I'm fascinated by New Year's Resolutions but I don't make them. Do you?

I don't do New Year's resolutions. I can't remember a year when I made a resolution and I'm not sure why. It might be because I realized at a very young age that nobody seems to keep their resolutions. It might also be that I tend to be a non-conformist. It might also be that all of the most popular New Year's resolutions make are so depressing and I really try not to make lists that are going to depress me. Or maybe I'm just plain lazy or such a procrastinator that I know I'll never achieve a resolution, so why bother making one in the first place?

I'll tell you what I do make... I make lists. Lots and lots of lists. Here, I'll prove it to you.

1) On my desk, next to my laptop, you can tiny squares of paper pulled from a page a day calendar with half dozen lists I've made over the last week.
2) I make daily or semi-daily "To Do Lists" and post them on my private message boards and scratch each completed item off, religiously. (Sassymonkey can verify this... by the way, she does it too, sometimes.)
3) If you peek at my computer, and click the Evernote tab, you'll see dozens of lists I've made over the last year. Shopping lists, lists of ideas, lists of people I needed to talk to or email. Lists of all sorts.
4) Wander through my blog and you'll find a number of Meme type lists. I'm a sucker for a good Meme list.

Since I am such a list maker, you'd think wouldn't bat an eye at the idea of making a list of New Year's Resolutions. It seems like a no brainer for me to sit down this week and make a list of things I want to change or improve or achieve over the next year. But I won't. Unless of course the perfect resolution Meme appears. So far, I haven't found that Meme.

I've found the End of the Year Meme which is another reminder of why I don't do resolutions. That question "Have you accomplished your 2007 resolutions" thing is just depressing.

I've found the Year in (P)Review Meme which I like quite a bit better and might just have to try.

There are so many reading list memes that I can't begin to list them all, but this 2008 Author Challenge is really interesting to me. I'm also considering creating my own Young Adult Reading Challenge for 2008, but I haven't done more than just think about it.

And of course, there's the 101 things in 1001 days meme that I started a very long time ago. I've loved doing it but I've also been frustrated by it. (Zan has one too) The things I put on the list on day one quickly became impossible, due to extenuating life circumstances beyond my control. Still. It's been interesting and when it ends in less than a year, I think I'll do it again. It's a lot like a "New Year's Resolution" list - but different, somehow.

What about you? Will you be making resolutions this year? Do you have a really great resolution type meme to share? Drop your link to your post about resolutions or list memes into the Mr Linky below. Drop your updates in here as the year goes by, too. I'm fascinated by everyone's plans for the year and even more fascinated by how progress is made - or isn't made.

Submitted by Denise (view blog

) on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 5:23am

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I still find the 101 things scary

Even though I made the list. I think it's funny that one of the things I put on there as a lark I'm actually going next month (the Paris trip). Life is odd.

For the YA thing I think you should read all the Printz winners and honor books. (There is a Printz award challenge going in 2008 - I have the link somewhere...)

And yes everyone, Denise does make lots of lists. I officially verify that. And yes, I also sometimes make a to-do list. Usually for the weekends.

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Submitted by sassymonkey on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 05:34

Printz Award Challenge it is...

I tracked down the Printz Award Challenge blog and it's too easy - so you're right, I'll have to read them all - and I've made that commitment. Along with a From the Stacks Challenge.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 14:03

Lists are better than resolutions!

I've never really been a big New Years resolution-maker, either. I thought I'd posted something about it last year, but looking back at this time in 2006 I can't find a post about it! So it obviously wasn't that important. :)

But yes, my 101 Things list has definitely been a bigger motivation to me than any New Years resolution ever has. I think it has to do with accountability, and holding myself to making updates.

Personal blog: Keep Up With Me
BlogHer blog: Life - Singles

Submitted by Zandria on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 06:56

For me, it isn't accountability

I always hold myself accountable, list or no list - resolution or no resolution.

Prince J said I don't make resolutions 'cause I am already perfect and resolutions are about improving yourself or your life. And, he might be right. I'm happy with who I am and with my life.

