new year, new life?

I find myself here every year. Already Tuesday, January 3rd, and I still haven't sat still long enough to make any resolutions. As always, the majority of me says, "Why bother?" I heard a report this morning claiming that most New Year's resolutions will be broken by mid-February, and they had the numbers to support it. Does it irritate anyone else that someone is sitting behind a desk somewhere making phone calls to unsuspecting Americans asking them when they gave up their resolutions last year? Why do we make resolutions each January with these far-reaching, lofty goals, and give up by February?

Well, duh.

I haven't made any resolutions for the past 4 years. I have always blamed time...three kids and a house and a husband and other commitments have been my excuse. It's easier not to think about something in addition to everything already in place. In years past I have resolved to lose weight, to work out regularly, to keep my house clutter-free...that would still be a good one. They all would for that matter. The concept of resolutions has promise, actually, if there are clear-cut, realistic goals set for them. However, I must say, it ticks me off that the diet market profits so generously around this time of year--that the end caps of aisles and the entire health and beauty department at any given store focus exclusively on the latest craze in weight loss "success," then in small print on all of the motivational commercials/packaging/information you read "results not typical." I never noticed this before a few years ago when I was so determined to lose 10 pounds on January 1st. I think I used slim fast, lost 3 pounds, got sick every day (lactose), and gave up a month later when I couldn't take the stomach cramps any more and thus, my results were then "typical." What's stupid is that I gave up on weight loss because I couldn't do the quick fix...if someone could snap his fingers and make me lose weight or organize my house or fit in exercise, I would pay him to do that. But diet and exercise and long-term tidiness goals haven't worked for me. What a ridiculous thing to say! But that's the reality...I need the quick fix. I look for the magic pill that requires no real commitment other than remembering to take the pill.

So, resolutions. I hereby resolve to write something every day except for Sundays (have to plan for School on Sundays). I hereby resolve to stick something on my blog once a week, even if it's nonsense. (Isn't most information on a blog nonsense?)(Sorry...I'm sure some of you out there write relevant, important blogs.) I hereby resolve to go to bed by 11:30 every night. I hereby resolve to make healthy eating/exercising choices this year (as soon as my baby toe heals).

Check back with me in February.