After recording this vblog I think I have come to the conclusion that “old school” New Year’s resolutions (a.k.a. the proverbial list) are for the birds. I really like Nataly Kogan‘s ideas about setting realistic goals and then taking a moment to appreciate all that you have accomplished instead. I took her advice gosh darn it and despite how hard the road was in 2008, I left it on a high note after reflecting on what it all meant in the end.
This year, instead of my usual list of ten things I hate about myself, my resolution for 2009 is to say “yes” to things, experiences or just plain old living. I got this idea originally from a radio interview of Shauna James Ahern, but I got reminded of the power of the word “yes” when I watched the over-the-top Jim Carrey movie called “Yes Man.” I’m not a big Jim Carrey fan and I don’t particularly like his brand of humor BUT for whatever reason this movie made Paige and I howl with laughter. Perhaps it was because of all the trouble we had to go through to get to the movie theater but I actually would watch it again.
Getting back to resolutions, first thing I am going to focus on is saying “yes” to is being skinny. It’s hard to admit, but all of these years of being overweight has just basically meant that I was saying “yes” to being fat. I know it’s just semantics or word play, but somehow it totally sucks when you think about it that way. It kind of makes you … uh … accountable.
Watch the latest Momversation with Nataly, Mindy and me: (more…)
At the beginning of each year I write down an enormous list of New Year’s resolutions that is so beastly that I get depressed at the end of the year when I only cross out the two or three things that I actually accomplished. This year, I think I am going to take Nataly Kogan’s advice and start making my “resolutions” more positive, manageable and realistic. Nataly used to be a resolution list maker like me, but is now reformed and has stopped:
“Trying to fix something that I am pretty sure is not fixable … I am fairly certain that I will never have a flat stomach so after 33 years of life I’ve stopped making this a goal.”
At the end of each year Nataly also takes an inventory of things that she is thankful for or feels proud about. I think this is a fine plan. Here’s my go at it.
28 Things In 2008
Made a resolution to change.
Started earning more than I ever have in my entire life.
Quit that job because it made me terribly unhappy.
Took some time off.
Began a journey of self-discovery that didn’t involve religion, a guru or psychedelic drugs.
Survived the emotional spin cycle from a suicide attempt of a person who is close to our family.
Took a job because I was scared about the future but then quit that job in less than 90 days because I realized that ordinary is no longer palatable.
Stopped feeling bad or guilty about making mistakes.
Got diagnosed with hypertension and prescribed medication for it. Told the doctor that I would rather make lifestyle changes before taking pharmaceuticals. Actually started making those lifestyle changes.
Took some more time off.
Started blogging because I needed a creative outlet. Kept blogging because I love it.
Pleasantly surprised when people started reading my blog. As of this moment I’ve had 4,645 unique visitors, 6,489 visits and 11,983 pageviews since October 3rd. Woohoo!
Started saying “yes” to people, situations, things, experiences.
Learned how to communicate better with my daughter.
Cried with my daughter when we saw our President get elected.
Protested Proposition 8 along side my kid.
Took a picture of myself and tried looking at it without being critical of all the flaws.
Took more pictures of myself and now feel somewhat endeared to seeing the changes in my face as I become happier.
Actually got hired to participate in a video blogging panel with other kick ass bloggers.
Was proud that I actually accepted the video blogging assignment given that #17 was so hard.
Realized that I accept myself as I am right now, this very second.
Realized that life doesn’t stop and wait for you to be the perfect weight. It just keeps going and can pass you by if you wait till things are perfect.
Began to “pray” about things in a nonreligious sort of way.
Started a new gratitude practice. Which by the way, THANK YOU FOR READING MY BLOG. Thank you. Thank you. Thank you.
Started seeing exercise as a lifesaver instead of something just negative and awful.
Believes that I can fall in love for all the right reasons this time.
Believes that my dreams can actually come true.
Realizes that I am the one that I’ve been waiting for.
I am totally lucky in the fact that I think that all my daughter’s friends are a kick in the pants … er … except for one. I like to think that I have a high tolerance for weird behavior and kids that are normally considered “social rejects” but this kid, well this kid is just a jerk. I don’t allow her in my house anymore. I call it an act of self-love. Plus, I think it’s good to avoid situations where I want to verbally beat down a child for being mouthy and indignant (these are nice words to describe the behavior).
I don’t fault Paige for wanting to be friends with her though. I mean, she is totally funny in a way that characters in a Judd Apatow movie are funny. Teens love that. As an adult, it’s a nightmare to supervise. All you can do is send them home and never ever ever invite them over again.
And never make eye contact with their parents when you see them.
I like knowing that my fellow cohorts at Momversation totally avoid people who have kids like that. Makes me feel like I’m not alone.
