A couple of days ago I posted about all the things in 2012 I could find to be grateful about. I struggled to compile that list because in all honesty, I can’t imagine a worse year–ending with my husband twisting his ankle and falling down the stairs at about 11:20pm. (Those who know him, please take the moment you need to chuckle at the visual.) But it also ended with a wonderful gift: The birth of my beautiful nephew, Xavier!
My luscious new nephew!
Got me to thinking that while the year was utter crap, this was likely not just the Universe being a vindictive whore. There are things in our lives that are never in our control, and we’re ridiculous to think they are, but there are things we can do to help the good stuff swing our way. So in that spirit, here are some of my random resolutions. What are yours? Let me know in the comments section!
Start getting up early in the morning again. My most productive times have always been those stretches when I get up early. Scary early. Farmer early. Like 4:00 AM early. Sounds insane, I know, but getting up at that hour actually makes exercise and personal writing possible before the madness of the day descends. Okay, I already failed Day 1 getting up at 10… But my kids slept until 10! And tomorrow is another day. Is there something behind this getting up at the crack of dawn? Click on this. I’m pretty sure the getting up early again thing is the key to getting the rest back on track. Time to set the alarm.
More exercise, less vice-ercise. If I realized one thing in 2012, it’s that I’m old. Well, maybe not old, but not as young as I want to believe I am. So in 2013, I guess there needs to be more attention to be paid to lifting weights than wine glasses. We’ll see how that goes!
Moratorium on Facebook word games. This definitely goes with the vices. I have lost so many hours to these time-suckers, and while I enjoy the sense of connection they provide, especially when I have 2, 3, 5 games going with the same person…maybe a phone call, an IM session at the very least, is a better use of my time and a better way to connect. (Those of you who play these with me will already notice I’ve quit. Please don’t tempt me by inviting me to play. Let me enjoy being smug about this one at least for a week? Pretty please?) I’m also pretty psyched that now having a Kindle, I can read in bed when I can’t sleep at night instead of screwing around on Facebook. (Though honestly, I’m hoping some of these new resolutions are going to help squash the insomnia.)
Reach out more to friends and loved ones. There are few things in the world as self-absorbing as depression, and when I feel dark, I tend to withdraw. But I’m thinking that’s not the answer. Maybe I don’t call because I don’t have anything good to talk about, but why not just call and LISTEN? Ask and engage and let others tell me all the good they’re going through?! Why has this not occurred to me before? Yep! Too self-absorbed!
Be a nicer wife and mom. It’s easy to lose patience with the ones who are closest to you. Especially when they are little and have many needs. Especially when they are big and tend to be clumsy… (Please see above.) But there is nothing in the world more important to me than these guys, and I never want any of them to doubt that for a minute.
Grow my hair and learn to do cool shit like this:
Hair bow!
Well, maybe not that. But like many mothers of young children who are unemployed, broke, and chronically blue, my appearance has not been at the top of my list lately. Now I know what you’re going to say… Self-absorbed! But I think it’s okay to focus on yourself, if you’re doing it in a positive way. And like Getting Up Early, this is one of those domino-effect ones. Paying more attention to appearance means wanting to look better in my clothes, which means I will have to stop being lazy about losing weight. It also means having the means to properly clothe my new awesomeness, so that quest should also keep me occupied and productive.
Blog more. Hey, I got a post out on New Years Day! That’s progress already!
I could go on, but I guess I’m just going to start with these and see how I do. I’m going to make good use of what I’m calling my “Joy Jar,” and I’m looking forward to reaching out to more of you more in 2013, and hoping you’ll also reach out to me! (But not via Words with Friends or Scrabble. Please have mercy.)
Our “Joy Jar” for 2013. Are you staring one?
Happy New Year!
