New Year's Resolutions

In 2012, I'm really determined to do a few things, call them resolutions if you will. Before setting out on what is usually considered to be a tragic path-to-failure, I've penned guidelines, in hopes that it will help me to make realistic goals.

1 - the words "gym," "workout" or "yoga" are not allowed anywhere on the list. Let's be real here, we've all had gym memberships for the past 5 years, and have yet to see drastic physical transformation.

2 - any form of a diet is also restricted from the list. It only takes one good dinner party, vacation, work get-together, breakup, etc. to ruin this!

3 - mentions of being a better friend/sister/daughter/employee is absolutely forbidden, because really, what are the chances of remembering that everyday?

4 - let's just rule out all chance of failure and eliminate the word "financial goal" as well, because unless we expect a big raise or bonus next year, it's going to be tough to accomplish, especially when amazing sample sales keep popping up on the fly and Starbucks continues to make coffee better than we are able to at home.

5 - lastly, any desire to be like someone else is simply not an option, i.e. being a glamorous and put-together mom like Claudia Schiffer, always having the perfect outfit on (even at the airport, while holding a baby) like Victoria Beckham, or just being an equal balance of charm-beauty-New-York-cool like SJP.

Now that I'm on track with the rules, I've started to make the actual list of what to accomplish next year. The overall goal for me is to make life a little more interesting, nothing overly incredible, but small things that may enhance my current life.

• For one month, buy fresh flowers every week -- it'll brighten the home, spirit, and could even catch on as a routine.
• For two weeks, start looking at a new website/blog/magazine -- inspiration is everywhere, it just takes looking in order to find it.
• For a friend or oneself throw a birthday bash that entails balloons, personalized coasters, cocktail-making, and a new party dress -- people don't do this enough these days.
• Read Derek Blasberg's Very Classy, and take a tip or two from it - because self-improvement is a noble quality.
• Look through old photographs, pick a few of the best ones, print them and hang them in the house. (If you don't take many photos, resolve to do just that - take more!)
• Master a new recipe -- can be a meal or a cocktail, so long as it requires more than two ingredients -- cooking = entertaining, and entertaining = seeing friends more often! Better yet, make a signature cocktail.
• Learn every detail about a particular kind of wine -- whether it be a simple Pinot Grigio or intense, full-bodied Bordeaux, it's always good to know what it is that's likable about it and is good dinner-table conversation.

There it is, folks... I think I'm off to a good start!

 

Comments

[toujoursv]

09:13 PM on 01/01/2012

Great article Kirsten! I love it when people make NYRez. Makes life so much more interesting. Key is to keep the resolutions 'fun' and attainable.

Best wishes on yours!

[mgbrooklyn]

10:00 AM on 12/29/2011

Your ideas are lovely and I totally don't mean to be oppositional, but I would like to share that three years ago I joined a gym. I was working long full-time hours, getting a second grad degree at night, and had a two year old at home (which means still lugging around 20 pounds of baby weight), so adding this to my life seemed insane and destined to fail by many. But guess what? I went to the gym late at night and early in the morning. I have since accomplished the following:

Run 8 half-marathons and various 5-10 mile races (very fast now, I'd like to add)
Lost 20 pounds
Ran my first full marathon last month

Now granted, prior to motherhood I was always very athletic and I love to workout, so I did not have to struggle with the "oh I hate this" challange that many others face. But still, I had huge time and energy barriars. I overcame them and am so blissfully happy that I challenged myself with what started out as a little new year resolution. As well intentioned as you may be, please think twice before discouraging others to make health and wellness resolutions.

[Kirsten Chilstrom]

05:42 PM on 12/29/2011

mgbrooklyn - First of all, that's awesome that you accomplished so much by arranging your schedule to prioritize the gym and get back in shape - I am so impressed!

My intention wasn't meant to discourage, on the contrary, my goal is to encourage different types of goals that deter from the cliche ones that society clings to (including myself!) Of course, every one should make fitness, financial, and personal goals regardless of the new year and it's good to be reminded of that.

[Kirsten Chilstrom]

08:38 AM on 12/29/2011

Jeanette - well said, re: ridiculous expectations. The unfortunate thing is that we all seem to do it, regardless of how brilliant, successful, and beautiful we already are.

At the end of the day, it seems better (and easier!) to just add value to what already exists, rather than trying to change it! Also, by doing so, we are able to feel better about ourselves about a lot of little things we accomplished, instead of one big thing that we failed to achieve.

Happy new year and let me know how your list goes!

[Jeanette Gabaldon]

02:50 PM on 12/28/2011

Kirsten, whew! Thank you for bringing some reality into New Year's resolutions. Women, especially, put ridiculous expectations to be perfect in every aspect of their lives. And I believe it hurts us more than helps us become better people. I find your 'enhancements' extremely doable! And I will try the same for my new year, a different list of course, but I will try enhancing certain situations in my next chapter. Just wanted to give a big thumbs up for a wonderful article! Good job.