I’ve never been big on lofty New Year’s resolutions. Seems like just about everyone realizes now that they usually get more satisfaction and see better results when they make small goals in the new year that can be attained by making little adjustments in daily living. That seems more the stuff of long-term habitual change and, really, isn’t the whole point of starting the new year with goals to better yourself over the long haul?
Tomorrow I’ll share with you some of the projects around my house I’m hoping to accomplish in the new year. For today, here are my small goals in 2013.
Find a new dentist, and go at least annually. Our dental insurance was switched almost two years ago now and I never found a new dentist in our new network. Which means I haven’t been to the dentist in two years. And my four year old has never been. Don’t judge. I do fastidiously brush my and my daughters’ teeth!
Take vitamins every day. I’m on about a once a month schedule right now. Pretty sure that’s not having any positive effect at all.
Be lying in bed at 10 p.m. every night. This is going to be a hard one. As part of this goal, I plan to wash my face and brush my teeth as soon as I get my daughters to bed each night. Then I’ll head downstairs and do my photo editing, blog post writing, and reply to e-mails. And when it’s 10:00 I will shut my computer and walk upstairs. I’ve been averaging about 6 hours of sleep a night for the past several months and it’s taking its toll. Time for a change.
Get my hair cut! I like having long hair…but it’s now been somewhere in the 6-8 month range since I’ve had it cut. I’m just so darn lazy about it. I will try to go at least every 5 months starting this month.
And, hopefully, by writing it all down, I’ll be extra-super motivated to make these little things happen!
Happy New Year all. Thank you for reading!!
Happy New Year! Great goals!! I am with ya on the 10pm in bed goal. Our schedule (or lack there of) has really taken a toll these past few months.
Yeah for going to the dentist! You can look at the American Academy of Pediatric Dentistry website http://www.aapd.org to find a pediatric dentist near you. The guideline from the AAPD is first dental visit by the first birthday so it may be a good idea to make appointments for both of your daughters. Many pediatricians are unaware of this guideline. Sadly, I actually treat some 1.5 year olds with cavities. Besides taking care of cavities, dentists take care of dental traumas. Kids often fall while running around the house or playing sports as they get older (and damage their teeth). It is good to already be a patient of record of a pediatric dentist and have someone to call if a dental trauma happens. Good luck! Patty Hanlon Rist
Ada has a greying front tooth after getting smacked in the mouth by a wooden swing a few weeks ago in gymnastics. Yet another reason to finally get her to a dentist! Thanks for the tip on when to start too…our doc has always said 3 yrs.
The bedtime thing is so hard for me too! I tend to stay up way too late. Having a cutoff time is a good idea. I find that if I force myself to turn off the tv and computer and go to bed and just read for a bit, I’m too tired to keep reading and get to sleep earlier.