New Year's Goal

I hate New Year's goals. Like really hate them.

As I read through my Facebook feed January 1st I actually felt annoyance. What was the point of a resolution? Who actually keeps them?

And there it was. The root of my annoyance. I don't like New Year's resolutions because they make me feel guilt. I don't keep them and then feel bad when I don't.

Prime example. My Fit Bit. I haven't worn it in months. Why? Isn't it obvious? I failed at it. I constantly felt like I had busy, productive days, but when I looked down at my step counter it would say 7000. I couldn't figure out how I was ever to make the 10 000 mark when I had spent the entire day on my feet. For a while I actually convinced myself that my Fit Bit must be faulty. In the summer, Hugh and I would both do about the same amount of activity and somehow he would be thousands of steps ahead of me. My Fit Bit probably isn't faulty. It just makes me feel bad about myself.

With My Happiness Project, I often think about how I can be a better me. I want to be a fit person. I want to be a person that takes time to do the things she loves. I want to be a person who makes time for her family.

One of the ways to becoming a better person is to reflect on where you are and then set a goal to take you where you want to go. And here I go. Looks like I'm making a New Year's Resolution. . . 

My two biggest self-inflicted stresses are the guilt I feel about not working out and the guilt I feel not blogging.

Truth be told, I don't need to work out to fit into my clothes.  I gained a couple pounds over the holidays and if I stop eating in the evenings, I will have it lost in a couple of weeks. I am quite aware of how lucky I am in this area, but it doesn't make me feel okay about not being active. I feel amazing when I am active. I have more energy. I feel strong. Ever since I had Lawson I can't get motivated to make the time to be active. Trust me, I have the time. Plenty of it. Even when I go back to work, our kids go to bed between 7 and 7:30 pm.

I absolutely love the time I spend reflecting and story telling on my blog. Writing and keeping a journal for my family makes my heart sing. Once again, for me, time to do this isn't hard to find. Getting motivated to turn off the t.v. in the evenings is more likely the problem. I love that wind-down time with Hugh. It is the chance we get to connect, visit, and relax.

I read on someone's FB feed that you are more likely to succeed at New Year's resolutions if you only make one. I can't pick between my two areas because one makes me healthy and the other makes my heart sing. I also can't make a year long goal. I think that is part of the reason I fail. I get too lofty and then when things go south, I quit, and feel like crap. Goals are meant to be achieved and re-assessed, so with that in mind I am making a month long goal. Baby steps.

I will write one blog post per week and go on the treadmill 3 times per week.

There it is. Hopefully, in February I will not have fallen off the blogging wagon and will be around to give you an update ;-)


Thanks to two of my BFF's.  Ader, for inspiring me to make a blogging goal and motivating me to write this post and Deena for reminding me that goals are meant to be reassessed.