Here we are!!! In a shiny, brand new
year, brimming over with hopes and possibilities!! A fresh start is always a
great feeling, and the first day of every year has got to be the most
optimistic day across the globe :-).
Last year (feels a little weird calling
2012 ‘last year’), I decided to bring some accountability into my resolution
process by sharing my weekly updates with you, my dear blog readers. I did it for nearly the whole year, and faltered in the last two months. But I have
to say, that is the longest I have
ever stuck to my resolutions. Also, the two months I didn’t keep up with my
blog updates were the two months I didn’t stick to my goals either.
First, my 2012 report card J.
(You can check out my 2012 resolutions
in more detail here.)
1. Quality Time with Cub: One example to show how consciously
making an effort to do something gives completely different results from
expecting that it’ll automatically get done. Cub and I had really fun times
with crafts, legos, reading and such. Though I need to make our together-time
sacrosanct, and ensure it gets done no matter what.
2. Fitness: This is one goal that requires constant motivation. The best is
the Nike caption “Just Do It”. My finding is that it’s best to do as soon as
you wake up in the morning, before you have time to think of excuses. If you
get your gear ready the night before, even higher chance of getting to work
out. Once it’s out of the way first thing in the morning, you can feel proud of
yourself the rest of the day J.
3. Regular Prayers: A good area for me this year. I am not 100% regular, but way
better than last year and I feel quite good about it. For this, I began waking
up at 5:30 every morning and now it’s become a habit.
4. Reading : I read a book almost every fortnight and I am so glad
to have made this a resolution!! I don’t think I would have renewed my interest
in reading if I hadn’t set a goal like this!
1. Regular Blog posting: Well, the year started off regular,
and tapered off towards the end. I was however active with guest posts and
Parentous, and made a whole lot of new blogger friends. I even got to meet two
of them in person – Ria from Ria’s Collection and Neelu from Creating Memories!!
I also managed to participate in a few events, some InFB ones and joined the
Baking Partners Group.
2. Less Nagging: I am really making an
effort on this one. It was almost a gone case, but I began rescuing it in the
latter half of the year. I have two potential victims, so it’s double the
effort J.
3. Healthy Eating: This is a mixed bag. I have been eating fruit regularly and
drinking a lot of water, but that’s about it. My meal timings are off, my
portions are not controlled and I have been OD-ing on desserts – all thanks to
my new interest in baking! Through the last year, I have discovered this: if I
eat less and don’t workout, I lose weight, but don’t have any energy. If I
workout without cutting down on food, I don’t lose weight, although I don’t
gain any either. Lowering food intake as well as working out is necessary if I
am to lose weight without losing my mind/energy/glow/hair.
1. Cleaner Home: I don’t think my home has been messier than it has been last
year. Especially the ironing. Oh my God, the ironing!! It bothered me the whole
year, till I finally decided in December to outsource it. Whew!! Still, deep
cleaning suffered, and I was irregular with the dishes and pretty much
everything. Only the kitchen got organized a bit.
2. Updated with news: I have to say that I did turn out
better than I was before 2012, especially since I liked ibnlive on Facebook. I
was in touch with the headlines, though I couldn’t really engage in debate on
most topics.
3. Adventurous style: Nope. Nothing. Na da. I was supposed
to have two OOTDS in a month and I have failed miserably here. I shopped much
less, which is a plus, but I didn’t utilize my wardrobe properly. I just
checked and there are many clothes I haven’t worn even once (that’s right, even once) in the whole of 2012. Terrible.
A few other things I hadn’t planned on,
but done anyway in 2012:
1. Baking – I’ve really enjoyed this
new hobby of mine and I think I’ve become better at it too J
2. Less TV – I automatically cut down
on my TV watching time. Not a conscious decision, all that crap on TV just
didn’t seem too enticing.
3. Worrying – I don’t know how this
came about – I’m generally not a worrier. But a few times last year, I found
myself going crazy with worry and working up terrible scenarios in my mind and
then going crazier. Not a good habit to take in to 2013.
