So I’ve been thinking about what my resolutions should be this year. I don’t always have the best success-rate with my New Years Resolutions. There have definitely been times when I’ve fallen back into old habits. And other times when I really have followed through, like that year I promised Dave I would stop smoking and did. (Thanks for helping me do that, hon!) This year, I’m gonna post my resolutions here so I can hold myself accountable for keeping them. I’ll have something to look back on and remind myself of my goals.

I had to limit myself to only 5 things. Like I said, I love my lists and if I want these resolutions to be important and meaningful I need to stick to a manageable number. I’m also gonna be checking back in on these every month or so to make sure that I’m sticking with my follow-through. But in the words of Thomas the Tank Engine, “I think I can. I think I can. I think I can!” So, without further ado, here they are:

New Years Resolutions ~ 2009

1.   Clear out my inbox (all the way to zero) and then keep it cleared out.

I am THE WORST at keeping up-to-date with my emails.  My inbox is generally in a state of overflowing and I almost never return people’s messages in a timely fashion.  I know, horrible.  Now, I’ve already started working on getting things under control and have my inbox down to around 325 unread emails. (Don’t look so shocked. A couple months ago it was around 1600!)  My plan of attack?  Process all emails that come in every day plus a few of the extras hanging around and slowly but surely that number will keep going down.  Let’s see how it goes.

2.   Stop falling asleep with my makeup on!

Seriously. Every night I’m always go-go-go right until the last possible second when I’m so tired I can’t even drag myself to the bathhroom to wash it off. I usually just end up flopping in my bed, eyes still plastered with mascara and shadow, only to wake up with zits and raccoon eyes in the morning. Not cool. Time to start working some relax-time into my evenings so I can leisurely get ready for bed instead of frantically trying to cram a zillion things into my evenings.

3.   Take more pictures.

I have two cameras that I’ve finally begun figuring out how to use properly, so my goal for 2009 is to work my way up to taking at least one picture a day. But taking pictures is harder than you might think. You have to keep yourself in that “seeing” mode. I’ve been in it before and when you have momentum it’s easier to maintain but putting your mind into that space when you’re out of practice takes some time and some effort. Good thing I’ve got a whole year to work towards this goal.

4.   Join a gym.

And actually go! To my great shame, I’ve never been one for regular exercise. Not like I’m against it or anything, I’ve just never really had time for any sort of regular routine, what with everything else I used to have balanced on my plate. Now that the Year of Freedom is here it’s time to get into shape and lose those 20 extra pounds. Dave and I have resolved to do this together. I think with a gym partner it’s a lot more fun and you can guilt each other into going when you really don’t feel like it. Ha!

5.   Get a (financial) life!

Being a university student can really put a damper on your retirement savings plans, let me tell you! But now that school is over and I’m not having to come up with another couple thou every few months I think it’s time I start taking matters into my own hands. I’m gonna find a financial advisor, start tackling my school debt and saving for a house and for retirement. I’m not getting any younger, people. Living from paycheck to paycheck just doesn’t cut it anymore.

So that’s it! What do you think? Are any of your resolutions the same as mine? Let me know, because maybe we can form a little support group!