resolutions of years past

(pinterest)

I'm already thinking about New Years, which is one of my favorite things ever, because who doesn't like fresh beginnings and a reason to wear sequins?


Instead of making a list of resolutions this year, I'm going to try another tactic.  I am going to look back on how successful my past resolutions have been (oh the beauty of blogging) and decide what kind of goal-setting is right for me.  Feel free to disregard this post altogether; this is one of those times where blogging is acting as a middle man to my own self-awareness!


Resolutions for 2009:  Probably because I was new to blogging and all around more profound as a pretentious middle schooler, I kept my resolutions simple.  

• overcome my fear of dancing in public Proud of this one.
• keep stress at a minimum  Although I can't say with certainty that I rid myself of stress in 2009, I did gradually move toward to where I am now--an unusually minimal-stress person.  This is something that at the same time is an awesome thing and a slightly unnerving thing.  But mostly awesome.
• focus on each moment just as it appears Still working on this.  Who isn't, except, like...Buddha?

Resolutions for 2010:  I focused on what kind of person I want to be.  Which I think is great, because that's what resolutions should be about--improving and building someone you can be proud of.

• I want to be the kind of person who is self-sufficent.  I will boycott buying clothes this year and sew up my own.  (See the product of this resolution here.)  Although I'm obviously not completely self-sufficent, after working on this resolution I have become much more aware about the things I buy and the possibility of bypassing things that I could easily make.
• I want to be the kind of person that is charitable, all year around.  I will grow my hair out long to donate toLocks of Love and continue to try to contribute more to my community.  I can always be more charitable, but although I did not donate my hair to LoL in 2010, I did this year!  
• I want to be the kind of person who takes each moment as it happens, and lets it go as it passes. I will try not to dwell in the past, however sweet it was--it only takes up space that should be full of the present.  Only Buddha, man.  Only Buddha.  I'm trying though.  I promise.
• And as always, I hope to simplify, simplify, simplify.  Always striving to do this, but often take a couple of steps back before going forward!  
• Also:  No more multitasking!  All I can say is that I've gotten better.

Resolutions for 2011:  This year I had a lot of small resolutions, most of them repeating previous goals, but also including a very important one that I feel that I have made a very big improvement.  "Think positively (Avoid thinking in negatives and phrases like "I wish" or "I hope."  Example: "This year is going to rock!" instead of "I hope this year rocks!")"  It seemed a bit silly at the time, but as I look back at that, I have realized how much this has improved my outlook and increased my already pretty consistent optimism.  As for my three main resolutions, to sum them up:

• LIVE.
• EAT.
• CREATE.

These are three things that I strive to nourish daily, sometimes successfully, sometimes not.  C'est le vie!  Although I think that moving to Portland has been pretty successful in nourishing my appetite for life, food, and creativity, while at the same time increasing it, if that makes any sense.  Just know:  It's a good thing.

As for 2012.  Stay tuned.