My Goals for 2011

So for the first time EVER I am making a list of goals for the new year.  I have never done this before because I could basically bet money on the fact that I wouldn't do and/or maintain them.  I would then feel guilty that I didn't do them and get all bummed out about it so it was easier just to not make any.  So I didn't.  After all I am hard enough on myself as it is and I certainly didn't need this looming over my head.

Well I have completely reframed the way I think about "New Year resolutions".  I have realized that making a list of goals for the new year can be a very effective tool for making changes.  As long as changes are made, big or small, then you have been working toward your goals and, in effect, have changed your life for the better.

Over the past month I have been writing down goals as I think of them (knowing I still have a major case of mommy brain and if it doesn't get written down it doesn't get remembered).  I have kept them very realistic knowing that I don't have much "free" time and knowing that we have not one but TWO moves this year!!  Yes folks, it's gonna be a busy year but I am very excited for it and the upcoming changes (minus the actual physical moving part).  I know that many firsts will be occurring and it's looking more and more like many major changes will be occurring.

So onto the list, in no particular order here are my goals for 2011!

1.)  Get back to exercising at least 3x a week.  This seems so very simple and yet I can't seem to keep it up 100% of the time for various reasons.  I have a grossly improved self image when I'm working out which leads to an overall better outlook.  I can honestly look at myself and feel proud of what I did than of all the specifics that I don't like.  I also tend to be in a better mood, perhaps because of the aforementioned statement.  I tend to naturally eat better as well, although I don't do too bad with that in the big scheme of things.  I find that I enjoy that time because it's something for me and it's a break from everything else.  The major hurdle is going to be figuring out when the best time to do this is.

2.)  Read at least one book a month.  Why?  Because I enjoy reading and because I can use more than 5 of my brain cells.  Also a plus, is the fact that it gives me something besides my kids to talk about!  I hope I read more but I am staying realistic knowing that I am a slow reader and that reading is one of the first things to get the boot when I get busy.  Judging by the fact that I read 14.5 books in the last 6 months I think this will be an easy one.

3.)  Physically volunteer 3 times and do charity work.  Ok so I know 3 times seems like a pretty lame attempt but remember I'm being realistic.  With the husbands schedule not being very reliable and the whole moving twice in one year thing I am going to stick with 3 or 4 times.  I really want to get into volunteering regularly but that probably won't happen until both kids get into school, so for now I'll do it when I can.  I also would like to do charity work whether it be donating to a food bank, making scarfs, hats or whatever.  I would like to do something even when I may not be able to give my time physically.

4.)  Run an actual 5K before move #1 and a possible 10K in the fall.  I wanted to run a 5K last year since I really got into exercising after the DD was born.  I also realized that I could run for longer than 5 mins.  For various reasons an actual race did not happen although I ran over 3 miles on quite a few occasions, at my peak I was up to 4 miles.  When I could run 3 miles consistently the timing just wasn't good for a race and then my running got sporadic for a while.  Then I was scared I wouldn't be able to run an entire 5K, therefore I didn't even try.  As for the 10K, that will completely depend on whether I meet goal #1.  I know if I stay consistent with the running then I could certainly do it but there's no being sporadic about running a 10K.

5.)  Get back into photography.  This is a major one that has slipped away since our second child was born.  I LOVE taking pictures, trying to be creative and discovering new ways to view things.  I take plenty of day-to-day pictures but don't do much actual photography.  This past year I kinda forgot how much I really do enjoy it!  This is an area I hope to majorly improve in.  I want to relearn things I've forgotten and learn how to do more in manual mode.  I want to have more control in the photos and how they come out.  I want to learn new techniques and be more artistic but most importantly I want to take photographs, not pictures!

6.)  Spend less time on the computer.  This one will probably be tough but I want to get away from the computer a bit.  I find myself too easily getting sucked in and being on it for much longer than I planned.  This will be hard because I often feel trapped and find myself needing some interaction, adult interaction mainly.  Being a SAHM many a day goes by where I talk to no one but my kids and husband, many days I see no one but them (and maybe the cashier at the grocery store).  Sometimes I just need a break from noggin, toddler tunes and fingerpaint.  I like to hear what other people have to say (most of the time) and I enjoy being able to share my knowledge or recent books... anything for that matter.  There's only so much you can discuss with a 4 year old and as far as intellectual conversation goes, HA!  The computer was my make shift "solution" to that problem but that has created aspects that I am not happy with.  So for 2011 I plan to get off Facebook and actually talk to people, call, write letters, join books clubs, have playdates and the like.  I'm also hoping this will help me stay connected to people after we move.

7.)  Continue preparing many foods from scratch and piling on the veggies.  I did quite well this past year with moving away from many things processed and making many things using whole ingredients.  I would like to keep that change and even take it a step further and pick some of the few convenience foods we still consume and start making them myself.  I also started majorly upping the vegetables in the last quarter of the year and plan to keep that up as well, even trying some of the few things we still have yet to try like tofu as a main dish.  After 2 months the DH is also beginning to be ok with lessening our consumption of meat so that is something I am very excited about.  I have no plans to go vegetarian but I do love the fact that I can make a vegetarian meal with no complaints from the DH!

8.)  Make the switch to cloth napkins. -  I wanted to do this last year but never got off my hump to actually make the napkins, aside from some for my son's lunchbox.  I found a ton of cloth napkins on super after Christmas clearance and picked up 12 so I am thinking that's enough to get going and as the year goes on I'll make some more!  (*edited to add on 1-10-11*)


Those are the major ones.  There are some minor ones still on the list and I'm betting that I will think of more to add but I think that's a pretty good start!   There you have it, a physical list.  There's no going back now!


Are there any major goals on your list?  Anybody out there like me and creating a list for the first time ever??  What is your take on resolutions, are they more finite or just goals to work toward?