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Monday, January 2, 2017

The 2017 Resolution


Kind of self explanatory, right? 
I've spent a few years decluttering, downsizing, etc.
It's a continual process with me.  I think I have the hoarding
gene that I have come a long way in conquering!
But my business of antique and auction shopping for my
etsy store means a constant array of things coming and going
in our house.  Turning my storage room into a guest room
last summer was the kick off of organizing what was remaining
and this resolution should help me complete that project for
the entire house.  If there's one thing I hate, it's looking for
a particular thing and not being able to find it.
Hopefully by December we'll be able to say that every little
thing in the house has been purged, cleaned,
organized and has a permanent home!
It just feels like it's the right time to do it with our summer
goal of renovating the our two bathrooms and switching
the guest room and my studio.  All four rooms will be clean
slates before moving things back in.  

I'm so proud of myself for actually keeping my resolutions the last
few years!  The drinking more water was life changing, I tell you,
and I am still keeping that one up from a few years ago.
Last year it was taking a bubble bath once a week just to relax,
loosen up my chronic neck pain and do something just for me.
Documenting on Instagram was a great way to keep myself
accountable, too.  I plan on continuing this one as it 
has become a way of life now.

If you happen to be like me and love the freshness of a new year
and the inspiration of a clean, empty calendar, tell me what your
resolution is!  I love to hear what other people have picked for
their own lives.  And if you're still deciding and want to do one,
I suggest not making them so impossible that you quit before 
January is over.  Build in a little flexibility so you
will succeed.  For example, don't say, "I will exercise one hour
a day."  Not many can make that happen...the hour
or the 7 days a week without a break.  Life gets in the way.
It's better to say, "I will work out 2 to 3 times a week."
That is a much more realistic way to go.
And remember....the first 6 weeks is the hardest.
After that it should be part of your routine and the longer 
you do it the better it gets!




41 comments:

  1. My resolution is to try and be more positive on my blogs and Facebook, and stop relating my troubles to the world; everybody has enough of their own problems without reading about mine. I shall set aside one day a week when I won't do any household chores at all and reserve that time for my hobbies which have been severely neglected of late!

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    1. I like those resolutions! You'll enjoy a hobby day....can't wait to see what you do!

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  2. Good for you! It is easy to let things accumulate. We just cleaned all our closets and took 3 carloads to Goodwill. It feels good to declutter but we still have a ways to go. We are pack rats for sure.

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    1. Well, like I said....it's in the genes! haha....it does feel good! I think our Goodwill drop off clerks know me by now. :)

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  3. I notice that you took down the Christmas tree today. In the Mother Country the Christmas tree and decorations are always left up until the Twelfth Night (Jan 6).

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  4. Frankly, I can't wrap my brain around any resolutions at the moment other than healing.
    I pretty much abandoned resolutions years ago because they never lasted. I prefer now to think of them more as intentions. Tomayto/Tomahto I know, but I think there is a difference. For me anyway.
    But I am re-inspired by your resolution because I need to declutter too. I made great headway this year as it was forced upon me due to water damage. Threw out a lot but as time was of the essence most stuff went into storage and I'm not quite strong enough to deal with it yet. But when I do... watch out!
    :-)
    I don't want it all coming back here. I really want to enjoy the things I love the most and let the rest go. It's hard for me... but I am going to try!

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    1. Healing is the perfect one for you! And that is plenty!
      Moving your stuff back into your home is the perfect time to scale back...only the most favorites get to stay! I love that.

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  5. My resolution for 2017 is FEAR NOT. It was pointed out to me that Fear Not is mentioned 365 times in the Bible, once for each day of the year. I tend to fret and worry....I do not want to live with fear and anxiety over what MIGHT happen. I know that mindset robs me of the joy of living. I am not sure how to be accountable in this area...but I am going to try to do away with negative thoughts.

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    1. That is the perfect resolution if you are a worry wart! All the best in conquering your fear!

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  6. Hi Betsy - that will be wonderful to have that renovation completed this year ... and life organised, so it's simpler - good for you. Water really does help doesn't it ... it's living our own lives, and not worry about the wider world as such ... just helping and being around our families and friends and ensuring we do all we can to secure our own lives ... I need to exercise - healthy walks and running up and down stairs ... the down bit is all right, and I do the up sometimes ... 6 or 8 floors - not bad! The new hip does help ...

    Happy New Year to you and your family ... and all the very best - Hilary

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    1. I know you are so pleased with that new hip! Walking should be everyone's resolution! And the stairs? Wow...an added bonus! So good for you!

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    2. I can't wait for my new hip!!!

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    3. Oh, I bet! Can you believe Hilary running up 8 flights of stairs? That will be you in a year!

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  7. My New Year resolutions . . . get a few health issues sorted, get fit and get healthy, fully enjoy life and look after myself a bit better, whilst trying to be kind to others.

    Your success last year is marvellous and may it continue this year and beyond.
    Be happy and wishing you well for 2017 . . . :) x

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    1. Being more healthy is always a good resolution! I have no doubt you will be doing a lot of that...especially with those new found cooking skills! :) I'll prod you along, too...you know,
      just to be annoying. lol....

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  8. I love your resolution and I know you'll see it through. Love that about you. My resolution is to go back to healthy (for me) eating. Vegetarian. I backslid last year and it created some unhealthy habits. I'm more excited about my project goal for this year. Last year was my garden. This year is my office/creative space. It needs organizing and a place for everything. I'm on it! Happy New Year, Betsy!

