resolutions for 2017

Here we are already halfway into January, and I’m just now finalizing my resolutions. Some of us, like Reese, just go at the year full tilt already have met major milestones in 2017, like walking. Others, like me, think about resolutions but struggle with following through.

The last time I posted my resolutions here was in 2014, and some of these are still high on my list. I only accomplished half of that list; thanks to Sonos and Spotify, we definitely listen to more music (#3), and we’ve done pretty well on travel (#4), including to spend more time with our friends and family, and keeping a spirit of adventure (#8-10).

So, before January rushes by, here’s my new list, in no specific order. I’m bringing back a few on the list from 2014, and I’ll take any tips on improved accountability.

1. Read more. As I’ve been running less, and then had a baby keeping me busy, I’ve definitely done less reading/listening to books. (Although if you counted the number of children’s board books, I suppose I read a lot.) I picked up a little speed on my Kindle over the holidays and I’m determined to fit more regular reading time into my routine–whether just squeezing in a few minutes during my train ride to work, in the evening, or on the weekend. I love reading and I’m sad that I really only read a few good books last year, and really hardly any magazines either. This, year I would love to read at least one book per week. So far I’m two for two so let’s see if I can keep that up.
2. Do my hair. This may sound ridiculous, but it’s amazing how much doing my hair can make me feel more prepared for the day, confident, and put together, even if I’m otherwise still wearing stretchy pants. Since Reese was born (and probably well before) my hair has become a victim of my morning rush and I fell into a ponytail rut. It hasn’t helped that the texture completely changed in the last 5 years from tons of fine, stick straight hair to super wavy and I also lost the time to really successfully blow dry it. I don’t mind the change, but it’s taken me quite awhile to figure out how to timely manage and style it. Also, as my role has changed at work and I have a tendency to always feel more casually dressed than I’d like, I’ve decided my hair needs to help me out more. So, I ended the year with a fresh trim and a new tool and practiced over the holidays. Hello, better hair. Now I can either air dry my hair (or use a diffuser) and touch up the wild waves in much less time. Let’s hope I can make a habit of it.
3. Unplug, especially at bedtime. This is becoming more and more important with Reese around. When I was growing up, my parents weren’t distracted by their iPhones when spending time with me. I don’t want to be either. And, at night-time, too. My phone can charge just as well in another room as on my nightstand. Instagram can wait until morning, right?
4. Spend more time with God, and at church. Being home made me miss my old Sabbath routine, from even just getting ready for church and quiet afternoons at home or outside with friends. We do Sabbath rest pretty well here, but it’s been awhile since we attended church regularly. Between visitors, Reese’s nap time, no cradle roll, and a busy summer outdoor schedule, it was prioritized lower on the list than I’d like. Now that Reese’s a bit older I’m hoping we can change that.
5. Be more active. After re-visiting America’s car-driven routine, I’m lucky to get so much walking in as part of my daily routine in Switzerland. I still need my old exercise routine back though. I’ve struggled with consistency since Reese was born because I never have that same flexibility to just get up and go when I’d like. Winter isn’t helping either as I don’t love running in the dark (or on the ice), and I’ve so far not had much success working out at home. The first step will hopefully be trying a local pilates class next week.
6. Improve my bedtime routine. This also fits into successfully meeting some of my other goals. Not only do I want to go to bed earlier (and happily get up earlier and have more time to eat more breakfast, do my hair, or workout), but I’d like to spend more of my time before bed reading and not sucked into my phone.
7. Host more friends for food. I enjoy cooking, we have a great dining table, and we regularly talk with new friends about getting together for dinner, and then we never do it. So this year I’d like follow through and become more socially active through supper (or brunch), hosting at least a few new friends for a casual meal at least once a month. If you’re up for dinner, let me know 🙂

What are your resolutions for 2017?