Florida Chick Makes a Non-Resolution

So, I've finally learned my lesson, after 30-some years I've given up making New Year's resolutions. The problem with resolutions for me is that usually by January 3rd I've lost the paper on which I've written my list, and by the 8th I've lost all desire to actually follow through with whatever was on the paper. I've realized that it's easier for me to not make resolutions so that I'm never disappointed when I don't reach the goal. For example, I know I have those 5 nagging lbs. that have parked themselves on my rear, but if I don't resolve to lose them, I won't feel guilty about not putting down the bag of lime-flavored tostitoes that are sitting on my lap, it's a win-win situation.

The other problem with resolutions is that all of the experts agree that it will take 14 days for any activity in my life to become a habit. If I resolve to work-out daily, and keep the commitment for two weeks, by day 14 I'll have created a new habit for myself that will just naturally be hard to break - a sure fire New Year's success. My problem, however, is that I have a much shorter attention span than 14 days. My limit for new activities is generally about 3 days, and after that I've moved on to the next big thing...which, I can guarantee never involves anything having to do with running, eating lettuce, or reading Russian classics (a one-time resolution) and more likely involves indulging in Dove dark chocolate, watching Lifetime movies, and reading any series of chick-lit novels (think Sophie Kinsella) - now those are things I could commit to for 14-days straight!

So I've figured out that the only possible solution is to make a non-resolution for 2009. Instead of setting 1 goal to reach by Dec. 31, 2009, I'm going to set 1 goal to reach every single day of 2009. That's 1 new thing every day for the next 365 days with no commitment, no 14-day habits, and no guilt for not running a marathon before next Christmas or not learning a new language, because let's face it, no-carb for a year - not gonna happen, no-carb for a day - very much a possibility. My non-resolution is just 1 new thing every day for the next 365 days. 365 new activities, foods, events, recipes, thoughts, or ideas - and even better, you get to join me on this journey. I'm going to see how far I can get and document it for as long as I can at floridachick365.blogspot.com. It's ambitious I know, and in actuality I do realize that it is entirely possible that I might only try 3 new things before giving up and grabbing the latest mindless fluff novel and reading it for 14 days straight - then again, 14 days isn't that long - maybe it'll just become a habit after all...

Hope you'll check it out and follow along...with lots of love and best wishes for 2009 from an overly ambitious Florida Chick