2014 New Years Resolutions: How did I do?

2014 New Years Resolutions: How did I do?

In case you forgot, I made resolutions last year. 

Now ideally, people like to uphold all of them- but I'm the kind of girl who goes on a grading system. Like, did I do over 80%? Then, cool, I got basically a B- at life. WHICH RIGHT NOW WOULD BE OK, TBH.

Now, I did do a mid-way update- SO WHAT I'll DO is post the original statement, then the halfway update and THEN what happened in the end.

LETS SEE ME FALL FLAT ON MY FACE (Mentally, not like, literally.)

"1. I'm not going to beat myself up over dumb things. 
Changes are hard and eventually you will fall, but it's not a big deal. It just isn't."

Midway: I'm actually doing really well on this one. I have been really kind to myself these last few months and it's showing. I will say a lot of my self anxiety stemmed from what I assumed others were thinking, and I DID give that up- because you know what? I shouldn't really care- unless it comes to my client and I'm getting paid to know what they want. Generally speaking though, I started doing what I felt was right for me and it's paying off.

Now: I wish I could say I stuck with this, but anxiety and depression are hard. It's a lot of the "one day at a time" theory- you just have to take everything on as it comes along. I will say this though, talking to someone who is outside of your bubble and is objective about situations really helped me. Roger is very, very much like me in that he can remove himself from his emotions and really look at something with a fresh eye. Talking to him and really opening up about my anxiety put a lot into perspective for me and actually helped him to understand where I was coming from. Bottling things up inside really made him feel left out and he was at a loss as to why I was in bed all day or why I was irritated the minute I woke up. He didn't know how I was feeling because I genuinely didn't share. He was very understanding, and kind of knew exactly what to say to make me feel like I wasn't crazy- I just didn't have the support and tools to get through my feelings.

All in all, I took a lot of steps forward this year, so I did pretty well. I will always have anxiety and depression, but knowing at the end of the day, I get to come home to someone I trust with my feelings makes my life a great deal easier.

"2. I'm going to start running. I know it sucks, but it clears my head and keeps me tired. Plus it's free, and you have an excuse to wear adorable work out clothes and listen to cool running mixes on your ipod."

Midway: This one I gave up on. Running actually doesn't work well for me. I ended up blowing out my bad knee a few times and it threw off my schedule a lot. HOWEVER, I did change up my diet a lot, lost a couple pounds and I'm now getting more into "burn" yoga- where everything is tiny, isolated movements your body hasn't made in years and you sweat a ton. That ends up working out a lot better for me. I commit better to yoga. (Plus my yoga mat is adorable and I can do it inside where no one can see my fat jiggling.)

Now: Yeah I never went back to running. My exercise routine was good for a minute there but I burned out when work got intense (especially wedding season). My diet is still pretty good though, and I'm trying to listen to my body a lot more. In the last couple months I got sick a handful of times and it really knocked me down for awhile so I'm trying to get back in the swing of things, but it's hard for me. My body hasn't come back fully and I'm noticing that when I try to get into my old routine but body isn't liking it anymore- so I need to find a rhythm that works for what I'm doing NOW. It's trial and error, but maybe it'll be easier to replace some of my older/badder habits.

I have no pics of me running, so here's a photo of me eating ribs.

"3. I'm going to ride horses again. In exchange for a stupid exercise regime you're going to dread for awhile, do one you'll actually like."

Midway: AND I HAVE BEEN. The horse I normally ride has some feet problems again so I'm riding a shorter horse that bounces too much, but he's adorable and I love him.

Now: I gave up on riding for awhile there. Between the erratic schedule of work- it got difficult for a long period of time. Plus my coach (Roger's mom) broke her collar bone and then her ribs breaking in a new filly so I had to wait awhile so she could recooperate.... probably didn't help that the horse that was perfect for me (height, gait, etc) ended up dying- SOOOOO I'm a little stuck right now. Roger's mom has been healing up really well though and is ready for me to come out so now it's a matter of finding another horse to live up to Bourbon's legacy.

Damn, I miss that horse though.

"4. I'm going back to the shooting range and I'm getting my hunters license. Yeah I know, you're probably like, "Sweet Jesus, she shoots guns?!" and then you touch your pearls and scornfully look at me. Yes, I shoot guns. I used to do it and I miss it and it was fun. I was licensed by the way, I'm not just like, shooting in the open air like some heathen."

Midway: AND I DID. It was a long day, but my teacher was amazing and I got a 99% on my test. I only missed one question- resulting in high fives from everyone in the class. So bam.

Now: Still have it. Super proud of it.

"5. Even though it sucks being an adult, I'm just going to do my best. You're not going to leave a mountain of dishes in the sink and sleep on a pile of clean clothes. Despite Roger's very sweet nature, we know he's getting tired of your shit and you should probably do something about it."

Midway: I have been trying really hard at this. It's been difficult since I've been at work more consistently, and cleaning at home has gone to the side a little, BUT the dishes are done and the floor is always swept and frankly that's all I care about.

Now: Won't even lie- shit got crazy during December. I got everything put together for my annual Christmas boutique and then I got sick so many times everything pretty much went to pot. There are gifts everywhere that I can't find a place for and a mountain of dishes I haven't done in awhile. SHIT GOT REAL GUYS, and poor Roger is working full time and was trying to keep a full on cleaning schedule. He's not a cleaner guys, he really isn't. He knows how to maintain the clean, but he has no idea how to deep clean anything. He only just learned you can clean a shower with bleach.

