Last year, in lieu of a few big resolutions, I put together a 65 in 365 days list. It was more like a bucket list - things I wanted to do that year. They varied from organizing the photos on my computer to putting together a puzzle to reading so many books that year. I was really excited about my list and had hope I would accomplish most all of them. After all, they were simple.
Then February came along, and we decided to put our house up for sale. My priorities changed drastically and the small things I put on my list suddenly seemed so totally ridiculous.
At the end of the year, I reviewed my list and did accomplish more than I expected, so that was good.
This year, I decided to pass on the lists because there really is one thing I really want to accomplish. I want to change my lifestyle. I want to be more active.
I am not the type of person that naturally loves to get up in the morning and go for a jog. My nature is to sit down and write in my journal while listening to music. That's just me. And for the longest time I hated that about myself. I always wondered why I wasn't born with this innate desire to run marathons, go hiking or play sports.
But after awhile I decided not to beat myself up over being me. What is the point in that? I'm happy with who I am. I love myself. I think I'm a decent person. On the other hand, I don't think I'm born without the ability to change or be influenced by my environment. If I want to, I can learn to enjoy new things.
I've narrowed my goals to two things: spend more time outside and do yoga.
Is it cliche to do yoga? Regardless, I've always been drawn to it. The few times I have done it, I've really enjoyed it. The idea of putting your body into certain positions as a source of relaxing and reflection is very appealing to me. So, I'm going to find a good yoga DVD and give it a whirl.
I once read a blog about people who were trying to lose weight by walking outside everyday. To make things interesting, they each carried a camera with them and took a picture of something they saw while walking. I thought this was a great idea because it keeps the focus not on walking and losing weight but watching out for something beautiful. So, I'm going to give this idea a whirl too.
My ultimate goal is to learn to love life in a different way, to try to extend myself, but not put too much pressure on myself. I really believe the more I try new things the more those things will naturally become apart of me.
Thoughts?
Sounds like a good plan to me. I've always struggled against my natural couch potato tendency and would sit on the couch with my laptop or a book the whole day if I could. I think these goals sound totally attainable.
ReplyDeleteThose are great goals, Em! I really love yoga. I've always felt it more the next day when I've done yoga than any other type of exercise.
ReplyDeleteI've been thinking a lot on a similar vein. Naturally, I am a really uncoordinated, unathletic person. That's why my only exercise has ever been jogging and weights. I literally suck at everything else. And since I'm also a person that hates to feel dumb and do things I'm not good at, I think I limit myself a lot. I've been thinking about what I can do to force myself to learn to throw a ball, serve a volleyball, dribble a soccer ball, hit a golf ball, etc. But ugh, it makes me cringe just to think about it. I'm proud of you.
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