New Year resolutions

[Exogenous]

Besides the usual resolutions (stop smoking, weight loss, eating more fruits and veggies, drinking more water and less coffee or soda, lol) what are some interesting changes you’ve thought to make a difference in your life, in 2007?

Write poetry, learn to bake without burning, practicing photographic techniques, learn to take on corporate managers, mastering the strength and ability to give or receive (whatever you desire to give and/or receive), go back to school and start or finish that degree, letting go of a soft or hard limit, explore a more dark or a soft side of yourself, etc.?

At our last big, regional sales meeting we watched a great DVD of a man who now gives “inspirational” speeches. He’s blind, yet, he has climbed mountains (Everest, being one of many huge peaks he’s conquered), rock climbs, rides in long bicycle trips, etc. One thing he said in his speech really stuck with me, “Your expectations can be your limitations.”

Perhaps letting go of expectations will prove to be a powerful move to enjoying a new-found freedom on various levels. I think that is one New Year’s resolution for me. It’s certainly not wrong or bad to have certain expectations…but after hearing this man’s speech, I can understand how some (or many types of) expectations can limit one’s growth and evolution. It’s interesting to ponder, anyway.

Please share any resolutions you wish to proclaim for 2007. The intriguing part is whether one will be successful in fulfilling one or all of them!

 

[FurryFury]

I hope to work more on focusing on me. I cringe at how selfish that sounds. That's why it's so hard.

I mean that I hope to work on finding ways to lower the stress and presure I tend to put on myself so I can relax and enjoy what is a wonderful life much more.

Fury

 

[amadaun]

Last year my resolutions were "try anal sex", "try mushrooms" and "keep a detailed journal on all books read with reflections".

Guess which two I kept!

I really would like to do the reading journal thing this year, and I will try again. I'd also like to improve my French; I'm unsure how I'm going about that yet. Other than that I don't have a lot of time for random self-enrichment, lots of grad school prep going on.

I have a feeling I'll be trying lots more things like the first two without really trying. Life's just going that way.

 

[BiBunny]

I've basically decided that instead of being miserable about things, I'm going to get off my ass and try to change them. Some things will be easier than others, of course, but my life is my responsibility.

The biggest (and hardest) thing I'm going to do is get over my intense social phobia. It's plagued me most of my life and is the biggest reason why I'm often miserable. I've realized that it's not like a cold--if I ignore it, it won't just go away. In the last couple of years, when I've tried hardest to pretend it's not there, it's gotten much worse than it's ever been. I'm going to try and force myself out of my comfort zone on my own. Hell, I was an undergrad psych major; I know what's required to get over something like this. If that doesn't net me some good results, I'm going to see a psychiatrist.

It's a Big Fucking Deal for me to even admit that I have this problem, so I think that's just a step in the right direction. Other, lesser things I'd like to do are to finally sit down and complete things that I start writing and start being more concerned about my appearance. I'm not a gross slob who only showers once a week, but when I start feeling bad, I'll stop doing my hair and makeup and just wear glasses and shapeless clothes. It stands to reason that if I look my best, I'll just HAVE to feel better.

I'm also going to stop letting people push me around. I sort of feel like I've come to a place in my life where I've got big decisions to make if I want to go farther than where I am now. If there are people in my life who aren't healthy for me or are just using me for whatever reason, it's time for them to, as Toni Braxton would say, hit the freeway.

Ok, sorry about the novel. It's just something my girlfriend and I were talking about earlier, so it's still on my mind.

 

[MasterPhoenix]

I dont really do resolutions, but I have a high sense of optimism for 2k7...

 

[Chicklet]

I'd like to stop spending money as therapy. I need to find a hobby that doesn't cost $50+ a day...

 

[i_love_myself76]

lets see my resolutions are to try to allow for a real relationship of the vanilla variety hehe and try to finish atleast 2 stories this year

 

[amadaun]

lets see my resolutions are to try to allow for a real relationship of the vanilla variety hehe and try to finish atleast 2 stories this year

Vanilla? Aww, that's no fun. It's like resolving to eat more bran flakes, or clean your bathtub once a week.

 

[FurryFury]

Last year my resolutions were "try anal sex", "try mushrooms" and "keep a detailed journal on all books read with reflections".

Guess which two I kept!

I really would like to do the reading journal thing this year, and I will try again. I'd also like to improve my French; I'm unsure how I'm going about that yet. Other than that I don't have a lot of time for random self-enrichment, lots of grad school prep going on.

