My blog is about de-cluttering my life, physically and emotionally; which brings me to #5...

5. I will de-clutter every room in my apartment, one by one. I will throw out, recycle or give away at least 50 things. Whether it's a pair of socks, an expensive dress, or a new dog toy, I will not buy new things until I've gotten rid of one old thing.

6.  I will improve Sophie's obedience and enrol her in beginner agility.

7. I will solve Winston's allergies as much as is humanly possible. (this may have to be my only exception to #1, but only as a last resort).

8. I will have a rockin social life. I will stop being a hermit. It is a little bit sad that I have a much better social life on the internet than I do in real life. That's right, I might have to spend less time on DK. Sorry :(

9. I will start dating again. This is a biggie. It means clearing up some emotional clutter. (see #5).

10. I will find a way to be happy in my work, while simultaneously pursuing a career change. This means doing a lot of research, pounding the pavement a little, and maybe even some coaching. By the end of 2012, I will have a plan.

11. I will finish knitting that scarf. I hate being the flakey girl who starts up new hobbies and doesn't see them through. I will at the very least, finish that darned scarf!

 

So that's it, my tiny list of big goals on display for the entire world to see!  I don’t expect to accomplish all of it, but I do know that once I get started, new adventures are going to turn up. They always do.

 

What’s on your list?

[Jennifer and Jack]

This was a great read!!!!I have a blog coming about how i do not make New Years resolutions!!!

[Karen, Jasper and Jackdoodle]

Sheri, now I'm going to be dying of curiousity until Tuesday. I do have some ideas though of what it might be, so I'll wait and see if I'm right!

[Lucy & AnnaBelle's Mom]

For now I can say that we have #1 mastered.  Only own an AM EX card which must be paid off.  There is no way that I'll ever knit a scarf, as I'm a crochet class failure and I'm not even going to pretend that I'm going to start cooking vs using my Smart Ones as that I know just isn't going to happen.  However, I do have one other goal that I will we working on with my spouse this year, however, you'll have to wait for Tuesday for that announcement and I'm not at liberty to discuss just yet!  It's a good one though.  At least I think so.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I've tried knitting a couple of times, on my own as usual. I did crochet a lovely sweater long ago. I always start with a difficult project, regret it, but sometimes finish. Crocheting is much easier, IMHO, than knitting but more limited in some ways.

[Katie, John & Parker pup]

lol! Those are good resolutions!

[Sherri, Sophie, Winston, & Kitty]

F! funny! A few months ago I exclaimed on Facebook "Quitting is Under-rated" in response to officially/finally dropping out of my Masters program. I know what you mean about not feeling obligated to finish things you don't enjoy. On the other hand, if I am quitting stuff because I find it difficult, or I am too lazy and disorganized to find the time, then that is not good. :o) I really want to learn to knit, but I get so frustrated because I keep making mistakes.

[F, Calla & Luca]

BTW, I love the way you "frozen" your line of credit.

[F, Calla & Luca]

I'll try to join you in #3 and #5. I will use my credit card, to me it's like cash, you use it and pay it every month. I am thinking of  becoming  more of a hermit, soon I will be living a virtual life : ) I no longer feel obliged to finish things I don't enjoy just for the sake of it. At some point I may opt out of work. The camera and photography are ongoing goals. I will brush my dogs much more regularly. But no more foreign language aspirations. I guess we are on opposite ends of the life cycle : )

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

I love your list. It is a thoughtful and useful one - even if you don't accomplish each and every goal to the fullest during the upcoming year. I am working on number 1, but certainly had a relapse this past month. Number 5 is a goal for me and to carry it further - at my mom's house in preparation for an estate sale.  More than anything else this is just overwhelming for me.  I need to get going on number 3, but seem fairly content with being a point and shoot girl because I haven't moved forward.  Number 6 - need to make the time to work with Ned and Clancy again - they have forgotten their obedience and need some big reminders! Number 8/9 - not for dating, but DH and I retired so that we could sit back and enjoy life and so far, other responsibilities have taken too much of a front seat.  If I am not careful I will be 80 and still taking too much responsibility for others. 

Another goal I have is to re-lose the 8 pounds I gained last year and to keep working on  improving my fitness.

[Dori & Rua]

Wow Sherri!  Awesome blog.  Can't tell you how much I needed to see this right now.  I will have to put some thought into mine, first and will post.  I am going to write mine out and THEN copy it in here so I will have it in front of me at all times.  Many years ago, I met someone who had a journal (something of a bucket list) and they would continually add new things to try and do as they crossed off things.  I clearing out some stuff, I found a journal that I purchased and have never used, so I am going use that.  Thank you for the inspiration.