Welcome 2010!

There is nothing like a new decade to wipe the slate clean. Wrapping the last decade up in a neat bow of 10 years makes it very easy to reflect on life, especially since it's been exactly 10 years since I graduated college and life, as an adult, began.

In the last ten years, I lived in 3 states, dated 3 guys, married one. Had two beautiful baby boys, lived in three places, worked as a travel agent, in a liquor store, as a waitress, a substitute teacher, at the Danbury Mint, was a stay at home mom and then finally a librarian. I got my master's degree. I lost my grandmother and I got divorced. I started a blog and made new friends. I turned 21 and 30 and then 31. Things changed, and changed again. The world changed. I learned to believe in myself.

I can't imagine what the next decade will bring. My boys will go to school, become big boys and then teenagers. My job will change or stay the same or I'll go on to another thing. I'll go back for a second master's or a phd or I won't. I'll pay off my debt and maybe buy a house. Maybe I'll even meet someone, and have another baby. The possibilities...

So I am welcoming 2010 with open arms. I'm excited to move forward with a genuine appreciation for myself and the beauty that can be found in the world.

what's gonna work?

The funny thing about trying out new things is sometimes it makes your life easier, but the initial trying seems so time consuming and requiring of effort that it's too hard to do it.

Like, for example, making small children pick up their toys before bed. I'll admit it, I have been doing it all these years because, well, because I was too tired to make them do it and it was easier just to do it myself. But since we're starting chores and one of my resolutions is to clean less, I started making them pick up the messes they made over the course of the day before we get ready for bed. I stayed with them and helped and we all did it together, and everyone felt really happy and proud when the house looked nice before they went to sleep.

As Mr5 was getting ready to go to sleep, I was laying in his bed with him "talking about things" (as he calls it) and I said "Thanks for helping me clean up today. It was really great that we all did it together and it didn't take very long and look how clean the house is now! It was great teamwork." And he says "Yeah, it was teamwork! Just like the Wonder Pets."

Yup! Just like em. :)

prioritizing

I recently read this article in Business Week called “How Adults Achieve Happiness”. It’s an interesting article because it, In some ways, tells you what you already know, but need to hear anyway. Basically, it comes down to this:

Lots of tv watching/ web surfing = not happy

Lots of exercise = happy

Lots of cleaning = not happy (yay!!)

Lots of friends = happy (yay again!)

It also draws a direct correlation between happiness at work and happiness at home.

I like this article because it is in many ways what I’ve tried to accomplish over the last 2 ½ years (wow, has it really been that long?) since my ex moved out. And I have to say, each of them require work. It’s easy to watch tv, or get sucked into the web for a few hours. It’s easy to not exercise. It’s easy to not call friends, although it’s also easy to not clean, at least it is for me. :)

So, in light of the upcoming new year, and this interesting perspective on happiness, here are my 2010 goals:

1. Make time to exercise!!! We have a gym at my work. I have a membership. I have never gone, because I don’t make the time. This year, I will schedule in gym time just as firmly as I schedule a meeting or a doctor’s appointment. Barring serious illness, it cannot be missed. I’ll shoot for twice a week to start.

2. 2. Spend less time watching tv! This has been happening naturally since my tivo stopped working, and since I’ve been reading more. Keep it up.

3. 3. Spend less time cleaning- the method for this one is brilliant- my children are getting chores. End of story. :D

4. 4. Spend more time with friends- this one is easy, but with the cold and snow already here, will take an extra effort in the winter. I’m close with my core group of friends, but have fallen out of touch with others, and have recently made contact with a long lost friend, who I want to invite over for dinner soon.

What are your goals?