Before making my new years resolutions, I always like to reflect on the resolutions of years past.
After graduating from high school, against great odds, I resolved to go to college and get a degree in Computer Science, and I did. It took me a loooong time, but I finally completed that resolution in 2009.
In 1998 I resolved to lose 70 lbs, and I did. I worked hard at the gym almost daily and changed my eating habits forever. That was tough, but there were so many cute clothes I wanted to wear and I was insanely motivated.
In 2006 I resolved to quit smoking, and I did. After smoking half a pack of Marlboro Menthol Lights daily for thirteen long years, I quit and I’m happy to report that I’ve been nicotine-free ever since. That was one helluva resolution that I did good on.
This year, I have light resolutions. I call them *light*, because the list includes nothing as difficult as quitting smoking or losing 70 lbs or earning a CS degree. I don’t have to refrain from anything! I don’t have to deprive myself of anything! I don’t have to give up anything!!
I do want to cultivate more discipline in my life and push the borders of my comfort zones:
- Go to the gym thrice a week for cardio and strength-building.
- I read a lot of books, but I don’t finish many. This year, I want to read a new book from beginning to end at least once a month.
- Express myself better. Improve vocabulary (pleasant side effect of item #2).
- Take more pictures and learn the basics of photography (enrolled in a class at CCSF, which will be helpful).
- Try to be girly at least once a week. Experiment with other hairstyles besides buns and ponytails and wear a skirt or something.
- Learn how to cook something besides fried tofu. Microwaving dishes from Trader Joe’s doesn’t count as cooking.
- Leave my computer cave more often. Be creative outside of the computer realm.
- Be adventurous! Try new entrees at restaurants and seek out new places to eat once a month. Since I’m a confirmed homebody, this will be the toughest one of all.
That’s enough for now. All the other things I need to work on can wait until 2011. How about you guys? Any resolutions you’d like to share? I’d love to hear them.
Oh, one more thing, I want to thank all of you for your wonderful and endearing comments, especially in my previous post — I enjoyed them all!
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Updating right now on my resolutions. I cant believe you lost 70lbs. that’s amazing. & your resolution to quit smoking=inspiring. I’ve been on the practice of switching out. & it’s been going… & going.
So my resolutions… Yet to be defined.
although i don’t have them literately thought out.. they’re imprinted in my brain & i am confident enough that they will all be satisfied this year. ♥
Hurrah 2010!!
.-= Oley´s last blog ..Post Christmas =-.
your so cool – stoped smoking and lost 70lbs!! i bet i’ll do anything on your list this year with such willpower!
- anyway, happy new year :) glad your back.
.-= Lykke´s last blog ..RIBBON FLOWER TUTORIAL =-.
I can’t imagine how hard it was for you to quit smoking. I was never a heavy smoker but I smoked daily for a couple of years but I’ve toned down to a social smoker now. Only when I drink or get that ‘lack of inspiration’ buzz.
You really worked hard on your goals back then, so you definitely get to take it easier now! I’m really impressed. So far, I only know one person who has successfully quit smoking. And all the girls I know who lost weight, they did it the unhealthy way. So you can understand why!
As for my own goals, I want to keep at running twice a week. Also to find more time for my family and to visit my grandfolks – I miss them!
.-= Melly´s last blog ..Counting down to 2010 =-.
happy new year to you! i love your new glamorous hairstyle :) your achievements over last year are nothing less than amazing. i never make resolutions, just little things along the way!
.-= PinkBow´s last blog ..Hello 2010! =-.
You look terribly adorable in these pics, I’m liking the retro hairstyle too!!
Gosh, you have tremendous will power, Katrina! I’m in awe!! I’m sure you will have no problem sticking to your new resolutions:)
My favourite resolution of yours is being girlie at least once a week:P I should probably try being more masculine at least once a week!
xx Happy new year!!
.-= Sher´s last blog ..Morning has broken =-.
What a lovely haircut – you look so pretty! Wow you’ve achieved some incredible things over the last few years!!
I’m with you on the book one – I tend to leave books half read. I’m bad at thinking up my own resolutions so hope you don’t mind that I borrow yours :)
.-= Rebecca´s last blog ..Lucienne Day’s Textiles =-.
first off. . . your hair cut is KILLER cute!
love it.
and then. . . you ROCK!
how do you do it? stick to resolutions SO well?
your amazing!
i love your new resolutions and especially like the reading books one. . . i would like to do that one myself. ;)
so. . . my resolutions this year is to lose 20 pounds.
got any tips? :) you are a pro!
lots of love and Happy 2010!
xoxo
What adorable photos! Those are some seriously impressive accomplishments!
