I’m not normally one for resolutions. I figure, why set myself up to fail. But, there are some things I want to work on in 2012, so I thought I’d come up with a 12 things for 2012 list. I’m thinking of them as things I want to do, not things I have to do.
Spend less money on books. I know myself…instituting a book buying ban would result in me running out to the bookstore on the 2nd of January and buying everything in sight. So I’m just going to work on curbing those spending habits. I have plenty of books in the house that need to be read. And I used to send books to Powells for store credit…I want to get back in that habit. And then there’s the library. As much as I don’t care for our county system, they really do have lots of books. I need to start checking them out.
Spend more time at indies. This might seem to contradict spend less money on books, but there’s a method to my madness. We have very few indies around here, so spending more time at indies forces me to explore or take mini road trips. In other words, it’s not something I’ll be doing every weekend, and it might force me to plot out my purchases and curb some of that impulse book buying. It’s also a good way to meet up with friends.
Stop going to Starbucks. I’ve done this before. Successfully, I might add. Until I started slipping this past year. And then after HB crashed his motorcycle, lattes turned into a major comfort food (or is that drink?). And even though I go the decaf, non-fat, sugar-free option, I still don’t need to be drinking them. I mean, really…fake coffee, fake milk, fake sugar. Why bother?
Start my own book club. I’ve flaked on the club I joined in late 2010. While they’re a fun group of women, we rarely talk books. And there’s generally only a handful of people who have read the book. And, someone keeps making the executive decision to change the book we’re going to read. The most recent list for 2012 is made up almost entirely of books I’ve read…that’s no fun (for me). So I’ve recruited my friend Rochelle, and we’re going to try to start our own group, on a smaller, more devoted scale.
Take a trip (outside of California) by myself. I’ve done this before, too. I’ve been to Seattle, and Portland, and Savannah, all by myself, and I loved those trips. I’ve spent way too much time with other people this past year, and while I really, really love those people, I really, really miss being able to do my own thing. So I’m thinking maybe Washington, D.C. Or maybe someplace else. Planning is half of the fun!
Explore photography. This might be tricky, as I’ve only found one option for a photography class, through the community college. The class meets on a weeknight, and I’m not very good with weeknight activities. So I might need to reconsider and find another avenue to learn more about cameras and pictures.
Take a class just for kicks. This is separate from the photography class that may or may not happen. The Adult School has a few weekend options (the bread baking class sounds fun).
Get back into the yoga habit. Even if it’s just once a week. Once a week is better than nonce a week.
Bay to Breakers. This is a yearly run (I’d be doing the walk option) held in San Francisco. I’ve tossed around the idea with friends of making it a girls’ weekend in San Francisco. If this doesn’t pan out, I’ll do the Rock to Pier walk that I did in 2011. They’re both about 7 miles in length…totally doable, but also a reason to get back into my daily walking routine.
Museum trip. This usually involves a trip to San Francisco or LA. My mom and I have done the Tut exhibit, the Getty Museum, and the Getty Villa. And last year I went to the Huntington Library (note: totally worth a second visit). The Terracotta Warriors are in LA for a few months…I should consider that, too.
The Shelf of Doom. I created the Shelf of Doom for the TBR Pile Challenge, but I love the name so much that I don’t want it to go away. So as I read a book from the shelf, I’ll replace it with another book that’s been in the house for over a year. Hopefully, this will keep me moving on reading more of the books I already own.
A sentence a day. I’ve already started doing this, but I want it to become a habit. I bought a beautiful paper planner for 2012 (because I do calendars much better on paper), and at the end of each day I’m writing one sentence. It tends to be a long sentence, and I’m playing fast and loose with sentence structure, but it’s my way of summing up the day or putting to paper something I especially want to remember.
Revisit this list regularly. Okay, so this is #13, but it needs to be in here. I will revisit this list frequently and reserve the right to add or change things as I go along.
