07 January 2012

Resolutions.


I appreciate that with every new year comes the chance for a fresh start and the opportunity for self-reflection. 

While I've never been a huge one for resolutions, last year I went out on a limb and made an extremely ambitious list of 50 things I wanted to accomplish in 2011, hoping that by posting it, I would be motivated to complete all of the 50 things within a 12 month time frame.  In the end I completed about 50% of the list, and have decided that I'm ok with that.

This year, however, I want to keep it a bit more simple and achievable:

Personal Resolutions

Maintain a healthy lifestyle: getting to the gym at least 4 days a week, running a few 10km races {Jurgen's in on this one with me}, cooking healthy meals, taking a few yoga classes, getting more sleep {aiming at between 7 & 8 hours per night}, and getting outdoors more often on the weekends.

Be a better girlfriend: putting my phone down when Jurgen is around, planning more fun and spontaneous date nights, being a better listener, being more supportive, encouraging and optimistic.

Be a good daughter, granddaughter and friend: since I live across the ocean from most of my family and friends this means more skype calls, emails, letters and postcards.

Make more time to volunteer: I live in a country with so many amazing opportunities to give back, and somehow I rarely seem to make the time to take advantage of them.  This year this needs to change. period.

Be a diligent student and employee: complete my post-graduate degree at the end of this year with a cum laude and take on more challenging projects at work.  This year I want to learn as much as I possibly can through my courses and independent research and then apply it to industry. 

Take more photos: I just got a new camera with a manual setting on it and some fancy special effects.  I want to become a better photographer, keep my camera on me always, and take photos of everything worth remembering.

Be more adventurous: Make time to try new things, travel to different places, discover hidden gems, embrace the journey, seek out spontaneity, and not get bogged down by everyday routines.

Be a more consistent blogger: About half-way through last year, I got burdened down with work and lost all consistency in my blogging.  This year my goal is 3 posts a week, but I'm actually aiming to get around 4 in most of the time.

And a few that Jurgen and I came up with together:

Travel to at least one place we have never been before in South Africa.  Anyone have any suggestions?  We're thinking Parys, Lesotho or Swaziland.

Publish at least one article together. {personally I'm quite excited about this one}.

Get involved in the volunteer opportunities offered through our church. 

Here's to 2012, and wishing everyone a happy, healthy, and memorable year!

8 comments:

  1. True, we are truly blessed with every turn of the year, we are blessed to have the moment to reflect on what we have lived and gone through in life and at the same time,looking for many different ways to make it better.

    and it is also important to bear in mind, while we might think we are unlucky at times, they are many others who are going through worse phases in their lives.

    i have too came up with my resolutions, but only achieved that i could barely consider as satisfactory! =P

    but anyhow, i wish for the best for you this year. May you find what you're looking for in life and God bless!

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  2. Jenna,
    You have a beautiful heart and I have no doubt you will be able to accomplish these and more in 2012!
    Cheers!

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  3. Great resolutions and I love the first sentiment! Happy New Year!

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  4. Love that quote!! And these are all great!

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  5. I could definitely do with some more volunteering in my life as well!

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  6. What Anna said xx

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  7. i'm so excited about my new philosophy for exercise. i'm reminding myself that i can't do anything about the past or make promises for the future. i can only do something about today.

    i've been able to go running almost everyday this last week. yay!

    xoxo

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  8. i'm so excited about my new philosophy for exercise. i'm reminding myself that i can't do anything about the past or make promises for the future. i can only do something about today.

    i've been able to go running almost everyday this last week. yay!

    xoxo

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Thanks for the love!