77 in 08
In the spirit of the New Year, resolutions, and turning yet another year older, I've decided to jump on that thing called the bandwagon and present to you (you're welcome) a list of things I would like to accomplish within the next year. Most of this to-do list is a whole bunch of habits that I would inevitably like to make second nature. The idea is that if I can do most of these for about a year, it'll become routine. (I know it's only supposed to be about 3 months for something to become habit, but I procrastinate, so I'm giving myself a ton of time)
Originally, I developed this list back in November with the intention of keeping it to myself. Whatever I accomplished would be a personal achievement and nothing more. However, given that it's about a month and a half later and I haven't nearly begun to make a dent into this whatsoever, I'm relying on the random people of the internet to keep tabs on me. I figure if I have people I don't know checking up on me now and then, that might just be all the extra motivation I need to get this done. That and maybe a few of these will inspire others as well - to beat me over the head.
Why 77? Because that's all I could think of.
This will also come in handy for a couple other goals below...
2. Fold my clothes as soon as they're out of the dryer, and put them away
Anyone else really bad about this??
3. Eat at least one serving of fruit per day.
In all actuality, we should get 5 -7 per day, not including the 3-4 servings of veggies too.
4. Don't allow crap to build up.
i.e. hang my coat when I come in, clean dirty dishes, put away my things, etc.
5. Call my brothers.
Not just once this year. You know, a few times.
6. Send Birthday cards.
7. Take up a new sport.
8. Learn one new recipe and cook it once a week.
I'm no Betty Crocker, but it shouldn't be too much to ask that I know a little more than 3 dishes.
9. Drink 12 glasses of water a day.
10. Buy a wedding dress.
11. Apply to medical school.
I still don't know if I want to go, but I'd rather have the option than not. (Yes I know it's January)
12. Procrastinate less, achieve more.
13. Exercise 5 days/week.
Cardio, small weights, yoga, etc. Get moving.
14. Don't only do what is convenient.
Park the car far from the store. Cook food, don't buy frozen meals. Return the cart all the way to the front of the supermarket. I can't believe how much I've come to rely on everyday conveniences. I'd rather appreciate them than expect them.
15. Create a Family Tree
Heritage is important. It reveals emotional and health-related patterns. It's crucial to know where you've come from to recognize you're place in the world, your future, and your childrens' futures.
16. Call 10 of my closest friends once/month.
Or 20, or 30, or 40... 2, 3, 4, 5 times/month.
17. Read 30 non-school books.
This may be what does me in.
18. Get at least 8 hours of sleep a night.
19. Say please and thank you.
20. Visit my grandparents once/month.
I'm lucky to still have grandparents. Time to take advantage of it.
21. Make the bed every morning.
Nevermind, this is going to be what does me in.
22. Organize my financial situation.
Like most students, I'm in way over my head with loans, credit, and payments - doing what I can to get by. It's time I understand it all and really look at the next 20 years of my life.
23. Follow through with my intentions.
If I don't intend it, I won't promise it.
24. Drink less alcohol.
No, wait, this will do me in for sure.
25. Cook in at least 4 nights/week.
With all those new recipes I've learned.
26. Go to the dentist.
Uuuuuuuuuugh. And about to get more difficult with the insurance lapse now that I'm an old fart.
27. Cut back on coffee. Hell, just eliminate it.
28. Instead, drink herbal tea.
29. Put 10% of my income into Savings.
30. Stop drinking soda.
Unless it's mixed with rum. Dammit #24.
31. Move away from fried foods and fats.
Move towards healthier, more natural, and higher yielding products.
32. Get a hobby.
33. Ski.
Because these all don't have to suck.
34. Keep things simple.
35. Value my time.
At the end of the day, we all have the same number of minutes to do with what we would like. I would like mine to count.
36. Write letters to friends who live in different cities.
With my handy dandy new and updated address book.
37. Organize my closet
Donate 10% of what I own.
38. Create a photo website.
39. Cherish my mind, body, and soul.
40. Plant a tree.
41. Learn about one new religion each month.
42. Pay my bills the day I get them.
43. Value the items I own.
I've paid a lot of money for them.
44. Buy produce at local farmers' markets.
When they're open.
45. Run a half marathon.
46. Take a multivitamin and calcium supplement everyday.
47. Take pride in my job
Student, waitress, etc. It's all hard work and worth being proud of.
48. Take the scenic drive.
49. Eat breakfast every day.
50. Watch less TV
Read more of those 30 books I have to get to.
51. Back up my computer once/week.
Because laptops and I have never gotten along.
52. Eat at the kitchen table, not in front of the TV.
53. Take walks.
54. Learn one new word every day and use it in a sentence.
55. Quit gossiping.
When I first wrote this down in November, I figured it would be easy because I don't really "gossip." I was surprised to find how often I talk behind others' backs. And chances are, someone's talking about me somewhere too. It's not a good feeling.
56. Read the Sunday Newspaper.
57. Research the presidential candidates.
58. Try snowboarding.
59. Say I'm sorry with no "buts."
60. Clean the bathroom once/week.
Why am I doing this to myself??
61. Ditch white breads/pastas. Move to whole-grain products.
62. Refrain from judgment.
To each his own.
63. Stop charging my purchases and work towards paying off my credit card.
64. Cut out caffeine.
65. But eat chocolate whenever I feel like.
66. Volunteer for one organization.
67. Tell Justin I love him every day.
Cue: Awwwwwwwww. No, really, I forget to do it though.
68. Use the computer as a supplement, not a necessity.
So when it inevitably craps out on me, I don't feel like my life is over.
69. Take up yoga and/or other meditation exercise.
70. Realize my limits.
Take on only what I am capable of handling. For instance, a list of 77 items is far too much to take on.
71. Floss. Everyday. Period.
72. Recycle.
Seems easy, only we don't have those convenient blue bins at the apartment complex. Have to drive them to the recycling plant. (wherever the hell that is)
73. Don't text and drive.
74. Don't drink and text.
This is going to be a soft rule.
75. Plant an herb garden.
76. Consume less.
Food, energy, material things, etc. It has become more than apparent that our consumerism has taken its toll on both our health, society, and world. I'm going to attempt to change this for myself, with the hope of leading a healthier and happier life.
77. Produce more.
Energy in (should) = Energy out. Not only do I intend to consume less, but I will attempt to balance this equation by producing more in the way of energy, productive time, and service. (And other ways I have yet to determine)
I'll periodically update with my progression (or lack thereof). Happy New Year to all.
