I usually am not a fan of resolutions. Why? So I can smack myself in a month when I dropped the ball? Or so that I can feel pressure to do something that I obviously wanted to do in the first place or I would never have put it on a list of things I want to do? I would rather just look at some of the good things, some of the things I would like to change and some of the the things that just are.
So, here are 5 things from this past year I probably could have done better and will work on in 2008.
1. I will write more because I love it not so much because someone tells me I have to. I will write more of what I enjoy and less filler. If I don’t have something to say about it (and we all know I will probably always have something to say about most things), I won’t say it.
2. I won’t allow other people to let me feel less than. I am ridding myself of toxic friendships. Who needs it? Trust me when I say, this year has been a real learning year on toxic friendships. The thing is, if you betray me, stab me in the back or in some way break my heart beyond repair, you not only are kicked to the curb, you cease to exist in my mind. I want you to go down hard. Not by my hands, but go down suffering nevertheless. I need to work hard on that one. That whole “forgive and forget” thing people talk about. There are a few people who could be added to that list so that I can move on.
3. I wasn’t very good with keeping in touch with the people I love and the people I was reconnecting with. I am going to do better. I want to reach out again and let them know that they are loved.
4. I will keep more regular business hours. This past year I worked when I could and that just doesn’t work. Regular business hours may help.
5. I will learn to say help when I need to. A lot happened this year that I did not share with anyone because I could not muster up the strength to just say help. I need to add that one to my vocabulary.
Here are 5 things that I do that I like and that I am going to keep doing.
1. I am a good mother. I have bad days (don’t we all) where I feel like I need to do a lot better than I am doing, but overall…I am a good mother. I am going to work on the little things that will make me better, but I am proud of the children I am raising!
2. I am a fiercely loyal friend. There is nothing I wouldn’t do for a friend. When I give you my heart, you have it. One of my very best friends in the world used to comment about the fact that I gave all I could when I care for someone.
3. I made friendships closer and learned to let my guard down more. It feels good to trust again.
4. I believe the best in people. Honestly. Until they show me otherwise, I always assume their motives are pure. (Except spammers, telemarketers and bill collectors.) To this day I am still surprised when I see the dark side of someone and they burn me. I very rarely see it coming and am always shocked.
5. I love to write. When I put my heart into it, it isn’t half bad. I am going to write more. More from the heart and less from the drudgery aspect. I have been told when I really write and let my voice shine, people enjoy it. I like that.
And here are 5 things I am going to work on to make my life happier.
1. Become more comfortable in my skin. (And try to get healthier and more fit. Too many scares this past year.)
2. Tell more people that I care about that they are important to me. Spreading the love makes me happy.
3. I won’t ever let the chain of random acts of kindness end with me. I will pay it forward and enjoy knowing that I am doing good without expecting anything in return.
4. Remember my passion. That is where I am at my best.
5. Never talk smack about, laugh at, make fun of, recoil from, giggle about behind my hand or otherwise be in anyway rude in regards to the Stepfords.
(OH COME ON! You have to have one thing you want to improve that you know you will fail at. That is mine. They are too easy. It would be too hard. Let’s just consider that my “gimmie” for the year. All Stepford snark allowed.)
That’s a great list, very people- and relationship-focused.
The resolution where I say I’ll spend less time on the laptop? Yeah, that one’s probably not going to happen.
I think those all sound reasonable. Obviously except the Stepford snark. We all have our limits.
Happy New Year!
Nice list. I’m like you. I never see it coming with people. My sisters always seem to know someone would do that, but I’m always blindsided. I guess that not a totally bad thing. Does put you out there to be hurt sometimes, though.
I totally need to do this one: 3. I wasn’t very good with keeping in touch with the people I love and the people I was reconnecting with. I am going to do better. I want to reach out again and let them know that they are loved.
SEE YOU IN FEBRUARY, LADY!!!! xoxoxo
Great lists, especially the part about toxic friendships. I have to say, though, it’s been hard to disengage from a couple in my life because those people don’t seem to acknowledge my attempts at distancing! If someone was ignoring me the way I’m trying to ignore them, I’d get the message!
That’s an original. Things you want to KEEP on doing as a resolution. THANK YOU for the idea! I do not totally suck. I need to notice what I’m good at! very cool. you rock.
I got rid of the toxic people long ago. Helps to have a kid with Autism, really brings out the true colours in people.
But you need to get rid of the toxic feelings at the same time. That one took a long time.
Good luck babe. I know you can do it.
I like your last one. I need to make a resolution that I know I won’t keep, and then give myself permission to break it. Stepfords? I know a few of those. They’re the ones who come in and try to make me feel like …. never mind. Not going to allow it!