Oh, you knew it was coming! The post that always comes just after Christmas…
THE NEW YEARS RESOLUTIONS!
I am not immune to that it’s-a-new-dawn-a-new-day-everything-is-fresh feeling associated with starting a new year. I know it’s just another day. But, it really is such a great opportunity to reinvigorate your motivation or start with a clean slate.
I’ve decided to really break it down. I mean, OCD style. I am going to make monthly resolutions for the entire year! You see, I figure, if I space out the things I want to work on, I will work on them harder for a shorter time (with the hopes/intentions that they will stick) and I will not lose focus. Some things will be for every month, because they are just that important.
And so, here it goes!
ALL YEAR ROUND :
1. Lose a minimum of 4lbs per month. (with a year-end goal of 50lbs lost)
2. Exercise the dogs more.
3. Re-learn to sew. Complete at least 3 “real” articles by the end of the year.
4. Drink more water. I want to drink a minimum of 100oz per day everyday.
JANUARY :
Foodtography.
I am not a photographer, and despite being a blogger, I don’t have a strong inclination toward photography. I do, however, want to get better at taking pictures of my food, and learning my cool new camera a little better. So January will be for learning about, and improving my photography skills. (Sorry Melissa, you will be forced into helping! 
)
FEBRUARY :
Re-learn how to draw.
Joel wanted to take a local drawing course. I enthusiastically agreed to take it with him. I haven’t done art consistently (aside from crafts, of course!) since high school.
MARCH :
Like, stop!
Stop saying the word “like” so much. I know it’s a generational and regional thing. But it’s a terrible habit, and it is SO hard to break!
APRIL :
Purge.
Recycle, donate, or throw away 5 things per week. I have too much *stuff* in the house.
MAY :
Volunteer/Donate.
I used to volunteer at a local animal shelter, and unfortunately got too busy and I did not continue. I need to start back up! I’ll also find things from the previous month’s chore to donate to the shelter or other organizations.
JUNE :
Reconnect old-school style.
Send a letter/card/package to some people I don’t see often. In the actual mail!
JULY :
No superfluous spending.
No credit card usage with the exception of bills, gas & groceries.
This means no restaurants, no coffee shops, no little things for myself. (I have 3 important birthdays that month, so those gifts are excluded!)
AUGUST :
A mile a day.
Run a minimum of one mile every single day for the entire month.
SEPTEMBER :
Grooming.
Do my nails (hands & feet!) the entire month. Nail polish typically lasts me only 2 days at a time, so this is actually a lot of work to do!
OCTOBER :
Organize.
Clean out and organize ALL closets and drawers in the house!
You have no idea. This is a huge undertaking. I am the queen of the “Junk Drawer”.
NOVEMBER :
Daily To-Do’s
I love to-do lists. But I am such a procrastinator.
Every day of November I will write a daily to-do list, and I will complete it in its entirety!
DECEMBER :
Reuse.
I have the cutest reusable grocery bags. I use them very rarely for actual shopping trips. For the whole month, I’d like to use them for every grocery trip! (for those judging me, I do at least reuse the plastic bags I get to line my juicer waste container!)
Ok, that’s it! This is going to be a lot of work! But it’ll be fun trying and improving myself all year long. 2012, suckers!
I love these and I love how you broke them down. Also you know I love talking photography so anything I can help with I am glad to. I’m no pro though!
I cannot wait to start my new year!!!
Thank you! I am lucky to have you as a resource, because you’re good at it, but you’re still learning, too.. so you its still fresh for you!
And because you know me, and you know I can’t get too technical with it or my brain explodes.
I love all of these! I also love reusable bags! What helps me remember to use them is to keep them tucked into my purse, always. That way, when I’m out shopping, they’re already sitting there saying, “Use me! Use me!” Plus I have one that’s shaped like a ladybug, so it’s even more fun to pull out and make the check out lady/man/ladyman smile.
oh thats so cute! Mine are hugenormous ones, like from Whole Foods… so I can’t really keep them in my purse.. BUT that made me think that I should put them in the cabin of my car instead of my trunk, so I see them!
Ambitious but you can do it! I like that each month has a varying theme, from creativity to health. Overall, looking for your “best self.” Can’t wait to see the photos!