The start of a new year is really just like any other week, but sometimes it’s nice to use it as an excuse to bring in some much-needed changes into your life. Here are some ways you can make the Year of the Tiger full of action and passion!
My New Year’s Resolution is to…
Read a book a week
52 books is my ambition for 2010! I don’t know what will be harder, reading a 300+ page book every single week OR finding fifty-two books I want to read to begin with. You can’t use money as an excuse not to carry out this goal, considering all the public libraries and charity shops around. Plus, you can join these really useful sites that allow you to swap a book with people of similar literary tastes, for example on BookHopper, Read it Swap it and Book Mooch. If time is an issue when it comes to finishing your latest paperback, make a decision to read every night before bed, or take the book with you to read on your lunch break. Even if you have to place it beside your bath so that you read it at some point every day, you can achieve it!
These days you can download ebooks onto your iPod, phone and if you’re particularly fancy you can get a Kindle. Also, you can cheat on the whole reading thing by tapping into the growing market of audiobooks. Spoken Ink has a small selection or you could try Googling for rapidshare or megaupload links to some free samples!
Keep in touch with friends more
Lose weight/Eat Healthily
Lately I’ve read up a lot on the paleolithic diet, where you basically cut out grains such as wheat, rye, pretty much all processed food, not to mention beans, peanuts and dairy! It sounds pretty intense, but from what I’ve read the health benefits and the potential to limit your risk of getting certain diseases makes it worth trying out.
Keep discovering new music
I’m of the opinion that you can never own enough music, and I am constantly seeking new bands to blow my mind. I used to LOVE Pandora, but they stopped its availability in the UK
Thankfully, Last.fm has helped fill the void, but I still want to find even more ways to discover great tunes. Inspired Mag lists 20 ways to find new music.
My personal fave is Jango an internet radio site which allows you to find similar artists to your musical tastes. Despite the annoying adverts it is a great way to learn of new bands.
Reduce My Ecological Footprint
I’m not by any means a model citizen, but I pledge to do my bit in 2010 by shopping mostly in charity shops and in vintage stores… who knew adding to your wardrobe would help the world?! Not only will I be saving money, I’m more likely to grab some unique finds.
Declutter
“Have nothing in your house that you do not know to be useful, or believe to be beautiful.” — William Morris
These are great resolutions ! I need to eat healthier and keep discovering new music too
Comment by uniqua — December 28, 2009 @ 12:18 am
whoa. i read your first resolution (a book a week) and thought that was pretty intense and a massive resolution to uphold… and then you went on to even more! that is very ambitious. i hope you manage to take a good stab at the book resolution. i would love to hear your opinion of the books you read each week, and could offer some recommendations for ones to read if you get stuck! good luck with the resolutions! xx
Comment by thestylecrusader — December 28, 2009 @ 12:20 am
great resolutions!
i love your one book a week idea, i’d love to be able to accomplish that
also i’d really like to get back into letter writing again, it’s so much fun receiving mail in the post that isn’t a bill!
Comment by Lightning Heart — December 28, 2009 @ 3:48 am
I like the idea of discovering new music, my boyfriend says that I have a music style that basically consists of the UK top 40! But this is only because i listen to the radio a lot
http://www.clashingtime.blogspot.com <3
Comment by pippa — December 28, 2009 @ 7:36 am
I love your resolutions; best of luck keeping them! I guess I ought to start thinking about mine.
Comment by daisychain — December 28, 2009 @ 8:04 am
I am also planning to eat heathier in the New Year–my mom is my inspiration. Since she started eating “clean” (i.e. no sugar, artificial junk, etc) she has lost 20 pounds! I need to get healthy and fit this year, not only because I am getting married in July, but because I can actually feel how my diet now is affected my health & I don’t like it!
Good luck with your resolutions xox
Comment by emily — December 28, 2009 @ 12:17 pm
Oh these are great! I’m also going to be doing the 52 books challenge which is going to be so so hard. Thanks for stopping by, you have a lovely blog! Good luck for 2010!
Comment by Luana — December 28, 2009 @ 3:25 pm
Love your blog and your resolutions. I may steal some myself!
Comment by Londyn — December 28, 2009 @ 9:14 pm
This was such a good post. I’m so glad you commented on my blog. Your whole blog is wonderful. This post really helped me with the making of my resolutions.
Comment by Ruta — December 28, 2009 @ 10:56 pm
Last year my resolution was to floss, but I think you’ve inspired me to be a bit more ambitious.
Love your blog, by the way! You’ve gleaned a new follower.
Comment by Lauren — December 29, 2009 @ 10:50 am
I love your site! Great resalutions, I think I might have to join you on some, although I’d struggle on the books!! Good luck and Happy new year!!
xx
Comment by Tasha Gregson — December 29, 2009 @ 1:24 pm
Wow! I love all your resolutions. I could probably share them with you
Especially the reading one – I definitely need to read more!
Good luck with them all and have a great New Year!
Thanks so much for stopping by!
quirkyexplosion.blogspot.com
Comment by Lexy — December 30, 2009 @ 3:26 pm
I attempted a 50 book read last year and came close at 20 something so this year I am going to aim for 30. My problem is that when faced with a book I am not particularly enjoying I can’t face not finishing it but at the same time I can’t face reading it everyday. So a lot of the time my week goal failed.
I am also planning to lose weight this year, I am definitley cutting down on all wheat or starchy products, but I can’t face cutting them out completely so I am going to start properly exercising.
Good luck with all your goals!
Comment by Alice — January 1, 2010 @ 1:31 pm
Great resolutions. I am definitely looking forward to reading more this year – school has really eaten up a lot of my time over the past 4.5 years. Now that I’m a workin’ gal that is no longer an excuse!
Happy New Year, and best of luck with your goals!
Comment by Vanessa (Last Night's Leftovers) — January 1, 2010 @ 9:45 pm
Great resolutions!! Happy New year
Comment by Nubiasnonsense — January 2, 2010 @ 7:52 pm
These are fab resolutions and I’m sure you’re more then capable! HAPPY NEW YEAR I hope 2010 brings you everything you dream of
xo
Comment by Katie — January 5, 2010 @ 11:34 pm
haPPY NEW YEAR my dear. your blog is such a big joy!
Comment by ediot — January 6, 2010 @ 7:12 am