New Year's Resolutions for 2012

Saturday, January 14, 2012


I love lists and I love attempting to improve my life, so I'm all about New Year's resolutions. I'm going to try to do the following things for at least 100 days. We'll see how it goes (especially the exercising part).

1) Make re-reading a major priority this year.

2) 10 Frugality tips to stick to:
• Go to the grocery store with cash and a calculator instead of using your debit card.
• Take inventory before going to the grocery store to avoid buying repeat items.
• Consolidate errands into one trip to save on gas.
• Look for used 1st - If you need something try to find it used before buying it new.
• Eat out less
• Use a 30-day list - When you want to buy something, (not a necessity), put it on a list with the date you added it, reevaluate the list after 30 days to see if you still want/need to buy it.
• Find free entertainment
• Alcohol in moderation.
• Eat less meat
• Don’t go shopping unless you NEED something

3) Don’t buy anything that you don’t absolutely need for 100 days. Attempt to not buy clothes at all this year (I'm in a wedding in May and anything for that will be an exception).

4) Choose one food that constantly sabotages your efforts to eat healthier and go cold turkey for the next 100 days. – (Lays Potato Chips and Pretzel M&Ms)

5) Eat from a smaller plate to help control portion size.

6) Get at least 20 min. of exercise at least 3 times a week.

7) Actively look for something positive in your partner every day, and write it down.

8) Practice active listening

9) Keep reminding yourself that everyone is doing the best that they can.

10) Drink more water/tea every day

Obviously on top of this list I'm planning on completing all of my reading challenges and participating in as many read-alongs as possible. I'm also hoping to host my very first read-along this year, Cloud Atlas in March, even though I'm nervous no one else will join in.

Here's to a fantastic 2012!

Photo by moi.

11 comments:

Sandy Nawrot said...

This is an awesome goal list! One that we should all observe closely I think. Being just a little more frugal with our pocketbook and what we put in our mouth is a good thing. I am hell bound and determined to get in shape this year. I can't stand even looking at myself in the mirror. Everything went to hell after I turned 40!

Jenny said...

DAMN. Those are some seriously ambitious resolutions you've made. I am mightily impressed. I have a similar goal of buying no new clothes. I bought tons and tons of clothes when I was home for Christmas, and I've decided they're going to do me for the whole rest of the year.

Carrie K. said...

Those are some great goals - many of those I should just copy directly on to my own list!

Natalie~Coffee and a Book Chick said...

Definitely excellent goals that I need to include on mine.

Look at the eyes on the gorgeous doggie; I love it!

(Diane) Bibliophile By the Sea said...

I think we should all follow your list. Those all make so much sense. (I couldn't go a year without new clothes though):

Allie said...

What a great list!

When I go grocery shopping, I always bring cash and a calculator. Since I shop every week, I start at opposite sides of the store, and unless I really need something from the other side, I leave by the time I've spent all my cash. It makes things a lot easier! :)

*ೃ༄ Jillian said...

Yay for #1 especially. :)

Jenners said...

These are excellent resolutions. I love the 100 days thing for giving up bad habits. I may have to borrow some of these for myself.

Alex (The Sleepless Reader) said...

Amen for re-reading. Also a priority this year.

PS: Pretzel M&Ms??! *goes Google*

Kailana said...

Good luck with your goals. I also need to reread more...

Melissa (Avid Reader) said...

Sandy - The working out one is going to be the hardest for me. I just hate it.

Jenny - Maybe we'll have to check in with each other in 6 months and see if we've kept up the shopping ban.

Carrie K. - Most of them are applicable for anyone.

Natalie - I love that he's nibbling my book here.

Diane - I'm not a big shopper. Most of my clothes are Target or Goodwill anyway, but I have way too much. I think a full year will be a challenge, but it would make me get creative with my wardrobe.

Allie - That's a great idea! I may have to try that. I always start in the same place, but that might work perfectly.

Jillian - Indeed, yay for the year of rereading.

Jenners - Please do! They are a mish mash of resolutions I've found and ones I've made. I like the 100 days idea because it makes it more manageable and then hopefully it will be a habit by then.

Alex - Oh my gosh, they are amazing! I don't even like M&Ms, but I'm addicted to those.

Kailana - I've struggled with justifying it in the past, but I really want to reread a lot this year.