There is no better date on the calendar for resolving to change bad habits and face life anew than January 1st. New Year’s Resolution suggestions can be found all over the internet, just in case you couldn’t think of any for yourself. Losing weight, saving money, cutting back on alcoholic beverage consumption, trying to mend bridges with the Mother-in-Law... (perhaps trying to combine the last two is too much to ask.) There are countless options out there waiting to be taken up by residents of the globe, all approaching the starting gate on December 31st. I personally have always followed the well-worn path, with some real priorities on the list including weight loss. In 2009 I managed to lose 65 pounds and I have kept it off for a year, so I figure in 2011 I am going to go for some slightly more obscure resolutions that are important but probably don’t make everyone’s Top Five:
5. Try to wear a colour other than black at least once a week.
Since my teens I have gravitated towards dark coloured clothing. There was the whole gothic thing when I was a college student, but apparently whilst other adults moved ahead and left such morbid fashion behind, I clung to the dark and the mysterious. Perhaps it’s because when I was bigger I felt that solid black was more slimming. Many magazines seemed to agree with me, but even when I slimmed down I remained steadfast in my funereal garb. I realised just how familiar everyone had become with my choices when one evening I wore a pink top just to shake things up a bit. Friends gasped, siblings gaped - such subtle reactions. I have therefore decided that I will try to bring more of the kaleidoscope range into my closet, if for no other reason than it will be much easier to discern what is hanging in there. A low wattage bedroom lamp + all black clothing = a long night of rummaging.
4. Take control of my graying roots before they take control of me
I am so incredibly lazy when it comes to bothering with physical upkeep. I try to keep my nails manicured and looking nice, but inevitably carrying things, assembling things and generally getting myself into pickles means I’m fighting a losing battle. I seriously don’t know how some women do it - look impeccable every day with the hair, face, hands and feet just so. I tend to colour my hair at home because with my schedule, it’s the fastest way to do it. That’s why when you see me you’ll probably witness patches of brown amongst the dark red in areas beyond my easy reach. Even still, I am hopeless about colouring on a regular basis, leaving me with a Bride of Frankenstein look every four to six weeks. I hereby pledge to do better and cling to my youth by my underappreciated fingernails.
3. Clear out the back of my SUV
I have enough musical equipment in the back of my Ford Expedition for any entertainment emergency, including a 13” tube TV that I used for karaoke wayyyy back in the day. DJ deck, CD’s, speaker stands, disco ball... Suppose I’m attending a party and suddenly all the music dies? Bye, bye Miss American Pie! But no! Here comes Vicki to the rescue!! I’ve been prepared for such a scenario for over a year, but it has yet to occur. In the meantime bags of groceries have to find space on the back seat and luggage sits on laps. The time has come to face the music and put the gear in storage.
2. Stop interrupting friends (even when I have something infinitely more interesting to impart)
Why do friends insist on telling me long stories when it’s clear that I am desperate to go back to dominating the conversation? They KNOW the beast with which they’re dealing, yet on they chat, with fascinating tales about their lives, what they did that day, their plans for the weekend… I’m always sure I have a better anecdote in the wings and my time is precious! Seriously, I am terrible for interrupting. Don’t mean to, it’s just that their subject of choice suddenly jogs my memory about something and I don’t dare let it slip through my fingers. Note to self: Try to keep my mouth shut until it’s my turn. Where are those vice grips…?
1. Keep the weight off!
Okay, so I lied. This is one standard New Year’s resolution, but it has to be on my list. When I think back to all the hours on the treadmill, the cruise ship when I had to run from the buffet lest I be dragged into temptation, and the economy seat on the airline that allowed no room for manoeuvring – I cannot allow myself to slip once again. I won’t say that it’s easy, pushing myself to exercise on a regular basis, but I know it’s the only way to keep the bathroom scales smiling in my direction. Besides, in order for me to stick to Resolution #5, I need to follow Resolution #1.
Looking at the above, these are actually excellent guidelines to follow to transform myself into the ideal potential date on Valentine’s in February! I’ll wear red instead of black; he’ll think I’m 35 instead of 41 thanks to no hint of gray; we can fit his bicycle in the back of my car once it’s cleared out; I’ll listen to him talk instead of it being about me, me, me (I dunno – do guys like that?) AND….I’ll be able to wear a bikini to dinner thanks to the weight loss! It’s all coming together beautifully…
Whatever your New Year’s Resolutions, make sure you begin with a fresh and happy attitude. Every new year brings exciting new opportunities – you just have to look for them!