2013 Goal Clarifications and Add-ons

So, early January is the time when many people usher in the plan that is going to make them a whole new person.

Welp, I don't want to be a "whole new me".  

I want to be the same me, but with better qualities.

So, today I am going to give an explanation for each of my goals for 2013 and add a few more.

Here we go!

(It's difficult for me to NOT sound like Mario (in my head) while saying that phrase.)

1.  Learn how to cook something new and adventurous.

So, I have recently (within the last 3 years) discovered that I REALLLLLLYY enjoy cooking and am actually pretty good at it.

That came as a gigantic surprise to me.

I used to pride myself on my inability to cook.  (Hockey puck hamburgers anyone?)

I can now cook a mean steak with roasted veggies and caramelized onions.

However, I have realized that once I get good at something I tend to cook the life out of it (meaning I cook it WWWAAAYYYY too much).

So, this year I would like to try something that scares me.

I'm not sure what that is yet, but it will probably involve baking of some kind or something with weird ingredients.

2.  Read one book a month.

I work in a profession where I encourage children to read and enjoy reading on a daily basis.

However, when I get home I am guilty of grabbing my iPad or the computer to watch some mindless drivel while I work which then extends into me watching TV with Handsome Husband while we eat and then until we go to bed.

Hypocrite much??

Last year for Lent Handsome Husband and I decided to adopt a new habit instead of giving something up.

We decided to read for 30 minutes each night before bed Sunday - Thursday (because who knows what the weekends bring!).

It turned out to be one of the most relaxing choices that HH and I could have made.

This year was a different monster.

I get home between 6:00 and 7:00 each night, cook dinner and then have work to do.

The last thing I want to do is think anymore!

However, it is something I miss and I truly believe that the reason I don't have time to read is because I don't make the time to read.

So, here goes. 

I want to read at least one book a month.

It doesn't have to be anything spectacular, but it should also be something I haven't read before. 

(I have a really bad habit of rereading books over and over again.)

3.  Get to the gym at least 4 days a week.

I am sick of complaining about the way my clothes fit or about the way I feel daily.

This is once again the sheer fact that I don't have time to work out because I don't make the time to work out.

This goal will only work as long as I stick to goal #6.

I have managed to drag my lazy butt out of the house long enough to get to the gym a few times over break and know that I will feel a million times better if I stick to it.

Plus, as I said above, I really like to cook and it's not like I cook it to look at it!!

4.  Get into the habit of putting my clothes away once they are washed.

This one is pretty self-explanatory.

I tend to be a clothes avoider.

Don't get me wrong!!

They are always clean, but I am majorly guilty of digging through a pile to create an outfit.

5.  Spend more time with friends and family.

Again, self-explanatory.

I tend to be so drained from school that I would rather spend time in bed or on the couch than going out.

I'd like to regularly hang out with people during the week (maybe only one night...I'm no Superman).

It would make me feel like I'm 28, not 88.

6.  Become more efficient and get out of school before 5:00 each night.

I love my team and co-workers, but we tend to like each other too much!

We have the best of intentions when we sit down to work, but end up getting a bit sidetracked sometimes.

Maybe this one could tie into #5...they are my friends after all! :)

I couldn't have lucked out any more than I have with my team.

That being said, I've got reading, running and cooking to do, too!

7.  Run consistently again and participate in some races.

I have done my fair share of 5Ks, two 10Ks and one half marathon.

Don't ask me for times because I'll lie. :)

I enjoy the energy, stress-relief, and empowerment that comes from running.

After my 1/2 I never wanted to think about running again.

I'm finally getting back to the point where I crave the release that running can give.

It also couldn't hurt me in my quest to lose a bit of my extra fluffiness.

There are always races coming up that would give me the motivation I need to train consistently.

Plus, the fact that I LOVE to buy shoes doesn't hurt since when you train you need to replace shoes more often than if you don't train.

Add-on #1.  Learn how to crochet something other than a simple scarf.

I was inspired by all of the amazing crochet projects I've been able to peruse over break such as 

this one from Maybe Matilda;

and these amazingly cute Pinterest ideas;

this one from Patterns Central;

this garland from About Mo and Me;

this garland from this Etsy shop;

these owl cell phone covers from Linda Cyr LOVES yarn;

and these amazingly adorable hats from Beezy Mom's Creations Etsy shop;

Aaaaannnnnddddd...that's all there is (so far) folks.

I am going to give myself permission to add more on (in a reasonable fashion) whenever I feel like it. :)

I think that's a pretty good start to 2013.

What are some of your goals for the year?

Mrs. B