Tomorrow's Lookin' Pretty Busy...

The title of this post refers to something I once read about how we all procrastinate so much that "tomorrow's often the busiest day of the week."  I'm one of these people, and by writing this post I am acknowledging there will be no more tomorrows.  Today will be the 11th day of 2012 and I have yet to share my ambitions for myself for the new year.  This is due in part to my laziness but also my lack of desire to take an honest self-evaluation of myself, and my areas for improvement.  So, here it is my list of ambitions/resolutions/hopes/dreams... whatever you want to call them... for 2012:

1.) Drink water 

 

Okay, so some of you are probably reading this and you're like "Really?  Water?"  Yes.  Really.  I made this an entire category because I think drinking water is a vital thing I need to do more.  Not only will it help keep me hydrated and help my body with key processes, but also I think it will be great for my skin and my eating habits.  However, I will not go as far to say I will only drink water.  I still love beer and coffee... I just need to learn to love water more this year. ;)

2.) Stick to an 80/20 diet plan

 

I've heard this from several sources; "I follow an 80/20 diet plan.  Eighty percent of the time I eat really well, but 20% of the time I allow myself to indulge."  I think this is fabulous because I love food.  However, I also want to be healthy, and I can really tell a difference when all I eat is junk vs. when I actually watch what I eat.  So, I'm not even going to say "I'm going to try to do this" because I will do this.  I'm not going to break down what I will or will not eat - first of all, I think most "bad" foods are pretty common sense, like excessive chocolate cake, deep fried Oreos, or Cheetos; secondly, I think it's bad to completely restrict myself entirely from anything.  I'm not going to calorie count (again, I think most people can tell a "normal" portion from a "YOU'RE GOING TO EAT ALL OF THAT?" sized one) but I am going to be conscious of what I eat and how much I eat.  And I will still indulge on special occasions... but special occasions have to be more than just "because it's Friday night!"

3.) Move my body

 

I feel like this is on 99.99% of everyone's list; "Exercise more!"  I don't think it's necessarily a bad thing since it is so important.  Once, I heard "move your body; it's the most important instrument you'll ever own."  This really stuck with me, and is why I really want to make a change this year.  I often find that good habits are just that; habits.  And, what do you need to do to get out of your "eat potato chips and sit on the sofa all day" habit?  Create a new habit.  I think creating a new habit like this at this point in my life is especially vital since I will be graduating from college in May, starting my career and the rest of my life.  I'm not looking to run marathons here, but I am looking to feel more comfortable in my own skin, and gain some more confidence along the way.

4.) Be direct

 

I have been told "Kristen, you need to be more direct; just say what you're thinking."  I don't think this is necessarily because I don't know how to be direct, it's just that sometimes I lack the confidence to say exactly what I'm thinking or how I am feeling.  So, I want to work on this because I think it is not only vital for how others perceive me, but I think it is important for every one of my relationships.  To me, being direct is essential to being honest and open.  In my opinion, if I can be more honest and open with others in my life, it will leave me a lot more room.

5.) Be gentler

 

If you knew me (or maybe you do know me?) in person, I can be very sarcastic.  It is the kind of humor I have grown up with.  Literally everyone in my family is sarcastic - my mom, my dad, my grandma, my aunts, my cousins... - and we all use bitter humor.  However, sometimes I feel like my sarcasm/bitter humor can cross the line, and mask what I am truly feeling.  So I would like to work on being kinder with my words, and acknowledge "sticks and stones can break bones, but words can break hearts."  And, overall, I would just like to learn to be less harsh and more kind to those closest to me (those who often bear the brunt of my stress), to accept those around me for who they are, and know we all make mistakes.

6.) Make New Friends 

(and socialize more with the friends I already have)

Self-admittedly, I am not the most social person in the world, nor do I ever really desire to be.  I crave time with my boyfriend, my family, and a few close friends the most.  However, what I have been craving a lot recently is the opportunity to meet new people, as well as rekindle some great friendships I have had in the past.  So, I am hoping this year I am able to open my heart to new friendships, and open my mind to new experiences, to going out more, and hopefully make some more "forever friends" in the process. :)

7.) Read more

 

So, this one I'm not going to go into as much detail as #1 through #6 since I think you get it... I want to read more.  But I will tell you my goal is 12 books in 2012.  I will keep you all posted on the status of this goal throughout the year! :)

8.) See the positives

 

I wouldn't consider myself a pessimist, but I'm not an optimist either.  There have been numerous times where instead of being happy that I am able to see my boyfriend (who lives 2 hours away from me) for a day or two, I am sad because I'm not able to see him for longer.  Although I think it's healthy to want to spend time with my significant other (it would probably be bad if I was dreading seeing that much of him), I think my sadness over our lack of time together has, at times, ruined my ability to enjoy our time together.  So, this year, not only with regards to time spent with my boyfriend, but in all situations, I want to work on "not crying because it's over, but smiling because it happened," and keeping faith that things will work out in the end.

9.) Acknowledge my mistakes

 

This is my last ambition for 2012 and I think it is important not only because acknowledging my mistakes will help me move on from them, but it will help me keep myself more accountable.  By merely writing this post I am making myself accountable, both personally and publicly.  No one is perfect, and I don't ever expect to be, but I think everyone can always try to be better than the person they are today.

In conclusion, if you have made it through my entire list then 2 things: (1) congratulations, and (2) thank you! :) I know there are 9 things on this list, so a lot of goals to work toward, but I genuinely look forward to working on every aspect of this list, and I look forward to keeping you all posted on my progress! :)

~Hugs & Besos~