It’s so cliché, I know, but I really do like the idea of making resolutions every year. I enjoy trying to make them come true even more.
As I’ve gotten older, I’ve learned the importance of keeping these resolutions simple and feasible. As much as I would love to resolve to learn how to play the bass guitar, I know that’s just not possible at this phase in my life with a new baby, freelance writing jobs, and trying to get my business off the ground. So yeah, these may be pretty boring, but they’re important to me.
Read more books.
Not too long ago, I was reading about a book a week. I haven’t read many books in the last year or so, but it hasn’t stopped me from buying the damn things. My bedside table is overrun with unread books that are just collecting dust and blocking my direct path to smacking the snooze button. There’s no reason why I can’t and shouldn’t read a bit before turning out the light. It will actually help settle my brain down after over stimulation from gaming. Even if it’s just a chapter a night, it’s ridiculous that I’m not reading what I have.
Walk the dog.
Now that Toby is all alone, he’s not going to get the exercise he needs from running around the backyard by himself and trying to crawl into my lap (he’s become quite the clingy thing since Buffy died). It’s time to reacquaint him with the leash and spend some quality exercise time with him. Good for him, I’ll get more use out of my little fitbit gadget, and maybe I’ll get back into my pre-pregnancy pants sooner. Oh and I guess it’s healthy for me too or something.
Commit to a writing schedule with SGR.
I wish I could say I’ve been slacking off with SGR because I just had a baby, but the downward slide has been happening since the end of 2012. I got in this slump about not enjoying games, and it took awhile to get my happy groove back. I’ve been playing catchup ever since, and I’ve watched my readership slide. Tsk, tsk. Most importantly, I need to get back to having fun with it again, which is why I started it in the first place. I really think if I find a routine that I’ll enjoy, I’ll have fun all over again. It helps that I want to have fun again too.
Stop being so hard on myself.
Not looking to be a martyr here or fishing for compliments. I’m a perfectionist, and I get so mad at myself if I can’t do it all and get all done each and every day. And you know, most of the stuff I expect me to do every day just isn’t possible. Or, most likely, it isn’t possible while staying happy. I need to stop piling so much on myself and expecting myself to get it all done and the getting mad at myself for not. Basically, it comes down to setting reasonable goals for myself and prioritizing them. As long as the most important things get done, no use to sweat the rest. I know that sounds simple and something everyone should do, but it’s something I want to work on in 2014 before I burn out or lash out at my family.
It’s just four things, but it’s four really important things to me. Here’s to actually keeping my resolutions, and I hope you all are able to do the same this year!
Well said! Attainable goals for sure.