Do you like to make resolutions in the New Year? I don’t really have a problem with it, but I’ve never really been great at making solid resolutions and sticking to them. I think that’s why so many people dislike the idea. By 10 am on New Year’s day, many of us have already blown our resolution.

But here’s the deal. It’s not about whether you can change your entire life in one day. It’s the idea of looking at your life and saying, “Here’s what I like about the way things have been going, and here’s what I’d like to see go differently.”

Boom.

When I think about it that way – that I’m not expecting some miraculous change, but I’m identifying the areas that I want to work on in my life, it doesn’t seem nearly as daunting. That’s the best part of the New Year to me. We have a chance to hit “re-set” if we want. Of course, you could hit that re-set button any day of the year, couldn’t you?

2014 was a good year in so many ways, but it also had some really low lows. Thankfully, we dug out of them. But I want 2015 to be better. However, I am not making resolutions. I guess I would call it setting some goals. So I came up with a list of my goals that I think will help me make 2015 better.

15 Ways to make my 2015 better

1. Commit fully to and transition to an 85/15 Clean Diet.

While I recognize that eating clean 100% may be possible, I don’t think it would be very fun. So, my goal is to eating clean 85% of the time AND going gluten free. The more I read on the connection between gluten and auto immune diseases, the more I realize I’ve just got to bite the bullet if I ever want to feel good again. And folks, I do NOT feel good right now.

2. Exercise more.

That’s a no brainer. Is there anyone that doesn’t have a goal of exercising more? I want to add yoga to my daily routine (at least 3 days of the week) and start running again. I have already signed up for a 6K in February and I am looking at a half marathon and another triathlon. As hard as it is for me to get back into the swing of exercising, I really like the benefits of a good workout.

3. Write more.

I got a little distracted in 2014 and, despite blogging more regularly, I didn’t really write that often. For me at least. I wrote a lot for other people as a subcontracted copywriter – and I did fairly well with my short articles for parenting publications, but my book manuscripts went mostly untouched. Shame.

4. Spend more time in the garden.

I love having fresh, organic foods come out of my garden. But to say I don’t have a green thumb is an understatement. However, I do believe that can be overcome with enough time and effort. I want a healthy crop this year – with enough to can so that I can also have some stored away for fall/winter. I hate paying so much for veggies that I could grow if I put the effort into it. And if I can’t grow it myself, I have a goal to buy more of my fruits and veggies from the local farmer’s market.

5. Show more gratitude.

I am so grateful to so many people for so many things, but I am just terrible at showing it. And that makes me feel like poop. I want to recognize people. I want to be there for people. I want it to be known that I am grateful.

6. Read more to my kids and play more games with them.

It’s important. I need to spend more time doing this. I’m an avid reader myself, so it would seem natural that I would want to do this a lot. But I don’t. It’s hard to power down my brain and realize all those other things can wait. So, more reading.

7. On a related note – watch less television.

That in itself should open up more time so that we can read more and have more game time.

8. Also related – unplug more.

I feel like I need to make at least one day of the week “wireless” – to the extent possible. This last year I did a pretty good job of staying off the computer on the weekends – until I started taking classes again. I haven’t determined the details yet – but perhaps I’ll make Tuesday and Thursday days that I commit to being unplugged. I’ll keep you updated!

9. Meal Plan.

I feel like we waste so much food because I have no plan put in place for our menu. And I’ve found myself stumped at 5pm about what we’ll be eating that night – which usually results in something quick, easy, and outside of the “clean” realm. So, I’m going to conquer the beast of meal planning. I hope to see this reduce our grocery budget and help me through the clean eating planning.

10. De-Clutter.

Simple is better. I have come to this conclusion. Despite some mega efforts in 2014, I still have too. much. STUFF. And it’s driving me crazy. I’m starting to hate it all. So, I’m committing to one room each month. And 30 minutes of focused de-cluttering at least 3 days/week until I don’t need to any more.

11. Daily meditation and spiritual development.

I need this. Badly. I need some focused time of quieting my mind and listening.

12. Drink more water.

There are days I don’t drink more than one glass of water! Shocking. This is a big focus for me.

13. Walk the dog.

I am a bad dog owner. I have a puppy who is desperate for more exercise. And I need the exercise too. So this year, Mia and I are going to walk. Daily if possible.

14. Make monthly goals.

Obviously, there are many things that will vary from month to month. The most successful people are the ones that set realistic goals, and write them down. So, I’m going to try to do that.

15. Visit my best friend Kerry.

I haven’t seen my best friend, who lives in France, in almost three years. It’s leaving a gaping hole in my soul. I need a good dose of BFF some time during this year. I will find a way to get to France. I will. Your best friend might not live across the ocean, but I bet your year will be better if you make an effort to spend some quality time with that person who makes your world better.

So, there you have it. My goals. My areas for improvement or change. I don’t want to call them resolutions necessarily, but they are 15 things that I do, in fact, resolve to try and accomplish.

What about you? Do you make resolutions or goals?

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katbiggie

Freelance writer at Kat Biggie Press

Alexa B, who blogs as "Kat Biggie" is a wife, mother, and writer. She has three children and one in heaven. She recently self published a book entitled "Sunshine After the Storm: A Survival Guide for the Grieving Mother" which is available on Amazon. She blogs about life after the loss of one of her twin daughters to TTTS, motherhood, all things parenting, advocacy, grief support and social good.

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