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Email a FriendI see where you are coming from Arwen and like the idea of try - as long as I add the word everyday after it because I usually say I’ll try tomorrow instead. I also like asking God what He would have me resolve to do in 2012 which helps me create a different type of list altogether.
Happy New Year!
A 2012 Try
My new approach to resolutions
Posted by Arwen Mosher in Just me on Tuesday, January 03, 2012 9:00 AM
Are you a perfectionist?
I am, of the frustrated sort, and it makes the start of a new year difficult. On the one hand, I’m tempted to make exhaustive lists of ways to improve myself this year. On the other hand, I dread the guilt I’d inevitably feel as the resolutions fell, one by one.
In recent years I’ve sidestepped this problem by avoiding particular resolutions in favor of more general ones. In 2010 made a one-word resolution to be more joyful. In 2011, expecting twins, I resolved merely to survive the year.
In 2012, though, there are a few real things I want to change in my family’s and my own lives. A one-word resolution won’t do it; I have specific goals.
This year, I’m determined to use the new abilities that the Year of the Twins has helped me develop to embrace my new resolutions. I’ve always been afraid of failure, but struggling to care for two babies has beaten that out of me a bit, and I’ll keep fighting it. I’ve also learned the value of invisible progress: every little bit really does count. Two steps forward, one step backward will still get you there, eventually.
So, for instance, I’d like to change our family’s eating habits, because I know we could use some more nutritious foods and because I hope doing so will help me feel healthier and more energetic on a day-to-day basis. I’ve struggled with this in the past because I felt like it should be an all-or-nothing thing. If we weren’t going to eat perfectly according to our own standards, what was the point?
Setting aside the valuable truth that an all-or-nothing approach to nutrition is not helpful or constructive, the reality is that every nutritious meal is good in its own right, no matter what the next morning’s breakfast consists of. This year, I’m determined to take it bite by bite. The resolution isn’t so much Eat Well, as it is (Try to) Eat Well.
It doesn’t sound as inspiring, I’ll admit, but it is SO much more likely to succeed.
Yoda was wrong - there is too such thing as “try.” And in 2012, it’s my word.
Did you make any resolutions this year, of the one-word or the “try” or the traditional sort? What are they?
Comments
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Posted by Rosie on Tuesday, Jan 3, 2012 4:00 PM (EDT):
I love it, Arwen! Last Lent my penance/resolution was sticking to a basic housework schedule. I felt silly resolving to something so basic that I should have been doing already, but you’re not going to make much progress on above-and-beyond things unless you’ve got the basics down. Here is my eat healthy baby step: I have been trying to eat one fruit and one vegetable each day. Often I find myself eating ramen or something but feeding the baby something very healthy, so I have a little of what he’s having and feel better! Canned fruits are great and so easy.
Oh, I have been wrangling with this issue. I was looking back at my ever-so-slightly crazy resolutions for ‘09, ‘10, and ‘11 and wondering if I should aim high again this year. I am still finishing up one of my ‘11 resolutions and having a bit of resolution fatigue at the moment. 
Good luck to you, Arwen!
Posted by Janeen on Tuesday, Jan 3, 2012 8:22 PM (EDT):
My resolution for 2012 started in Advent. I am fasting from the computer on Fridays. My computer is only a year old, but I already am addicted to on the spot information. When I don’t open the computer at all, it really gives me reflection time to concentrate on Jesus, whether in prayer, reading, saying an extra rosary, or just filling my time with silence. Cheers to you all and your resolutions and improvements to a holier life.
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