Resolute.
'Sometimes I believe in fate, but the chances we create, always seem to ring more true.' - Katie Melua, If You Were a Sailboat
'Resolutely, she stared at the blank screen.
She had stared at it for a day previously, ignored it in favour of the clamour of MSN, ignored it in favour of the flirting on facebook.
Ignored it in favour of downloading music from 7-digital. Ignored it in favour of cleaning up her inbox. Ignored Katie Melua saying it was all in her head.
She talked to Christian in Cologne about African colonial history. She talked to David in London about her childhood.
Her resolve failed.'
It's December 31st people.
What does everyone do en masse on the 31st? They resolve!
They go to the gym, they eat organic, eat no sugar, eat less, cook from scratch; they read more, they watch less tv, they make lists, they go to museums; they try to be better people, they lose their tempers less, they drink less, stop smoking, stop shouting at their kids, make love to their husbands & wives more, stop looking at porn, do their hair every day, wear makeup more often, stop biting their nails, picking their noses and complaining.
Until about January 7th, then they fail and they feel terrible and think 'why the fuck couldn't I do a, b, c, d and e?'
I'll tell you a secret: I've never actually made a New Year resolution before.
In almost 34 years. So half way through my 30s seems a good place to start.
And here it is, following Christine Kane's wonderful motivational writing:
My word for 2008 is:
CHANGE!
I'll change my life. No more swept away. I'm the one holding the broom.
I'll change my body. No more bulimia & anorexia & exercise addiction. Health & strength and awesome abs.
I'll change my house. Cluttered & overloaded is so last year.
I'll change my future. Directionless no more.
Just one little word and look what it'll do.
What's your word?
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In 2008 I will be blogging every day with Blog365. I had an overwhelming desire to add my voice to the tidal wave of other people's thoughts, bad writing and self-involvement that overwhelms the internet.
I have one day off, that's February 29th. So if anyone wants my company, that's your lucky day. Applications here please.
Mine is two words... "positive thoughts". I have this habit of letting my thoughts drift toward the negative, dark side. I need to consciously change that.
Hope you have a happy and healthy new year.. and thanks for all the blogging :)
My word for this year is: no more change :) No more resolves :) No more self-help books, this is as good as it gets and it is good enough, I am good enough. And anyone who thinks otherwise: go and bother some-one else!
Nicky: have a wonderful New Year! Positive thoughts is a good way to start 2008!
I wonder if you will thank me for the blogging in 365 days :P
Vertine: Ik ben helemaal eens! But (isn't there always one!) I want to change myself and my surroundings for me, not anyone else. So my motto is: if people don't like who I've become they too can go and bother someone else :)
You know for probably the first time ever I don't have a resolution... not because I don't believe in them, or because I can't stick to them - I usually do pretty well at them - but simply because I don't feel I need one atm.
That might sound a bit pompous, but I feel quite balanced and content right now and have no major urge to change, stop or start anything in particular.
I feel like I have found my happy place where I have a good mix of fun, sensibility, exercise, relaxation, adventure, just being in myself, silliness, responsibility, good health, seriousness, solitude and companionship.
If anything my resolve is to keep things as they are.
I am loving my 30s!
Hope 2008 is great for you.
Jane, you're doing great. Thanks for inspiring me to get off my ass and run :)
Hope you have a great 2008 too! :)
Thanks Ash.
It really seems like you are blooming and that life is yours for the taking now.
Just enjoy it and enjoy yourself!
Remember you can *always* do with losing an extra kilo or 2, or could be that bit fitter and more toned, BUT then you normally have to forfeit other pleasures and indulgences for it, and it's not always worth it.
Find that balance, it feels good. :)
Love your resolution, Ash. I really like the idea of a one-word theme. I'm still meditating on mine and will get around to posting it.
Charlotte: Can't wait to see what you come up with :)