What Say We Get a Little Nervy in 2012?
Saturday, December 31, 2011 at 5:13PM Mrs. G. 
"Salty Cat" by hidden side
Mrs. G. has celebrated enough New Year's Eves to be wary of blanket yearly resolutions, unconvinced of their staying power once the month of January is flipped to February in the that new Thomas Kinkade Gardens of Grace/Just Kittens and Puppies/1,000 Places to See Before You Die/The World's Great Wine Grapes/Bachelor Farmers of Ireland calendar someone gave us for Christmas.
This year rather than swear to lose weight, become more organized, keep a cleaner house, dig out those fancy running shoes she bought in 2006 to run that 5k she has been intending to run since 1993, Mrs. G. is scrapping the official list of New Year's Resolutions, what, for her, has been an annual exercise in tried to (a little) and couldn't, a guaranteed recipe for "God I suck!" failure.
No, this year, Mrs. G. is going to focus less on lofty, broken down GOALS and more on unpredictable but attainable goalettes. She's going to focus less on virtue and more on pleasure. She plans to set two goalettes a month and actually attempt to achieve them...because they will be enjoyable, no hair shirt required.
Mrs. G. plans to unveil her two goalettes at the beginning of each month and report back on her success at the end of of each month. Care to join her? At the close of each month Mrs. G. can highlight willing participants monthly intentions and provide space for updates. We can cheer each other on in achieving goalettes, big or small.
Wanna play? It's this easy.
In January in I would like to try _________ and _________.
Mrs. G. will include hers in the comments. Happy New Year, Friends!
Blogging, Goalettes, Relationships
Reader Comments (75)
In January I would like to try and create a monthly gathering of like-minded women for fun (hiking, dinner, day trips, live music) and conversation (I actually already placed an ad) and make time for a hot soak in our Jacuzzi tub each night.
I would like to try my hand at writing down a story I have in my mind.
aaaaaand....
I'll try hanging out with my Indonesian friend and learn a recipe or two from her.
I started doing monthly goals about a year ago and have found them to be much more attainable than grand sweeping yearly goals.
In January I'd like to listen to more music and find a great new vegetarian recipe.
In January I would like to try going to the movies once and allowing myself time to knit every single day. I can't think of any better way to spend the month than that! Especially if the movie involves Matt Damon...
Submitting a query to a magazine for an article I have in mind
and
Veganism --just a couple of days to see if I can do it.
In January I would like....
To exercise at least twice a week - Yoga, riding my new/old bike (My bike from a bazillion years ago that my husband had restored), anything in addition to walking the dogs
To write a letter a week to someone...
just be here- listen more, laugh more and find some peace in the simple things.
Goal- to wake everyday!
Happy New year!
In January I would like to try to meditate and take walks with people I love.
Happy New Year Derfs!
In January, I'd like to try keeping up with the pre-dawn walking/running with the dog in the freezing temps and read at least one fluffy-not-for-work-or-other-serious-business type of book
I'm enjoying the simplicity and "treat yourself" nature of your goalettes.
In January I would like to carve out some time for myself every single day. Even if it's just 15 minutes to stare off into space!
I would like to try and write a note to someone once a week. I'm only trying that one!
In January I would like to learn to knit socks and then continue this in to February.
My first goalette is kind of a hair shirt, I'm afraid. I want to give my beloved 16yo dog a chance to say goodbye to her friends before helping her, as necessary, move on to her next adventure with grace, dignity, and love.
My second goalette is to take my young dog to work livestock 3-4 times in the month, at a minimum.
Judi, I'm sorry to hear about your much loved pup.
In January I would like to be underway with kicking my soda addiction without killing anyone, and to read The Hunger Games series.
I love this. Thanks as always, Mrs. G.
My first goalette is to try to be more kind to my family (and not shout so much).
My second is take a box (at least) of 'stuff' to the thrift store once a week.
Happy New Year Derfs!
In January I would like to take a Pilates class twice a week and have a girl's night out once a month with my dear water polo friends that I never want to lose touch with even though are boys are grown.
In January I would like to 1) get rid of 31 items that I no longer need/want/use, and 2) play my violin at least once a week.
In January in I would like to__ read a book for enjoyment (I forget to do this sometimes)__ and _put away the Christmas decorations & bring out the January snowmen!
I long ago gave up New Year Resolutions but this sounds great.
1) Like a couple of others here said - I will write and send a piece of real mail to someone every week. I used to be good about this.
2) I will work in my sketchbook at least once a week.
Darla
Goalettes for January...
1. Not exceed my spending money budget
2. Go for at least 3 runs/week, even if they're short.
In January I would like to try making a tumblr account and go out to lunch with my mom and dad.
Oooo! This is like a friend's 'Thimble List' instead of a 'Bucket List', loving this Missus G. OK so ...
... in January I would like to sort out the craft crap explosion that has occurred beside my bed (seriously how does that much yarn tangle so quickly?) and try to sketch the Christmas cartoon that has been bugging me for weeks.
