2013 Resolutions!

via.

It's finally here!  Can you believe it?

First, let me begin by saying I've thoroughly enjoyed reading through all my fellow blogger's goals and aspirations for 2013.  This is going to be your year! I can feel it! And thanks for all the great ideas.  I haven't actually sat down to think about my own new year resolutions until just a few minutes ago, and browsing through your blogs has really inspired me!  I also took a few minutes to go back and read through my resolutions from last year, and I can happily say that I accomplished most of them so now that I'm pumped up, here are my New Year Resolutions for 2013!

1. Continue living healthfully, and make improvements where possible.

via.

 

For this one, I'm starting in a pretty good place.  I don't drink, smoke or do drugs, so that's great.  I also don't drink soda or coffee or any sugary fruit drinks- in fact, I only drink water and milk. (This is more because I'm an extremely picky eater/drinker, and not so much my being health conscious.)  Also, in June of '11 I started working out at my local YMCA every other day.  Of course, I had a few weeks where I fumbled up my routine, but in general, that's been my schedule.  I do 30 minutes of cardio (the elliptical or bike) and then a series of stretches and sit-ups.  While I still can't say I "enjoy" working out, I do enjoy having an hour and a half to just decompress from a crazy day, and have time for myself.  For me, the challenge for making this resolution work is reducing stress and eating more healthfully.  Chocolate and peanut butter are still huge parts of my day-to-day.  Not saying this needs to stop (In fact it shouldn't.  Indy has a secret chocolate stash he has to get to at least twice a week to keep me from going into a total meltdown.) but I can definitely be more proactive about eating more fruits and veggies, so that will be my focus for this year: keeping up my health routine, with a few more good habits sprinkled in.

2. Make a Bucket List.

via.

I'm sure some people are thinking, "Really? Making a list is on your list of resolutions?"  Yes.  Yes it is.  I love making lists.  I've been known to make anywhere from three to six "To Do" lists per week.  However I've never actually made a "Bucket List."  Although I am concerned about getting older, this is more about giving me focus than squeezing in all the things I want to see and do before I die.  Very often Indy will play the game of, "Where are we going next?" and we'll find ourselves trying to plan every spring and summer vacation for the rest of our lives.  We want to go everywhere, do everything, but I feel like having a concise, specific list will help us attain our travel and experience goals.  For example, a few things I already know are going on there: a. Ride elephants in Thailand. b. Visit the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in Cleveland. c. Ride horses on the beach. (did that one in Australia!)  I always hear people reference their Bucket Lists, and who knows if they've actually sat down and written a tangible list, but I'd like to sometime this year.

3. Give back a little more.

via.

 

Reflecting on 2012 has helped me to realize how completely fortunate I am for so many things.  I always see people volunteering their time or donating things and I think, "Wow, what a good person..." this year, I'd like to be that person.  I donate clothes and shoes when I can, but I feel like I could do more.  For example, I've never donated blood.  Ever.  And what's crazy about that, is twice a year my school holds a blood drive where hundreds of students sign up and donate blood.  It's been right there at my fingertips all this time, and I've never done it.  I'd like to.  Also? Possibly volunteer at a local animal shelter.  I don't think I could commit to a regular schedule, but I'd like to find out when they're having their next big event and see how I could help- even if it's in the form of donating pet food or toys or some other supplies.  There are so many do-gooders out there, I'd like to be one, too.

4. Continue my creative hobbies.

via.

I have a lot of them, and I love them all.  Playing music with my band has been such a huge commitment on my part.  We try to practice twice a week, we try to play out twice a month, I pay rent for our practice space- it's something that I've put a lot of time and work and money into, and I've loved every minute of it.  Playing with the band has made me a way better musician than I was when I started, and I've made so many good friends since playing again.  I hope this year is even more fun and successful than last year.  I'm so happy to have finally found a great group of guys to work with.

I plan on continuing taking my sewing lessons.  I've made a few really great pieces, learned a ton, and have really challenged myself.  I'd like to push myself to work a little more outside of sewing class to reinforce all that I learn during my instructional time with my teacher.  Sewing homework, if you will.

Additionally, I'm going to continue scrap booking and knitting- both of which I sort of abandoned this year for unexplained reasons.  I started scrap booking our honeymoon trip to Australia over Christmas break, so that's good.  I haven't knitted in a while, but I started a tradition last year, where I knitted gloves for all the graduating seniors on Script & Cue.  I gave them to them after the last performance of the musical, so I have some time, but I should get on that sooner than later!

5.  See my family more often.

via.

Indy and I are way fortunate in that both his parents and my family are a 20 minute drive from our apartment.  His family is much better than mine about getting together regularly.  As he's the only son, and I'm the only daughter-in-law, his parents try to see us once a week for family dinner.  It's really nice.  My family is a little more difficult to organize.  There are 6 of us in all, two of the four kids are now married, and one is expecting.  Plus my younger sister works crazy hours at a near by bar, and my younger brother is a senior in high school, which means he can be difficult to get a hold of.  My fifth resolution this year is to make more time for my family.  Spending time together is the main goal, but I'll settle for regular phone calls or emails if necessary.  I feel like it's so easy to lose touch with your family once you start one of your own.  

My mother and I have a fantastic relationship where we e-mail each other at least once a day.  I can go for weeks without speaking to her on the phone, or seeing her in person, but I still know about all the ins and outs of the week.  I need to be more proactive about having this kind of relationship with my sisters and brother.  After all, this summer will bring lots of change!  My Big Little Brother will be moving away to college somewhere (he's only applying to schools that are out of state) my older sister will be a mom, and my younger sister will have moved out of my parent's place (hopefully! that's her goal for 2013.)  I need to put more effort into talking to and seeing them more regularly.  

So that's it!  5 resolutions for 2013.  I think I can do it.  I'm excited to try, at least!