Resolution Update #1

A new year of blogging about resolutions! Here's January 2013:

Resolution #1: Be good to my body
Result: 58%, not such a good start to the year

A. Go to the gym once a week: 1/4 (25%)

I didn't buy a membership until the last week of January...

B. Stretch once a week: 3/4 (75%)
C. Drink a glass of gree tea a week: 3/4 (75%)

Resolution #2: Be more mindful
Result: 113%! A great start to the year!

A. Write in my journal once a week: 5/4 (125%)
B. Meditate twice a month: 2/2 (100%)

I can already see that meditating twice monthly is going to be much more manageable than once a week. While I did it twice this month, my heart wasn't in it either time. I'd really like to be able to get back to good meditation.

Resolution #3: See one movie a month in theater
Result: Success!

Last month I saw Silver Linings Playbook. It took about 45 minutes for me to get really invested in the characters and the plot, but then I enjoyed the last half of the movie. However, I am surprised that Jennifer Lawrence is winning all the awards for her portrayal of Tiffany; I didn't think it was an award-winning role, but there you go.

Side note: a theater just opened half a block from my house, so I imagine that I will be seeing LOTS more movies this year.

Resolution #4: Buy one piece of clothing per month
Result: Resounding success!

I bought a lot in January: two going-out handbags, a much-needed gray cardigan, cute black leather wedges, that unfortunately hurt my feet (still hoping to break them in!), a black summer dress and purple work shirt (on huge sale!), socks, and, finally, a cute wool skirt from J.Crew that was on final sale but doesn't fit. Sad face.

Resolution #5: Read three books a month
Result: Success!

In January I read Wildwood: The Wildwood Chronicles, Book 1 by Colin Meloy. I hated this book. I was intrigued by it, but ultimately, it had way too many children's-book tropes (talking animals, lost babies, different worlds, magic, and on and on), and the book itself was looooong, and even though a lot techinally happens, it's boring. The dialogue was also poor. Apparently it was written by the Decemberists' lead singer, so it's no wonder it was long and rambling--most of their songs are.

I also read Catching Fire by Suzanne Collins, and enjoyed it. It was different than the first book, and left me intrigued about what happens in the third book. 

Finally I read Three Lives to Live by Anne Lindbergh, a book I've had since I was a tween. It's about a small family that is interruped when a girl time-travels through a laundry chute. It sounds weird, but I find it sassy and fun, with interesting time-travel and duplication questions, and a book that continues to hold my attention as an adult.

Resolution #6: Keep track of my finances
Result: Success!

I tracked my spending in January, and added the name of the store, which made it much easier to remember what I spend money on. Dining out was still my biggest category, and I hope that it is less in February.

January Goal: Go ice-skating
Result: Success!

Last weekend I took a friend and we went ice-skating on the Midway. It was a beautiful, sunny day, about freezing, and there weren't too many people on the rink. While we only skated for about half an hour, it was enough, and I had a lot of fun. With more practice, I think I could learn to be a semi-graceful ice-skater; as it is, at least I didn't fall, though came close.

Yearly Goal: Save $100 per month
Result: Success!

I saved a total of $210.