Welcome to GET ON WITH IT Resolutions -

For many years I have deliberately decided not to make New Year's Resolutions - because I don't have a very good record of keeping them. But this year, its time for a few, very specific ones. These will form the backbone of my blog - but will not limit it.

Fashion. Beauty. Health & Fitness. Study. Sanity. Soul.

And all this from someone who is a Chronic Procrastinator. So GET ON WITH IT Emelie...

My Dirty Dozen Resolutions
"...more like 'Guidelines' than actual 'Rules'."- Pirates of the Caribbean
Fashion:
1. Learn to sew well enough to sew my own clothes. They mustn't look obviously 'homemade'. Make time each week for this (less TV). An ideal piece of clothing would be:
-Designed and made by me
-Fits and flattering
-Very reasonably priced
-Recycled or reused pieces
-Fair Trade (no slave labour or ridiculous retail brand mark ups)

2. Focus on flattering age appropriate basics - don't impulse buy and end up with clothes I don't wear &/or can't really afford &/or don't need &/or feel guilty about.

Beauty:
3. Develop a simple, quick and very reasonably priced skin rountine that suits my skin (combination with occasional big zits and bright red/rosacea flush across nose). Ditto for makeup.

4. Start wearing Sunscreen.

5. Don't obsess about how I look. I have my good days more than my bad days now. Be thankful. Don't stress. Try and be more confident in the 'Skin I'm In'.

Health & Fitness:
6. Eat better for life. Move better to live. Smaller, more nutritious portions. Monitor against Emotional Eating (stress, bordom). Learn to deal with Temptations. Exercise 5/wk incorporating cardio and weight bearing exercise. For weight loss, toning, bone strength, me-time and endorphins.

7. Get 8 hours of good sleep 5nights/wk. Aim for regular hours.

8. Celebrate my progress. I wasn't fat to begin with, just unfit and stealthily eating bigger portions of less nutritious food. Since August I have dropped from 64kg to 57kg. Almost 2 dress sizes if it wasn't for Christmas. I would like to comfortably wear a size8(US size4) fitted jean by mid-Feb.

Study:
9. Do a little bit everyday. When that goes well, do a little bit more. Try and do a weekly overview - each week. Not at the end of a month, semester or night before.

Sanity:
10. Cherish and forge new friends (esp non-Med friends).

11. Read a non-study book 1/fortnight. I did this for a couple of years and really enjoyed it.

12. Try and make a realistic budget. And actually stick to it. Aim for Simplicity. Do I really need this right now? If possible, put aside regular savings.

Soul:
Seek to walk with Jesus every day. Listen to Him. And Get On With It.

Learn not to listen to my 'Tyrant'. Be free of my burden of deep, biting self-criticism and self-hate.


So for better or worse - here we go 2008. This is hopefully about putting balance into my life, not about achieving things.

I would love to hear of your NY resolutions...

I will try and update this blog 2-3 times a week so there's something new to read about when you (hopefully someone) check in...