I don’t do resolutions, I do goals

     I used to be among the many “resolutioners”. In my old journals, you will find pages written around January 1. At the end of the year, I cap my progress. Nothing ever got done. So now, instead of waiting for January to start something new, I start it when I think about it, or after I have done enough research to see if it is a good idea for me. Let me recap what happened last year, what changes have stuck.
• In the spring we changed our diet to exclude processed, unnatural things. We have “cheated” a few times, but I can probably count the times on one or both of my hands. Much better than every meal being unhealthy for us and the environment.
• Last summer, I bought and started using cloth grocery bags. I don’t always remember to bring them, but I remember them more than I forget them.
• I buy organic when I can, which due to Rick being laid off is less often.
• The meats I buy are hormone and antibiotic free. The other stuff just tastes gross now.
• As I run out of beauty products I replace them with safer, more eco-friendly options. I have been doing this since late summer/ early fall.
• Started recycling and researching what is actually recyclable.
• Read more books than the year before.
• Paid off most of the medical bills. Only one old one remains and one “new” one.
• Switched Milo and Xiann’s food to more natural options.

     What are my goals for 2009? Once again, I will make changes as I can. They are goals, not absolutes so if it takes them three months to be started or finished it’s okay.

• Pay off final medical bills and two credit cards. (this will take several months)
• Do not use credit unless there is an emergency.
• Read more books than last year and different kinds of books.
• Use the library.
• Buy more organic foods.
• Continue to make most meals from scratch with natural and organic ingredients.
• De-clutter (so far, I’m off to a good start, having rid my closet of four bags of clothing already!)
• Research a new career option that would provide more stability for us, and not require Rick to work (health reasons may prevent him).
• Get our passports!

     Goals versus resolutions. What do you do? Do you make lists of things at the beginning of the year or throughout the year? I think it is better to have goals, because there may be something that you end up changing without thinking about it a lot. It may just be something that you didn’t know you wanted to do. Add it to your mental or literal “goals achieved” list. It is a positive boost to give your brain. Hopefully, in the end you will feel accomplished, not bogged down with unfinished resolutions.
     One final idea is if you have goals in mind, have fun with them. Add a mini-vacation to your list. Or a shopping spree to your local vintage shop. There is no reason to be uptight about goals, some of them should be fun.