I’d like to work on my photography too. We have a really nice camera and I only use it on the auto setting, so I know I could be doing a lot more with it. I tried to read a book on it and it was too advanced for me. I have another book to try, but I have to read it before it will help. I’m in two book clubs and neither one talks about the book much.
bermudaonion (Kathy)´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday
“Once is better than nonce.” I like that! I bought my first DSLR last year and I still don’t use it very well. I’ve read a little bit about photography, but I really should take a class. I would love to be brave enough to start my own book club. I haven’t found a good one near me either. Good luck with your “want to do” list. All the best to you this year!
Kristi´s last [type] ..The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde
Very ambitious list! I didn’t make any resolutions, knowing it would only depress me as I broke one after the other like usual!
rhapsodyinbooks´s last [type] ..January is National Hot Tea Month
I didn’t even THINK about doing 12 for 12. I did 14 for 12. Fail.
Starting your own book club is the best way, I think. I’ve had mine for five years now and love it!
Speaking of sentence-a-day, Lu from Regular Rummination mentioned a 5-year Q&A journal which asks a question every day, that you circle around and answer on that day every year for five years. It’s a one-sentence thing, and I”m such a geek that I love it. I got one for Christmas and am very excited about it.
Amanda´s last [type] ..Weight Loss, 2011 and 2012
GREAT list of things to work on! Such fun workonables, too. Good luck, Jill!
Andi´s last [type] ..Bye-Bye Vacation! Hello 2012 Wannareads!
Gosh I love these goals. And like Amanda, I wish I was clever enough to think 12 for 12. I have some similar goals for myself (yoga being one of them). I also need to seek out more alone time. I love quietness but my partner, Di, seeks out noise often. So the tele is ALWAYS on just so she can have sound. This past year we finished a room in our house designated as “mine” and I need to make better use of it. And I hear you about spending less money on books. I’m using James (Ready When You Are, CB)’s TBR Double Dare to prevent me from purchasing books for at least the first four months of the year. (His challenge is to read from your own shelves until April 1st). If I’m successful, I’m rewarding myself with a huge box-o-books that I have been accumulating via a wishlist on B&N. lolz.
christina´s last [type] ..Let the New Year Commence!
Love that you are starting your own book club! I did that too and we are 10 years and still going… I never dreamed that first meeting with me and two others would go this far. You also mentioned the group you were in doesn’t always read the book – I hear that often and that baffles me. We brought in a new girl to out group last year and she said “I love that you actually read the book!” She had just left a group that never read the book, mainly used the “book club” title to get together and hang out.. we do that too – but we also read the book.
Sheila (Book Journey)´s last [type] ..It’s Monday! What Are You Reading?
Love it. I am going crazy because I’ve already misplaced my 2012 journal. I’m tearing the house apart; trying to calm down (so I check my blog, of course) and then I’ll go search again.
Care´s last [type] ..Review of 2011 Reading Adventures, Part 2
I really like your list, and share the same goal with you about the yoga. Actually, I just got back from my first class of the year, and I feel so good! I am hoping this resolution sticks. Some of my goals are to get back into the fitness groove, write at least one letter a month to someone I love (letter writing is a lost art, I think), and read more classics. Some of these goals are the same as last year, but hopefully I do better at them this time around! Good luck with all your plans, Jill!
zibilee´s last [type] ..Ready Player One by Ernest Cline — 384 pgs
I love this list Jill! LOVE. And yes, it’s good to be selfish (not that I’m calling you selfish, but you know what I mean). So…curious about how you’re going to start your own book club. As in, please post about this.
Happy new year.
Trish´s last [type] ..Goodbye 2011. Hello 2012!!
This is a great list of *want to do’s* (not resolutions!). Well thought out and, yes, totally do-able!
Will you post an update every quarter (or at the 6-month mark), so we can see how you’ve done when you revisit the list?