This year though, I think I'm going to tear apart the house and really reorganize cabinets and things- throwing away stuff I'm not using and putting things away better so everything fits.

Like, honestly, who the hell needs so many spatulas?

I don't have a pic of my dirty house or of me being domestic, so here's my house at Christmas. 

"6. Read all those books I've been wanting to read but never did because who knows why. You're going to read that book about Walt Disney that they train cast members on. You're going to read that book about the escort that charges $2,000 an hour. You're also going to read that book about authentic vintage hairstyles and you're going to try and do them- even if you suck at authentic finger waves."

Midway: I've been reading a ton. I actually took a couple weeks for a mini break because I was reading non-stop. I read Sugar-Babe (a book/diary of an Australian lady who decides to get a sugar daddy so she can be a professional writer) and I'm working my way through the Pretty Little Liars series (because I'm 12, apparently). 

I finished a few other shorter series and a handful of random books I've always WANTED to start... so really, this is definitely the resolution I've been nailing.

Now: The sheer amount of books I read this year is insane. My e-reader is so full now. Roger's actually a really big reader/writer too, so we've actually been throwing book ideas back and forth and reading stuff together. It's super cute and I love it.

"7. State Board is coming, and I'm going to rock it. You've been studying for days and frankly, you can't afford to fail it. "

Midway: I rocked it. I rocked it big time.

Now: Seriously though, I nailed it.

"8. Sometime this year, I'm going to save up and buy that ipad I want. You've always been pretty shitty about saving money for things and you usually end up blowing it on the Naked palettes and sushi, but you can do this. You've already got $400, you're literally over halfway there for the fancy one you like. Your birthday is coming up, and you're selling some furniture. You are literally on 3rd base waiting to run home. How bad-ass are you going to feel buying yourself something awesome? Because you're a fucking professional and you need it for work."

Midway: WELL, after my dog breaking one of the windows and a couple other small disasters, my savings has run short. I'm still trying to put money away for an ipad, but honestly I think I might just have to put it to the side for now. Life is just too expensive at the moment. (PLUS THE MORTGAGE, SHEESH.)

Now: Fun story, Roger actually surprised me with a Google Nexus 7. So I know it's not an ipad, but it's actually better for me and what I'm doing and I love that thing to death. We're still talking about an ipad so we don't have to share a tablet, but it's not a big whoop right now.

So technically I didn't save up for it, which was the original intent. Ideally, it was about money management and learning how to save for something and I didn't do that with the tablet- BUT I DID WITH OTHER THINGS. So, I'm gonna count this as a win.

"9. I'm going to grow out my hair again. The short hair was a fun ride, but lets face it- you love sassy ponytails and princess buns. Stop trying to cut it- just let Stephanie fix it as it grows out. She'll get you there, just stop being dumb and let it grow. By the way, stop forgetting to buy biotin. "

Midway: I DID buy Biotin, and my hair IS growing out- slowly but surely. I've been attempting to keep it healthy, but you know how that goes...

Now: It is growing and it's finally getting longer. I made a couple mistakes along the way, but it's a growing process (hardy har har). It's finally at the, like, armpit length and it's getting healthier. I stopped lightening it and just stuck to a glaze that's around my natural color and I will say it's made a big difference. Plus, I'm using more oils and generally sacrificing volume for the sake of shine and health. I do miss my big hair, but I know when it's long and doesn't break off when someone touches it, I'll be very happy.

Sorry guys, this is about as current as it gets. I rarely take selfies anymore of my hair because I wear it up so often. STORY OF MY LIFE. Just imagine it slightly longer, and a shiny mid-brown color.

"10. Go back to doing things that you loved. You used to love waterskiing and volunteering at the animal shelter. You officially have all the time in the world and no more excuses to use. Just do it, you'll be happier in the long run."

Midway: The funny thing is I haven't done any of the things I listed above recently, but I did pick up new hobbies. I'm back to making jewelry and writing for funsies, and it's really helped to keep me focused on keeping my life fun. I have a tendency to become a work-a-holic if given the option.

Now: STILL A WORK-A-HOLIC though, but yeah I have done more hobby-ish things in the past year. I'm reading, writing here and there, and I did a lot of day-trips.Traveling for me isn't stressful at all, and in fact it's really cathartic. I went up to Shaver Lake a lot more than usual, Roger and I did a lot of charity dog-walks, and I bummed around Cambria and Solvang. Work wise, I went to Napa a couple times, and off to the coast to assist for a friend in a wedding she was working. In fact, this year I'm going to Disneyland for my birthday so I'm kind of starting the year off with a trip. I don't know is travel is technically a hobby, but I'm gonna count it.

All in all, I'm going to say it was a B+ year. A lot of ups and downs, but generally I did pretty good in my resolutions. A few I had to give up on a little (either for health reasons, or mental reasons) but overall, it was pretty good.

And if nothing else, even if I didn't hit all the resolutions, I fulfilled a lot of other categories. I was happier on the average, Roger and I grew closer as a couple and I made a lot of life choices in my route to growing as an adult.

And really, that's more important I think.

Hope you all had a B+ year (or better I guess but lets be real, a B+ is pretty damn good),

-SamanthaK