conuly: (Default)
conuly ([personal profile] conuly) wrote2005-12-27 06:11 pm
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Thinking about resolutions...

I want to be a better person. Well, who doesn't?

Which means picking my resolutions is tricky. I can't wuss out and go with "I'll eat better", because that'll change the body, not the person. And saying something like "I'll spend less time online" is again, changing a habit, not me. Additionally, there's nothing stopping me from spending more time, say, watching TV for every hour spent offline. (And I'm doing 55+ hours a week babysitting, for free, may I remind certain parties! I'm not spending that much time online right now.)

Indeed, I think stating all these things is already starting off on the wrong foot. I'm stating negatives. I won't eat badly. I won't squander my time. I won't, I won't, I won't, and you can't make me!

I'm already feeling the urge to pig out on both food and internet in the face of this negative pressure that I've already decided not to go with!

This is hard. I think I have it, though.

I'll work harder at standing up for my convictions (preferably in some sort of constructive fashion) both in the real world and not.

This is a good resolution. It's hardly negative, and it's something I'm inclined to do anyway, even though I often (believe it or not!) don't, especially in the real world, where it's simultaneously more important and harder. It doesn't do much good to stand up for my convictions in front of people who live in my computer and often share those convictions anyway!

Oh, and I'll stop oversleeping so much. I really *do* like walking instead of taking the bus, but I can't do that if I leave the house half an hour late.

[identity profile] wodhaund.livejournal.com 2005-12-27 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Every year, I resolve to break something. It's the perfect resolution, really. See, if I break something, then I've kept my resolution. But if by some chance, I manage not to break something, then I've broken my resolution, meaning I've broken something, meaning I've kept my resolution!

Can't go wrong with fuzzy semantics.

[identity profile] gingembre.livejournal.com 2005-12-28 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
If it helps any, I find it very useful to focus on *adding* things rather than removing them. Small things, even very very small. Just one or two at a time so it isn't overwhelming. For example, I am now making an effort to braid Ana's hair before bed every time it is my night. It's not that big a deal, and it makes such a big difference in how easy it is to handle her hair. The other thing I try to do is to wash the dishes before I go to bed. Not doing them makes me feel icky when I wake up, and then I have to spend extra time running around doing them in the morning anyway. At work I focus on drinking at least one big glass of water.

For you, if I may humbly suggest 15 minutes each day spent throwing out garbage from your room? 15 minutes is hardly any time at all, and I'm sure you could set a timer up on your laltop. :-)

[identity profile] wodhaund.livejournal.com 2005-12-27 11:33 pm (UTC)(link)
Every year, I resolve to break something. It's the perfect resolution, really. See, if I break something, then I've kept my resolution. But if by some chance, I manage not to break something, then I've broken my resolution, meaning I've broken something, meaning I've kept my resolution!

Can't go wrong with fuzzy semantics.

[identity profile] gingembre.livejournal.com 2005-12-28 05:22 pm (UTC)(link)
If it helps any, I find it very useful to focus on *adding* things rather than removing them. Small things, even very very small. Just one or two at a time so it isn't overwhelming. For example, I am now making an effort to braid Ana's hair before bed every time it is my night. It's not that big a deal, and it makes such a big difference in how easy it is to handle her hair. The other thing I try to do is to wash the dishes before I go to bed. Not doing them makes me feel icky when I wake up, and then I have to spend extra time running around doing them in the morning anyway. At work I focus on drinking at least one big glass of water.

For you, if I may humbly suggest 15 minutes each day spent throwing out garbage from your room? 15 minutes is hardly any time at all, and I'm sure you could set a timer up on your laltop. :-)