1.19.2014

nyr update: December AND 2014 resolutions!

You didn't think I would let January slip away without re-capping my last month of resolutions for 2013, did you?? You probably hoped I did. Anyway, here's my progress report for December of the resolutions I made waaaay back in January 2013 (you can read that post here).
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In December I: made a lot of Christmas cards, spent time with my nears & dears, made some snowglobes. 

(If you're interested in viewing the other months, here they are!)
(This is mostly to keep myself in check although you're welcome to share encouragement/criticisms/keep me accountable!)

Here were my resolutions for the year, with my personal commentary for the month added in:
1. Ride my bike more. [Uhh...I didn't really exercise in December, at all. I take that back. I trained really hard for the race we were supposed to run in Memphis at the beginning of the month (I mean, for the week before the race.) Then it got cancelled because of the pre-polar vortex. So did my exercise for the rest of the month.]
2. Send something to my Mummo [Finnish grandma] every month. [This was hard to keep track of because I never set a day of the month to complete this by. But I did send her a Christmas card, and got a Finnish Christmas postcard from her.]
3. Remember all my friends/families birthdays. [December is not a big friends/family birthday month. Not that I didn't buy presents for everyone in the world.]
4. Read a book every month. [I did finish a book this month. Still don't wanna talk about it.]
5. Only buy what I need & get rid of what I don't need [Moving again helped me go through my closet once more. No doubt there is still down-sizing that can be done. Otherwise, I did buy a few things for myself, a long with lots of gifts (needed). My credit card bill was higher than I would have liked in Jan. but I blame that completely on the holiday.]
6. Be confident. [December treated me really well, actually. Being home makes me feel especially well-loved.]


And now it's the new year! Luckily I'm so late making resolutions that I've been able to take cues from lots of other resolution posts (that is so not the point at all, I kid). But honestly? This seems like the year of NOT making resolutions. Maybe it's because we are already so overwhelmed with our jobs, relationships, and uh, blogs, that we don't want another list of things to do? Or maybe that's just me.

Keeping concrete resolutions and documenting them for a YEAR was eye-opening. And I wasn't very good at it. By December, (more like March, to be honest) I was kinda over several things I thought I wanted to do all year. Mind you, I have a very short attention span. I brainstormed having a resolution of the month, but even with that, I couldn't think of 12 solid ideas. 

All this to say: while I don't have concrete, bulleted, cause-and-effect mandates for the year, I do have things on my mind. To challenge myself with and hopefully make my life better. Here's whats on my mind. (This is a working list, and some of the things don't really make sense.)
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Here's a pretty accurate picture of how I look, now, as I'm making these goals for 2014. 

