Resolutions

After weeks of build-up and preparation, the holidays are officially over. Christmas has come and gone and it is now an entirely new year! I can't believe how fast it all has gone by and how quickly all of 2011 went. 2011 was quite an interesting year to say the least. It was full of ups and downs, self discovery, making new friends, losing old friends, going on adventures, pushing through school, spending time with the people that I love and so much more. It wasn't the best year of my life thus far, but it was memorable all the less.

As with each new year people tend to make resolutions. I've always been on the fence about New Years resolutions. They always seem so repetitive and not given much thought. I think it's good to have goals going into a new year, but i also think it's important to have solid and specific goals that you can achieve. I always tend to have thing I'm working on or towards, be it a new year or not. But, I have thought up a few resolutions to start with for 2012.

• Cook at least 3 healthy meals a week. I love cooking and really enjoy it. I'm usually pretty good about cooking when I'm down at school. However, in the dwindling last weeks of the semester I got really lax about it and turned to takeout and eating out more. Since I've been home for break I've been eating more unhealthy things and haven't had many home cooked meals. 
• Workout 4 days a week. My apartment complex is right by a YMCA and there is a rec. center on campus, I also have access to free workouts through my cable provider and have workout dvd's. So basically I have no excuse not to get myself to the gym. I lost nearly 20 pounds last year and have gained half of it back from not being diligent with my workouts. I've been working on a workout plan that will fit with my schedule. I think working out at least every other day is doable.
• Be less selfish. Many times over the last year, especially the last month, I have found myself in situations where I realize I am being selfish. It's so easy to slip into that mindset consciously, and even easier to do it without realizing it. I am just one small person in this world and am surrounded by so many other people. I am not the most important and I should not act like I am. I need to be more supportive of my friends and family and be happy for them no matter what my feelings are. I am not entitled to anything and need to keep that in mind when I start to feel that I am.
• Keep my car clean. When it comes to cleaning I do not win any prizes. I absolutely hate it. I tend to toss things in my backseat and then when I have people riding in my car I toss those things in my trunk. The last time I looked my trunk was nearly full to the brim with shoes, jackets, sweatshirts, papers, books, etc... I've been like this since I got my first car when I was 16. Car washes make me tense up and the thought of sweeping my car out makes me drag my feet. It's completely silly and lazy, I know. Starting today I'm cleaning my car completely and will do my best to keep it that way all year.
• Get all A's and B's. This past semester was the first time I've gotten all A's and B's in a year. I always tend to do really well in all my classes and then have one that I'm more careless with. It feels good to know that hard work pays off even when at the time you feel stressed and like it's not worth it. I'd like to continue with that good feeling.
• Be a better friend. This is always something I keep in mind every year. I've learned a lot about what i means to be a good friend and a bad friend over the last few months and it's given me a lot of insight. I always like to think of myself as someone who is there for her friends but I know I have my times where I fall behind in that aspect. I want to strengthen my friendships more, new and old. There's that line from the Tigers Jaw song people like to quote "I learned a lot about being a friend when I was alone". I can definitely relate to it. I strive to be a good friend and will strive for that even more this year.
• DIY more. I'm in love with diy and crafting. I just don't do it very often. I always have excuses for not doing it but in the interest of living on a college budget and being able to make things on my own, it's something I'm looking to do more. I have a slew of projects I'm wanting to do, most at the moment include making homemade cleaning supplies, and I've already gotten the ball rolling by buying supplies.
• Save more money. Anyone who knows me knows that I can't resist a good shopping excursion. But, lately I've been doing much better at refraining from making unnecessary purchases. I'd really love to have extra money around for when I'm in a pinch or even for extra fun. I really would like to go on a trip sometime this year for a 3 day weekend or so and with Joseph having family in Cincinnati and my best friend moving to New York this would be the perfect time to start saving up!
• Read a book at least every two weeks. I love reading, but I never have time during school it seems. Because of this I have just thrown my hands up and not found the time to read for fun. Part of my 12 things before 2012 was to read 1-2 books before the end of the year which I accomplished. I forgot how good it feels to read something you actually enjoy and how much joy and pleasure there is in that. Instead of plopping in front of the television when I'm done with all my work for the day I'm going to try and pull out a book and focus on squeezing in some prime reading time.

I'm sure I could think of more, but these are the goals I'll be focusing on for now. Happy new year everyone!