Resolution Recap

Waaaaay back in the beginning of January (am my the only one who feels like January just dragged on this year?) I compiled my 2010 resolutions into a list for all the blogsphere to see. Now that February is here, I've decided to take a look back at said resolutions to see if I have, indeed, been resolved. The plan to is to revisit this list at the beginning of each month so I have some way to keep myself accountable. We'll see how it goes... Onto the resolutions!

1. Keep up With my Blog

I am very pleased to say that this has been a success thus far! For full results, refer to all previous posts :D

2. Begin Doula Training

This is slow going, but I expected it to be for now. I've been doing my reading (so far, I've only gotten through one book from the DONA reading list - The Family Bed - but, was reading another doula related book prior to that one. Today, I will be starting Depression in New Mothers). As soon as I'm mobile again, I'm planning to attend weekly La Leche League meetings in Exton. The meetings should be a great place to learn more about breast feeding and to talk to local birth professionals and new mommas.

3. Compartmentalizing Work-Life and Home-Life

Hm... I kind of fail here. Compartmentalizing is 100% a mental game, so there's no tangible way to judge how I'm doing. Work has been wacky and stressful this month, so it's been hard not to bring the stress home. But, knowing that I'm trying to work on it has caused me to at least steer conversations differently when I find myself talking about work too much. So, it's a start!

4. Eat Healthier

I have been surprising myself with how well this has been going. Of course, I haven't completely eliminated chocolate or anything crazy like that. But, I've cut back a lot and have been really purposeful about the food that I've been putting in my body (also, I watched Food, Inc. this weekend which makes me want to become self-sufficient on my own farm and never go to the grocery ever again... but that's a different topic for a different time). I've also been craving and devouring vegetables like crazy! I've been craving sweets much less since I've stopped eating them so much. I also upped my water intake, and have eliminated carbonated drinks almost completely.

The wonky part has been that I've been sick twice ... twice!! ... with a stomach bug this month, so I did spend several days on the BRAT diet (bananas, rice, applesauce, and toast) and then pigged out a bit this weekend because I'd hardly eaten the week prior. But, today, I'm back on track.

5. Stop Comparing Myself to Other People

Eh, not doing so good with this one either. Like compartmentalizing, this is a mental game. It's so very hard to change your mind's bad habits. But, if I find myself comparing, I try to be very purposeful about thinking about something else or doing something to distract myself from this damaging thinking. Again, it's a start!

6. Craft More

Yup! I'm right on track here. I'm very excited about my project for the Valentine's Day Blog Exchange (which I'll post about soon!). I've also finished the prototype for the zipper rosette headbands, made myself a felt knitting needle case, sewed a couple of pillows, and a few other miscellaneous things. Sadly though, I haven't done much knitting or crocheting this month. But, the more I whip out my sewing machine, the more I've been falling in love with sewing. So, there'll probably more sewing projects in the near future. I'll pick up my needles again soon.

7. Purchase an SLR digital camera

No progress here :( Finances have been extra tight this month for this reason and that reason... so, not much wiggle room to begin saving for such an extravagance. Maybe we'll get lucky though and get a stellar tax refund that will pay for a new/used car AND a camera. Hey, a girl can dream ;)

So, that's that. I'd say overall, things are going well. Looking back on my progress is definitely motivating and helps the resolutions to feel new again. Time to charge into February with fresh resolve!

<3 Brittany

2010 Resolutions

I suppose it's "that time of year" again. I fall into the trap of making resolutions each January, even though everyone says it's actually the worst time of year to goal set. Go figure?

Anyway, since keeping up with my blog is a resolution in and of itself, I figured I might as well list some of the other things I'm planning for the new year. I'm trying to approach things differently in 2010 by setting more general, attainable goals. Theoretically, they should be easier to keep up with and I can expand them later on. Also, many of my resolutions have been in the process for a while - now I'm just making them official :)

1. Begin doula training

There will be a longer post about this later, but for the next few months, "training" basically translates to LOTS of reading.

2. I need to work on compartmentalizing

This mainly refers to work and home. I have a bad habit of letting my personal life spread over into my work environment and vice versa. It will benefit both areas of my life if I can keep them better separated. The obvious caveat here is that Daniel and I work at the same place. But, since we do two completely different jobs, it shouldn't be too difficult.

3. Eat healthier

I almost always begin the new year by making a weight loss resolution. Since I have only managed to gain weight over the last few years, I'm approaching things a little differently this time around. The goal here is not necessarily weight related (although, if it helps get me back down to a size 7, I won't complain!). I really just want to be healthier (and help Dan be healthier, too. Even if he kicks and screams and argues with me about buying organic). Especially after last year when I spent a good bit of time learning what nasty sorts of things are slipped into food while we remain blissfully ignorant. But, I digress for now... this is not the time to hop onto a soapbox.

4. Stop comparing myself to other people

A very detrimental habit of mine... 'nuff said, really.

5. Craft more!

About mid-November I was severely bitten by the crafting bug when I began planning for my aptly named Very Crafty Christmas. I have enjoyed crafting since I was little, but never so much as I have recently. Especially since I've been crafting more useful items as of late, such as dish cloths, cloth napkins, and travel knitting needle cases. This resolution also includes learning how to do more with my sewing machine and learning more techniques/projects for knitting and crocheting.

6. Purchase an SLR digital camera

Not really a resolution, but I will be working on saving for one :)

I'll try to revisit my resolutions later this year and give an update on how things are going.

What about you? Have you made any resolutions this year?

<3 Brittany