New Years Resolutions for Simple Living

My Two Cents

I know it's cheesy, but I really love New Years resolutions. I love the idea that once a year, we get the opportunity to take a look at our lives and dream up ways to change them for the better. Working towards a more simple life has created a ton of resolutions for me every year.

I usually don't share, but I've come to the conclusion that telling others what your New Years resolutions are goes a long way towards sticking to them. Here's my list - I must admit that some of these are already in process, some of them haven't begun yet. But I think all of them will help me create a simpler life.

Multi Meal Prep

I love the idea of freezer or bulk cooking. Having meals ready to rock on busy weeknights sounds like a dream come true. So far in practice, I haven't managed to do a whole lot of it. Giving up one day a month (or even half a day every few weeks) feels overwhelming. And spending many hours cooking just sounds like a drudge.

So this year I'm going to opt for the short-form of this type of cooking (sort of a baby step New Years Resolution). I am going to cook with the intention of several nights of leftovers and I'll immediately freeze all but one night's worth of leftovers. Because what's better than dinner already made?

Disconnect from Electronics

Do you feel naked without your cell phone? How about your computer? Yeah, me too. And I think it's a little unsettling that we are so "on" all the time. I want electronics to work for me, not the other way around. I am going to have some gadget free time each night. No TV, computer, cell phone, etc. Sounds nice huh?

Get Ready the Night Before

There are simply too many things to get done in the morning. And quite frankly, there are many tasks that can be accomplished the night before. So that's the plan...packing lunches, picking out clothes (and ironing them if need be), prepping the coffee pot, getting homework in the right spot, locating library books - all these things are gonna happen the night before. Everything feels good when the day starts off smooth.

Stop Making Your Bed

Now I know there are some folks out there that like making their beds. If that's you - then keep up the good work. I am not like you. I detest making the bed. So I don't do it - and I don't make my kids do it either.

Why add one more chore to the hectic rush that is the morning? I'm suggesting that if you also hate making the bed and you find yourself doing it just because you always have - try stopping. See if the world blows up. I bet it won't.

Give Up Cable TV

This one is a big step for my family. We watch too much TV. Now we're pretty careful about limiting the time and shows of the kids, but even so - they watch too much and the grown-ups in this house do too.

When we bought our house, the homeowner's association fees included cable. Just recently, that contract ended and we needed to opt in to cable for it to continue. So I simply didn't. We've been cable-less for about a month now and so far so good. It's amazing how much more time I have when I'm not planning on such and such a program.

Remove the choice and it's really easy to not watch so much. Now we watch movies on DVD that we get through our local library. It's free and you'd be surprised at how many choices your local library has.

Stop Mindless Laundry Chores

What mindless laundry chores am I talking about? Do you fold your underwear? Yeah, so do I. I got to thinking - why in the world do I? So I'm not gonna anymore. Who cares if my underwear is wrinkly?

Besides this is perhaps the easiest New Years Resolution I've ever set for myself. I know I'll follow through!

Create the Best Space for the Job

I am notorious for making do - and my husband is too. Here's my example: my desk chair is the cardboard (no really - it is!) and foam office chair that we inherited from his dad some 15 years ago. It's uncomfortable as heck.

I injured my back a few years ago and it's a bit touchy when I sit for periods of time in uncomfortable chairs. So have I gotten a better chair? One that would encourage me to use my desk space to write articles, pay the bills, etc? Nope.

I perch on the kitchen stools with my computer and my desk is where I put filing. Not good. I'm done making do. I'm going to create a creative, pleasant space to get what I need to get done. And I don't mean I'm out to spend a ton of money redecorating - I just need a space that fits the job.

Get Outside

I should amend this to say get outside as much as humanly possible. I feel like our modern societies spend WAY too much time indoors. I know there are climates where it's just not easy to get outside (the summers here are my own personal example), but I still think we can get outside more.

You can't find your connection with nature if you're never in it. I actually think everyone has a deep connection with nature, but we spend so much time indoors that we can't remember it.

I usually like New Years Resolutions that are a little more specific than this, but sometimes just having an idea like this in the back of my mind helps me make different choices.

Send Some Love

I am the queen of dashing off an email or sending someone a text instead of sending an actual hand-written letter. But isn't getting snail mail fun? I think so. I'm going to send out some care packages, actual hand-written letters, and even some postcards this year. Just because.

Learn A New Skill

There is so much to learn about in this world and we have so few years on this earth to do it. I find myself saying "Oh, that would be so fun to learn..." and then never following through with actually doing it. I'm going to learn a few new skills this year. I want to learn to can. I want to re-learn how to knit. What do you want to learn how to do?