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    1. Very nice! But I'm going to ask you something...and I know you won't be offended because you know me well enough. OK, so here's what I think about being vegetarian and you can correct me. haha. I know several people that are vegetarian. They are all overweight! My theory in seeing how they live/eat is that they eat so many carbs that their bodies store them as fat. They are always hungry because they need more protein. I always think that a lean piece of fish or chicken would do them good instead of reaching for the whole grain whatever. Carbs just make you crave more carbs. So...where am I going wrong? And I'd love to know what unhealthy habits came from you going off that way of living this past year.

      Love the project to come! Right up my alley! Can't wait to hear and see more about it!

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    2. You hit the nail on the head. So many vegetarians overdo on carbs. When I first started eating vegetarian, I ate a lot of carbs because I didn't know how to eat vegetarian and I was also training for half marathons. The carbs worked great for that. I know better now. I eat good fats now, like avocado and get good protein from nuts and seeds and quinoa. Yes, quinoa is a grain but it's also a complete vegetarian protein with 8 amino acids. I concentrate heavy on the veggies, nuts and seeds and fruits when I'm in vegetarian mode. And I will eat salmon and shrimp on occasion. I just feel better eating that way. My father died of heart disease and this is why I chose to eat vegetarian. When we made the move to the lake, my husband found this great little hamburger restaurant. We started eating there a lot. I know that everything in moderation is a good way to eat, so an occasional burger and fries are ok. I know that you cook your food in the healthiest way possible and the air fryer sounds like a very healthy way to cook fries. But I let our little hamburger obsession get out of hand. And now I feel sluggish and bloated. So, for me, I just feel better not eating meat. I'm not overly strict about it. There will be times that I'll have some chicken or a steak or even that delicious burger, but I'll consider them a treat. Having said all that, your comment at the end was also right. I do tend to stay a little more hungry by not eating meat protein, but I'll just eat a larger salad with nuts and avocado and veggie soups help also. And I do eat eggs just about every day for breakfast. Hope this answered a few questions.

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    3. Yep...I thought so. I look at these girls and think they surely can see in the mirror that they are not healthy! Sounds like you have a much better handle on it. I tried eating a lot of nuts around this time last year and they just were too high in calories/fats for me. I seemed to gain weight with the nuts/avocado route. But I'm glad it works for you. Everyone is different and I do agree that you need to do what makes you feel good!

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  9. You are wise in your advice, Betsy! I know you will be successful in every one of your endeavors! I'm working on that purging thing, too... It's harder than one might think. Ha! Ha! blessings and hugs ~ tanna

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    1. Yes, it's hard! And for me, it's a continual thing....never done! But once you get into the habit of doing it, it is a wonderful thing!

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  10. What 2 long posts in so short a time
    Damn, I don't think I can even rhyme
    Oh wait, no problem at all
    can't trip me up at my hall
    And as you know, a pfffting to the resolutions I go
    Want something do it on the day at my show
    6 days a week working out isn't so tough to do
    At least when it's only two cats and you lol
    I'll just keep on keeping on
    And we'll see what shall dawn

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    1. We're all striving to be like you!
      Yes, you know it is very true. lol....

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  11. I tend to agree with Pat. If you want to change something badly enough, why wait until a new year? But if resolutions work for some -- you included -- more power to them.

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    1. Where I think Pat...and maybe you...are misunderstanding the whole idea, is that we don't wait until Jan 1st for something we decided months earlier. It's Jan 1st when we take stock of the old year and what we want for the new and begin there. If we want to change something we think about in September we change then...we don't wait until January for that particular thing.

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    2. I guess I'm just thinking of the kind of person who thinks (in August, for example) "I really should quit smoking." (Or something else that's important, like stopping being unfaithful to their spouse...) Then they add "I'll wait until the new year!" They're out there. You just aren't one of them, obviously. :)

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    3. Do people really do that? Delay it for the new year? I've never heard of that.

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    4. Yes, I've seen it on a number of occasions. That's why I don't think much of New Year's resolutions.

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  12. I resonate with your "Resolution". My kitchen is very well organized and everything in it's place. I need to do that with drawers in the bedroom and media room.

    A motto I have for years, and follow every year is "CLEAN AS YOU GO".....Keeps the kitchen looking clean and prevents lots of spills and drops!!

    Look forward to another fun year of being one of your followers. Hugs.

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    1. Well...great minds! I've always done that 'clean as you go'! Another good phrase is 'touch it once', referring to things that you go through and put down, only to have to sort through it again. Junk mail, for instance. Most people look through it but don't pitch the junk and have to go back and go through the motions again, wasting time.

      My kitchen and dining areas are orderly, too! It's the drawers, closets and pantries that need to be dealt with. Not to mention my studio, which has taken on a life of it's own. haha.

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  13. Love your suggestions! =)

    My New Years Resolution is to have more fun for "me" -- doing things that I like and that I'm passionate about!

    Happy New Year!

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    1. That is a really good resolution. Most times we just give, give, give and need to do something for ourselves. Love it.

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  14. I plan on organizing my house some---starting with my Pantry--mason jars with cute little chalk board painted labels is my plan!!

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    1. I can't wait to get to my pantry.....so many ways to make it cute and organized!

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  15. Well done on keeping your resolutions. I'm aiming to walk 1000 miles this year... not all in one go, ha! It breaks down to an average of 2.74 miles a day, which sounds, in theory, achievable. We'll see... I am already losing a little weight simply because since retirement I'm no longer sitting at a desk all day. Yay!

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