I Haaaaaate New Years Resolutions

Really, really hate them

    I really think that October is the best month for resolutions, or maybe May, but definitely not January when it's cold and dark and terrible. Also, who decided the "new year" should begin in January anyway? Worst idea ever, whoever that was.

    But I admit that I have started this New Year with the desire to establish some new and better habits. I've actually already started some of them, but as we all know, it takes at least 21 days to establish a new habit, so that leaves me with 17 more days to go before I can consider counting chickens and planning for hatching and wondering what I'm going to do with these imaginary chickens anyway...

    Woops, got a little sidetracked there. Regardless, this is the list as it currently stands. Please see the note after the list though for further clarification.

• Make this apartment feel like home. (This is mostly composed of shorter term goals that include):
          -        Unpack the last of the boxes
          -        Hang art in the living room and kitchen
          -        Find the perfect armchair


• Love my job. (Preferably by getting a new one).


• Go someplace I've never been in the U.S.


• Write every day.


• Blog once a week.


• Write more letters. (I swear it was on my list before Sister #1 posted it)!


• Be a better friend, especially by communicating more through telephone and email.


• Be a better friend to the planet by being energy and waste conscious. I will:
          -        Turn off my computer before leaving work
          -        Use my Trader Joe's bag
          -        Turn off the light in rooms unless I'm in them
          -        Dry my clothes by air when possible instead of using the dryer


• *Expletive, expletive* update my *expletive* iPod.


• Read more books.


• Spend more time outside.

    You'll notice that I didn't put things like "run twice a week" and "do pilates in the morning before work." I also didn't put "keep my apartment clean," or "make dinner three nights a week." It's not because I don't want to make myself do these things this year, it's just that I have a feeling I'm going to struggle with these longer and I don't have a clear short-term timeline for achieving them (like I do for finally putting together my apartment), so I don't want to set myself up for frustration and/or failure by holding myself accountable without a plan.

    I will do these things. Somehow, I know I will. But just in case I don't, I don't think I need to hold myself as accountable to them as I do "Be a better friend." That one, and the others on the above list, are way more important to me than making dinner three times a week.

    And like my Sisters, I hope to check in on my progress in the coming weeks...