New Year Resolutions 2009
Last year, I decided not to make any resolutions. That was probably a good idea, despite my current opinion that most of the time I don’t make resolutions as a way of escaping responsibility. I tend to think making resolutions is a bit silly and pointless, but lately I’ve come to believe that there’s nothing wrong with having a big scale project to focus on, with having something on which to reflect at the end of the year. Nothing wrong with honest intentions to improve yourself.
Of course such resolutions should follow certain criteria. They should be achievable and reasonable. They shouldn’t be grandiose or inflexible. They also shouldn’t be too vague. “Losing weight” is a silly goal since your weight can fluctuate so much during the year.
With that in mind, I’ve been thinking a lot about resolutions. I’ve been feeling chaotic and out of control lately and by lately I mean the last four years. There are many things about my life I’ve come to really detest. Don’t get me wrong, I’m still mostly happy as a clam. But there are some things that need a-fixin’ and it’s high time I set about fixing them.
Therefore, I have two resolutions for 2009.
One is to get back on a bike. I need to go about fixing up the old bike I got off craigslist and biking on the weekends with eldest. Once I feel more confident about biking in general I want to look into getting an Xtracycle and doing more of our errands by bike than car. To be honest, while I find the idea thrilling and fantastic, it’s also a little scary. I’m quite afraid of being hit by a car. I still think it’s a good idea though and plan to proceed with the first part of the plan anyway — getting on a bike! If by the end of 2009 I can say that I’ve biked at least once or twice a month with the Boo then I’ll call it good. If by the end of 2009 I can say I bike a lot and have lost weight and incorporated a level of fitness into my daily life I’ll call it golden!
My other resolution has to do with organizing my daily life. I’m so sick and tired of never getting anything done, of always feeling frazzled, of feeling guilty for not providing my boys with a more stable environment. I’m sick of my excuses. I’m sick of being tired and fat. I’m sick of having a dirty house. I’m sick of not knowing what to fix for dinner. I’m sick of wondering how everyone else does it.
Then I stumbled on the concept of a “household notebook”:
http://notebook.organizedhome.com/household-notebook-planner-organized-home
http://www.essortment.com/home/createhomemana_sowk.htm
http://simplemom.net/home-management-notebooks-are-a-great-idea/
I already do a ToDo list that works well if I can be bothered to do it. I know what to fix for dinner if I plan ahead. Planning works for me — if I do it.
So my other resolution is to put together a notebook similar to what’s described in the links above, but obviously tailored for my family. I want to have a place to compile birthdays/anniversaries/holidays. To compile approved family recipes and recipes I want to try. To organize grocery, shopping and ToDo lists. Also, a place to hold on our routine/schedule/rhythm.
Sadly I’ve had all these things in my head for ages. I’ve arranged schedules and curriculums and lists ad nauseum in my mind for years. But I’ve never committed them to paper. I’ve never written them down for everyone else to see. Because doing that means you actually have to do it. You are actually accountable.
Well, it’s time. It’s time for responsibility; for accountability. My kids depend on me. My family will be better off for it. And I’m pretty sure I’ll feel better for it. The hard part will be a) actually doing it and b) getting back on the wagon once I fall off. Because I will fall off.
Actually the hardest part will be getting over the idea that every day at home is a Saturday. But it’s time. High time. 2009 sounds as good a place to start as any.
January 2nd, 2009 at 12:58 pm
I really like your criteria for resolutions! I too have had a similar vaguely negative response to the idea of setting resolutions and it does make sense that they can easily become a way to escape responsibility instead of making real change, as you say.
Along the lines of getting organized, one of the things I’m trying to do lately is reduce the number of things that I take on, so that I can do well the things that are truly important to me (without being a complete stress case!). I came up with some exercises for setting priorities in an earlier post, so now is probably a good time to revisit those!
I’m excited to check out your links on household planners. There’s also an ebook I found called “Zen to Done” that I’ve been meaning to read. No affiliation to me, but it does sound good!
Good luck to you in your pursuits. Make it so, right?