1. "Use it or get rid of it." I suppose I mostly mean this about clothing, but everything, really! The idea of minimalism seems so freeing to me (and so, so, SO far away!). I just won't be able to have one of everything. I can live with that. But as far as things that are old and taking up space, out with the old!
2. "If you already have it, don't buy it." The cool, trendy, sister to #1. I wrote a post a while back about thrifty living, and one of the things I constantly remind myself of is: I don't need multiple versions of the same things! Too often I buy things because the packaging is nice, or I think I might want a new one. That being said, if I do buy a new old, I need to lose the old one!
3. Finances- being disciplined & budgeted. I found myself telling people that I was waiting for my finances to "balance out" after transitioning from working part-time to working full-time. Guess what? There's not some huge change in my bank account that's going to happen. BUT: now it is very easy for me to track exactly how much I am making, and how much I am spending in every category. I have very clear fixed costs and bills every month, and a pretty much fixed income. So, I want to be disciplined about that. I want to have a set amount for my "etc." category: clothing, going out, incidentals; and when that runs out for the month, so does my spending money!
4. Getting well-connected with a church. I've bounced around between several churches since leaving the primary one I attended in college. I want to find one I really like (and can attend with Hunter) and get involved with it, aside from a service on Sunday. I won't preach to you on the topic otherwise, but that's a goal for the year.
5. Being a good friend (and sister). When I came to Nashville in 2009, I realized it was going to take added effort to stay in touch with my close friends and family in California. This is something I am still working hard at! I feel like many can relate to this. In 2014, I want to strive to be a better friend and sister (and daughter). I thought to myself recently, "Wow, I haven't talked to this person in [too long of a time period]." And then I realized, omg, sending a text message (bare minimum) that says "hey, how are you?" takes less than 2 seconds! Nooo excuses there. I want to constantly let people know how much I appreciate having them in my life. I want to remember their birthdays and special days (not necessarily with gifts! Because I ran myself a little ragged last year with that).
6. Being a good girlfriend. Hunter and I recently had a long conversation about where our relationship was headed, and the things we could each improve on. I won't bore you with the details, but his one big word to me is: patience, and mine to him is: support. 
7. General wellness. I joined the YMCA! I want to attend a yoga, etc. (because they have so many great options!) class 2-3 times a week, and be running consistently, but just for fun (for now). I want to eat more fruits + veggies, less carbs, and less in general. By that I mean, a healthy amount, always, and not 'til I'm stuffed. I want to be more disciplined about sugar because I can't cut it out or even heavily moderate it. I want to get more sleep on a regular basis, not be desperately catching up every weekend.
8. Reading. Well, I'll say I want to actually read, and not set any other goals for this one.
9. Creating. Spending time at home reminded me of just how much I have left in the "to be scrapbooked" files at my parent's house. Additionally, I want to not be afraid of trying new projects though I'm pretty much the least artistic/crafty person ever. My "Stuff I Can Actually Do" board on Pinterest is a great place to start.
10. Traveling. I started this year with an adult amount of vacation days, and maybe an excited young adult's amount of excitement to travel. I think I already have a couple trips lined up, and a looong list of cities I would like to visit this year (that will get a post of it's own).
11. Not complaining, like, ever. That's a really big goal of mine this year. I tend to be overly dramatic and sassy but I don't want that to transform into habitually complaining. When I think about it, complaints are just silly because I have SO much! Can we have a safeword on the blog that you comment if I'm complaining? How about "cupcake"?


And is it SO terrible that the only concrete resolutions I've made have to do with blogging? Maybe it's because those actually seem measurable. I've thought about several things I want to do/change with perfectly P this year. Enough to where I have a whole post I'm preparing about it, yikes! 

If you made it this far...you're the best. No really. What would I do without you?? 

Care to share any of your resolutions for the brand spankin' new 2014?
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7 comments

Kristian said...

Wow. I am really impressed and loving all of these goals.

Alexa said...

LOVE all your resolutions! good luck with them :) and your hair is so cute! hope you're doing well Priya <3 ya look great!

Alexa <3
http://sleepeatbreathefashion.blogspot.com

Marisa Noelle said...

Well let me first just saying that you are drop dead gorgeous Priya!!! (That photo of you in stunning!). I love this list of resolutions. I just de-junked part of my closet and basement and hauled it off to Goodwill and holy moly did that feel good! I'm going to only buy what I need as well. And perhaps I should put air in my bike tires and ride it more too...I think you have inspired me! Happiest New Year and very best wishes with all your resolutions lovely lady!! xo Marisa

Alissa said...

Monthly resolutions are so much more realistic in my opinion. Plus you get to see changes faster which is encouraging!

Unknown said...

Beauutiful :):) http://outsidefashioncatwalk.blogspot.com.es

Akshara Vivekananthan said...

I like your working list! Especially #11. I remember in college always yapping my mouth off with complaints, when instead I should have just been grateful for all that I have/had. Transitioning into so call adulthood has made me realize this even more. I think it's quite important to be present and aware of so much we are blessed with. It'll definitely lead to more smiles on our faces :)

Anonymous said...

Such a great post Priya, I completely agree with nearly everything you've said and your thought processes behind them. It's so interesting to read and to feel connected to people on the same level despite obviously being in different countries and never having met you…. that is the power of blogging I suppose!! XXX

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