The 101 things list, isn't about improving myself or my life, it's about getting stuff done... more or less. The items on my list that are self improvement-like are the ones least likely to get done, lol.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 14:07

I resolve

every day when I try to button my jeans that I'm going to lose weight, but by afternoon I'm eating something horribly fattening again. Imagine how long a resolution mean to last a whole year would stick to me!

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 08:18

Err Virginia

I've met you in person, you don't need to lose weight. Buy a different style or type of jeans instead. Susan can probably help you find a pair that's a better fit. :-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 14:08

I love New Year's Resolutions!

My year started oddly last year because I'd just been laid off (so I guess I resolved to get a job), but the year before I resolved to take a year off from Internet dating, which I did. Other resolutions include no alcohol for a year (made it to August, but dumped it when I was cheated on) and ordering nothing but water to drink in restaurants for a year (totally made it).

This year I have two resolutions, and I will blog about them on my blog on Dec. 31st.

I also do goal-setting, but I consider that separate from resolutions, which I design to be simple to conceive and yet challenging to complete. Also, goals can change and evolve throughout the year, while resolutions are absolutes.

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess.

Submitted by Liz Rizzo on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 09:31

Absolute vs Changeable

Another reason why I am probably hesitant about resolutions. I don't like absolute. It doesn't give me the control or the freedom to drop what I'm doing and change directions. If I had an "absolute", I'd want nothing more than to do the opposite and when I did, I'd be tempted to be annoyed with myself. I don't need that type of stress in my life. And, there's nothing I'd need to change "absolutely" anyway. ;-)

I look forward to your post today... I don't think you've made it yet but I haven't read my feeds since this morning, so maybe you have. I'll go look.

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 14:10

A sexy resolution

I read in Glamour magazine a diary from a man who made a New Year's Resolution jointly with his wife. They resolved to have sex every single day. It was fascinating to read this article that chronicled (in PG-13-rated detail) how they went about fulfilling this resolution--especially the part about how they "hit a wall" and didn't think they could possibly go another day, but when they made it over the hump (no pun intended) how much better it got. That's one resolution I wouldn't mind trying! ;)

Just the Way It Is - A laugh, an epiphany, a like-minded soul

Submitted by lizzen on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 10:01

Sexy resolutions

LOL These sort of violate "Denise" rules but I see from my s/o's resolution list that she has resolved to have more sex - among other things. I'm tempted to have LESS sex just to show her who's boss. I'm a control freak, in case you didn't know that. ;-)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 14:12

Year-end Conclusions

I've never been a big fan of New Year's resolutions - thinking, "why wait till New Year's to set personal goals for myself?"

So this year, yesterday to be exact, I decided to reverse the New Year's resolution thing and instead, resolved to wrap up loose ends and deal with a variety of issues before New Year's day. The biggest step I've taken thus far is to finally break off a two year relationship that I've been unhealthy bitching about on and off the entire time! Wahoo! I feel lighter already!

So here's to clean slates and a bright, New Year!
Helene
The Modern Woman's Divorce Guide
http://themodernwomansdivorceguide.com/blog

Submitted by moddivorce on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 10:55

Nice Helene!

Agreed - here's to the clean slate.

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

Submitted by Lisa Stone on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 11:26

A 2 year relationship?

Wow. How did you break it off? Was it easy once you started?

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 14:13

Cannot wait to read your list Liz

I love resolutions, D, you and I are going to have to disagree here! Just added mine to your meme. Thanks.

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

Submitted by Lisa Stone on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 11:24

New Year's Resolutions are done!

And linked up! Love that widget. I really enjoy reading what everyone's resolving.

Liz Rizzo

I blog at Everyday Goddess.

Submitted by Liz Rizzo on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 11:18

I'm always right, Lisa...

You aren't allowed to disagree with me, you know that! First Twitter and now resolutions. Tsk tsk tsk.

Actually, I like your list. I couldn't make one like it but it's the kind of thing I like to read from other people. (And I'm always amused by C's twitters about "date night". Heh.)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 14:14

I Resolve to...

