New Years Resolutions

I hate New Years Resolutions.

It always seems so trite to make all of these resolutions right after the holidays, when you've been cheating on whatever diet/exercise program you've been on anyways. Yes, I'm bloated and out of shape from two straight weeks of hanging out indoors, scarfing up all the holiday treats... why do I have to make myself feel even worse about it all by making resolutions I know I'll have trouble with?

This year, I'm going to try and space out my resolutions. I'll work on one for a few weeks and then I'll move onto the next. I'll put up a list somewhere (maybe in OmniFocus) so I can keep track, but it won't be a hard list. I can change items on it or remove them at any time. That way, I won't feel like a complete tool when I can't keep up with the twenty life changes I feel like I should be making.

By apportioning them out, I give myself space to concentrate on one area at a time. I also allow for cheating and backsliding without feeling like my complete resolution list has fallen apart and I'm huddled up over some ice cream hoping Summer will be here soon, "That's when I'll really exercise... you'll see!"

So, in no particular order, here's my off the top of my head list of habits to get into this year:

• exercise daily
• pick up hockey at least very other week, if not skills class
• change my eating habits to include more veggies
• change my eating habits to include fewer (or smaller portions of) sweets
• go bike riding with my family once a week
• shop at the farmers market and not let the produce I get there spoil in the fridge waiting for me to prepare it
• write in this blog at least once a week
• practice juggling once a day
• practice zazen once a day