Sparkle & Smile

Blog for Cleaner and Healthier Homes

Healthy Soul

Reflections on my 2014 New Year’s Resolutions – Where I am, what I learned, and what I might do differently next year:

21413181_m123

In the beginning of the year, I wrote a blog called, “cheers to a successful year.” In that blog I mentioned two different resolutions that I wanted to accomplish by the end of the year. The first was to get back into exercising again and the second was to cut down on sugar and junk food and add healthier meals and snacks to my diet. I am sad to report that I have only accomplished one of them.

I am guilty! I fell into the rut that many of us do, which is putting everything (and everyone) first before myself. I let my busy life get the best of me which left “no time” to reflect on my personal health goals.

Which resolution did I accomplish? I am proud to say that my diet is filled with all kinds of healthy snacks and delicious ways to make fruits and vegetables taste better. I learned to add more spices and seasonings to my foods. I learned new ways to cook with ingredients that are good for my family. I lessened the sugary snacks and drinks and replaced them with pastas, hummus, yogurts, cheeses, water, and teas. I got re-acquainted with my broiler and I relied on the “crock pot” tremendously! I have to admit, it was tough at first, but I did it! It was not easy taking a family of five and replacing their sugar cravings with fruits and nuts!

On another, more sour note, I scored poorly on the exercise resolution. In fact, after two weeks of my goal, I was done. Not because I didn’t enjoy it, but because I didn’t allow myself enough “me time” each day to fulfill my goal. Over and over again I chose to sit on the couch instead of walk on the treadmill because of being so tired. Am I embarrassed at not meeting my goal? You bet I am. Can I give tons of excuses as to why I didn’t accomplish my goal? Of course I can, and they are all legitimate ones too! But the bottom line is that I didn’t allow myself the time I need to be “complete.” I didn’t allow myself to fully reflect on “me” and what I need each day to regain my sanity and improve my health. Let’s face it, I am not getting any younger, and life isn’t getting any easier. This is an important goal that I need to accomplish for myself.

So here we are, at the end of 2014 and the beginning of 2015. Just this past week I have reminisced about the year, I have analyzed what I accomplished (and didn’t accomplish), I let go of any grudges I had and I am ready to move forward. The up and coming year is a fresh start for us all.

I am going to focus on health, for myself and my family. I am going to concentrate on giving my absolute best in work and in my personal life. I am going to accomplish my fitness goal and any other personal goals I have this year. How? By making an organized plan and sticking with it. By being more confident in myself. By giving myself the respect and the time I need each day. By loving myself enough to gain the confidence I need to tackle each day. By loving my family and adding more happy memories to keep me going. By spending time with my children, who seem to be growing up so fast right before my eyes. By volunteering my time to the local animal rescue organization that I do every year. By learning, growing and sharing the things that mean so much to me. By caring, about myself and those around me.

2015 is going to be a good year, I can feel it! Stay positive and focus on good energy! And stick around, we can accomplish our goals together!

Happy 2015! May you all have a healthy, happy, and prosperous new year!

Additional Articles You might Like

View More
Healthy Home Seasonal

Spring Cleaning for Allergen-Free Living: A Healthier Home this Spring — As the flowers bloom and the weather warms, spring brings a sense of renewal and rejuvenation. However, for many, it[…]

blog recent img 1
link post
Healthy Home Home Organization

Winter Cleaning: Keeping Your Home Cozy & Clean During the Colder Months — The concept of spring cleaning is well-known. Yet, winter cleaning is rarely discussed in the same manner. As temperatures fall[…]

blog recent img 2
link post
News

Research Shows Americans Spend Nearly 300 Hours Cleaning Their Home Each Year — Cleaning up around the house is an inevitable part of life. New research conducted by OnePoll on behalf of Maid[…]

blog recent img 3
link post

Subscribe for
the latest tips, tricks and green tech news.