2011: A Look Back

I'm a little behind in posting a review of last year's resolutions, and a look at this year's goals. This list is mostly for my own record-keeping, but I'd love to hear how you did with your 2011 goals and what you're thinking about for 2012! Knitting UFOs? New booklist?  Here we go...

1. Ride my bike 4-5 times a week, to lose some weight and also to increase my average speed so I can join the weekly group rides near my house. I also like to walk, so I'll do some indoor walking DVDs until it's warm enough for me to go outside.

I started a cycling fitness plan, and did well until the third week in when I developed bursitis in my hip. I've been struggling with that on and off most of the year, but the yoga is helping a lot. I do my walking DVDs on and off, and got new ones for Christmas.

2. Try a yoga class. My muscles are tight and I worry about flexibility. I bought this DVD to try too.

I started a class in the spring, took the summer off due to a scheduling conflict, and started back up in October. I love it! It makes me feel terrific, mentally and physically.

3. Finish knitting UFOs: I don't have many, but they have been sitting around for a long time. The beaded seashore scarf, the slippers from Cocoknits, the pink skirt, and the purple sweater are going to get done or else. Wisp, a stole knitted with threadlike yarn, may have to wait for a while.

I finished the beaded seashore scarf, the purple sweater, and the skirt (except for the finishing -- that crochet edge is killing me). I didn't touch the Cocoknits slippers; I'm not sure if I even like them anymore.

4. Knit projects for which I already have pattern, yarn, and needles. At least one of the Noni bags.

I didn't do so well here; the Rose scarf -- almost done but for blocking and finishing -- is the only stash project I knitted. I finished the Summer Flies shawl, but that was from new yarn, not stash yarn.

5. Read books that have been sitting on my shelves for ages.

Twelve books made the list, and of those, I read two, both at the beginning of the year. Perhaps this year I should pick up where I left off?

6. Try to write at least a little, five days a week. Every author's website advises some version of this.

7. Work on my art/drawing at least once a week.

8. Clean out my email inbox.

Not even close on these three.

9. Spend more time with friends. Stay in better contact. Blog more often.

Slowly getting better.

10. Set better boundaries. I try to be helpful and flexible and accommodating with various people in my life, and sometimes I bend too far in their direction, at my own peril.

Had a difficult experience with this early on in the year, which helped me to stay true to this goal afterwards.

One of the most powerful things I've learned this year was about the concept of happiness, in The Happiness Project. I've made so many lists of resolutions, things I should do, and while most are certainly things I want to do, once they're on a list they become the equivalent of eating spinach or taking your vitamins or slogging it out at the gym: they're good for you, but you don't enjoy them very much. They don't bring you happiness when they become a burden.

In that spirit, I'm looking at my goals for 2012 in a new light: not what I "should" do, but what would make me happy? Some of those goals might be the same, but if I look at them in terms of bringing happiness, rather than as an onerous to-do list, I'll be more enthusiastic about them. Who doesn't want to do things that will bring them happiness?

Stay tuned for the next posts, and I'll share what things I believe will help me to find greater happiness in 2012! One of those is an almost finished scarf!

Comments

[Bridget]

I'm busy working on my plan for this year as well. Right now, I have my ideas together - just want to organize them into coherent thoughts to share!

[Kara]

Sounds like you did pretty good to me! You are right. My resolutions are all burdens. I need to change my way of thinking.

[Beth]

I find I do much better if I think of goals instead of resolutions. I can't seem to make myself do things I *have* to do, even if it's me saying to do it. But I have much better success if I say "Here's something I *want* to do."

[Kristen]

I've made a 'sort of' goal to do one new activity a month, including going places locally where I've never been.