So as I mentioned in the comments
on a friend’s Facebook query about New Year’s resolutions- I am not a big
believer. Generally, I think you can resolve to do things and make changes any
day of the year- and you can break those personal agreements just as easily any
day of the year as well! So why start off a brand spanking new year with a
likely check in the “FAIL!” category?!
But all that said, this year I am making New Year’s resolutions. 2013
is going to be a year of huge changes for me, and I decided that I want to
start contributing to the positive nature of those changes right from Day One.
You know that old warning NOT to put it in writing? Well the opposite can also
be true, so that is why I am putting my 2013 New Year’s resolutions right here
where everyone can see them and encourage me both to hang tough in sticking to
them and to give myself a break when I don’t.
Without further ado, here is my
list:
1.
Change
the cat litter every day – My cats are my most constant companions, and
they provide me with a remarkable amount of unconditional love and happiness.
The least I can do is make their environment more pleasant and sanitary.
2.
Put away
the laundry right when it comes out of the dryer, even if another load is still
drying – Man, I can sleep for a week or more with a pile of clean laundry
on the other side of the bed. And the aforementioned cats really like to sleep in said pile of laundry on the other
side of the bed. But that sort of defeats the purpose of, you know, washing
said laundry. And it makes my space more chaotic and serves as a constant,
visual reminder that I am not getting’ shit done. If I even wait for load #2 to
come out, ostensibly so I can fold everything and put like items away at the
same time, I am more likely to let it lie. So laundry will be put away as soon
as it is done in the dryer. And you, laundry on the drying rack, you’re NEXT,
so don’t get too comfy hanging there.
3.
Do dishes
before bed every night – I was going to say “do dishes as soon as you’re
done with them,” but I think this is where I can cut myself some slack yet
still serve the greater purpose of cutting down on chaos in my life. Plus, this compromise will make the next item
on the list easier and more likely to succeed.
4.
Cut up
and cook veggies within 24 hours of getting them at the grocery store – I
hate hate HATE when I buy some veggies and they go bad (I hate when anything
goes bad from my not getting to use it in time, but rotted veggies in
particular really irk me). It’s like a squishy, tangible reminder that I am not
eating the way I should. So if I cook the veggies within a day of getting them,
they won’t go bad and they will be
ready to go when I want to use them.
5.
Eat
“whole” until Valentine’s Day (except when I am dining out or ordering in or if
there’s a special occasion- like tonight) – This is going to be one of the
‘toughies,’ which is why I am only setting a six-week timeline for doing it. To
me, eating whole means as few processed foods, and as little sugar, bread,
pasta, rice, and dairy products as possible. No, I have not lost my mind and
gone whole-hog Paleo (see what I did there? Whole hog…er, never mind) or
suddenly been taken over by the anti-gluten Pod People. I just have found that
when I eat fresh fruits and vegetables, lean meats and poultry, and use olive
oil for my fat – I feel better. And I enjoy the opportunities I get to not eat this way even more (you have no
idea how good cake or cookies taste when you haven’t had them in a while.
Seriously. Ironically, I have never been a big dessert person, but when you
don’t have it for an extended period of time, holy sweet treat does it taste
good!)
6.
Drink
more water- This one isn’t really that hard. I actually have come to like
water, and I almost never drink soda and I don’t really like any juice but
pineapple. The only other thing I drink regularly is iced coffee, and the way I
make it – it’s mostly water. But I know that I can drink more water, so I am
going to resolve to do that- but not set any specific amounts, because I know
that I will just kick myself when I don’t meet that specific number.
7.
Write
every day- This is THE HARDEST one. I am going to break my own rule and
make this a yearlong goal. Write every single solitary day, regardless of what
is going on. I may not post everything I write, or I may not be able to post it
every day (hey, there will be times when I won’t have internet access when I am
driving cross country for the big move), but I will type out something all 365
days of 2013. I have a computer, a tablet and a smart phone (not to mention the option of going old
school and using, you know, a paper and pen) – there simply is no excuse. And I
would like to think that by writing every day, I will become a better writer.
Oh, and writing for my job(s) totally counts – but posting on Facebook or
Tweeting does not. Sorry, Charlie.
8.
Read
every day- Another toughie. I love to read; I always have. But for some
reason, over the last few years, I have gotten out of the habit of reading and
it bothers the crap out of me. I don’t mean reading news stories or following
links on FB; I mean reading for pleasure. And I am guilty of being a HUGE
hypocrite in that I nag Max all the time about his lack of reading – and then
set a totally shitty example for him. So, money where my mouth is- I am going
to read for pleasure every day. Not going to set a time limit (what?! I’m not
in elementary school!), though- like with the water, I know myself well enough
to know that not meeting some arbitrarily-set number goal will just undermine
my overall success.
9.
No more
baby birds with broken wings – Fixer-uppers. Done. That goes for dates and
mates (I use this in the Australian way, not in the ‘stuck with you for life’
way). We are all works in progress, we are all flawed and we all have our own
burdens and issues with which we deal. I will support you while you deal with
yours, lover or friend, but I am going to stop feeling like I have to somehow
fix you or make it better. If, by some bizarre act of G’d or bite by a
radioactive spider, I acquire my desired super power of being able to make
others feel better simply with my touch, I may drop this one. But barring that,
it is time for me to stop looking at others’ potential and start seeing them
for who they really are.
10.
This Space Reserved- I may want to
come up with another resolution or two, so I am holding this spot for that
possibility.
So, today – December 31st,
I have already accomplished #s 1, 3, 4, 5, 6 & 7 and I’m about to go do #2 (snicker -yes, I am twelve) and #8 will be
accomplished while the dessert I am going to enjoy tonight is baking. Happy,
happy New Year to all of you, and may your 2013 be everything you want it to be
and everything you can make it.
