Why do I need to wait until the first of the year to make a resolution for myself? What is it about The New Year that inspires us so much to turn over a new leaf, or to do things we’ve been too lazy or scared to previously do?
This year, I’m going to do something crazy and not wait until January 1 to start on my resolutions. I figure if I get a few days’ head start, I might actually start out 2010 already doing things I wish I had been doing regularly in the past year.
Like getting outside. Going for walks. Not just for the exercise, but for the enjoyment of being outside. For the benefit of allowing myself some time to just be by myself. So simple, right? Not for me, clearly.
When I am at home, my oldest is in preschool, and the babies are with our own supernanny, I feel an intense responsibility to be working. I tether myself to my desk. I need to work to earn money to help cover the preschool and the nanny. I need to work because people are depending on me. I need to work because… well, because.
But am I always productive? Sometimes. Other times? My mind will wander. I will get fidgety. Water-glass refill breaks and quick trips to the other room to see what all that squealing and giggling is about can be frequent. This is a focus problem I’ve been grappling with for some months now. I think taking a little bit of time a few days a week for myself will help bring my brain back into focus.
So I’m pulling out my walking shoes (literally) and allowing myself a guilt-free half hour a few days a week. I’m not starting tomorrow. I’m not waiting until January 1. I started today (and it felt good).
Now my other resolutions? Like trying to keep up with the laundry and vowing to clean — really clean — my office? I’ve already picked those suckers up and laughed right in their faces.
What are YOUR resolutions? And are you usually good at keeping them?
Take a recorded book along, something you really want to read, but just never have the time for. I recently listened to Stevenson’s TREASURE ISLAND and Camus’ THE STRANGER, a book I think I first read (maybe) in 1963.
Good idea! I need to start looking for deals on audiobooks. So far I’ve been content to just listen to my NPR app on my iPhone. Since I don’t get great radio reception at home, it gives me my NPR fix.
I need to get outdoors more as well! Other than that, I hope to learn more design tips and tricks in my free time this year. 🙂
I feel the same way about coding. Don’t you feel so… victorious when you’ve learned a new trick?
Harmon will often go for short walks when he is at work to get out of his program-writing bubble and switch on the other side of his brain. He comes back to his work recharged. I even try to find moments to slip off the unit and take a couple breaths of non-hospital air and run up & down the grounds a bit (though I am sure I look funny doing it in my scrubs!)Good for you!
Love the Blabagail blog!
Yeah, staring at a computer screen all day sometimes makes me feel like I am in a cave, so getting fresh air is key. I cannot imagine hospital-air all day, though. Kudos to you, Teri!
Good for you, Abi. Keep it up–you deserve it! The time to yourself and exercise will pay dividends in productivity and focus that more than compensate for the time away from the desk.
Got a little thwarted by a bout of being sick, but this past week I managed to go for two good walks to the grocery store. One with a backpack and one with the double stroller (with babies, of course). Both proved rigorous going up the hill back to my house!
I made a wish this year, rather than a resolution. I am not good at keeping resolutions and don’t even remember if I made one last year.