It's a New Year - What're You Gonna Do With It? My Goals for 2012

I don't usually make New Year's resolutions or start any big changes with the new year. I don't know why, but this year feels different. Maybe it is the inspiration of several good blogs I have discovered this past year. Anyway, I seriously want to get my act together and start living the life I want to live! It seems like a good time to do it...

My 12 Goals for 2012

Goal 1: Simplify my life

This is a big one! I have been yearning to simplify my life for several years now, but I never seem to make much progress in that direction. It seemed so overwhelming that I never know where to start. Every 'simplifying' project that I undertook seemed to make my life even more complicated... probably because I always ended up trying to do everything at once and not finishing anything.

Tsh Oxenreider must have been reading my mind when she wrote One Bite at a Time because she presents a list of 52 changes that you can easily make one at a time. It seems like a no-brainer, but anyone can make one change - it is easy and do-able. I have always said I can do anything if I have a list in front of me. Now I do! (My task this week is #45, Set annual goals.)

(I also plan to break down my yearly goals so that I tackle one each month instead of all at once. That is why I choose 12 goals.)

Goal 2: Learn to use Nook and Springpad

I got a Nook for Christmas :-) I like it a lot, but I am really feeling my age - it is taking me a while to learn to use certain features of it. One of the main reasons I wanted to get one was so that I can consolidate all my lists. I am a list-maker, and I always seem to have lists all over the house. I spend a lot of time looking for missing lists.

My goal is to get all my lists onto the Nook so I will always know where they are. But first, I have to learn how to use it effectively.

Goal 3: Get up earlier and establish a morning routine

I have found that I have a happier and more productive day when I get up and take a shower and get dressed right away. If I don't do it right away I end up in my pajamas at 2:00 in the afternoon and I feel really lazy.

Goal 4: Get organized

This is another big one. Kinda like simplifying, but not exactly. Getting organized, to me, has more to do with my physical space - finding a place for everything and making my home a sanctuary instead of a temple of chaos...

Stephanie O'Dea of Totally Together Journal is one of my favorite blogger friends. Organization is her thing. I will use many of her tips to accomplish this one.

Goal 5: Quit coffee

Ann Marie of Cheeseslave is another favorite that I discovered very recently. I agree wholeheartedly with her food philosophy and she gives great nutritional advice in easy-to-understand language.

She gave up coffee a while back and she tells her reasons for doing it in 30 Reasons to Quit Coffee. I believe that if I give up drinking coffee I will sleep better (a big problem for me), digest my food better, have more energy, and just generally feel better.

Goal 6: Find out what my food allergies are and alter my diet accordingly

I have read a lot about going gluten-free, and I suspect that I might be allergic to wheat and/or gluten. I don't think I am allergic to dairy, but I want to test for that too, just so I know for sure. You can find an easy method for testing yourself at home in The Mood Cure by Julia Ross.

The Mood Cure: The 4-Step Program to Take Charge of Your Emotions--Today

Goal 7: Clean out the attic

Our attic is a mess. There are things up there that have been in boxes for the whole 3 1/2 years we have lived in this house. Occasionally one of us will go up there to look for something and rummage around in the chaos which makes it even worse (and even harder to find something the next time).

My  goal is to remove everything that we don't need and get rid of it. The  rest of it needs to be organized so that we know where things are when  we need them. (This goes for that closet in the garage, too.)

Note:  This project needs to be done in the spring or fall. It is too hot in  the attic in the summer and too cold in the winter. Better do it in the  spring, or it may never get done!

Goal 8: Connect with the Earth

A little while back I came across an article on "earthing". I had never heard of it before, so I did some research and it really piqued my interest. Many experts believe that there are a lot of benefits to one's health and well-being from physical connection with the earth. I won't try to explain it; for information check out Earthing.com.

I hope to spend a bit of time each day (as weather allows) with my bare feet on the ground. The fresh air and sunshine won't do me any harm, either!

Goal 9: Unclutter my wardrobe - FINALLY!

I dream of looking in my closet and seeing only things that I love and that fit me well and look good on me. I think can make this happen if I set sentiment aside and clear out about half of what I own.

I feel stressed out when I see things in my closet or drawers that I don't really want to wear but I can't part with. If those things were gone, I would probably never miss them and I could avoid that stress!

There is a section in One Bite at a Time about this that should inspire me. Also, Frugal Living Now has suggestions for general decluttering.

Goal 10: Get some exercise

This is no surprise. Like just about everyone I know I would feel better if I exercised - I have experienced it in the past. I don't know why I fight so hard to keep from doing it, but I do. This year I want to finally stop talking about it, planning it, and researching equipment and just take the plunge and DO it!

Goal 11: Create an essential papers and information file

This includes passwords for my husband so he can have access to my accounts, etc. if something happens to me. He is going to do the same for me. We really should do a will, too - maybe I can convince him to stop procrastinating and do that too.

Goal 12: Make annual goals for 2013

Do this for next year. Hopefully BEFORE the new year next time. It is the 4th already and I am still planning. Oh, well - better late than never I guess!

Next week I am going to write about how I am customizing Tsh's 52 projects into a plan that works for me.