Last year I resolved to do four things: keep abreast of current events, write more correspondence in cursive, send a holiday card and swim.
Keeping in mind that of the 40% of people who make new year's resolutions, only 8% keep them (according to some estimates), let's see how I did.
No 1: I faithfully read The Skimm everyday. I do feel like I'm well versed in current affairs, pop culture and major sporting events, and that I could confidently comment on such topics during social occasions. If you haven't subscribed, do it. You'll thank me later.
No 2: I successfully completed and enjoyed my calligraphy class. Did I write any correspondence in cursive? No. Had I planned to address my holiday cards with my new found skill? Yes. Unfortunately, I couldn't because I broke my finger playing football with my son -- one of the three curses I was inflicted with during the Jewish high holiday season. While we're on the subject of broken fingers, a few words of advice: hand specialist. If you or anyone you know has a finger injury -- swelling and bent finger joints are tell tale signs -- head to an orthopedist for an exam and X-ray. Do whatever it takes -- lie, beg, plead -- to get an appointment asap. If the injury results in a fracture or damaged tendon: run, don't walk to a hand specialist. I'm still in a splint, and probably will be for a long time. Hands are very complicated. You'll thank me for this advice later.
No 3: I did not send a holiday card this year for a couple of reasons. My kids won't let me take photos of them. They either cover their faces or make silly faces. I'm so busy trying to get pics of them that a family shot is virtually impossible. See number two for my other excuse.
No 4: I did an aquatics boot camp throughout most the winter into spring. Then, I enrolled in the masters swim program at my club this summer. Made it there several times in spite of the 6:00 am start time. I paid my son $10 an hour to coach me. My speed and technique improved dramatically. I planned to go back to boot camp before the holidays, but I couldn't get my finger splint wet. I consider this goal achieved even though I still can't do the butterfly stroke.
In summary, my broken finger precluded me from keeping two out of four resolutions. So unfortunate.
This year, I'm being less ambitious:
No 1: Cook more family dinners. Eat out less. This is going to be somewhat of a challenge. My children are very picky eaters. Nevertheless, I resolve to make four homemade family dinners per week. I also plan to model how Europeans food shop. I will shop daily and select what is freshest and seasonal. I go to the grocery store almost everyday anyway. I hope this will prevent me from wasting food.
No 2: Pilates, yoga swim. In her coming of age book I Feel Bad About My Neck, Nora Ephron laments: "I want to be in shape. Every time I get into shape, something breaks." This is becoming the case for me too. I've never injured myself swimming or doing yoga or pilates. I think I'll stick with those activities, and avoid organized sports and front yard football.
No 3: Clear clutter one drawer, cabinet and closet at a time. This may sound familiar to those of you who read The Happiness Project. I started with my closet over the holiday break. It's still a work in progress, but it does make me happy to know that soon it will look kind of like this…
{image Container Store}
Speaking of Gretchen, she offers these 5 tips when considering resolutions. I also like this list from Hitha On The Go. Maybe I'll use it next year.
I'll be back soon.
I loved Nora's book...and you don't have to be doing organized sports or exercise to get hurt - I broke my ankle last spring just walking around in my back yard! Pilates and Zumba are my new favorite ways to get in shape these days. I think you are smart to keep your resolutions simple.
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