Resolutions are easier to keep with specificity. I know that. But I am trying something different this year because my last couple years the plan has petered out relatively quickly.
I did do a couple things right last year. I adopted an eating plan that is totally sustainable, NOT a diet, and only gained 4 pounds over the course of a full year. Normally I have either been losing or gaining, and with this plan my entire range this year was +/- 7 pounds from my starting place. But always returned to that center. It involved mixed methods (which the statistician in me loves) so I have 3 days of no carbs in a week, 2 days of “light” (one super light, one 25% less than normal) and two days of flexibility (one “normal” and one 25% EXTRA). The idea is that it keeps the body from panicking and hoarding calories.
But there are several things that I've not been attending to that I need to get going on. I feel like I've been in crisis management for a few years now, just doing the next thing that needs doing because it has reached critical and failing to do the self care I know I need.
Physically I need: more sleep, regular stretching, regular strengthening, a more coherent exercise plan.
I need to write.
I need to organize.
I need to be there for my kids and husband.
It's a lot.
So I am actually only making ONE resolution. I take a bath every night as part of back pain management. This allows me to EASILY spend five minutes planning the next day's specific goals. That way I get the specificity, but also the flexibility to adjust for what is and is not working. So my resolution is to make a mini plan every night.
Anybody else?
6 comments:
Loved seeing this! I am resolving to take care of myself first and then my family, connecting regularly with a different family member every day to reinforce our relationship that is separated by miles. Second is writing every day!
I must admit I'm not a big fan of New Year resolutions, but I do believe in setting realistic goals as & when they're needed.
One thing I learned last year was the importance of developing habits, which is not quite the same as setting goals, but is often what people actually mean when they make a resolution. Habits are notoriously hard to change, which is why so many resolutions aren't kept. One trick to bring specificity to habits is to identify the behavior you want to change, and the trigger that precedes it. Then, instead of saying simply "I will do more/less of XXX", phrase it in this form: "When XXX happens, instead of XXX I will XXX"
I wish you well with your self-care and plans.
Self care is so important, and it's something at which I fail on a regular basis—especially on the sleep and exercise fronts. I like the idea of the nightly bath, and then using that time to create the mini plan for the next day. I just may have to try that myself.
Happy New Year, and best of luck to you in 2018!
Reading your blog today actually motivated me to make some changes in my life. :) Thanks! Hugs and smooches to you in 2018.
Love the idea of the mini plan! And also the bath, especially since I just got some new bubble bath/bath oil for Christmas. :)
Yes - I have plans! Not resolutions - more a continuation of habits that have worked for me - or discipline. Keeping my disciplines does bring me joy and it is fairly reliable so...
I often found when I faltered that if I employed the one out of three method that I could muddle through. How does that work you ask? I choose my top three things I want to do - usually it is walk, meditate, and write though sometimes it changes a bit. If I do all three before my head hits the pillow - well aren't I the cat's ass! If I do two of the three I feel pretty good and if I do one - I am satisfied. I do not let my head hit the pillow without one of them being done. It is not enough to make decisions - there is the care and feeding of same but really if you've already decided what makes you feel healthy and whole you don't need to keep choosing it every day. I wake up and say - er...I don't feel like walking - it is cold and dark - then I say 'sweetheart, you already decided you will walk daily - so take a big breath and go do it.' That works for me as well. It is my rebel child who doesn't want to do the things that will make her feel better so I need to trick her by giving her some choice.
Much love to you my dear pal - I know this is going to be a better year for both of us. I feel it.
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