2009 was a year of extremes. On the high end we had the birth of E. On the low and stressful end, we house hunted, tried unsuccessfully to buy one home and ended up buying another. We are still not moved in. We struggled to keep up with 2 under 2, work, school, health and all of the million little things that make up life. I feel like I haven't had time to catch my breath this year. About a week ago, I decided that there has to be a better way. I am a lucky person. I have two beautiful children, a house, a job and a lot to be thankful for. This point in my life
will be stressful, but why is it
this stressful? Is there any way I can improve the quality of my life? I decided that I needed a plan. These are not resolutions, mind you, but ways I can make myself more mindful of the three areas in my life that seem to need attention at the moment. In each category I have some general goals that I want to strive towards as the year progresses. Will I accomplish everything? Maybe not, but I will certainly try and I think the effort itself will have a positive outcome.
My question is, would you like to join me? Do you feel the need for a better plan in 2010? You can use my general categories with your own goals or make up a whole new system for yourself. It would be great to have others to check in with and encourage. All it takes is some thinking and one post per month. So, what do you say? My plan is listed below:
Physical Health
- lose and keep off the rest of the baby weight
- Take vitamins!
- Become more active
- Yoga
- Finish dental work that I've been putting off
- Follow-up with breast surgeon
Mental Well Being
- Ask for help when I need it (laundry, dishes, general tasks)
- Simplify (Throw things AWAY)
- Read
- Make more of an effort to connect with people
Self-Improvement
- Save more, waste less
- Plan a weekend get-a-way with girlfriends
- Make an effort to spend more alone time with M
- Find a babysitter other than my parents
- Complain less
- Become a better friend
- Become a better writer
- Become a better photographer
Sign me up. I for sure need to lose this baby/miscarriage/baby weight I am carrying. I like you plan and the thought of someone to keep me accountable.
ReplyDeleteI have been thinking along these same lines--2009 was a very stressful year for us, for many stressful reasons, but one thing I think would help is to get me more into my normal organizational bent...and this should do the trick. I am in. Let me organize it up--one thing I have been intrigued by was the Happiness Project....
ReplyDeleteI'm going to make my own list and join up. I know for me I will need specific actions and not just passive goals to make it work - e.g. instead of "become more active" I need specifics like "walk the dog 20 minutes a day." That way it's a specific item I can check off daily... And coming up with those will take a little thought so I'll get myself organized. Yay!
ReplyDeleteThis looks awesome! I'm in
ReplyDeleteCount me in!
ReplyDeleteI was having the same thoughts this morning - needing to focus on specifics to make this next year not necessarily better, but more enjoyable, maybe?
ReplyDeleteI'm not sure I understand what I need to do to "join," but count me in!
I think I need to put 5 of your physical health things on my own list. :)
ReplyDeleteI too need a way to simplify, but am at a loss as to how. Perhaps I will follow in your footsteps and make up a plan! Thanks for sharing! Karen
ReplyDeleteAwesome list--I am still formulating a realistic plan for myself--Im definitely looking to you for encouragement :)
ReplyDelete