As for me… I’d say, do some sort of exercise just because i know that it feels exhilarating afterwards (its just so hard to convince myself to do it in the first place! haha) and to dress more daringly – I think my style is getting more boring the older I get!
Cheers to the new year!
.-= Allison´s last blog ..Finally Some Snow! =-.
Hi there!
what a wonderful haircut, you look stunning :)
Have a great weekend.
-b
wow, you’re really driven – i’m jealous. :) i wish i could stick to my resolutions but, knowing i’m a failure, i have decided that i would never make resolutions again and just leave life take me to wherever it wants. not always pleasant but at least i don’t get anxious.
also jealous from your hair, you look like a classy 60s pinup with that mane of hair and red lips on the last pic! love what you’re wearing, too; very feminine and sweet. is it a top or a dress?
anyway, i hope you’re successful in everything you aim to accomplish this year… have a wonderful 2010! :)
I am right there with you on attempting be be more girly. I have so many dresses and things but hardly get motivated enough to wear them because I get lazy and don’t want to get ready {you should see me right now}. Haha. Good luck on all the rest of your goals, we can do it!
.-= Liz´s last blog ..Giant cupcakes, goals for the new year & being a faux musician =-.
Well it just goes to show you how we all make assumptions. I’ve been reading your blog for over a year now, and have envied the fact that you seem “naturally” thin and look really cute in all of your eclectic outfits. I never ever thought it was something you had to work on. The way in which you describe food and desserts, I just thought you were blessed with a naturally high metabolism. I’m totally gaining strength from your struggles (and success) with your weight, and am resolving myself to lose at least 25 pounds this year. I need to lose 50, but at least it’s a step in the right direction. Happy New Year, Katrina :-)
i love what you’ve accomplished (CONGRATULATIONS!) and reading your new resolutions (GOOD LUCK!).
you’ve inspired me with your 70 pounds talk and i love that you said you’d changed your habits for good. after downing gallons of egg nog these past few weeks, i’ve decided that it’s time for me to really get that kind of stuff in order.
happy new year, katrina! i wish you even more success in the coming decade!
.-= caroline´s last blog ..creative holly color. =-.
Wow! I can’t believe those resolutions you kept! You’ve definitely inspired me to stick to mine. One of my resolutions is to read more book snad improve my vocab as well, but my main one is to get fit and healthy, because most days I just eat myself into a sugar coma :) Thanks for the motivation!
.-= Sophie´s last blog ..New Years Eve =-.
your hair looks so cute! i love it! and congrats on completing all your prior resolutions, it’s very impressive, i must say. it motivates ME to begin equally impressive resolutions. and good luck with this year’s resolutions, they all sound like fun resolutions! :)
.-= Laila Al-Agha´s last blog ..[[BELATED Words 'n' Photos Tuesday]] =-.
I LOVE the new do’.
You look so adorable.
Thank you for the motivating post.
I need to loose 30lbs so I can get pregnant.
I’ve decided that YOU will be my example.
love love,
Kat
.-= Fritzi Marie´s last blog .. =-.
Your hair is gorgeous! Congratulations! :)
I’m with you on the reading of books. I think my only resolution so far is to finish Jonathan Strange and Mr Norrell. I can’t understand why I keep putting it down, because it’s wonderful; the best of luck to both of us!
Wow…I really believe you can do anything you want to…you inspire me my friend…to quit smoking and drop 70 lbs is not that easy! Your goals this year will be a piece of cake. Please send some of that determination my way! xoxoxo
.-= koralee´s last blog ..~ find your "sparkle" ~ =-.
Wow! I’m impressed with your determination, and ability to work towards your big resolutions! I haven’t made any list yet, but I’ll take your discipline and determination as inspiration for me to work towards my small goals!
.-= Ange´s last blog ..Balancing =-.
Katrina, I love your new haircut!
You’ve certainly accomplished some amazing goals in recent years.
.-= Diana´s last blog ..“Where the wild wind whirled” =-.
LOVE the new haircut. You have wonderful, wavy hair (alas, mine is pin straight).
Your determination is inspiring! Congrats on all you have accomplished. You are amazing….love reading your thoughts.
.-= Calico´s last blog ..Royal BC Museum =-.
Your new haircut looks amazing!
I seriously admire your determination with the new years resolutions. I could do with following some of yours for this year…
.-= Clare´s last blog ..Christmas Chalet Ornament and Tutorial =-.