1. Work smarter, not harder (also under this category: don't get distracted by email or stupid things on the internet while trying to work)

2. GET MORE SLEEP!

3. Read blogs - I say this because as I get more involved in blogging, I find myself with less and less time to actually READ blogs and it really bothers me.

:) Izzy

Submitted by Izzy76 on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 11:39

Izzy, I agree...

I just added WRITE as a category to my list of resolutions. I once had a brilliant fiction coach who told me, "If you're not reading, you're not writing." So right. I just re-bought my favorite book on writing by Stephen King, and a new one by Walter Mosley. Now I just have to find the time to READ them...

Lisa Stone
BlogHer Co-founder
Surfette

Submitted by Lisa Stone on Sat, 12/29/2007 - 09:03

Get more sleep!

Now you sound like my over-extended middle schooler (and that's a compliment.)

They had a special "guidance counselor" session in the first quarter to help them manage the stress of middle school and they were supposed to create personal goals every week. She always wrote "get more sleep" - but she had no way to actually achieve that, because she's over-extended. It made me ill every time she told me her weekly goal.

How are you going to get more sleep??? Maybe you have a strategy that will work for our RJ?

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 14:17

Funny, I just started

Funny, I just started writing about my goals for the new year earlier today! I've never been much for resolutions before, but I'm making some goals this year.

http://www.aforementionedthoughts.com

Submitted by aforementionedthoughts on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 11:44

Your comments are broken

I tried to comment on your blog but your comments are broken (lots of scary error messages when I tried to submit)... so here's my comment:

Good luck with your goals! How are you going to log your foods? Sparkpeople? Fitday? Some other food journaling program?

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 14:23

Book Reading Challenge(s)

My NYResolution last year was to read 50 books. I got to 48. And so, of course, this year's resolution will be the same. (There's actually a community on LiveJournal soley dedicated to this goal which is where I initially got the idea last year.) I haven't yet written about my failure (boo) from this year or the fact that I'm doing the same thing this year, hopefully with success! However, when I do, I'll come back and link the post. :) It will be written in the new blog as well, set to launch on the 1st.

-
Jenna
Family Living; Hatfield Style - soon do be defunct; new blog launching on the 1st!
Birth/First Parent Blog
The Chronicles of Munchkin Land

Submitted by JennaHatfield on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 11:54

Reading Challenges

I'll be posting about book challenges early in the New Year. There's a ton of them!

Sassymonkey and Sassymonkey Reads.

Submitted by sassymonkey on Fri, 12/28/2007 - 12:43

How interesting

I'm in two book discussion groups, which means 24 books a year just for that. Only 26 more to reach a goal of 50. I think this is such an interesting goal and idea. How detailed a record do you keep of what you read?

http://www.webteacher.ws/
http://first50.wordpress.com/

Submitted by Virginia DeBolt on Sat, 12/29/2007 - 06:40

This Year? SUPER Detailed!

I had a list last year that I wasn't up-to-date with at any given time. This year I'm employing my GoodReads account to help keep me updated and on track. I created a "Read in 2008" list. Hopefully it will contain 50 wonderful books by the end of the year!

-
Jenna
Stop, Drop and Blog - unveiling the new family site.
Birth/First Parent Blog
The Chronicles of Munchkin Land

Submitted by JennaHatfield on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 13:09

That's a great idea, Jenna.

I love GoodReads...I'll probably steal your idea about that list. : ) I have a hard time finding people on there to friend but I'll try to connect with you (or hope you put a link on your blog) so I can check out what your book plans are.

Laurie
LaurieWrites

Submitted by lauriewrites on Tue, 01/01/2008 - 23:03

Reading challenges

I'll be counting up my books from 2007 shortly, I'm sure I got 50 but not sure how much over 50 I managed. There were some pretty slow reading weeks for me this year.

I've created two reading challenges for myself for 2008. I love reading challenges - even when I have to scramble to finish them (like I'm doing for the A to Z challenge I started at the middle of January last year!)

~Denise
BlogHer Community Manager

Flamingo House Happenings

Submitted by Denise on Mon, 12/31/2007 - 14:20