- It may surprise some people to know that, even though I am a writer and lover of words, I rarely read novels. For the past two years, I have resolved to "read more" and for two years I have failed. So, this year, I am taking a cue from my blog friend Dana. I know I won't get anywhere near her 60+ books in twelve months, but I am resolving to read 6 novels in 2015. I figure that's one every two months - should be doable, right?? (If you have any suggestions, let me know in the comments!)
- If you have read this blog for any amount of time, you will know that I have "issues" with my body image. On top of that, I have been dealing with some minor but puzzling health symptoms over the past several months. My husband recently confessed that he is pretty tired of hearing my complaints about "being fat" and generally discontent with how I look. Truthfully, I'm pretty tired of it, too. I'm not, however, resolving to lose weight. Instead, I am resolving to get content with my body. I am working on getting answers about the health stuff and, then, I am going to find a way to be happy with the body I have. It might be through reading, through affirmations, or even through therapy, but I am done berating myself and I need to find a way a get over it.
- I joined a gym in August 2014 and I have been pretty good about working out regularly even though it is not my favorite thing to do and is sometimes a struggle to fit it into my schedule. For 2015, I resolve to continue going to the gym at least twice a week!
- In all my years as a mom, I have yet to find a system that works to get my kids to do chores. I try to implement something, they push back, we argue, and, then, I give up and just do most of it myself or try to overlook the mess. Not anymore! In 2015, I will implement a chore system and stick with it until it becomes a habit!
- For my 5th resolution, I'm cheating!! I've got nothing else and I think the first four are pretty big, so my 5th one is just to keep the first four!!
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These last five resolutions are specific to blogging.
- After many fluctuations, I have gotten into a pretty good rhythm of posting 2-3 times a week. For 2015, I want to continue that pattern and post consistently 2-3 times a week.
- I plan to take 4 blogging breaks in 2015 - one during my kids' Spring Break (April), One while we are on summer vacation (June), one during the holidays (December), and one that is yet to be determined (most likely during the October). I would love to host some guests post during a couple of those breaks - just need to figure out a theme and send some invitations.
- In recent months, My Sunday Super series has lost its luster. Posting a recipe every week (or even every other week) was just too much. However, I do love the series and want to continue it. So, in 2015, I will post a Sunday Supper once a month on the second Sunday.
- I was honored to be featured on some other websites in 2014 including What The Flicka, Mamapedia, and Scary Mommy. My goal for 2015 is to have at least 6 posts featured on other sites. (I will keep trying to break through with Huffington post, but haven't had any luck there so far.)
- Another goal for 2015 is to be featured in at least two more anthologies! Crystal, the awesome coordinating editor for The Mother Of All Meltdowns, is currently accepting submissions for two additional anthologies. I plan to submit to both as well as one other that I know of at the moment. I'm sure others will arise throughout the year as well.
How about you? Do you make resolutions? What are your this year?
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Woohoo!!! Tuesday Ten is ONE year old!!!
In 2013, Rabia and I were both doing our own Tuesday Ten posts. Late that year, we decided to collaborate and turn it into a weekly link up! The first Tuesday Ten we co-hosted was published on January 7, 2014.
In the past year, we have had some super fun linkups and we have created a small, but dedicated community of readers and linkers! To celebrate and to thank everyone who has been a part of our first year, we are hosting a great giveaway! One lucky winner will receive TEN $10 gift cards - one to each of the following:
Starbucks, Amazon, Target, Visa, PayPal, iTunes, Dunkin Donuts, Chipotle, Panera, and Chick FilA
To enter, see the Rafflecopter below. The contest will be open through January 17th, 2015 and the winner will be announced on January 20th.
Special thanks to our giveaway sponsors:
a Rafflecopter giveaway
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38 comments:
I love that you are planning some blogging breaks and think that I may take a page from your book and do a few myself so thank you for the idea. 😉
I always like reading your lists because you give me a lot of validation...in a "hey me too" kind of way. I CONSTANTLY complain about my body and I'm sure my husband gets tired of the umpteenth million time I ask "do you think I'm fat?" There are things I can improve but there are also some things I just need to learn to accept. I love all your blogging goals, too!!
You're welcome! Taking a break over the past couple weeks made me realize just how burned out & stressed I was. Truthfully, I didn't even miss it for a full week. I think we need breaks from everything from time to time just to re-focus & re-energize.
Aw, Thanks!! I've complained about my body for so long I'm even tired of hearing myself. Got to work on it for sure. :-)
I love your resolutions, Lisa - especially your Number 5 - to keep up with the first four. :D That indeed should be on my resolutions list. Great idea! Seriously though, these are all excellent goals and I wish you a very Happy New Year and all the best with them. Happy Birthday Tuesday Ten! :)
This is so great, Lisa. I never make resolutions, but after reading yours I feel like I should. These are purposeful, realistic, and motivating. I'm happy to encourage you for #1 (thanks for the shout out!), and any others. I'll be joining you for most of these. I'd love to submit to an anthology, but so far no topic has inspired me.
And yay for the giveaway - ten pack of $10 gift cards - love it!
Great goals for 2015, Lisa. As for book recommendations, I have one for you: Edenbrooke by Julianne Donaldson. It's a witty and romantic period piece. I had heard good reviews, but absolutely fell in love with it when I read it this past summer. Highly recommend!
Keep going with your gym workouts -- so proud of you for this!
