anti-resolutions

Are you sick of reading blog posts full of resolutions for 2012? If so, you're in luck, because this isn't one.

Last year I set 6 goals for myself, and I did pretty well with them for the most part. They're all things that I'll continue to be mindful of in a general sense, but nothing's getting added to the list for 2012. Does anyone else feel like 2012 is going to be infinitely better than 2011, but in a challenging, exciting way that just might sneak up on you if you're not careful?

So, instead of listing new items to tackle, new things to improve, new brass rings to reach for, I'm going to take a deep breath and let some stuff go. These are the things I've given myself permission not to worry about. They're admirable goals for many, and I'm sure they would be rewarding and wonderful and bring much joy to my life, but I have to be realistic about what I can and can't fit into my life. Here's what just doesn't make the cut:

- I'm not a voracious reader. There, I said it. I can't remember the last time I read a novel. Slowly chipping away at about one work of nonfiction per month, on a topic that will help me in other areas of my life, is all I can do these days.

- I don't volunteer my time anywhere. If I didn't need sleep and thusly had an extra eight hours a day, sure, this is where some of that time would probably go. But I do need my sleep, and I have barely enough time for the things I want to accomplish in my own household. Whatever good karma I pick up from being friendly and holding doors open for strangers will have to be enough.

- I will not open an adorable etsy shop to sell handmade items. This one was a close call -- while I was churning out christmas tree ornaments (miniature mittens!) last month to give to family members, my mind started to wander to that very dangerous place where I weigh the value of my time against how long it takes to knit a mitten the size of a tablespoon. No. Knitting is fun, not a chore. Let's keep it that way, self.

- I don't do yoga. For the past three years I've had the opportunity to try yoga classes for free (thanks to one of the vouchers in this awesome local publication) and still it hasn't happened. If that isn't a sign, I don't know what is. Give me a treadmill and angry music in my headphones, thank you very much.

- ... That being said, I will never run a road race of a distance longer than a 10k. It would be great to be able to say I've run a marathon or a half-marathon, but it's not in the cards. Yes, this means I won't get to put a 26.2 or a 13.1 sticker on my car. It's ok.


I think by focusing on what's realistic and not letting myself be dragged down by guilt about what's not, I'll be able to accomplish a lot more overall. Right? Right. Either way, my shoulders feel so much better with less weight on them.