resolutions

I'm not a big believer in setting New Years Resolutions and making them work. Which probably has something to do with the fact that my procrastination is really strong. However, this year will be different. I have things to prove and things to do.

The biggest change this coming year, and what is going to help with my goals, is that I am moving out on my own. For the past year and a half I have lived with my sister and brother in law. It has been wonderful, and I know they have enjoyed this time as well. But they are starting their own family, and they deserve to do that without me creeping around. So, this brings us to my resolutions.

1. Get Organized! - this is a constant struggle for me, I can get myself to the place of being organized, but it is so hard to keep it up. This also goes into many other subcategories.

a. Bills - sometime this past year I found a Real Simple (the brand) product that helps organize bills and their due dates etc. It has been great because my monthly bills are in one place and I know whether or not I've paid that month. Believe me, this was a big hurdle. This part of my resolution is to continue this system, but start paying more on time. I frequently end up paying a week or two late because I gather the monthly bills and then pay them all at once. No more!

b. Manda Marie Designs - this isn't in a huge disarray at this point, but knowing me it's headed there. Luckily I got the apartment with enough space for me to have a dedicated workstation for the business. I will get my paperwork and accounting organized as well as product inventory.

c. Life! - I am going to get really busy. With work, devoting time to the gym (see below), getting back to donating plasma (gotta make ends meet), running Manda Marie Designs, and more, I am seriously considering making a schedule for myself.

d. Blogs - this blog, I know, really doesn't get the attention I should give it. But my photoblog has been consistently updated daily. I hope to continue the daily posts there, and get better at posting here.


2. Continue gym membership - it's not always easy to WANT to go to the gym on a regular basis, but the funny thing is, when I am going regularly I really love it! So I don't want to lose momentum and slack off.


3. Cook for myself - My family is rolling their eyes right now, but I'm serious. I don't want to eat fast food and microwave meals all the time. I am going to start cooking my own dinner (and maybe bring my lunches to work). Sure, it won't be the gourmet quality food that Joe makes, but that's not the point. I'm not in a cook-off with my brother in law.


4. 50 Photo Projects - I recently bought this book by Lee Frost and am really excited to do every project in the book. This will require doing some things I've avoided in the past, using equipment I'm not used to, and perfecting some things I already do. Don't worry, blogs posts on every project WILL come.


I know it's only November and new years is over a month away, but these were some things that I have been thinking about. Who knows, I may end up adding more as time goes on here. At least this has put everything out there, holding me responsible to follow through.