My 2013 Resolutions

Resolution  [rez-uh-loo-shuh n]  noun
Definition:  determination, strong will


Many people don't participate in making New Years resolutions for themselves.  A lot of people don't want to "waste their time" making a list of something they feel that they probably won't commit to.  That's understandable.

I used to be one of those people.  I would make a list of things I wanted to do within the new year and would stick with it for maybe 2 months tops and then start slacking.  It's a shame really.  I've disappointed myself too many times doing it this way.  But this year...I feel more headstrong and feel that with a little help and support from my family and friends, I WILL accomplish my goals and will have a bigger smile on my face come December 31, 2013 than I have in previous years on that date.

So without further ado, here is my list of goals for 2013.

Write it down.  I have depended so much on electronics for things within the last 2 years of not being in the working field.  This is not a bad thing, but for me, I noticed it was.  When I worked I used to have sticky notes all over the place in my office, of "to do lists" or goals, or reminders.  Same with being at home.  I would write lists of chores, or meals, or "to-dos".  Since I've gotten away from having an organized office space, I've used my lap top and phone more for things like that and I have realized that if I don't have the list in front of me, it doesn't get done.  If I have to search for it in my phone or app or laptop then it will get overlooked more than looked at and will get pushed to the back burner.  This year I will be physically writing down my work outs, my Scentsy meetings, my chores, my grocery lists, etc.  And to do this, I have purchased my first Erin Condren Life Planner!  I have seen so many people use these and speak so highly of them, so I thought I'd give it a try!  I'm already in love!  Plus it was a nice gift to myself for beginning my own business :)

Isn't it pretty? :)

Believe in myself.  There's a particular reason that I've learned and it is why I haven't done well at following through with things.  That is fear of failure.  If/When I quit, I don't give myself the opportunity to fail.  I don't have to make myself deal with the disappointment.  I think the path that I am on is a good one and it's making me realize more and more how to believe in myself and when I actually do, I'm usually rewarded.  I am also learning how to deal with disappointment because nothing is perfect and nothing will ever go 100% as planned.

Stick to fitness.  Using my first resolution mentioned above, physically write down a weekly workout plan and stick to it.  I can't drink coffee without a lot of cream and a lot of sugar, so my goal is to stick to hot herbal teas with honey.  Drink more water.  Eat less junk.  Sometimes I think that maybe I don't want it bad enough to keep starting and stopping, but I really do.  Motivation is key and it needs to happen every day, not just every now and then.  I'm working on that!  I am running a 5K race in 131 days after all.  I have to be ready for it!  Plus I seemed to have gained my baby weight back.  :(  Damn you holiday treats!

Get it together.  Organization is key.  Over the years, I have somehow become more and more disorganized and I have realized that it has caused me much unnecessary stress.  Hopefully in the Spring or Summer of this year we will be in a different house and can better organize our things since we won't be relying on a usually flooded, spider dungeon basement to store our things.  Also when we are able to, we will be getting rid of A LOT of things that we don't need or use and this will help!

Stick to blogging.  I love that I have picked up blogging a LOT in the last 12 months and I want to continue to do that.  My goal is to publish 2-3 posts a week every week.  Along with writing more often, I hope to finally come up with a new redesign and finally feel comfortable in my blogging skin.  Not that I don't feel comfortable now, I just feel different from what I started out with.  I'll just be "Cassie" instead of a mommy blog "Mama Cassie".  Not that I mind being a "mommy blog", but I'm more than just a mother.  :)

Be in photographs.  I have thousands upon thousands of pictures that I take and there aren't really many of them that I am in.  I also would like to have more pictures of Justin, Annaliese and I as a family of three.  We don't have many, other than "specific occasions  that we have a picture of us three in.  It's been almost 15 months.  This should stop.

Read a book (or 12).  I am giving myself a challenge of reading a book a month for the year.  And no, a 10 page Dr. Seuss book doesn't count here.  I do love to read books and blogs too, of course, but lately I have only been reading blogs and have put my books on the back burner.  I think I can.  I think I can.

More of me.  Concentrating on my new business, going to the gym, doing crafts, reading books, baking (healthy) goodies...these are all things that I love doing that I haven't given myself time for lately.  It's very challenging to find a balance of family, marriage, and personal time, but I know it can be done and it can be done in a healthy way.  Balance is also key.

More "us" time.  By the time the toddler is in bed and asleep, most nights the husband and I are too tired to even look at each other, let alone cuddle and watch a movie.  I miss spending time along with my husband, ya know?  He's still my world and my best friend and I want to spend more nights alone with him.  I think we need to arrange at least one night a month where we find a sitter and go have dinner out together.  We need time to ourselves on a more consistent schedule.

All in all these are things that I want to put my everything into trying for this year.  All I have to do is believe I can and I will.  Here's to believing!

CHEERS 2013!

Do you have any New Year resolutions?  If so, what are they and how do you plan to stick with them?