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KaffeeKlatsch · Marc Jacobs

(non-style) Resolutions 2012

Boots · Gucci

From 2011

1) Work more consistently on my writing. I used to write everyday. Now whole months go by without producing anything. I need to put more time into it. And try to get it out there more. Fell really short on this one. I sporadically continued with my book, but didn't really work on getting any writing out in the public. I need to do better on this.

2) Organize my photos on the laptop. Every year I photograph my mom's garden and make a calendar for her for Christmas. I use family photos to mark special dates. But it takes me 3x as long as it should to do because I spend half my time searching for these photos! So this year I am creating a file just for the calendar photos and putting them in there as I download them. Come next year, I will have them all ready to choose from. Well, I downloaded my photos more often at least....

3) Eat out at some of the restaurants I dream of going to, instead of just saying how much I want to go there. I've been making this resolution for the last 2 years and so far so good. It takes a lot of work to find people who want to go, I scour those 1/2 off deals and what not, but I've been able to visit some great places because of the hard work. But I still have more restaurants on my list! Did this!

4) I want to tone up again. I was toned during the summer because I knew I had my youngest brother's wedding in September. But I haven't consistently done anything but my daily cardio since then. I need to get back into a routine of doing crunches and weights a few days a week. I am most proud of how much I've accomplished here. I started taking a toning class at the YMCA after my busy season ended in April. I have pretty toned arms now and my abs look nicely defined. I have improved my balance and just feel over all fitter.

5) I want to cook a real meal at least once a week. Not just a quick bite, but something that takes time and technique. I enjoy cooking so much that it's silly not to devote a Sunday to making a great meal. I've been having fun cooking, maybe not weekly, but much more often. I realized that cooking was so much more fun when I didn't put so much stress on myself to be perfect or to do it all myself. I've learned to let some things go and just have a good time maybe trying a new technique of working with a different ingredient.

OK, now for 2012:

1) I want to continue my toning work. I like having strong muscles and feeling over all fit. And the funny thing is that it really doesn't take a whole lot of time to get the results I want. It just takes a consistent commitment. I have to stop my YMCA class in February, but will continue to tone on my own (no matter how tired I am during tax season) and will sign up for the class again in mid April.

2) I want to put myself out there more socially. It's easy to just hang out with my family and old friends. But I need to branch out. It takes me a while to warm up to people and I think I just need to stick myself in uncomfortable circumstances socially in order to break out of a shell. I went out to dinner last night with an old HS friend I haven't seen since the early 90's and 4 of her friends I didn't know. But you know what? I had a great evening and while I don't think I'll see the other women again, it was good to mix up my social life some.

3) Speaking of social life, I need to also put myself out there more dating-wise. I tend to play everything very safe. It maybe be time to take a few risks. And by that, I mean making it very obvious to somebody that I'm interested in that I'm actually INTERESTED. I tend to let the guy make the first big move and you know what? More often than not, the guy doesn't do it because he doesn't think I want more than friends. I need to get better at flirting apparently.

4) And back to my writing. I'm either a writer or not. If I'm a writer, i need to actually write. No more half assing it.

5) I'm turning 40 in 2012. And while I'm not freaking out over it, I do want to do something special. Maybe a trip, maybe a party. I don't know. But I will figure something out and it will be memorable (for me at least.)

pollyjean23 · Marc Jacobs

Continue working on the principles I learned at MBSR last year. I'm too lazy to look them up (perhaps another resolution I can add to my list).

Move toward a vegan diet. I was eating primarily vegetarian for a while, but I fell off the wagon in Ohio. It's very difficult to eat well in Ohio.

Keep up with the stinkin' exercise! Jeez. I've started focusing on things I enjoy (ice skating, dancing, Pilates). I need to find more things like that.

Garden this year (skipped last year and totally missed having the fresh veggies and herbs).

Try to be more social.

-- Edited by pollyjean23 on Friday 30th of December 2011 01:07:07 PM

Kelly · Hermes

I didn't make any non-style resolutions last year, like a slacker

This year I resolve to read 50 novels, with a big chunk of those being from the huge box I have labeled "unread books" - when I moved last summer and actually started organizing my books, I could not believe how many I own that I haven't even read yet! And instead of actually cracking that box open and actually putting a dent in them, I just keep buying more...

It shouldn't be too hard IF I stop eating with my coworkers every single day. I used to read through my lunch breaks and that plus reading at night would have me speeding through books, but the past year or two I've been eating with other people almost every day and it has really slowwweeeddd me down!

Suasoria · Chanel

I did great last year because I didn't make any resolutions.

But seriously, living with these two dogs for the last month has shown me that the number one goal for the next year will be to know my limits. I mean this in terms of what I can accomplish in a day/week/month, how much time I can commit to something, how much energy/stress I can expend at a given time. Professional, emotional, and physical limitations as well, since I'm still prone to a bad lower back.

For example I have recently learned that I can only get about half my necessary errands done in a day. And I'm not going to go to potlucks if it means I'm stressed about rushing home from work, making a dish, traffic, etc. Why go?

In keeping with my resolution, the other day I ordered dinner, and ordered DH to pick it up. After the shopping and gift wrapping and two dog walks, and 2 dozen apple turnovers for Hanukkah brunch, I was wiped.

Oh, and run the business side of my business better - such as not taking so long to notice a client hasn't paid us, or that I haven't paid one of my own bills.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Last year I decided to give up Diet Coke and all aspartame. And, I have been completely successful. I was really drinking way too much Diet Coke, and haven't had any since. I don't really miss it, and only occasionally crave it.

This year I am determined to improve my health. My mom was recently diagnosed with breast cancer and I have been doing a bunch of research for her regarding changes she can make to her lifestyle. Well, I need to make those changes for myself, too. So, I'm trying to integrate new healthy habits into my life.

Suasoria · Chanel

Sorry to hear about your mom, GD. Kanser is not for sissies. (It helps to call it "kanser," because that's not as scary.)

Boots · Gucci

Suasoria wrote:
Sorry to hear about your mom, GD. Kanser is not for sissies. (It helps to call it "kanser," because that's not as scary.)

Me too. Feel free to vent to us. It'll help.

greendiamond · Marc Jacobs

Thanks, gals! I'm pissed that this is what it took to get me to find better habits. So far the family is handling it remarkably well, but I know we'll all have our moments from time to time. Today is actually her first Chemo treatment, and we are all pretty scared. It is going to be a long year of treatments, but her head is in the right place, and she's totally positive. But, you will see me vent here from time to time.