Wednesday, January 9, 2013

Fresh Starts

Well, 2013 has been here for over a week now. How's it treating you? We've all finally gotten rid of the flu virus (I hope!!) that haunted us for most of the holidays. Nasty stuff - hope it stayed far away from all of you. Is everyone relaxed, refreshed and ready to make this a great year? Hope so!

I'm NOT a resolution maker - never have been. I tend to focus on next steps as opposed to longer goals - otherwise I get lost in the big plans and dreams and forget about taking those steps. Baby steps work best. One thing at a time.

Today I'm over at From the Write Angle talking about Fresh Starts. I think we all need those once in a while! I hope you'll pop on over and add to the discussion!

How about you? Do you make those resolutions ... and do you keep them? Do you like fresh starts too?

44 comments:

Alex J. Cavanaugh said...

No resolutions and only a couple goals for the year. I like to keep things simple.

Elizabeth Spann Craig said...

Glad you feel better!

Maybe I've made some vague resolutions, yes, but nothing I've written down. :)

Dianne K. Salerni said...

My resolutions are hopefully sensible ones:

Lose some weight -- because last weekend I went skiing and my knees hurt and I was ungainly and moved awkwardly. I know I put on some pounds over the holiday.

Take breaks from my writing instead of forcing myself forward when I am tired, stuck, or frustrated.

Jemi Fraser said...

Alex - me too! Simple is good! :)

Elizabeth - I think a lot of people feel the same way :)

Dianne - the weight one is one I probably should make!! And your writing one makes complete sense!! :)

Yvonne Osborne said...

Hi Jemi,
No resolutions but private resolves. And, yes, this is the perfect time for fresh starts as the days are already growing longer. Happy New Year!

Sharon K. Mayhew said...

I'm glad you are feeling better. I had a sinus infection and cough all of the holidays...UGH!

I used to make resolutions, but not so much this year. I'm kind of treating it like an extended Lent. I gave up soda. I changed my exercise routine. I was going to a gym for an extreme fitness class each day...I hated it....every minute of it, but I went for almost a year.Basically had no progress on my weight, I just got stronger. So I decided I'd much rather be on my treadmill and bowflex at home. I'm a much happier camper now. :)

T. Powell Coltrin said...

Sick is no fun!

I don't wait for a new year to create new goals, but I do have a couple of new ones and one old one that keeps tripping me up.

T

Jack said...

I'm like you, I don't really make resolutions. I always ended up forgetting them anyways. I just set a goal usually, such as a reachable writing goal, and work towards it.

I hope you all are over the sickness. It is rotten when everyone gets better and then it sneaks back.

Johanna Garth said...

Sorry to hear you were all sick over the holidays :(

Romance Book Haven said...

Oh, so sorry to hear you were not feeling well over the holidays, but glad you are better now.

Nas

LD Masterson said...

I always make 'em. Keeping them - that's another story. See you over at Write Angle.

Jemi Fraser said...

Yvonne - it's nice to see the light lasting longer already!! :)

Sharon - good decision! I'm impressed you made it that long - but that's a lot of time spent on something you hate. Glad you're enjoying it more now!!

Teresa - it was definitely no fun at all! And I hope you figure out that trippy one!! :)

Jack - I'm a little worried about that. Some of the kids are sick at school and I'm hoping I don't bring it home again!

Johanna - thank you! I'm hoping we're through it now!

Nas - it was awful - but I think we're all through it now thankfully!

Linda - and that's probably why I don't make 'em! :) And thanks!

Lynda R Young as Elle Cardy said...

Good to hear you're better now.
I definitely make resolutions, and I even try to keep them, but it doesn't always happen.

Susan Gourley/Kelley said...

I ususally set some writing goals at the start of each year but I've been too busy to really think about it. At least I'm busy writing.

Anonymous said...

I call them goals, not resolutions. Resolutions makes me think of previous years when I only made changes the first week or two of January and then forgot about them. I want to focus on do-able, long-term things.

Jemi Fraser said...

