2012 Resolutions Update!

 I have said it two or three times this week already, and I'll say it again. I love a new year. I love the idea of a fresh start. I know you can start over anytime, technically; of course you can. But a new year to me means a fresh start, a chance to just start over completely. I feel that way day by day, but even more so when it's a totally new year. 

 

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That being said, I cannot wait to start 2013. I filled in my new calendar last night, and couldn't help but wonder what will take place in the coming year. 

I always make New Year's Resolutions. I know a lot of people don't, or make goals or to-do lists instead, and that is fine. For me, resolutions are great... it's never a bad thing to set a new goal for yourself. I will write a post on my 2013 resolutions soon...some you will see are repeats from what is below! For now, let's see how I did in 2012. 

SIDE NOTE: I do not consider it a failure if you didn't stick with every single new year's resolution. As each day passes, you learn new things. Maybe you made too many resolutions. Maybe you made an impossible one for yourself. If so, it is OKAY to change your mind once you learn that it isn't the right time or the right kind of resolution for you this year! This is not a cop-out. But it is a WAY OUT of the mindset that says just because you don't succeed in unattainable or untimely resolutions, doesn't mean you can't stick to plenty of others. ;)

{ 2012 RESOLUTIONS UPDATE! }

If it's in red, it means i pretty much consider it a big fat FAIL. {Womp, womp!}

  SPIRITUALLY

-Read the Bible. Daily. {This happened a LOT more than in 2011, but i wouldn't say daily.}
-Become an involved member of my church. {We found our home church this year, and definitely became involved! This was not hard once we found the right place for us!}

-Love people. Really love them, the way God has called me to. {Definitely more so than in 2011. Of course this is always a work in progress.}

-Minister with song again. {YES! After about 3 years off, I joined our church's praise team & have been singing every Sunday. One night, i led two songs as well. It has been a JOY to do this.}

-Be a better friend. {Odd resolution haha... I hope i stuck to this one!}

-Read some christian books, including Captivating by John & Stasi Eldredge & Crazy Love by Francis Chan. {I did not read the two above & this will be a repeat on my 2013 list! Haha. I did read plenty of Christian novels & also The Necessity of an Enemy (Ron Carpenter Jr) & Embracing your Freedom (Susie Larson).} 

 

 PHYSICALLY

-Track food daily on My Net Diary. {This is something I would never keep up with for an ENTIRE YEAR. I consider this impossible for me, haha. I did track my food on & off all year, though, with this app & another.}

-No sugar or white flour. (Fruit is allowed.) {It's a work in progress. I did well, then did horribly & then managed to stay COMPETELY off it for 34 days at the end of the year! You can keep up with that journey on my weightloss blog. I am always learning more & doing better & I do feel like i am finally making progress in this area of my life.}

-WATER, WATER, WATER {Yep!}

-Exercise at least every other day. {HAHA! I have definitely fallen WAY off the wagon in this area. Gone are the days of constant bootcamp & zumba classes. I MISS working out the way i used to & do plan to get back to it in 2012.} 

 

FINANCIALLY

-GIVE MORE {We did, but i want to do more in 2013.}

-SAVE MORE {We did & paid off my student loan debt!}

-Stick to the budget more.  {We do stick to the budget as a couple - the one that is for bills and stuff - but i have a hard time blowing my spending money on food, when i could save it for things i REALLY want or need. Want to work on this in 2013.}

PHOTOGRAPHY

-Take a photography class (or two or three). {I took one online class. Taking another in January that I am super excited about!}

-Do the Picture-A-Day thing. {This did not happen for the 2nd year in a row. I will probably try again for the fun of it in 2013 but it will NOT be a resolution. It's just not something I can make myself stick to!}

-Participate in photography blog hops. {Nope. Really want to in 2013!}

-Read "Learning to See Creatively" by Bryan Peterson {Started, but didn't finish.}

-Read "Understanding Exposure" by Bryan Peterson {Nope.}

If you made New Year's Resolutions, Goals, or a To-Do List for 2012, how did you do? 

Do you consider every non-success a total failure?

What are some of your goals for 2013?