Resolute

I don't usually make formal resolutions at the end of the year. I always believed that you were going to break them within a week or a month, so why bother making them in the first place? Now, I think I understand. Giving myself a list of things to work towards will help me focus on my goal of being a better me. To that end, I hope to do the following in the upcoming year:

1. Eat less junk. I don't plan to diet. I think that's one of the easiest resolutions to break. What I'd like to do is eat better - healthier, good food. I've done it and can do it. I want to get off the fast food train and back to where I was heading this spring with lower fat food choices.
2. Walk more. Well, exercise more, but I want to get out and walk more. I bought nice walking shoes, and I have a good neighborhood for walking. I just want to get myself out there  (and maybe even get out on one of the hikes promoted by the hiking club I've been meaning to join!)
3. Read more. In the past year, I have read two books for pleasure. I did read countless articles for work, education, and just interest, but I want to read more books, just for the enjoyment of reading.
4. Write more. This comes from the last one. The more I read, the more I want to write. And the more I write, the better I get at writing, which also makes me want to write more. And read more.
5. Watch more movies. Okay, this seems to run counter to the whole reading and writing thing, but I watched a movie last night, and realized it was one of three that I had seen in the past year that actually came out this past year. I do watch movies; I just tend to watch the same ones over and over. I want to get out and watch new movies (or even stay in and purchase them online; I don't care as long as I stop saying "Oh, I've wanted to see that movie" and start saying "Let's watch this tonight!"
6. Organize more. This is it - I am getting the good paper shredder with the warranty (for when it wears out) and going through all those bills I've been compiling and I'm going to shred away, then throw them all out. THEN, I'm going to organize my office area so I can actually use it (okay, I need to get a new computer, too, which will help - that's another resolution!.) These will be my tax rebate gifts to myself.
7. Practice yoga and meditate. Part of (well, possibly a great deal of) my issues with eating, sleeping and drinking come from having a mind that is constantly jumping from one concern to the next. I know I am a stress eater (and drinker). I need to shut that off, and the best way is through meditation.
8. Wake up earlier. This will allow me more time to walk, to meditate, to prepare to get to work on time (not 5 or 10 or 15 minutes late.) I will not waste the time on social media (that should be another, separate resolution!)
9. Listen unconditionally. I've been doing this with my son lately. Not only do I take the time to put down the technology (iPad, phone, etc.) so that I can be fully present, but I just listen without judging. And, amazingly, because I've been doing this, I've had more real conversations with him (not just the "How's work?" "Fine" ones.)
10. Enjoy life. I had a great weekend visit this year with friends; I want to have more of those. I want to get out, even when the weather is bad, to walk, skate, dance, spend time with friends, spend time enjoying my own company, spend time just enjoying. I may even turn down a class (to teach) just so I can enjoy!

So this is what I am going to try and work towards in the upcoming year. In spite of my concern about resolutions, I like knowing I have this list. I need make sure I don't try to do this perfectly. Not doing something (or not continuing it) does not make me a failure. If I stop doing something on the list, I can always look back at this list, realize what I wanted to accomplish, and start it again.