Effortless Effervescence

(Photo credit.)

In Part I of this special edition of Seven Quick Takes, I talked about seven lessons I learned in 2009. Today I’m going public with my seven resolutions for 2010. If you’re hankering for more quick takes, head over to Conversion Diary.

My Big and Small Plans for 2010

I have learned that New Year’s Resolutions such as “live a more healthy lifestyle” or “be more responsible with money” or “improve my marriage,” though well-intentioned, are too vague. Their scope is so large that it becomes overwhelming and discouraging - for instance, you may be living a more healthy lifestyle by quitting smoking, but you haven’t got your exercise routine down yet and you’re still eating a lot of junk food. Have you failed? No! But you may feel like you have because only one part of your lifestyle is more healthy. I think that’s what leads to a lot of folks giving up around February 1.

So although I have some Big Hopes and Dreams for the year ahead (get organized, get my spending under control, get healthy) I wanted my resolutions to be small, specific, and measurable. They may not look like a lot to you, but I think if I can get myself into the habit of doing these seven things over the next twelve months, I’ll notice a marked difference in my quality of life.

1: I resolve to use cash for all purchases (unless I’m buying something online). By “cash” I mean literal paper money. When I use my debit card, I have a tendency to let myself go over budget due to impulse buys and bad math, and that leads to problems like hefty overdraft fees or running out of toilet paper three days before payday and not having any money to get more. Not only are these problems embarrassing and inconvenient, they’re unnecessary! When I use cash, I physically see my financial stores dwindling away, and I’m a lot more stingy.

2: I resolve to make a weekly menu each payday and go grocery shopping just once a week. During my shopping trip, I MUST pick up some fresh fruits and veggies, whole grains and low-fat dairy. This resolution kills a whole buncha birds with one stone: planning ahead helps me save money and keeps me from wasting time by going to the store three or four times a week. Plus, if I force myself to buy a handful of healthy items each week, I’ll be less likely to resort to crappy packaged foods when I’m hungry and in a hurry.
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3: Speaking of groceries - I resolve to make a price book. There are certain items I buy so often that I have a pretty good idea what they normally run at all my local supermarkets, and I know a good price as soon as I see it. For instance, my husband only drinks Coca-Cola, so I’m really good at spotting a deal on flavored sugar water. Other things I don’t buy as often, and between all the different sizes and varieties out there (which is cheaper per ounce - the small carton of orange juice or the huge jug?) and sneaky marketing plans (why $3.97? why not just $4?) I sometimes wonder if I’m getting tricked into thinking I’m being thrifty when I’m not. Which is why I’m going to start writing down the different prices I see, so when I’m flipping through weekly store flyers, I know whether something’s REALLY on sale.

4: I resolve to floss every evening (Monday through Friday) before I go to bed. My teeth are in pretty good shape even though I’ve had more than my share of cavities, but I would really like to avoid getting up-close-and-personal with the dentist’s drill EVER. AGAIN. I know that flossing regularly will really help me with that, but I always have an excuse to slack off. No more! I am a new woman, and my good intentions will be clearly observable by the state of my gums!
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5: I resolve to crate-train the dogs and get them on a feeding schedule. Ever since we got Ana, we’ve been leaving kibble out all day, and Milo’s gained a few pounds - something that’s just not good for such a little guy. Ana’s puppy ways have also been a bad influence on Milo, who we used to crate during the workday but who outgrew his separation anxiety right after we moved into our new home. They’re both brutal on the furniture, and I think we lock ‘em up during the day, at least until Ana is older and has more self-control.

6: I resolve to do one load of laundry (wash, dry, fold, put away) every morning. I’m tired of trying to play catch-up on my chores every weekend, and I’m tired of having piles of dirty, clean, and I’m-not-sure-let’s-just-wash-it-again clothes all over my bedroom. Also, I’m thinking of the future: I’m planning to cloth diaper our little person, and I figure if I’m already in an established routine when he/she arrives, I may not feel quite so overwhelmed by the piles of poopy diapers.
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7: I resolve to get to bed by 10:30 p.m. Monday through Friday. I’m usually good about getting to bed at a reasonable hour (and the pregnancy fatigue has certainly helped!) but there are still too many times that I let myself stay up til midnight or later and really suffer for it the next day. Although a newborn will likely upset my schedule, I think that making a conscious effort to get myself to sleep at the same time every night will be good practice for trying to get the sprog in a routine. See? Thinking ahead.

Now tell me: What are your resolutions for the coming year?