Thursday Thirteen #22

Thirteen Resolutions For 2007

1) Exercise: My number one goal for the new year is to start going to the gym at least 3 times a week. Ideally, I would like to run and lift weights 3 times a week, and then do a couple of yoga and/or pilates classes to supplement the cardio and weight training.

2) Drink More Water: I've become lazy in my water drinking habits. My nalgene bottle has become musky and I haven't gotten around to cleaning it, and I hate wasting plastic cups at work. The result has been that my water intake has plummeted. I need to get back to carrying around my water bottle and finishing at least a liter a day.

3) Write In My Journal: In the last couple of months I've written regularly on the blog (apart from over Christmas break), but have not written regularly in my journal. They are very different mediums and I think getting back into the habit of journaling, along with blog writing, would be good in terms of my emotional health and longterm planning. Whenever I journal regularly, I have a sense of knowing myself and being on top of things that I sometimes lack when I let it slide.

4) Sleep: I need 8 hours of sleep per night. When I get less than that I start to unravel in all kinds of ways. In order to take care of myself, I am going to try to get 8 hours regardless of work and social activities. Taking care of me should come first, no matter what.

5) Communicate Regularly With Friends and Family: My friends and family are the most important things in my life, but sometimes because of everything else going on I sometimes neglect them by falling out of touch or doing things like not remembering their birthdays (I'm horrible at that). I want to be a better communicator because feeling connected to them makes me happy.

6) Remember Birthdays: Thinking about how horrible I am at this, I've decided that it should be it's own resolution. It brings me so much happiness when my friends and family remember my birthday; there is no excuse for me failing to do the same for them, regardless of how stressed out I am.

7) Get A New Job: It's funny to me that this ended up as #7, and it makes me wonder if I'm prioritizing finding a new job as much as I should be doing right now. I've hated most parts of my job since three months after starting at the firm, as all of my friends can attest to. That was over 2 years ago. I've stayed for a number of reasons and have gotten a lot out of the experience, but I don't think I want to be here a year from now. Life is too short to spend most of my days in a place that I really dislike, and that brings me so much stress.

8) Stay Motivated: My work environment is demoralizing and oftentimes nasty, and it's hard to stay motivated to make positive changes. Monday through Friday I'm often functioning at one of two extremes: Either so busy I have no time to eat, exercise, or sleep or actively blowing everything off by looking at celebrity web sites because I'm so filled with loathing and/or exhaustion. I hate the pendulum swings and my inability to maintain a healthy, focused perspective. I need to carve out time to contact people about jobs and send in applications. I need to stay motivated.

9) Cultural Events: I'm reaching now, but I would like to spend more time enjoying the cultural attractions of New York such as museums, art exhibits, and various performances. I've only been to the Metropolitan Museum of Art and the Guggenheim. Sacrilege when surrounded by so many amazing museums!

10) Develop My Friendships In NYC: This is not so much of a resolution as a description of what I've been doing more of since November. Since then, I've seen how many wonderful friends I have right here in New York, and I've also met a number of new people. I've been expanding my social circle, deepening my friendships, and having a lot of fun.

11) Meditate: I've been wanting to try meditation for over a year now. All it takes is sitting down, closing my eyes, and trying to clear my mind, and yet I have not made even 5 minutes for that. I'm going to start this weekend.

12) Clear Out Old Stuff: As all of my mover-boys discovered, I've been carting around boxes of stuff for years. I hate being attached to material things, but I have a tough time letting things go, including old letters and papers, old clothes, items given to me as gifts that I never use, etc. Since moving into my new apartment I've done a pretty awesome job - if I do say so myself - at downsizing. I've donated and trashed giant garbage bags full of stuff. My new roommate has been inspirational; she gets rid of anything she doesn't use after one year. Incredible.

13) Take Another Class: I had so much fun in my knitting class, I definitely want to take another class soon. I'm torn between something fun like belly dancing or something mentally stimulating like a language or art class. Talking with one of my friends last night about Dante I started thinking about taking a literature class to read some of the classics I missed when I was younger.

EXTRA: I'm going over 13, but I have to mention my resolution to be an awesome Auntie. I'm already an honorary Auntie for some of the special children in my life, but in April, for the first time I will be a "real" Auntie when Bean gives birth to a baby boy. I am so excited for Bean and her growing family, and I'm so happy to be a part of it.

What's your #1 resolution for 2007?

The purpose of the meme is to get to know everyone who participates a little bit better every Thursday. Visiting fellow Thirteeners is encouraged! If you participate, leave the link to your Thirteen in others comments. It's easy, and fun! Be sure to update your Thirteen with links that are left for you, as well! I will link to everyone who participates and leaves a link to their 13 things. Trackbacks, pings, comment links accepted!