I want to eat at least 5 fruits and veggies each day and explore getting a personal trainer for a few months.
I would like to put my needs first for a change instead of "fitting in" and around my BF's schedule and obligations, and do this by communicating my needs up front clearly and without guilt. I would also like to learn to sew so I'm going to see if I can find some lessons. Good luck to all with their goalettes. Great idea, Mrs. G!
In January I will move my body (walking path at work, one of my 3 dozen 'get-fit' DVDs, or a trip to the Y) no fewer than three times a week for the entire month and clear off (today) the living room coffee table and keep it clear for no fewer than 7 consecutive days.
In January 2012, I will put chemo behind me (Jan 18 is the last treatment! Yay!) and I will regain my strength and vitality.
In January in I would like to try to procrastinate less on the internet, and to be more mindful of what I eat.
In January I will put away all the Christmas decorations (in 2011 this took me until March).
...I'd like to take a moment each day to think of something that I love about myself. I don't need to spend a lot of time on each positive affirmation, but I'd like to really *be* in the moment as I'm thinking of it, voicing it, appreciating a bit of myself... I think one goalette is enough for me... :)
Much love to all y'all Derfs! Heather, I'm SO jealous of the monthly gathering--I wish I lived in your area! I know it'll be a great group--like attracts like... :) Enjoy!
In January I will remember to daily enter HGTV dream house sweepstakes and shall begin planning a big Derwad get together in Utah. Be ready!
In January I would like to try to sign up for a painting workshop - finally, after thinking about it for the entire year of 2011.
In January I'd like to drink less wine and read more books : )
In January, I'm going to weed thru my cds by listening to a different one every day on my way to and from work, and I'm going to pamper my feet with a daily massage of a lovely peppermint & eucalyptus lotion I've had forever, along with a weekly soak and pumice.
In January I would like to try to take two trips to the charity shop and/or junk yard to declutter. (Oh how I want to declutter). And I would like to read more.
That should be doable! :)
In January I would like to at least start organizing the basement by taking a small load to Good Will each week and find time to work on my quilt.
In January, I will clean out 1 closet (kitchen storage closet) and get up early enough in the AM to eat breakfast before I leave for the office (so that hopefully I will NOT eat junk and maybe?? lose a lb or two?).
In January, I'm going to get a new pair of tennis shoes, and go walking on my lunch hour two or three times a week. And, I'm going to work on meditating, because I need to cool my shit down sometimes.
I like to try yoga, so in January I'm going to prepare by doing my feel-good stretches every morning.
I'd also like to sort through more 'stuff' and list on Freecycle or donate to Goodwill.
In January I'm going to start blogging again and I'm going to clean out the walk-in closet that has become a throw-in closet.
Alison, I can relate. I am cleaning out my closet tonight. Miss G. is sitting on a stool and when I hold up a piece of clothing, she says "yes" or "no"...I suspect the "no" pile is going to be larger than the "yes" pile.
Smalltown Mom, I have the decorations down and boxed up. You might recall last year, I kept them up much later than March. Godspeed!
Oh I love this! In January I want to go to the gym 10 times. It seems paying for the membership and driving past it is not working.
And decluttering. Must take the already bagged things to Goodwill and find some more.
Patricia-Congrats on finishing chemo!
I know fitness goals are so expected, but I hope to give this one a twist.
In January, I hope to keep a fitness date with my DVD boyfriend Rodney Yee at least five times a week. And concentrate, not on some fitness "goal", but on how good Yoga makes my body feel.
In January, I want to read an actual fiction book (not just school homework or Internet surfing) and take all of my Christmas stuff down and put it away -- inside and out.
In January in I would like to try making jewelry and decoupage photo collages.
These are two things I hoped to do during my current time off from work but napping and reading novels prevailed. I'm not sorry, and I'm still excited to do these things.
Can't wait to scroll back up and read what others plan to do!
We intended to go take a long hike, but felt too tired and dissipated from our last night revels to actually do it. But hanging around the house had one positive result - We took the decorations off the tree and boxed them up!! Hooray!! The tree goes out on the street tomorrow, because Waste Management is collecting them for free - this week only!
Ok, I'm going to play, cause this is a great idea! I don't make resolutions anymore either, but I do make lists, they are more achievable for me. My list this year, is entitled 40 things do to before I turn 40...on Nov 25. But I'm going to do this goalette idea as well, and it will help me with my list as well. My two are
- buy some knitting supplies and try to teach myself off you tube
- get back in the pool and resume my swimming program...suspended since Nov.
Last year I decided to skip the resolutions and just choose a word to be my intention for the year. This year my word is "fearless" which I most definitely am not. I'm going to try to overcome some of my anxieties, or at least learn to coexist with them better. So for January, I'd like to figure out how I can start a blog that speaks my truth and doesn't burn bridges and make a plan to break out of my yoga comfort zone.