2011 resolution review
Time for the annual review of my previous year's resolutions. Let's see how I did, shall we?
Declutter - Needs Improvement
It's an ongoing, constant, never-ending battle. Le sigh!
Make a vision board - FAIL
I did buy a poster board and cut out some magazine pics...but never got around to putting a board together. I wonder if it's really worth doing. Honestly though, it just takes time -- and nowadays, there are so many other things I'd rather do or need to do.
Meet my financial goals - PASS
I upped my 401k contribution, added to my emergency fund, and covered large expenses (like property taxes, classes at UCLA and R.'s 40th birthday dinner, urgh). Yay! If I keep it up (and refinance my mortgage), then even if I lose my job, I'll hopefully be okay.
Buy less, buy mindfully - Getting there
I do think that I did a lot less retail therapy this year than in years past; I've definitely blogged less about things I wanted to buy. When you're working hard to declutter your home, it makes less sense to buy things on a whim.
Complete my novel - FAIL
Got stuck at eight chapters for the longest time, but finally got another two chapters written, and am determined to get the first draft finished this year. I'm aiming for end of June now. Fifteen chapters in six months? I think I can, I think I can!
Get my 2nd picture book manuscript in shape for submission - Getting there
I've definitely been working on it and gotten it in better shape, and I'm confident I can submit it this year -- I'm so close!
Submit manuscript(s) - FAIL
But that's okay -- I'm going to submit something this year!
Go to bed earlier - FAIL
If left to my own devices (like this week off from work), I can easily stay up till 3 am. One night I was up till 6 am. Meanwhile Actor Guy is a total early-to-bed, early-to-rise sort of person. I do think that's healthier. I will keep trying.
Work out regularly - PASS
Thanks to the breakup with R., I lost weight and started working out like a fiend, taking classes at the company gym and getting pretty good at yoga, kickboxing and spinning. Gonna keep it up!
Write every day, even if it's just in a journal - FAIL
I was doing pretty well for awhile, but then the holidays hit. Ah well. It's like clutter-busting and buying mindfully: a habit that takes time to build.
Watch less TV - PASS
I don't think I've watched HBO once in the last eight months. I also follow fewer shows. Although "Mad Men" is coming back. But I do think I've gotten better, and can cancel premium cable without missing it too much. Better do that soon!
Throw a dinner party - FAIL
Gah! Where'd the year go?! Okay, I will have a dinner party this year for sure. Especially since Actor Guy offered to cook if I just invited people over to my place. I don't even have to cook! I have no excuse now.
Take a trip for fun - PASS
I'm counting my trip to Ojai with Actor Guy for his birthday. Also the vacation in Arizona with my family.
Bring plants into my life - FAIL
Okay, I need to do this. How hard can it be?!
Get my teeth cleaned more than once - PASS
Got them cleaned twice...and my next appointment is later this month. Yay!
Get promoted or start looking for a new job - FAIL
Sigh. No promotion. I should've started looking for a new job, but I decided I would try to finish my novel first. I better do both this year.
After the break-up with R. in May, I came up with a few more resolutions:
-Go on a date (at least one, but one per month would be ideal/ambitious): PASS with flying colors!
-Get on a plane and go somewhere domestic: Um, does Dallas count?
-Plan an international trip: FAIL, but that's okay, I got a new boyfriend instead
-Find a new job: FAIL (see above)
-Get a new car: PASS!
-Get an iPhone: PASS!
-Finish the first draft of my novel: FAIL (see above)
Overall, not too bad. I'm always pleasantly surprised when I actually do get to check something off my list. Resolution-making, to me, isn't a futile exercise -- it's putting your aspirations out there into the universe, and by doing so, increasing the chances that you'll achieve them. Not to get all "The Secret" on you or anything -- I'm not a big believer in any magic formula. But declarations -- even if it's to yourself -- are the first step in making something happen.
So here's to making things happen in 2012!
Declutter - Needs Improvement
It's an ongoing, constant, never-ending battle. Le sigh!
Make a vision board - FAIL
I did buy a poster board and cut out some magazine pics...but never got around to putting a board together. I wonder if it's really worth doing. Honestly though, it just takes time -- and nowadays, there are so many other things I'd rather do or need to do.
Meet my financial goals - PASS
I upped my 401k contribution, added to my emergency fund, and covered large expenses (like property taxes, classes at UCLA and R.'s 40th birthday dinner, urgh). Yay! If I keep it up (and refinance my mortgage), then even if I lose my job, I'll hopefully be okay.
Buy less, buy mindfully - Getting there
I do think that I did a lot less retail therapy this year than in years past; I've definitely blogged less about things I wanted to buy. When you're working hard to declutter your home, it makes less sense to buy things on a whim.
Complete my novel - FAIL
Got stuck at eight chapters for the longest time, but finally got another two chapters written, and am determined to get the first draft finished this year. I'm aiming for end of June now. Fifteen chapters in six months? I think I can, I think I can!
Get my 2nd picture book manuscript in shape for submission - Getting there
I've definitely been working on it and gotten it in better shape, and I'm confident I can submit it this year -- I'm so close!
Submit manuscript(s) - FAIL
But that's okay -- I'm going to submit something this year!
Go to bed earlier - FAIL
If left to my own devices (like this week off from work), I can easily stay up till 3 am. One night I was up till 6 am. Meanwhile Actor Guy is a total early-to-bed, early-to-rise sort of person. I do think that's healthier. I will keep trying.
Work out regularly - PASS
Thanks to the breakup with R., I lost weight and started working out like a fiend, taking classes at the company gym and getting pretty good at yoga, kickboxing and spinning. Gonna keep it up!
Write every day, even if it's just in a journal - FAIL
I was doing pretty well for awhile, but then the holidays hit. Ah well. It's like clutter-busting and buying mindfully: a habit that takes time to build.
Watch less TV - PASS
I don't think I've watched HBO once in the last eight months. I also follow fewer shows. Although "Mad Men" is coming back. But I do think I've gotten better, and can cancel premium cable without missing it too much. Better do that soon!
Throw a dinner party - FAIL
Gah! Where'd the year go?! Okay, I will have a dinner party this year for sure. Especially since Actor Guy offered to cook if I just invited people over to my place. I don't even have to cook! I have no excuse now.
Take a trip for fun - PASS
I'm counting my trip to Ojai with Actor Guy for his birthday. Also the vacation in Arizona with my family.
Bring plants into my life - FAIL
Okay, I need to do this. How hard can it be?!
Get my teeth cleaned more than once - PASS
Got them cleaned twice...and my next appointment is later this month. Yay!
Get promoted or start looking for a new job - FAIL
Sigh. No promotion. I should've started looking for a new job, but I decided I would try to finish my novel first. I better do both this year.
After the break-up with R. in May, I came up with a few more resolutions:
-Go on a date (at least one, but one per month would be ideal/ambitious): PASS with flying colors!
-Get on a plane and go somewhere domestic: Um, does Dallas count?
-Plan an international trip: FAIL, but that's okay, I got a new boyfriend instead
-Find a new job: FAIL (see above)
-Get a new car: PASS!
-Get an iPhone: PASS!
-Finish the first draft of my novel: FAIL (see above)
Overall, not too bad. I'm always pleasantly surprised when I actually do get to check something off my list. Resolution-making, to me, isn't a futile exercise -- it's putting your aspirations out there into the universe, and by doing so, increasing the chances that you'll achieve them. Not to get all "The Secret" on you or anything -- I'm not a big believer in any magic formula. But declarations -- even if it's to yourself -- are the first step in making something happen.
So here's to making things happen in 2012!