I used to make formal New Year resolutions. Once, I swore off french fries for an entire year and actually followed through. {That’s big stuff for me. I love french fries.} But at some point I realized I should probably be looking to improve myself on a daily basis. Still, the beginning of the year seems like a pretty good time to gather goals and pinpoint areas of focus. Today I’m sharing the top 5 things I’d like to see myself doing…not only for curious readers but also to hold myself accountable publicly.
1 – Go greener. We already recycle, upcycle, buy organic, employ Energy Star appliances {including a front-loading washing machine}, clean green and try to keep household VOC’s to a minimum. But there is a LOT more we could be doing. Namely, composting, gardening, rain barreling {yes, I just made that a verb} and drying our washed clothes outside when weather permits. Mother Nature deserves it.
2 – Take a professional design course. I’ve always loved learning new things, and I’m pretty sure I don’t know everything about interior design, so this one seems like a no-brainer. I’m hoping to hone my decorating skills and do what I love. The difficulty here will be finding the time and energy on top of everything else I have going on.
3 – Live in the now. This is what I need to work on the most. Too often, I find myself looking too far ahead and wishing for more, more, more and wanting, wanting, wanting. Of course, there’s nothing wrong with knowing what I want and working hard toward those things, but when I lose entire days – even weeks – to those endeavors, I’m missing the point. The journey, the process, the evolution, the hardships, the miracles…all the components of everyday life. How sad to know I may be jipping myself and my family of irreplaceable moments! Okay, really gotta work on this one. Starting today.
4 – No more forced posts. That means if something isn’t post-worthy or if I’m not feeling overly inspired OR if I’d rather just cuddle with my Handy Hubby, then I’m not typing. Period. I think this may tie into some of the comments I got from the reader survey {thanks, btw! I’ve read and considered each and every comment!} about giveaways and Etsy posts. I think it definitely shows when I’m posting just for the sake of posting, and I don’t want it to be that way. I won’t write off giveaways and Etsy posts completely because I do like to reward my readers and share my Etsy loves. But they will concern items/services that I’m sincerely passionate about.
5 – Reduce…stuff, stress, debt…you name it, I want to get rid of it. Stuff: our unfinished basement needs a major binging session. Stress: I can change the way I react to difficult situations. Debt: besides our mortgage, Handy Hubby and I have outstanding school loans that we plan to pay off by spring. {Those are our only debts.} The less physical and emotional clutter I have, the more room for creative ideas and the things I really want/need.
So, that’s where I’m going to be focusing my efforts this year. There’s always room for improvement. Who’s with me? Feel free to share your new resolves in the comments section.
image: Dana Miller for House*Tweaking
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