Lynda - thanks! I think if they're too easy to keep, they're probably not real anyway :)

Susan - I bet you are! Sounds like you're having a great time!!

Medeia - I prefer goals too. I like to chunk mine up into smaller chunks to make them less scary :)

DMS said...

I like to make goals regularly throughout the year. Usually with the new year I make one goal I would like to work on, but I don't go crazy!

Happy New Year!
~Stephanie

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephanie - thanks! You too. :)
I don't go crazy with goals either - life is too busy and too demanding for much else :)

Beth Zimmerman said...

I choose theme words instead of resolutions. This year I chose restoration (because it's what I long for in my family) and CHOOSE because I needed a word that would remind me that every decision is a choice and I need to make the best ones.

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - oh! Theme words is a great idea! And I love your choices!! :)

Stephanie Thornton said...

I haven't made resolutions in years because I realized that doing so doomed them to failure. Instead, I'm just going to focus on all the good stuff that happens this year. I'm pretty sure that will be a lot more fun. :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Stephanie - I love that approach - I bet it will be a ton of fun!! :)

cleemckenzie said...

Didn't do Resolutions this year. I do like the idea of starting fresh, however!

Michelle Wallace said...

There's nothing better than a new beginning, a fresh start... which I prefer to focus on... as opposed to making all sorts of unrealistic resolutions in the heat of the moment...

Jemi Fraser said...

Lee - me too! I love that fresh feel :)

Michelle - unrealistic is always the killer for resolutions! Probably why I don't do them :)

DL Hammons said...

I'm headed over there now!

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks DL! :)

Julie Musil said...

No resolutions for me, either! I'm sorry to hear you guys got the flu. I'm not going to jinx my family by saying anything more about it!!!

I'm off to the Write Angle...

Jemi Fraser said...

Julie - no jinxing allowed - it was horrible and I hope no one else gets it - ever!!!

And thanks! :)

Patricia Stoltey said...

Sorry to hear you and your family were suffering over the holidays. This flu season is really bad, but we've escaped so far at our house, probably thanks to the flu shots we got in the fall.

I don't do a formal list of resolutions anymore, but I do periodically set new goals and target dates. And then there's that weekly To Do List...

Jemi Fraser said...

Pat - thanks! I can't get the flu shot - I'm allergic to the preservative it's in and it could do all kinds of horrible things to me. *sigh*

I like goals too - so much better for me :)

DEZMOND said...

sorry to hear you had flu virus. The first outbreaks are appearing here too in Europe, and they say this year we shall have a very nasty and dangerous one.

Jemi Fraser said...

Dezzy - I haven't heard of any fatalities yet here (hope the same is true for you!) but it's been extremely nasty!!

Anonymous said...

I'll stop by and say hello!

Jackee said...

I love long-term goals but I think measurable baby steps are the only way to get there. Headed to Write Angle now! <3

Jemi Fraser said...

Thanks Stephen! :)

Jackee - I like those baby steps best for me! :) thanks!

klahanie said...

Hi Jemi,

No resolutions from me. Okay, just one. To visit your site and leave one of my highly treasured comments :)

May this be a peaceful, positive year for you, eh. Sorry couldn't resist, eh :) Fresh starts and new hopes...

Gary

Jemi Fraser said...

Gary - that's a completely excellent resolution!! :) That's a lovely wish and I hope the same for you, your son and, of course, Penny too! :)

mshatch said...

I don't know as though I'd call them resolutions, more like hopes and dreams :)

Jemi Fraser said...

Ms H - hopes and dreams are awesome! I like that :)

Anonymous said...

Yeah, I stopped the resolution thing years ago. I like to put a banner or words over my year. I like take on board my church's banner which this year is Supernatural Momentum - and my word is FAVOUR! Bring it on!

Jemi Fraser said...

Michelle - that's a really cool approach - I like it!! Hope it help you have the best year yet :)

Beth said...

I don't make resolutions - just try to make the changes whenever I think of them!

Jemi Fraser said...

Beth - that's more my style too! Easier to keep track of that way as well! :)