It's that time of year again where an arbitrary date change on the calendar suddenly makes me think it's time for a total life overhaul. In the spirit of actually making achievable resolutions this year, I'm going to be extra-specific on my little goals, and set myself a last resolution that's more of a mantra/affirmation/catchphrase for the entire year.
I totally failed at most of my resolutions last year, so here goes nothing!
1. Stop using the snooze button.
I've gotten in this terrible habit of setting my alarm for 5:45 like a good grownup girl, then snoozing until 6:15 (or later, if I'm being honest). Then I end up rushing and frantic in the mornings. No time to do my hair? Messy top bun will work. Makeup seems like too much effort? Slap on some concealer and a swipe of mascara, and call it a day. Bed not made yet? Eh, I'm getting right back in it tonight anyway. Bottom line, bad habit. If I get back on track with a realistic wake-up time, I foresee much more effective, zen mornings ahead of me.
2. Establish a nighttime and morning routine that works.
In conjunction with losing the snooze, I want to streamline what I do at the beginning and end of every day. Sometimes I get stupidly stressed before bedtime, so I end up making to-do lists in my phone (which just wakes me up more and keeps me up later). And mornings, as covered, are catastrophically spastic. At night, I want to get in a good skincare routine and make sure my lunch is made for the next day; for good measure, i'm going to try to reduce screen time right before bed. For mornings, I want to start putting more effort into my work appearance, make my bed every day, and leave my apartment clean. We'll see how it goes!
3. Break up with Bitesquad.
Oh god, Bitesquad is the biggest blessing and curse. For those not familiar, it's an online restaurant delivery service (similar to Seamless) that delivers from around 200 Twin Cities restaurants. It's fantastic for a night when I don't feel like cooking...but it's also hella expensive when, like I have, you get in the habit of ordering a few times a week. Not to mention my desire to make healthier choices doesn't exactly dovetail with "Oh hey, let's order takeout!" Here's to eating better, saving money, and hopefully even improving my culinary skills!
4. Exercise daily.
If I were guilty of one of the seven deadly sins, it'd be Sloth for sure. I'm a total couch potato, and while I do work out inconsistently, I haven't had a good routine since senior year, when I skinnied down hard working out at least an hour or two every day. I feel better when I move, and I'm pretty sure my upcoming Mexican vacation in March merits a steady gym routine to pre-emptively cancel out all those mojitos...
5. Remember to accept and give love.
This is my "vague, life-affirming resolution." As we've covered (and covered, and covered, and covered), 2014 was a year in which I lost sight of what love really looks like, and how to love myself, for awhile. I had such tunnel vision around the person who didn't love me that I stopped appreciating all the others who did...my parents, my extended family, my friends, and even colleagues.
This year, I'm going to try to actively notice and be grateful for the myriad ways in which others show how much they do love me, and to make sure I dish that back out into the universe. Nobody ever earned bad karma trying to make other people feel warm and fuzzy! Even more importantly, I'm more dedicated than ever to turning off and counteracting those bad voices in my head that sometimes still make me feel like I'm not worthy of all the love I have in my life. I'm going to take better care of myself physically, spiritually, mentally and emotionally, and hopefully all that love will just keep coming back to me in the best ways possible.
Here's to 2015 being a year full of good things...to quote my wise friend David, I'm going to make it my bitch. May it bring you everything you're hoping for, too!