4. Time management – Terrible. 24 hours
are just not enough for me.
All in all, I’m not disappointed. I
wish I could say that I gave it my best shot, but I know I haven’t, although
I’m glad I tried. And like I said, this is the best resolution-sticking I’ve
ever done so far!!
Now, coming to this year. I’m going to
continue doing the stuff I’ve made a habit of since last year, like the book
reading, less TV, baking, following news on Facebook and outsourcing boring
chores, so I’m not repeating them here.
Goal Plan for 2013
1. Fitness – Half an hour exercise at least
5 days a week. Weigh every morning before breakfast and measure every month.
Optional: Yoga once a week.
2. Healthy Eating – No second helpings.
Fixed meal times. Dessert once a week.
3. Educational time with Cub – Like I
mentioned earlier, make this time sacrosanct. Include more educational stuff
(ABCs, counting etc.) within crafts and playtime and slightly more complex
reading.
4. Being more caring – This applies to
everyone – hubs & son, parents, siblings, neighbors. Go beyond just nice
and do a little extra to brighten up someone’s day. Obviously includes the
‘no-nagging’ clause.
5. Communication with God – Keep up with
prayers, be more mindful. Let go of worry and put trust in God.
6. Job – Try to get a work at home job
that’ll not eat too much into my day.
7. Time management and Prioritizing – This itself is top priority. Plan for the week, set a routine
for the day and stick to it.
8. Keep the flame alive – Not let Amanat/Nirbhaya’s
death go in vain. The poor girl went through hell and still struggled to live. We
started a movement and got everyone to sit up and take notice. We can’t let all
that go to waste and we just CANNOT let things go back to the state they were
in. Think of ourselves as fighters, we cannot afford to let even a tiny little
thing just slide by. Every perpetrator, no matter how ‘small’ his crime, has to
pay for his deeds. Read this excellent piece for more: ‘It is no longer not my problem’ by amreekandesi.
What have you guys planned for this
year? If anyone has any goal similar to mine and would like to keep score
together, let me know, I’d love to have a buddy!! I plan to continue my weekly updates
on the blog and would love to know your plans too J.
Thank you, dear readers, for being with
me and encouraging me throughout. We’ve had good and bad times last year, so
let’s pray for a much better 2013, filled with peace, health and happiness. Happy
New Year!!
12 comments
I like your Goal updates!! Didn't know they were yearly too...all of us agree on your last goal..it should be everyone's goal of the year..All the very best for them!! Happy New year!! :)
ReplyDeleteLazygul:)
http://lazygulrox.blogspot.in/
Thank you, Rashmi!! Yup, last year was the first time my resolutions took on a 'yearly' dimension :-)
DeleteTaking a cue, I am keeping a tab on my resolution this year...:)
ReplyDeleteThat is great!! Happy New Year!
DeleteFab, great goals, and yes I have been baking more than I ever have, isnt it a great stress buster too? Happy new year to you and family!
ReplyDeleteIt sure is, Poonam!! Just cooking doesn't excite me as much as baking does - I can do it no matter how tired I am!! Happy New Year to you too!
DeleteThat's a detailed and very objective round-up of the year that went by! Wishing you a very happy 2013 and may you achieve all the goals that you have set for yourself!
ReplyDeleteCheers :)
Thank you so much, Shilpa!! Wish you and your family a lovely 2013 too!
DeleteQuality time with cub? How I need to do the same.
ReplyDeleteGreat list...Happy New Year!
Thank you, Ameena!! Wish you and your family a very Happy New Year too!
DeleteFab this is my first comment here... though I visit your blog regularly and read your posts on Parentous as well... love the way you pen your thoughts down.
ReplyDeleteThank you so much, Falak! It feels great to hear positive comments like yours!! And you have an awesome blog too, and you touch upon very relevant topics!!
Delete