Dawn – She Is Too Fond of Books´s last [type] ..*Running the Rift* by Naomi Benaron
I want to go to Orange County to see the terracotta warriors at the Bowers too. Went last year with my folks to see the mummies, and it was a very nice museum.
I like traveling on my own. Its nice to be able to do what you want and on your own schedule. That goes very well with the photography resolution. Especially if you do go to DC
Sarah´s last [type] ..2012 Book Blogger Recommendation Challenge
I love this list too! I’m hoping to take a trip alone too. I love that I’ve found a husband who loves to travel as much as I do, and more importantly, the same way I do, but I miss those independent trips by myself. I have a conference in Anaheim in June, and I’m already planning to stay a few days and explore California a bit on my own. Your’e absolutely right: planning is at least half the fun!
nomadreader´s last [type] ..2012 Reading Goals & Plans for January
I am not big on resolutions either, but I love every single thing that you put on this list! I think most people make the mistake of vowing to completely overhaul their lives in ways that just aren’t feasible, but your list is made up of stuff that will really just enrich your life if you put in the effort to do it. Even if you only stick to half your list, it looks like you’ll have a wonderful 2012.
Steph´s last [type] ..‘Tis the season
Those are some fantastic goals. I kind of miss traveling alone too. I haven’t since BEA10.
And since I’m popping out a wee one soon, I don’t think I’ll be doing it anytime soon.
Trisha´s last [type] ..2012 Blogging Goals
Great list, Jill. Hope you’ll update us periodically as you revisit this post. Book club, photography, yoga, sentence a day… all fun/doable stuff. Good luck!
JoAnn´s last [type] .."An English New Year" by Henry James
Your list makes me smile. Good luck with your goals!
Amused´s last [type] ..Mailbox Monday: January 2, 2011
I like your idea of a sentence a day! There aren’t any indies near us, but I’m considering making going to Barnes & Noble on a regular basis one of my resolutions.
heidenkind´s last [type] ..Au Revoir, Romance Month
I love all of these. They’re great resolutions. I definitely think your trip by yourself should be to… NYC, of course
I saw the Terracotta Warriors when they were in DC and they were neat, but not the most amazing thing I’ve seen.
Lu´s last [type] ..2011 in Review!
I love your list!! I think they are reasonable and fun and doable. And I’m in love with the Shelf of Doom. I might have to get me one of those!
Jenners´s last [type] ..A People’s Readalong! Join Us Why Don’t You?
This is a great list of resolutions … there are more “new things to experience” than “thou shalt nots.”
And Calvin and Hobbes is ALWAYS a nice touch.
Stephanie´s last [type] ..Thoughts on Blogging
Oh man! You just reminded me I got one of those sentence a day books for moms for Christmas! I need to go dig it out and get started…
stacybuckeye´s last [type] ..Writers Lost in 2011 Quiz
Love your list. I should find a local walk/run — it’s very motivating if you have something to work for (besides getting more audiobook time in). I have fallen out of the habit of a daily walk. I love your one sentence a day idea too.
Beth F´s last [type] ..Wordless Wednesday 162
Thank you for posting this. The nerd in me truly loves to read other people’s goals. (Or maybe it’s the peeping tom in me.)
Anyway, I wish you well with your goals and hope that you’ll post occasional updates. Best of luck, particularly, with starting a book club. I started one in 2011. It’s scary, but pretty fun!
Jessica´s last [type] ..2012
Great list of goals for the coming year! Think I’ll need to sit down and do something like this – it always is a good reminder to have of the things that you want to do.
Lisa´s last [type] ..Where I Am Lead Astray From My Goal To Read From My Own Shelves
What fantastic goals! One idea, your trip by yourself could be to BBC/BEA
heee heee hee. Also, if you stop going to Starbucks that would give you much more money for your trips to indies! I love when things work out that way right?
Amy´s last [type] ..Review: Hot Air by Jeffrey Simpson, Mark Jaccard, and Nic Rivers