Thursday, January 3, 2013

New Year = New Me

When I was younger, every New Year's Eve I would write down a list of 101 things I wanted to accomplish that year. They'd be easy, kid friendly things, like finishing up a color-by-the-numbers set, going to the beach and build a sandcastle, etc. 

Now that I'm older, I've decided to take the traditional resolution route. What was great about the "101 things" list is that it was filled with concrete goals to achieve. I think that's key to keeping your New Year's Resolutions--setting up concrete goals and plans on how to achieve them, then following through! 

Here are my five resolutions for 2013. I'll write separate posts on how I plan to achieve these goals, and will focus on them in my blog all throughout the year.



1. Read More
--Goal: 30 books this year
--Goal: No TV watching except during breaks

Personally, reading is much more fulfilling to me than watching TV. I've loved reading since I was three years old, and was always the girl in school who would read underneath her desk when the teacher wasn't looking. That being said, I'm going to try to stop watching TV this year and strive instead to focus that time towards reading. It's much more relaxing. When I'm watching a TV series on Netflix or Hulu, I get sucked into the "one more episode" vortex, telling myself I'll only watch one more Modern Family show before I study. Guess what happens? I watch Modern Family the rest of the night. Hopefully reading will get me out of this vortex.

I can't wait to share with all of you some of the books I'm reading. I have some great picks to share!

2. Be Persistent
--Goal: create a daily schedule and stick to it
--Goal: post at least 3 times a week on my blog

Yes, this blog was much more active in the summer. I guess that comes with the territory of being a student, but I still wish to be persistent by posting at least three times a week. Please, hold me to this! Bug me if I haven't posted in a while, I'm serious. I also want to create a daily schedule for school including study times. I want studying to become a habit, but also wish leave time in my day for fun things like reading and blogging.

3. Get Organized
--Goal: clean up your dorm room!

My dorm room is a mess, and I don't have any good excuse for it. I personally want to get everything organized by cleaning it up. I'll leave some helpful organization tips for living in a dorm room as I do so.

4. Get Healthy
--Goal: workout 30 min. 4 times a week
--Goal: cook as much as possible; 1200 calories per day

Ok, so this one isn't going that great so far. I have so many plans for getting healthier this year, but I just have to get the motivation to implement them. I'm going to be counting calories and cooking more at school--no more disgusting, unhealthy dining hall food. I also want to get fit. It's a dream of mine to run a 5k--I know, some of you are laughing at me right now, but it's true. Although it might not seem like much of an accomplishment, for a girl who has never played a team sport in her life, it is. So getting fit through exercise is one step towards this goal.

5. Be Positive!
--Goal: daily affirmations
--Goal: weekly "positive" post

I think I've mentioned this on my blog before, but it's hard for me to stay positive at times. I think I am naturally a pessimistic person, because I have to fight hard to think on the bright side of things. I also need to boost my self esteem, and I think I can do so through daily affirmations. Some people think affirmations are a joke, something to make fun of on SNL, but they really work! Once you repeat something to yourself over and over, you start to believe it.

I also want to write a weekly post featuring positive quotes and happy things that are going on in my life. There is goodness in this world, and I want to showcase it on this blog.

I'm sticking with my New Year's resolutions...who's with me? Comment below and tell me your 2013 resolutions, and pledge to stick with them! We're all in this together!

6 comments:

  1. Great goals! I try to set goals on a regular basis to stay motivated throughout the year.
    Happy New Year! Plant a seed!

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  2. I've never played a team sport or anything and I ran four 5ks this year. Well I should say ran/walk them. But its a lot of run! My big goal this year is to run a 1/2 marathon. Not sure how it will happen yet, because running and I have a challenging relationship. But I'm excited for the possibilities! Good Luck!

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  3. Hey there - new follower from the blog hop! Love the blog & can't wait to read more! Hope you have a great day! :)
    Rachel
    http://sugar-stripes.blogspot.com/

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  4. I love you resolutions & goals! Good luck!! My new years resolution for 2013 is to be more organized! I'm going to start with my apartment and slowly work on organizing my schedule & life :)

    -Charlee Anne @ thepreppygraduate.com

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  5. Great goals! My 2013 goals are very similar. I had to stop by to say your goal to run a 5k is wonderful and no one is laughing. You can do it. 2013 is your year! I ran my first 5k after thinking I'd never be able to run. I now have three 1/2 marathons under my belt. Make this dream happen and you'll feel so good about yourself. I'll be cheering for you! I used the C25K program to get me going. It's a very popular program. Good luck! -Claire @gedtomd.com

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  6. Found you via the Medical Mondays bloghop, and I'm so excited to follow your blog (and fighting the urge to abandon my cramming for surgery shelf exam to read the archives...)

    I almost feel like I wrote your resolutions... they're so similar to mine! I'm hoping to spend more time reading, blogging, and getting into shape... and I'm really striving for optimism and finding happiness with everything I have this year. Here's hoping we can inspire each other via book recommendations and workout trials and tribulations. (And I'll be looking to you for budget fashion advice...love it!)

    K

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