Campaign for a Better Michelle in 2011

Many of you may think New Year's resolutions are silly, because who waits until the start of a new year to make themselves a better person? I DO. If I'm ever going to have a job interview or introduce myself to new people, I'd prefer to do it between January 1st and January 14, those two weeks being the time that I'm my very best self - a small window, I know. So in 2011, I resolve to...

Write in my journal and blog at least once a month. My journal gets ever so lonely between the months of February and December and wonders what I've been up to. I feel like the blog you're reading has taken the place of a traditional journal to an extent. Still, believe it or not, I do hold some things back, reserving them for my personal journal. (Now there's a bestseller you'd want to get your hands on!)

It should go without saying that in order for me to write in my journal, it requires me to do something journal-worthy once a month. Now, there won't be much of this anymore:

or this:

It will most likely be more of this:

and this:

But I'll make a concerted effort to be a little more exciting than that this year.

Keep a monthly journal for Teagan of her developments and funny stories. And let's face it. With Buddy and I attempting to parent her, she's bound to have some weird things happen to her. Like almost getting thrown out with the garbage at Christmas. That was a close one.

Exercise 3 times a week. This one should also help me with my resolve to shower 3 times a week.  Ah, I love being a Mum. Waiting to hear how many pounds I'm hoping to lose this year? Sorry to disappoint, but that's one of those things reserved for my journal, folks. Let's just say I was a size 1 until I got married and although I know I won't get back there, I miss being thin. These board shorts used to be a joke because they were so big and I could slip them on and off even when they were done up.. Now I'm lucky if I can close the velcro. How depressing.

 

Eat more fruits and veggies. And less butter :) I'm committing to healthier eating, and thinking about those second (and third) helpings a lot more before goin' for it. Back when I felt like I didn't have to worry about my weight, my guilty pleasure was semi-frozen butterballs from the MTC Cafeteria. I could pop 'em like candy without gaining an ounce. Those days are long gone, my friends.

And on a spiritual note, I'm committing to reading my scriptures each and every day. There's  a huge difference in my daily life when I faithfully study the scriptures and pray sincerely and I need to remember that warm, fuzzy feeling when I'm tempted to let my head hit the pillow without having read the good word. I'm ashamed to admit that each New Year's Day I have under my belt features "I, Nephi, having been born of goodly parents" starting the Book of Mormon over, regardless of where I left off the previous year. I'll make it all the way through in 2011 and strengthen my testimony of a book I know to be true and along with The Bible, the best book I'll ever read.

I have a few more things I'd like to do, but I don't want to bite off more than I can chew this year - especially since I've already resolved to eat better. I'm hoping that making some of my resolutions public (and when I say "public" apparently I have readers in New Zealand, Poland, Russia and Vietnam now!) Apparently the pressure is on for me to perform since I'm accountable to people all over the world. (Sidebar: I'd love comments from my international friends one of these days!) Well, wish me luck in my Campaign for a Better Me and until next month...