Six Month Resolution Review
Most of my focus in June was on getting items cleared out of my house and packed up for the yard sale (July 21st!). I didn’t put as much concentrated effort into the other resolutions, just a tweak here and there. I was able to get some blog work done, though, so that feels good.
In reviewing where I am six months into my resolutions, I’ve come to a decision to drop three of them: one because it was accomplished, one that is not entirely necessary, and one that’s too big and vague to effectively take on right now. I’m making big progress on the house, a little progress with my budget, and breaking even in other areas.
I’d say this first six months has been a really great learning experience for me, if sometimes frustrating. But there is a reason why there are so many quotes about the usefulness of failure, and how learning from those failures leads you to success. I feel as though I’ve failed more than I’ve succeeded, but I’m trying to learn about myself in the process. And I’m trying to teach myself not to be upset about my failures, but to keep in mind that this is a long-term venture. I am changing habits, and that doesn’t happen overnight. I’ll be lucky if I get some of these new habits accomplished in a year. Until then, I’ll just keep plugging along.
♦
steadily skipping stones 
Changing habits is definitely a long-term process! I always think that acknowledging that something needs to change is a huge step in itself, and one you should be proud of. In many ways its easier to stay in denial, as that doesn’t require us to take any action or face the fear of the unknown or the fear of failure. So good on you for acknowledging and persisting – both require great awareness and courage. 🙂
Cat
Thanks, happydancecat!
I’ve been having a minor religious struggle lately, and you have inadvertently addressed that in your comment. “In many ways its easier to stay in denial, as that doesn’t require us to take any action or face the fear of the unknown or the fear of failure.” I just made a comment in my bible study on Monday that I sometimes just want to close the book and stay at the point I’m at right now. More knowledge and understanding, lately anyway, just seem to be a means of pointing out what I’m doing wrong or how I lack. And that is not a good feeling. But your use of the word “denial” hits home. That’s true in a whatever it is that you’re pursuing or thinking about doing. Ignorance is one thing – you don’t know that you don’t know. But denial is purposely rejecting or ignoring. It’s knowing there is something you can improve on or for yourself and choosing not to. I don’t want to be in denial.
Okay, I want to be, but I can’t let myself continue on in that manner 🙂
Big progress, little progress, breaking even…all positives. One is accomplished, one unnecessary, and one too big and vague to continue with at this point…these are dropped. Again positives…not only was one accomplished–\O/–but you recognize the need to drop 2 and for good reasons…they can be revisited later. Sounds like more success than failure to me. You go girl!
Thank you, Patricia! I feel better without having those others to worry about, and it didn’t make sense to keep something on the list that I wasn’t really going to be able to focus on and accomplish. I would have liked to whittle the number down more – there are still 9 – but I didn’t want to let any of the others go, lol. I figure I’ve got six more months to go, and that’s a long time to work with!
Failures are always tough, but they’re usually very instructive. When I’ve been knocked to the ground (sometimes literally, as in trail running) and it’s tough to be get back up on my feet, I know it will only make me stronger. Sometimes it’s hard to find the lesson, or the solution, but I know if I just keep trudging along it will make an appearance. Sounds like you’re on the right path.
I’m definitely frustrated with myself and the lack of motivation/inspiration/desire/will-power – whatever it is – to get back on the healthy diet. But at the least I can use these set-back times as a learning experience by paying attention to what I’m doing or feeling when I am doing well, when I go off track, and when I can’t get back on track. That way, I can hopefully increase the successes and decrease the failures. I agree with you, too, that I need to keep trudging along.
I want to say thank you to all my friends who have continued to support me through the comments on my resolution updates. It really means a lot to me, and truly does lift me up and help me maintain a desire to continue on. Thank you so much!
The journey of a thousand miles, begins with one small step! You’re already so far down the road, I can barely see you. Small, steady steps Steadilysteppingon.
Very true, and I’m trying to keep that in mind – small steps. Don’t order that pizza – small step. Don’t order chinese – small step. I stumbled on both of those last week 🙂 Oh, well – I just have to keep steppin’! Thank you for commenting and encouraging!
Failure can teach us things that success never can. I always try to enroll in Success’s class, but half the time end up sitting under Failure. 🙂
That’s true! I think it might be harder to grow if everything came too easy. We may not appreciate as much, either, the easy successes.
Forgive me if I’m overstepping, but I’m aching to tell you to cut yourself some slack. I worry that you are pushing yourself too hard. Probably because I remember a time when I wrestled with myself too. I’m not any more pleased with myself than I was, but I was brought to see how much God loves each of us. Already. Just as you are.
You’re very sweet, and it’s not overstepping at all. I think accepting yourself just as you are is harder than understanding that God loves you just as you are.
I don’t feel that I’m pushing myself too far, in terms of what I’ve asked of myself with my resolutions. But I agree that I may be too hard on myself about the failures. I am very frustrated with my lack of willpower and motivation in regards to the diet, exercise and budget. I was doing so well at the end of March, and I just let that all slip away! That is a recurring theme for me – I get so far and then I crash and burn. I think that’s an underlying, unstated resolution, that I am working on not letting myself give up.
But I am feeling rather downhearted with myself, and that doesn’t help any. Lots of you have expressed the same sentiments about being too hard on myself, and I really do appreciate it. It’s something that holds me back, and I think it contributes to the “giving up” attitude that I struggle with. It’s so much easier to give up and not worry with it any longer, than it is to keep feeling bad about the failures. I’m trying to work through all of that, and not only help my body and my pocketbook, but also help myself to develop new attitudes and thought patterns. Being reminded to be nicer to myself is really helpful, and I appreciate it so much!
I just wanted to say good for you! I find your journey with your resolutions inspiring. Most people make resolutions and then forget about them couples of weeks down the road. But you’ve embarked on yours with so much commitment, and honesty. Like the others have said, you’ve taken small and steady steps throughout this year, and come a long way 🙂
I am trying to stay positive, instead of focusing on where I’m less successful. But that is hard. I am going to amp up the positive reinforcement this coming month, though. Thank you for your kind words and support!