Merry Christmas! Time really does fly! It seems like yesterday that I shopped for last year’s Christmas cards. This year, I went with humourous ones decked in glitter. :)
So, I resolved to do several things last December. Before we embrace 2012, I should revisit that list of resolutions and see if I kept to it!
Here’s the list I conjured last December.
1. Worry less, relax more
Did I worry less and relax more this year? Well, yes and no. I’m a natural worrywart. I did try to worry less, and sometimes I ended up worrying more. However, I did manage to leave the worries behind and relax on weekends! I used to worry 24/7, but I have since 2011 set a new rule – no worrying on weekends. That’s an improvement eh?
2. Complain less, appreciate more
I did come to realise that I am blessed in so many ways. Throughout the year, I have made various attempts to see the good in the bad. Many times, bad things are blessings in disguise. I believe that everything happens for a reason. At times, I allow myself to complain about stuff, and once I’m done complaining I try to not let the same issue affect me. Overall, I am much more appreciative of life now than I was last year.
3. Contemplate, contemplate, contemplate
Yes, I have contemplated numerous issues this year and in doing so, probably saved tons of money on the material front. I saved on bad wardrobe choices and unnecessary expenses, amongst other things. On the communications front, I saved many unnecessary verbal confrontations and other trouble by thinking before I speak. Great improvement, I think!
4. Blog more
On the first day of 2011, I took up the Post a Week 2o11 challenge. I am proud to say that as at this moment, I have fulfilled the challenge. I have been blogging every week, sometimes more than once a week, and I intend to keep this up for 2012. I admit that I do feel uninspired and unmotivated at times, but there’s always something interesting for me to write about, things that I would like to share with you. Your support means lots to me!
5. Shop more
Oh yes I did! I bought lots of stuff. Here’s proof, proof, proof, and more proof! My style has pretty much evolved – you now see more dresses and cardigans in my wardrobe and less of jeans, skinny pants and tops. That’s because I found that dresses (especially those in bright colours) work better for me and are more versatile. I am also currently obsessed with the colours coral, navy and mustard, so I think I’ll be shopping more in 2012!
6. Go out more
Yup, did that! I’ve lost count of the number of events I attended this year. The few that I can recall offhand are here, here, here, here and here. Due to several reasons – work commitments, the need to repay sleep debt, have some time to myself – I found some difficulty saying yes to every event I’ve been invited to. I have lost count of the number of times I said no! I think I did pretty well in 2011; while I don’t expect to keep up with the attendance in 2012, I will definitely try my best!
7. Smile more
I have made various attempts to smile more, but I have realised that I cannot be smiling 24/7, for e.g. while typing away at my keyboard at work. I have also received several comments that I “look sad all the time” or “appear to be unhappy” when I put on my default expression – the poker face. I have decided that while I cannot be smiling like a dork at my computer screen, I can try to smile more at people I meet, so I did. I think it worked!
And I think I did pretty well for 2011, in terms of keeping to my resolutions. I have decided to keep the above resolutions for 2012. This time round, I’m going to add three more to the list! Pushing my luck huh. :P Well, here goes!
8. Spend more time with people who really matter to me
With everything that’s going on in my life, it’s a miracle I managed to keep up! As I go about my daily tasks, I sometimes neglect the people around me and I feel very bad about it. I have decided that I shall spend more time with these people and pay more attention to them.
9. Adopt the “If not now, then when?” motto
Life is short! Too short. When faced with an opportunity, a challenge, or something that I’ve always wanted to do, I shall take it on, pronto. “If not now, then when?” seems an apt motto. ;) Of course, only if it is within my means to do so. No point killing myself, right? Gotta enjoy life.
10. Take things easy
At any given time, there are approximately 7,527,753 things to be done. There are only 24 hours in one day. Of these 7,527,753 things, some can be done today, some can’t be done today, and some simply have to wait. I have decided that I shall recognise this, stop trying to get everything done within a specific time frame and just do my best. If it can be done, great. If not, I will not beat myself up over it.
With three new resolutions to the list, I now have ten of them! Let’s see how well I fare in 2012.
Along with these resolutions, are a few of the goals I hope to achieve in 2012:
1. A new blogskin
I am obsessed! With the colours coral, navy, and mustard. I am thinking of doing up a new blogskin based on the three colours. Any ideas?
2. My own dot com
I have been thinking of making the blog JadeIsabelle.com for a while! That would be awesome, no? :)
3. Meet SpongeBob SquarePants
Haha, I know! SpongeBob is one of my favourite characters, ever.
I set new goals as I go along; the above list is definitely non-exhaustive!
How have you fared in 2011, and what have you planned for 2012? Stay tuned for an upcoming blog post on how I spent the 12 months of 2011!
J
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Tags: Christmas, Goals, New Year, Resolutions
Merry Christmas Jade!
I really love to see the growth of your blog:)…and now I see the new theme!
I think it looks more modern but still simple and perfect as it used to be and that is the way I like…”less is more” ;)
Oh jade…I have said that I would have a trip before the end of the year but I certainly could not do it because some accidents. Actually this month should be the time of celebration but it seemed like I got a bad luck…I got the foot injury for a week and after I ‘ve already recovery my dog got sick and I had to take care of him. And it ‘s obvious that I miss all trip I planned and have stay at home alone till the end of the year…huh I just hope that next year everything will get better.
I also have planned for 2012…I ‘m going to take a master degree course at some universities in Sydney…because I ‘m afraid that if I get older I may not eager to learn or improve myself…ha ha
Merry Christmas, dear Ratta! :) I hope you’re having a great time!
I’m glad you like the new blog graphics – I thought these give off a more “sophisticated” vibe. Kind of like, I’m not showing you the whole item in the top banner but you can still see what they are. I was trying to create an effect to kind of show what you would see if you were to step into my room and look at what I have on my beauty vanity – you’ll see Benefit lip glosses, Soap & Glory, my bag, and perfume! Haha :) I created the graphics with three colours in mind – coral, navy and mustard.
I’m sorry to hear about your injury! Thank goodness you are okay now! I hope your doggie is okay too. Bad things happen but later we realise they could be blessings in disguise. Perhaps something worse could have happened if you went away; I like to think that the situation could have been much worse than what we have gone through. I’m just happy you are okay.
Wow, a masters degree? That is so cool! Australia seems like a fun place. I like your spirit – constantly seeking self-improvement. That’s really admirable. I agree that we must always seek to improve ourselves – in big or small ways. It’s a great improvement even if it’s just a small step, such as being better today than we were yesterday.
Tomorrow’s a public holiday so I’ll resume work on Tuesday! Then it’s the New Year weekend… :)
Looks like you’ve achieved much this year babe :) Good luck for 2012!!!
Thank you, K! :) Let’s jiayou for 2012!