Wednesday, 2 January 2013

A new year, a new set of resolutions

A new year often brings a new perspective on life.  This happens to me at the start of every new year.  I don’t necessary make New Year’s resolution per say, because I never seem to keep them, but I always want to make changes in my life (maybe resolutions in disguise).

At the top of the list is always losing weight and it’s no different this year.  Last August, I started eating healthier portions and counting calories using the “My Fitness Pal” application on my iPad.  It was actually working very well and it was fun.   I was doing well (I lost 20 pounds) then I got operated and got off track.  So I am thinking that getting back to the routine will also help to get back on track with “My Pal”.
Of course, getting healthy includes some type of exercising, like getting back to my stationary bike.  It has been in my kitchen for the past 3 months gathering dust…it had previously spent some time in the bedroom only to be used as a clothes rack.  I also have an elliptical and treadmill in the basement that are calling to me, but I have been ignoring them.  Although I really don’t like, in fact I hate, spinning on the bike, my knee surgeon told me that it was essential if I wanted to prevent another injury in the future.  Since I am turning 50 in 2013 (yes I know, it’s hard to believeJ)  but I am turning 50, these old bones need some help, so the stationary bike is exactly what the doctor ordered.

I also want or need to de-clutter my house.  This one is a biggie!!  We started in 2011 with cleaning out the basement but it never got completed.  My cluttered house seems to clutter my mind and it stresses me out to no end.   I think being at home for the past two month has not helped.  I have been sitting here looking at the clutter unable to do anything about it. 
Now that I am back to normal (health wise), I need to get it done once and for all.  I remember my friend Fran telling me a few years ago that she had decided to set aside 1 hour per week for de-cluttering.  This sounds like a plan to me and although it may take me a few months, at least it would be progress.   I have an extra incentive this year as I want to get rid of my junk or things we don’t use in preparation for a move in the next few years.  I know we can bring some stuff to cottage but I don’t want to just move the problem from one place to the other.

Getting odd jobs done also comes to mind, including getting all the little things that are either broken or simply not working properly fixed, finishing the paint job that we started in 2011  and giving the garden a “pick me up” as it did not fare well during the heat wave of last summer.  It seems pretty ambitious and since it depends a lot on Serge to get this done, I differ to him in terms of timing and priority.  I also have a few projects that I have started and not completed.  If I can finish 1 of these this year, I will be happy.
Just writing these things down are stressing me out and it seems like a huge mountain of undertakings to take on.  If I could freeze time or take a few months off (not because of illness but because I want to) then I could maybe get all these things done.

I guess this is what retirement is for….getting things done.  But since I can’t wait another 4 years to start getting my priorities in order, it will have to come down to mind over matter.  I have an overwhelming need to make a plan, write a list, or start something.  I wish I could do like on tv and have a professional organizer come to my house and help me get started or motivate me.  I have often said that I needed a wife and that I needed to rent a handyman for 2 weeks to be at my beck and call (get your mind out of the gutter, all I am thinking about is a hammer, a ladder and a few 2 x 4s…
nothing elseJ).
As I know that no one is going to come to my rescue and magically get things done for me, I will have to motivate myself and get it done.  What a feeling it must be when it finally gets done…if that’s even possible.  

But are we ever completely done? 
I recently saw a post on Facebook that suggested taking an empty jar and writing down all the good things that happen throughout the year and put it in the jar.  Then on New Year ’s Eve, you go through the jar.  In my case, I think I will make a “things that got done jar” and on New Year’s day 2014, I will look through the jar and see what I got done…hopefully it is full to the rim. 
Although there may be bumps and curves in the road throughout the year, I am assured that 2013 will be like every other year…filled with happy moments spent with my family.  Love conquers all, even New Year’s resolutions that don’t quite get kept.

Happy New Year to all my readers!

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