I like projects. They give me something to do. In 2010, my project was planning my October wedding. Since the 10-10-10 wedding went off magnificently three months ago, I've been dying for a new project. What can I do in 2011? A magazine just arrived the other day with an article about how to detox and simplify your life. It even gives a 28 day guide to changing your eating habits and lifestyle in order become less stressed out. This is exactly what I need! I am way too stressed out. I have too much junk in my life and I need to simplify. I tried this back in 2009 when I started a blog about trying to cut back and save money for a friends wedding in Scotland. That went out the window when all of a sudden I had my own wedding to pay for and expenses just started piling up.
Let me try it again. Here is my project: Cut back, simplify, and de-stress in 2011. This means cutting out things like excessive shopping and TV watching, but also adding richness to my life with things like learning a new language (not to mention brushing up on the 1st foreign language in which I already claim to be fluent), practicing yoga regularly, and trying camping again.
Officially, this is Project 2011
1. Watch less TV
Sadly, this is probably going to be the most challenging. That's why it's number one on my list. I have started to realize how much the television rules my life. Even with DVR and On-demand, I still tend to schedule my life around TV shows! This is a little ridiculous. In 2011, I am going to go without TV Monday-Friday, and only allow myself to record my most favorite shows to be watched on the weekends. (Goodbye America's Next Top Model and Project Runway... and possibly Grey's Anatomy.) Much to the chagrin -- I mean, delight -- of my husband, I've pulled out all the board games I can find. It's going to be game night every night in our household!
2. Stop spending money on stupid stuff, aka -- spend less and save more
Here we go again with my save-money project. What I'm saving for this time: a new bed so I can sleep better; and a trip to Australia in December.
3. Travel lighter
My work requires that I travel a lot. On each trip I am constantly bogged down with my excessive amounts of baggage, literally. This year I MUST learn how to pack efficiently and effectively. It's all a part of simplifying.
4. Start sewing again, i.e. make a complete garment of clothing.
The other day I found a huge box full of yards and yards of fabric. Once upon a time I received a sewing machine for Christmas and endeavored to become a brilliant seamstress, therefore never having to buy another article of clothing again. I actually completed two skirts, one that I gave to a friend for her birthday and one that I kept and actually wore a few times. In that big box of fabric I found three other started projects, none of them finished. I've used the excuse that I've moved about 10 times in the past 5 years and most of my stuff has stayed in boxes and storage. So now that I think I'm settled for awhile, why not try my hand at sewing again?
5. Learn French (and perfect my Spanish)
This is one my husband has happily agreed to do with me. We picked French because he took it in high school and with my Spanish language knowledge we figured we wouldn't get too discouraged trying to learn a new language. Also, one of my best friends lives in Paris, and now we'll have an excuse to go visit him. (And since our next big trip is to Australia, we already know the language they speak there.)
6. Read lots and lots of books
Okay, this is kind of a given since I already read a lot. And I mean, a lot. But here is my twist. I'm going to read the books I was supposed to read in high school and college but never did because I went to weird private schools that didn't believe in literature and fiction. For example, I never read Jane Austen. My first Austen novel was Northanger Abbey and I just read it a month ago. As in, November 2010. In 2011, I am going to finish reading all of Jane Austen, not to mention some other great classics and favorites like Steinbeck and Hemingway. Also, I joined a book club and who knows what I'll be reading for that.
7. Practice yoga and exercise regularly
I am really bad at this. I don't know why, but I can NOT get into a regular exercise routine. In 2011 I'm going to stop making excuses and just do it! The challenging part is finding time to exercise around my busy commuting and travel schedule.
8. Go camping
This should be fun. I used to go camping with my family for years while I was growing up. However, as soon as I turned fourteen and started being a girlie-girl, I have absolutely hated and refused to go camping. It's the whole bathroom issue... I just really can't handle having to walk half a mile to the community toilets. And I am not about to squat in the bushes. No way. Last summer, my husband and I used to go walking along the beach and see all these camp grounds on the cliffs of the Pacific Ocean. I actually thought it looked like a lot of fun, and decided I want to try camping again. We live in Southern California and have some really great places to go camping around here.
9. Go a year without Friends
This might sound weird, but I have an obsession with a little old 90's television show called "Friends." Not only did I watch it when it was actually on Must See TV Thursdays, I have the entire ten seasons on DVD and I continue to watch them ALL. THE. TIME. Even after the show has been off the air for six years. I can't help it. It's my guilty pleasure. It's like a soft, cozy quilt on a cold day. Whenever I need a good laugh or a familiar "touch," I pop in a Friends DVD and I instantly feel at home. Or something like that. I know it sounds crazy, but it's true. I can quote entire episodes. I can correctly answer every trivia question about Friends. It's a little ridiculous. In 2011 I have decided it might be time to put my Friends to rest. It's going to be sad, and it's going to be hard to say goodbye, but I think I will live. Especially since I'm not watching TV anymore, right?
10. Keep in touch better with my real, living and breathing, friends
After recently talking on the phone to one of my oldest friends the other day we both realized we hadn't talked to each other since my bachelorette party in August! That was six months ago! She is five months pregnant and I have been completely missing out in this exciting part of her life because I have become terrible at keeping in touch with my friends and family. I know it's easy to send a text or facebook message, but in 2011 I really want to TALK to people. I need to make the effort and pick up the phone more often. Not only that, but how bout I actually spend more time with my friends and family that live nearby?
11. Get something published
Ever since I can remember, I have loved to read and write. As soon as I could lift a pencil I was writing stories and letters. My dream is to just be a writer. That's it. That's all I want to do. Write. I was the newspaper editor in High school and College, and then all of a sudden it just stopped. I never did anything after that. I've floated around the country doing all sorts of odd jobs, none of them having anything to do with writing. Even now, my job doesn't really have anything to do with writing besides the thousands of emails I have to send and the occasional business letter I have to write for my boss. I eventually did get my Masters in English Literature. But the program lacked a strong writing emphasis. I have been lost, and my dream continues to float out of my reach. My husband constantly reminds me that I can accomplish any goal I want if I just put my mind to it. Five years ago he dreamed of being his own boss, and for the past two years he has been! In 2011 I want to see my name in print.
That's it! Eleven projects for 2011. It's going to be a great year, isn't it?
