Happy New Year!
Here’s to a shiny, hopeful 2018! And I can’t believe I’m even typing those digits. Sheeeee-ett. I remember when I was partying like it was 1999! For real!
A new year, and it’s that time again. I know many of you never make a list of resolutions because you feel as though you’re setting yourselves up for failure, but I believe we can all set some “soft promises” to ourselves.
I’m a list girl. Always have been, and the older I get, I lean on them even harder. If it’s not on my list, it’s not on my radar sort of thing. But my lists are usually compiled of very finite goals and are almost always aimed at writing projects. So—work-related! Not at all a “soft promise”. So far as those go…
I don’t usually set weight goals because, like many of you, I always let myself down. I have no desire to be reed-thin, but I do want to feel better, so that’s my soft goal: Feel better in 2018! And I do have a box of some diet stuff waiting for me to get serious for a week or two to get the process going. Yuck, but I can do anything in the short-term. My hope is to eat less, move more, even if the moving is just cleaning house or walking rather than driving across the highway to my dd’s for coffee.
Then there’s the art thing. Writing is my creative passion, but for the past few years, it’s felt more like a job. I show up every day at the keyboard and pound out words or edit others’ words. I’ve been feeling a little empty, like the creative spark needed a new outlet. I’ve been making jewelry, but it doesn’t always feed my need for color and freedom because wrapping, linking, beading doesn’t feel explosively creative. This year, I’m going to try to get the creative zest back in my life. First, I’m going to write a series that lights my fire: Montana Bounty Hunters. Humor mixed with action and sexy times feels right. I had so much fun writing the first book, REAPER, that I’m eager to see what happens next in that world. And, I’m rejoining the local art guild this month. It’s time to take a few classes, learn some new techniques, and get out the paint!
Lastly, I want to learn to be a saver. I’m luckier than most in that I won’t have to depend on Social Security when I’m in my dotage. I have a couple of retirements that will kick in when I hit 60, but I’d love to feel more in control—and to take some trips. So, with Hawaii and Iceland in mind, I’m taking the 52-week savings challenge. It’s small beans, but I hope it will help me learn a little discipline. No, I don’t need another paint brush or the latest tablet. Not that I am any good at denying myself little treasures, but one thing I’ve learned about myself is that I get EXTREME pleasure from treasure hunting at flea markets and yard sales. Those pretty buttons, odd beads, and small machinery finds help feed my art habit. So, maybe I don’t need a new Michael Kors bag, but I can get my shopping on looking for just the right piece of bric-a-brac for the next mixed media piece I work on.
So, that’s my soft list of resolutions. Not a big list, and I won’t attack it with any “all or nothing” ambition, just a quiet plodding resolution.
So, how about it? Do you have a “soft” resolution?
Something you’d love to do for yourself this coming year?
If you comment, you’ll be entered to win a small Amazon.com gift card. ~DD
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I always try to eat better and weigh less but it never works. This year we plan on moving to Florida. I want to be warm.
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Getting warm is a fine soft resolution. And a move is a huge change for the better! Good luck, Debra!
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I’ve tried the 52 week challenge and it’s gets harder to save as the year goes on.
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I want to start eating healthy again and feeling better.
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I want to lose about 10 pounds.
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I am one of those who doesn’t make resolutions. I have a goal list a mile long for writing-related things, but otherwise, not so much. I do need to lose weight, but I know from years past that making that a resolution doesn’t work for me.
So instead, I’ve got it in my head that I will get healthier this year–I can’t eat beef or pork, and in the early fall, I also gave up eating poultry, and with the bulk of my diet now plant-based, I am aiming for a healthier me. So if, as I’m getting healthier, I also lose some of this extra weight, that will contribute to healthier-me as well. 🙂
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I want to work at getting healthier in the new year
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To read more, LOL! 😀
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I want to get in more exercise besides walking my little dog twice a day.
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more excercise as my little puppy will want me to follow his lead ( very energic one^^) and i want to put less pressure on myself so i want to try to start wonking on handmade gift as soon as possible to avoid end of the year stress
i wish you a fantastic year 2018
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I take my 2 dogs to be groomed twice a month, why not me too? Think I will go to the spa more.
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I’m going to try to take a nice, long, hot, relaxing bubble bath once a month to recharge myself. I always plan on taking one then never end up actually doing it. And it starts tonight! After working the last 2 days, I’m planning on ordering a pizza, cracking open a beer, and taking a book with me into my bath!
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My hope every year is to have more self discipline so that I eat healthier 95% of the time, workout so that my body doesn’t go to crap now that I’m over 50 and to have my own house with a fenced in yard.
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I want to pay off some bills.
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I’ve lost almost 60 lbs and I want to continue that especially since I’ve came off BP meds after 20 yrs. Also am starting school again at 51 so wish me luck.
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The only resolution that I got all the way through was going to church every week unless it was cancelled. That was a couple years ago. This year my soft resolution is to read the chronological bible all the way through. I have tried it a few times but never finish
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I’d like to travel more, even just within my own state.
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I like your soft goals, Delilah.
One of my goals is kind of the opposite of your savings plan. One of the hardest thing to adjust to in retirement is spending instead of saving. We saved every penny we could while working so that we could retire early. Now we are finally starting to enjoy some of that savings by going on cruises. 🙂
I wish you all the best in 2018.