Resolute

Yes, I KNOW, I am a procrastinator- in my defense, it really hasn't come to "bite me in the ass" as my mother has so often repeated to me. I didn't really make any new years resolutions for 2013 . . . .or at least I don't recall any so I obviously have not stuck to them if they were indeed made:) So here I am, 5 months late and feeling resolution-y.

New Years always feels like it's only 1/2 way through the year for me anyways. I associate my year with a school calendar so May is when I start dreaming of all of the things that I plan to do over the summer and when I feel the year has "ended." Usually my list isn't too ambitious. It usually revolves around attempting to party like a rock star, getting a nice tan, live music, live music, live music, a little camping, trying a new cocktail(see my post about last summer's winner, the homemade jars of infused vodka, here.)--really noble stuff like that:)

So this year, I have decided that yes I will commit to letting loose this summer as always, but instead of a spring break style summer break, I want to improve myself. Nothing extremely specific, just generally fine tune myself and my surroundings. I just want to be more purposeful . . . .with everything I do. The way I spend my $, the way I spend my time, the way I design my living space to the way I organize my work space. Attention to detail has never been one of my strengths and I think there is something to be said for people who think before they buy, choose, and do. I enjoy my spontaneity but I can be too impulsive.  I've broken it down into a few categories with a visual to provide a bit of direction-
1. Health/Wellness
2. Finances
3. Aesthetics
4. Treat Yo Self
5. Career/Future Goal Setting


1. Health/Wellness

Working out, check. Eating healthy . . . .working on it:)

Getting ready for spin, my FAVE=healthy:)

2. Finances

 

 I swear this single book has made me realize so much about how to focus more on conscientious spending and budgeting. I LOVE this man and his simple ideals. He literally inspired me to pay off 3 debts and cancel my credit cards- cash only for this gal:)

I bought some small expanding files in the dollar bins at target kind of like these ones   on Amazon.

I also bought "Spendvelopes" on Amazon as well- they are these great color coded envelopes that fit perfectly into the expanding file and there's even a space to label what the envelope is for (Fun Money, Gas, Travel Fund, Emergency, etc.)

I also did this and was pretty damn proud to get rid of them one by one:

3. Aesthetics(Generally improving my living spaces;) For example, I have this awkward built in shelf in my hallway by the bathroom and finally took some time to make it functional. Just one small step for resolution #3.

Next step for aesthetics is the vanity in my guest bedroom. I want to paint it white and bring some brighter colors into the room-- so here is the before and hopefully it won't be a year before the after pics come!

4. Treat Yo Self

Yes, I stole this catch phrase from Aziz Ansari and he makes it way funnier than I could ever explain, but the gist of it is pretty much what it sounds like: selfish indulgence. And I decided that I just don't do enough of it. I am just working so hard right now to Dave Ramsey the shit out of my debt- my student loans, my car, MY LIFE etc. that sometimes I forget that a massage or a manicure, a new book for pleasure, the more expensive one of anything, a splurge buy or simply a GD haircut would probably help improve my mood so I drew the line and went crazy. I spent $3 on some spring/summerish fingernail polish and even though it was tiny and insignificant, it felt damn good to just come home from Walgreens with my $1 nail polishes, brew myself a tea and post up in front of the T.V. and paint my nails- TREAT YO SELF, even if it is a teeny, tiny, seemingly insignificant 5 minutes of your day. Oh yeah and cheap wine is a MUST for this resolution.

 5. Career/Future Goal Setting
Below is a recent e-mail that I received and to be honest, instead of feeling excited about going back to school (which yes, I LOVE school) I was overwhelmed and stressed and could hardly even celebrate the fact that the hard work I had put into the application process had paid off. I want to work on setting career goals and actually approaching in a positive manner to achieve them. Instead of whining and complaining about the hurdles and hoops I will have to jump through to get my Master's, I want to approach it with the attitude that this is a wonderful opportunity to improve myself as an educator. I can take the strategies I learn and try to USE them in my classroom. If it's going to be my career, I should be the best that I can and try and find enjoyment and fulfillment everyday. How many hours of my life will I spend doing this? I should APPLY myself and work hard. It will pay off.

So, I am on my way and will be checking back in. What are all of your aspirations/resolutions?? Are you sticking with them? What "sticking with it strategies" have been working for you? Any suggested reading materials for me as I embark on this journey of self change? Cheers to a new . . .year/me:)