Even though I wasn't awake to see it happen, we rang in the New Year a few weeks ago. I managed to make it all the way through 2015 without getting cancer! I'm going to consider that a victory.
I started the New Year off with a bang by coming down with a delightful cold. Yes, I was in the same room as a used Kleenex so naturally my immune system ran for the hills and next thing you know - boom, I'm going through cough drops like they're tic tacs. Story of my life ever since I started taking Tamoxifen!
I'm still dealing with a lingering cough and some sniffles, so I my usual ritual of "year in review" and "goals for this year" is a bit delayed. But here is Part 1 - Goals For This Year!
Let's get this done for real now. Dennis always says "I'm going to seriously get serious about eating seriously" which makes me laugh every time. But basically, that's the deal. It's time to lose the holiday weight and the cancer weight and get back to a size that I feel comfortable. The good news is, I have so many clothes being stored on my closet shelves it will practically be like having a new wardrobe once I drop a few! I have to say that New Leaf November really did help kick things off. We're almost all the way through Junk Free January and the changes are feeling good. I've been cutting back on sugar (real and fake) which hasn't been as painful as I expected. And - big step forward - I'm actually weighing myself so I know if I'm making progress. That was a huge hurdle. I've been avoiding the actual number for a while now. I inadvertently found out what it was when I was at a specialist appointment and while it wasn't great, it wasn't as horrifying as I thought.
Hone my sewing skills. Last year I took a bra-making class and really learned a lot, not just about bras but about using my machine and basic technique. This February I'm signed up for a class to learn how to use a pattern and make a button up shirt. I'm sure it will be the ugliest and most expensive shirt I've ever made but I will learn so much. I would say the ratio of wearable to crap end products is about 1 in 3 at this point. Here's to making it at least 1 in 2 in this year! (And new flash update: I also signed up to make a very cute little zippered bag. Bags for everyone if I manage to not eff it up!)
Keep on reading. I made incredible progress with my book back log last year. While I hit a wall mid-way through the year, I mostly enjoyed the process. I really did feel like I was learning and growing. This year, my daily count is much lower so I am sure I will get through them all. (Which knowing me means that I will likely be ordering from Amazon a couple times.)
Work-life balance. I read something the other day that said, "Don't make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option" and I think that's great advice. I love the work I do, and I am committed to it. But it can't be everything. So this year my resolution is to not take one single day of fake-ation. My holidays will be for recharging the batteries!
Be well-preserved. And by well preserved, I'm not talking about my face. (Although my new overnight oil is doing wonders, I must say.) I mean continue with my efforts in the jam making and pickle production. I really do enjoy making new recipes, and love that I know all the ingredients that go into it. (And those ingredients are all fresh, natural foods.) I have some great preserve cookbooks that are fun for exploring.
Say yes just a bit more. I don't really like anything. As I learned from the book Quiet, I was likely one of those babies who reacted strongly to new things. As an adult, I find great solace in my routines. But I have also branched out a bit this year and you know what? Once I get over the "holy crap, this is new and I don't think I like it!" first bits, most of the time I do enjoy myself. Whether it's been trying a new class at the gym or signing up for my sewing lessons - nothing too terrible happens when I go just a wee bit out of my comfort zone. (Just a wee bit though. No need to get carried away.) So here's to saying "what the heck, let's give it a whirl!" a few more times this year.
I think that's it for my new years resolutions! Up next - a look back at the year that was.
I started the New Year off with a bang by coming down with a delightful cold. Yes, I was in the same room as a used Kleenex so naturally my immune system ran for the hills and next thing you know - boom, I'm going through cough drops like they're tic tacs. Story of my life ever since I started taking Tamoxifen!
I'm still dealing with a lingering cough and some sniffles, so I my usual ritual of "year in review" and "goals for this year" is a bit delayed. But here is Part 1 - Goals For This Year!
Let's get this done for real now. Dennis always says "I'm going to seriously get serious about eating seriously" which makes me laugh every time. But basically, that's the deal. It's time to lose the holiday weight and the cancer weight and get back to a size that I feel comfortable. The good news is, I have so many clothes being stored on my closet shelves it will practically be like having a new wardrobe once I drop a few! I have to say that New Leaf November really did help kick things off. We're almost all the way through Junk Free January and the changes are feeling good. I've been cutting back on sugar (real and fake) which hasn't been as painful as I expected. And - big step forward - I'm actually weighing myself so I know if I'm making progress. That was a huge hurdle. I've been avoiding the actual number for a while now. I inadvertently found out what it was when I was at a specialist appointment and while it wasn't great, it wasn't as horrifying as I thought.
Hone my sewing skills. Last year I took a bra-making class and really learned a lot, not just about bras but about using my machine and basic technique. This February I'm signed up for a class to learn how to use a pattern and make a button up shirt. I'm sure it will be the ugliest and most expensive shirt I've ever made but I will learn so much. I would say the ratio of wearable to crap end products is about 1 in 3 at this point. Here's to making it at least 1 in 2 in this year! (And new flash update: I also signed up to make a very cute little zippered bag. Bags for everyone if I manage to not eff it up!)
Keep on reading. I made incredible progress with my book back log last year. While I hit a wall mid-way through the year, I mostly enjoyed the process. I really did feel like I was learning and growing. This year, my daily count is much lower so I am sure I will get through them all. (Which knowing me means that I will likely be ordering from Amazon a couple times.)
Work-life balance. I read something the other day that said, "Don't make someone a priority when all you are to them is an option" and I think that's great advice. I love the work I do, and I am committed to it. But it can't be everything. So this year my resolution is to not take one single day of fake-ation. My holidays will be for recharging the batteries!
Be well-preserved. And by well preserved, I'm not talking about my face. (Although my new overnight oil is doing wonders, I must say.) I mean continue with my efforts in the jam making and pickle production. I really do enjoy making new recipes, and love that I know all the ingredients that go into it. (And those ingredients are all fresh, natural foods.) I have some great preserve cookbooks that are fun for exploring.
Say yes just a bit more. I don't really like anything. As I learned from the book Quiet, I was likely one of those babies who reacted strongly to new things. As an adult, I find great solace in my routines. But I have also branched out a bit this year and you know what? Once I get over the "holy crap, this is new and I don't think I like it!" first bits, most of the time I do enjoy myself. Whether it's been trying a new class at the gym or signing up for my sewing lessons - nothing too terrible happens when I go just a wee bit out of my comfort zone. (Just a wee bit though. No need to get carried away.) So here's to saying "what the heck, let's give it a whirl!" a few more times this year.
I think that's it for my new years resolutions! Up next - a look back at the year that was.