New Year, New Me

So, I hate new years resolutions. Actually, I despise them. I think they are an easy way for people to voice their dissatisfaction with their lifestyles and choices without actually committing to change themselves. It’s okay to forget about the resolutions mid-January, or even February if really motivated. New Years resolutions are little lies that people tell themselves in hope of change coming without actually putting in the effort. I usually don’t make resolutions for that very reason. I try to change and grow as a person but I don’t think that the magical date of January 1st is going to help me accomplish my goals. The changes that I want to make shouldn’t be pushed off until the new year or forgotten because it’s February. I want lasting change and I think that the culture surrounding New Years resolutions don’t create an environment that allows change to happen.

Now, that I’ve gotten that off my chest, I am going to give my justification for actually creating New Years resolutions despite my distaste for them.

I want to change, I need to grow up. My 26th birthday is looming on the horizon and I will no longer have the excuse of being in my early 20’s for any bad life choices I make. Around the same time as my birthday is my graduation from college. I’m going to have to get a real job. And I’m terrified. I don’t feel prepared for these milestones. Honestly, I feel like I’m just getting by in life without having to work hard or be responsible. And I need to grow up. I need to take on greater responsibilities besides ensuring that my bills are paid on time, and that I’m wearing clean clothes.

So my resolutions for 2014.

-Have a grown up home.

To me this doesn’t feel like an age thing but rather an attitude adjustment. I want to ensure that my house is clean, clutter free, and loved. Dirty dishes taken care of  right away, no more dirty laundry all over the place, and no more piles of trash. I want to love my house and love myself by creating a better environment

-Get my shit together.

Make doc appointments, dentist appointments. No more putting off important stuff because it’s unpleasant to do. Part of this means I have to either utilize my iPhone as a calendar/to do list or I should invest in a pretty paper calendar. I’m going to attempt to use the iPhone for now.

-Productive me time.

I get a nice amount of “me” time. But I piss it away. I sit and watch t.v. and nothing else. And it is a waste. I’m going to prioritize my creative side when I have the time to do so. I’m going to finish that crochet project, or I’m going to paint, or I’m going to write. I’m going to do something that makes me a participant rather than an observer.

I feel pretty confident about my goals (otherwise why would I make them?), but I specifically picked items that can be restarted if I forget, and that have no specific ending like losing ten lbs. I don’t want temporary change, I want lifestyle change that will last.