I have a feeling I'll be trying lots more things like the first two without really trying. Life's just going that way.

The Reading For Pleasure thread could be an outlet for you in the reading journal area. I'd love to have you join us there! You are more than welcome.

Fury

 

[FurryFury]

I've basically decided that instead of being miserable about things, I'm going to get off my ass and try to change them. Some things will be easier than others, of course, but my life is my responsibility.

The biggest (and hardest) thing I'm going to do is get over my intense social phobia. It's plagued me most of my life and is the biggest reason why I'm often miserable. I've realized that it's not like a cold--if I ignore it, it won't just go away. In the last couple of years, when I've tried hardest to pretend it's not there, it's gotten much worse than it's ever been. I'm going to try and force myself out of my comfort zone on my own. Hell, I was an undergrad psych major; I know what's required to get over something like this. If that doesn't net me some good results, I'm going to see a psychiatrist.

It's a Big Fucking Deal for me to even admit that I have this problem, so I think that's just a step in the right direction. Other, lesser things I'd like to do are to finally sit down and complete things that I start writing and start being more concerned about my appearance. I'm not a gross slob who only showers once a week, but when I start feeling bad, I'll stop doing my hair and makeup and just wear glasses and shapeless clothes. It stands to reason that if I look my best, I'll just HAVE to feel better.

I'm also going to stop letting people push me around. I sort of feel like I've come to a place in my life where I've got big decisions to make if I want to go farther than where I am now. If there are people in my life who aren't healthy for me or are just using me for whatever reason, it's time for them to, as Toni Braxton would say, hit the freeway.

Ok, sorry about the novel. It's just something my girlfriend and I were talking about earlier, so it's still on my mind.

Good for you BiBunny!

*HUGS*

Maybe we will see you in ATL Jan 6?

We will make you feel warm, welcome and not alone, I promise!

Fury

 

[FurryFury]

I'd like to stop spending money as therapy. I need to find a hobby that doesn't cost $50+ a day...

Garage sales and thrift stores come to mind.

Those aren't really a hobby though.

*continues to think*

Fury

 

[amadaun]

The Reading For Pleasure thread could be an outlet for you in the reading journal area. I'd love to have you join us there! You are more than welcome.

Thanks, Fury. I've been lurking a bit there and will be sure to post once I actually have a chance to, like, breathe and finish a book. Christmas student rush, ugh.

 

[shy slave]

I have not made a resolution for years but I would like to have fewer mood swings.
Would also like to find a way of balancing life in the UK and in DK a little better.

Edit to add: I would also like to have had the courage to post at least one story currently on the hard drive on Lit

 

[cati]

Well, for me it's going to be eating healthy, I have horrible eating habits and becoming more physically fit in the process. Oh yes, and try to stop wasting money on useless things that I really don't need and putting money away for that vacation in Greece that I've always wanted to take.
Keeping one out of three resolutions would be an accomplishment for me.

 

[i_love_myself76]

Vanilla? Aww, that's no fun. It's like resolving to eat more bran flakes, or clean your bathtub once a week.

yes but havent opened myself up to any other relationships other then bdsm and feel i might be missing something

 

[shyybabe]

I don't really do well with resolutions either. I'm learning new photography techniques and really want to try some nude photography this year if I can find a willing couple. I have ideas just no one to practice on yet.

 

[leeroy jenkins]

Work on the social aspect more and let whatever is going to happen relationship wise happen without being to aggressive in making it happen.

 

[Hisbabydoll26]

Not really into resolutions but

I hope to work more on focusing on me. I cringe at how selfish that sounds. That's why it's so hard.

I mean that I hope to work on finding ways to lower the stress and presure I tend to put on myself so I can relax and enjoy what is a wonderful life much more.

Fury

I'm along similar lines only instead of lowering stress I just want to get back to ME. It will be a challenge but I believe it's one of those things that will end up making everything better. I agree that it can sound selfish, but I think many of us just watch life go by instead of stopping things to change them to make them better. I have many life changes coming up and they will be here ready or not. It's kind of forcing me to focus on what is really important and what everyone else has to say about isn't really important at this point.

 

[Hisbabydoll26]

I don't really do well with resolutions either. I'm learning new photography techniques and really want to try some nude photography this year if I can find a willing couple. I have ideas just no one to practice on yet.

Good luck! I think when done correctly this can be beautiful. Don't forget to try black and white as well.