New Year’s Resolution #10: Letting Go of Baggage

Posted on January 2, 2010 by EcoMeg

*Ecomeg writes about her New Year’s resolution list for self improvement*

For the first time in years, I wrote a list of New Year’s resolutions on January 1.  Or maybe it’s more a to-do list for the New Year.  Ironically, I wrote it on the back of an envelope.  My husband, thinking it was garbage, almost threw it out.  And maybe it is garbage, but I don’t usually figure that out about New Year’s resolutions until about January 15.

Anyway, here’s my list.  Most of it is pretty typical, I think.

  1. Organize my files.  You should see my husband’s file drawer.  If I didn’t know better, I’d think he irons his paperwork.
  2. Stick to my budget.  Always important to do, but especially important in this economy.
  3. Exercise more.  I know I always feel great after I work out – why is it so hard to remember that?
  4. Finalize our last will and testament (I wrote about these efforts here), as well as some other financial planning items.  This is my husband’s goal, too, but I know it will fall to me to get it done.
  5. Finish the short story I’ve been working on with my older son.
  6. Figure out what I’m going to do career-wise after son number 2 starts school next year.
  7. Start – and hopefully finish – writing that book I’ve been contemplating.  If I can ever find the time.
  8. Catch up on my scrap booking (I still have to put together last year’s albums), sort and store my kids’ memorabilia in their “memory boxes” rather than the brown paper bags my husband shoved it all into after I let it pile up a bit.
  9. Don’t let little things get to me.
  10. Take a look at, and then let go of, some metaphorical baggage.  As long as I’m getting my house in order, I should take a look at my head and heart, too.

This last item required me to sit quietly and figure out what really ticks me off or makes my heart ache.  I’m sure there’s a lot more for me to wade through in the cobwebbed recesses of my mind, but I decided I should set myself up for success and keep the list small.  I won’t bore you with the details, but I boiled #10 down to three things that I think have really been holding me back.  These things have made me miserable from time to time over a multi-year period.  Why am I dragging all of this around??

Resolving these three issues will involve planning (knowing myself as I do), forgiveness (of myself and others), a more positive attitude (to shake some of it off), some discipline (as with everything in life) and some spirituality (offering difficult things up).  I’ve always been a believer that God helps those who help themselves, so I’m taking the time to do whatever I can to alleviate my burden, then plan to ask for help from above.

I know that a happier Meg makes a happier family, so for myself and my family, I want 2010 to be my happiest year yet.  With a little hard work, it just might be.

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About EcoMeg

I am EcoMeg, a 40-something, married mom of two. I write at http://www.EcoMeg.com, a blog about green living, cooking, parenting, life. Formerly a financial services professional, I have been a stay at home mom since my first child was born. After spending most of my life in big cities, I now live in what might be characterized as the countryside. This has been a bit of an adjustment! I’m not a professional writer, I’m not a lifelong environmentalist, I’m not outdoorsy (though I’m beginning to surprise myself), and I don't consider myself very crunchy. I’ve been camping only once and hated it and I’m a recovering germophobe. Sure, my favorite color is green, but what qualifies me to blog about going green? ABSOLUTELY NOTHING. Except that it’s become a strong passion for me since my first child entered my life over six years ago. I don’t think I’m being dramatic by saying I’ve been transformed by my concern for my children. I now pay more attention to our diet, to the health and efficiency of our immediate environment, and to the impact we have on the world. At http://www.ecomeg.com, I chronicle my adventures in going green. It’s a way for me to keep track of the things I’ve tried and learn from others how to do things better. And maybe I can inspire others to join me on this journey toward a healthier life - or at least provide some laughs!
This entry was posted in Spiritual Quotient and tagged new year resolution, Self Improvement. Bookmark the permalink.

16 Responses to New Year’s Resolution #10: Letting Go of Baggage

  1. Brandi says:
    January 2, 2010 at 3:32 pm

    Excellent post. It is right in line with my hopes and plans for 2010!

  2. swapna says:
    January 2, 2010 at 4:29 pm

    Thats indeed a great list, I have none but i truly believe God is helping me because am trying my best to help myself :)

  3. shraddha says:
    January 2, 2010 at 6:43 pm

    Thank you Meg for the wonderful post.

  4. Ileane says:
    January 2, 2010 at 7:00 pm

    Hi,

    Congratulations of your first guest post. Very exciting stuff isn’t it?
    It sounds like your hubby is the neat one out of the two of you! lol
    Great list, thanks for sharing.

  5. Melissa B. says:
    January 2, 2010 at 7:54 pm

    You have so many admirable goals…good luck getting all that baggage under control. I know that’s something I really need to work on. But right now, I’d rather eat a sugar cookie!

  6. Jaymie says:
    January 2, 2010 at 9:08 pm

    Wow, great stuff! May all your goals and dreams be realized.

  7. Annette Piper says:
    January 3, 2010 at 12:19 am

    A great, sensible list of resolutions!

  8. jenie=) says:
    January 3, 2010 at 4:56 am

    wow! you really have given this a thought huh!? i think i really ought to…and that’s my new years resolution i guess…to finally think about my NYResolution this year hehe!

  9. The Dark Lord says:
    January 3, 2010 at 5:37 am

    Ah resolutions – Wish you all the luck in trying to stick to them!!! I mean, drawning from personal experience, I always digress after barely 3-4 days! So, I stopped making resolutions a long while back!
    Wish you a very happy new year! And to Shraddha as well! :)

  10. annieelf says:
    January 3, 2010 at 2:03 pm

    I’ve discovered over the years that resolutions are more like guidelines. The good thing about guidelines is that you never fail with them. Resolutions you can blow but guidelines!, NOT! I keep the list handy; I look it over quite a lot; I manage to trip along with it. By the end of the year, I always see something has changed and generally for the good.

  12. magda says:
    January 3, 2010 at 6:17 pm

    Wow. That is a lot to resolve to do. I commend you. I am sticking with two. Eat more fruit. Drink more water.
    Happy New Year. Best wishes to you in all your writing and organizational endeavors. I will be here checking in regularly, even if I do not comment, I will be here with you.

  13. Sanand R says:
    January 5, 2010 at 3:08 am

    Happy New Year to you and your loved. Best wishes to you in fulfilling all your new year resolutions.Liked the bit about the metaphorical baggage.

  14. Tracey says:
    January 8, 2010 at 9:17 pm

    What a great list!! I wish you success with it in every way!! :)