resolutions | Hello Sunshine

If you’ve been around a while, you probably know that I’m not afraid of making resolutions and intentions and I dive headfirst into a good goal-list so here we are; a new year, a new list.

For me, the best part of list-making is that I know I will not achieve everything but if I write it down or say it, it’s more likely to happen.

10 things I want to work on (but may not) in 2019

Swimming: Once I’m in the water, I’m happy as a clam but mygawd it’s hard to get in. I know the benefits, I have a membership to a pool, my kid swims three days a week… I have no excuses.
Self-acceptance: I’m going to get into this later but it’s something I need to work on. I have ideas, I just need the confidence to believe that I am capable.
Barre: I fell in love with barre classes a few years ago but haven’t done it in ages. I should. I will. My aching body will thank me.
Photography: I am planning to take some time this year to learn more skills (lighting, styling, etc.) It’s been an intention for a few years but I need to stop thinking about it and start doing it. (see #2)
Entertaining: Who says it has to be fancy and involve several courses? I love having people over but it doesn’t happen enough. I’m thinking games nights or simple gatherings. Murder Mystery anyone?
Hooking or pottery: Two somewhat newish things I discovered that brought me joy. I am not planning to hook 1000 pillows or become a professional potter but I need to focus on stuff like this.
Cooking: I don’t love cooking because I want to be good at it, and I am not. I want to get more comfortable in the kitchen.
Personal projects, like a website or whatever this space is: The woes of any self-employed person is they never put the time into their own projects. I need to organize my days better for this.
Reading: I’m already pretty decent at this, I read a lot and I listen to a lot of audiobooks but I want to make it more of a priority.
Gratitude: I have a lot of things to be grateful for but sometimes it’s hard to not dwell on the hardships. I need to remind myself of the good stuff. Make simple things more fun!

No pressure, but 2019 is kind of a big deal. It’s the end of a decade, the end of my thirties and I am approaching my #fortybeforeforty deadline with a long list of items to tackle so why not add more and make it fun!

Have a happy new year, make it a good one.

(image) all gifs from Giphy

I hope everyone is feeling good this morning. Happy New Year. Happy 2015!

2014 was ~~great~~ awesome but it’s now 2015 and despite it being an uneven number, I am optimistic… True to form, why not start the year with some resolutions because that’s what we do, right?

First, lets review how I did in 2014. The full post is here, but I’ll recap…

Don’t say JUST. (Yes, I worked on this and even corrected other when they did it to themselves because everyone loves a know it all)
Exercise. (Yes, I still go to Cyclone twice a week and run almost daily. I did a few half marathons, joined a Cabot Trail Relay team, won a women’s 10km race and finished a marathon)
Keep busy. (For the most part, yes. 2014 was the most challenging freelance year, and I am still struggling, but I kept up with blogging despite what often feels like lack of interest/readership)
Eat good, cook good. (see 2015)
See friends. (Better, but not great… We are trying to host more, I started a book club and have barre class date nights)
Dates with David/Mike. (Yes)
Embrace winter (Yes, we skated at the Oval and I bought skis! Now, if only we can get some snow I can actually ski!!!)
Travel. We must visit our family in England so I am adding this to my list of resolutions. (England, YES! Belgium, YES! New England, YES! Montreal, YES!)
Drink more water. (Yes, see)
Touch base. Friends, family. Pizza Fridays should start up for real this time. (see 2015)

I also had a bonus… about giving stuff up. I choose FAST FOOD RESTAURANTS. Hum? I dropped the ball on this one. I thought I gave up potato chips, which for the most part I avoided, but I do not recall writing this. I don’t eat much fast food but I know I discovered the A&W veggie burger in 2014. I also went to Quiznos. Probably Harvey’s… and ordered the veg sandwich from Salvatore’s A LOT! My bad.

* * *

So what do I want for 2015? I came up with an idea at the eleventh hour. Rather than eliminate something and/or commit to something for a full year (because that is a long time), why not eliminate and add something each month. For example, this is what I came up with quickly:

January: Eliminate: French fries. Commit: 3 minutes of plank daily.
February: Eliminate: Chocolate. Commit: Send 3 letters a week.

I think this could be fun plus my 10-UP Resolution List for 2015 is:

Exercise: Train for another half or full marathon?? Try new classes??
Join a group: Right now I am thinking of joining Centre for Women in Business. Anyone want to join with me?
Cook more / experiment more. We are in a food rut so I got this book for Mike. I am also going to get back into writing out a meal planning calendar. It works for us when we actually stick to it.
Pizza nights will start! Details to come.
Keep up with the blogging. Or quit blogging. Figure out if this is all worth it.
Travel. Family fun in the sun. Maybe a ski trip?
Swim. Haha I say this but am already doubtful.
Cut back on online shopping / impulsive spending. Paypal is not always a pal.
Read more decent stuff, less facebooking and way less iPhoning.
Have a plan… make plans. Stay on top of things, stay on top of seeing friends. Go places. Always have a training plan. If they don’t call you. Call them. If they don’t make plans, make them yourself!

So that’s it. I wish you all a happy and healthy new year. May 2015 be full of fun and great adventures. Thanks for reading along and if I do decide to keep this going, thanks for your support.

Photo taken with my Nikon in Pugwash, summer 2014.

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