This past semester I've been a little sparse with blogging -- one to two posts per week, when I'd prefer to be posting two to three times per week. My goal is to step it up in 2015, while still being realistic and maintaining my real life obligations, of course. Happy New Year!
Thanks so much Marcia! Happy New Year to you, too, & thanks for being such a loyal Tuesday Ten participant!!
Thanks, Dana! Honestly, I'm not a huge fan of resolutions and usually mine are sort of general and lame. This time I just thought if I was gong to do them, I should make them more specific and really try to implement them. I've submitted to Crystal's recipe book and want to submit to her Mother's Day one, too. Just trying to hone my idea and find time to write it!
Thanks, Robin! I think that last paragraph is key - As much as we love blogging, it has to have its proper place on our list of priorities. That book sounds great! I am currently reading one and have Gone Girl on my nightstand to read next. Maybe I'll put that one on my list next!
I'm happy that you're shooting to be content w. your body. That's awesome. I'm also glad to hear you've gotten into a good rhythm of blogging. I hope to see more great posts of yours on other blogs too!
Thanks so much!
Our kids have a February break too. It's a week off! Do you have that one? I don't know if I can deal with that and one in April! Only because it's my best time to work. Now I sound complain-y.
I hope your puzzling health symptoms are clearing up fast. I wish you all the best with these resolutions!
Yes it really is so complicated! Sometimes I feel so intensely that life will never be simple again. And then I realize that, because I have them, I'd never return to simple anyway.
Exactly! Motherhood has brought me some high highs and some low lows, but I wouldn't change it for anything. So glad you linked up!
You truly sound a mouthful here about motherhood and you are so right definitely is fraught with complicated emotions all the time. By the way, I also chose the word complicated and will be linking up probably Friday morning 😉
Yes that love that makes you heart swell and constrict all in a moment. I bet you wish your girls had to wear uniforms. Even as a teen I wished that I had to wear a uniform it would have made my life less complicated if all I had to focus on was my hair. LOL! This morning as I was making Christopher's lunch he was trying to get his socks on. He said, "Mom can you cut my toenails?" I said, "Really?" He looked at me making his lunch and said, "Oh never mind."
Oh goodness, did you hit the nail on the head. My son just turned 14 and ALL THESE FEELINGS. Sometimes I want to strangle him for the sass pouring from his mouth, others I want to hug him close and pretend he's still my baby boy. I'm so incredibly proud of his intelligence and compassion for others, but boy does he cause me to pull my hair out! Thank you for sharing Lisa, and for hosting this link up!
I laughed at number five! To be honest, the one that I linked up was not what I had on my first draft, the first one was more of personal resolutions and I didn't wanna write stuff I know I would never be able to do so I scrapped that and made a blogging resolutions post! :) Reading about your planned blogging break made me think! Do I want a blogging break this year? Hmmm thinking, thinking! :D Have an awesome year Lisa!
Good luck with the resolutions! It's a good idea to accept your body for what it is, while making the effort to stay fit. I hope you get published in the books and HP too :)
Thanks Janine!! So glad you are participating. The linkup is set to close at 9:00pm tomorrow (Thursday). If you can't link up by then, send me the link and I'll add it. :-)
Ha! Yeah - my oldest wanted me to do this complicated French Braid in her hair this morning. I'm not sure about the uniforms because I know mine would complain about the clothes they are required to wear (i.e. "Why can't I just wear yoga pants?") Sometimes, we just can't win! :-)
Exactly!!! You are welcome - so glad you are participating!
I am totally participating, but was going to post later tomorrow night probably after the deadline (sorry just with Wonderful Wednesday I have to go around that). Here is the link (not live of course): http://www.janinehuldie.com/2015/01/complicated/. Thank you so much for adding and seriously sorry for the inconvenience.
So true! Sometimes I want to hug and yell at the exact same time! Kids are confusing, aren't they!?!
Love this post Lisa! perfect reminder for me as a mother returning to work after having a baby!! Thank you so much sharing!
You capture motherhood beautifully, Lisa. What a ride! And I'm so happy to see a good turnout for your first challenge - yay!
Yep! They sure are! :-)
I love the combination of going to the gym AND getting content with your body. That is so healthy. I need to borrow that idea. :) I also like the idea of planning some regular breaks. Congrats on a successful 2014 and good luck this year!
YES. Loved this.
Now that is an event fraught with emotion!
Thanks, Dana! I am happy to have a good turnout, too, of course. I was scared it would flop, but it has gotten great interaction and lots of new people have connected. Yay!!!
Thanks, Stephanie!
Thanks, Tamara! No, our kids don't have a week off in February. They do have a long weekend at the end of January, though (off on Friday & the following Monday).
Well, that one came about after I took two weeks off during Christmas & New Year. I honestly didn't realize how burned out I was until I just walked away for a little while. I cam back excited and reinvigorated. It inspired to to actually schedule some breaks in hopes of maintaining the excitement and avoiding the burnout.
Thanks, Tarana! Me too!
Thanks so much, Stephanie! Maybe going to the gym and getting content go hand in hand. I just don't want it to be about a number on the scale anymore. At almost 40, I think it's time for me to get over it. :-)
Oh those are such good goals and resolutions Lisa!!! LOVE the blog breaks one especially. I am going to take after you, my friend- and come up with my own goals that are specific to blogging much like yours. You have such a great range here too. Love that. :)
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