On New Year's Resolutions

So, I know that I am not the only one who makes resolutions every January, and I'm definitely not the only one who slacks on them five days in. Every single year my list looks the same: be organized, keep the house clean, purge house, be more financially responsible, exercise and be healthy, and so on and so forth.

I get all gung-ho for a day or so and then life gets in the way, and I let it get in the way. I have a very busy life and a lot of people to care for, but it's really no excuse because I also spend a lot of time sitting on my butt. I enjoy the usual time sucks: Facebook, Pinterest, and Ravelry. As a matter of fact, I LIVE them! When I'm not doing that, I love to play with yarn and fiber and sew and, and, and..... I've got more excuses than most people I know. It's just ridiculous.

This year will be different. (I think I hear an echo....no, wait. That's just me saying it every year for as long as I can remember.) I have only one resolution this year: To follow through. I will follow through on all things that I do. I will not allow whatever shiny new obsession that grabs me take hold and hold me fiercely until the next shiny new obsession comes along.

I have several things that I need to work on and a lot of inspiration to draw on! My first order of business is paperwork. I need to better organize the important papers in my life. Seriously, the crazy in this department runneth over. I have tried several ways of doing this and, while some ways have helped, they have never quite solved my problems.

I used to have a desk. It was the biggest disaster! It was a drop spot for everything. We did away with the desk and now I have more drop spots than anyone ever! And now, none of my paperwork has a home. None. It is just everywhere. So, my first order of business will be to set up a command post. I am not at all sure of how or where that will be, yet. It is, however, at the front of my mind until I get it tackled.

Hubby and I have always talked about getting a secretary. They are a little spendy and I want some very specific elements. We will see what happens. I really have this one in mind. It has slots for loose papers, a writing space, and drawers to keep binders/files. So much want! And it closes up really nicely.

                                 photo courtesy of Amazon.com

I also plan to set up several binders. In the past I have tried having a home management binder. It worked for a while, then went away. Then I started it up again and was excited and successful, and then it went away. The problem is that I have always tried to follow everyone else's plan exactly instead of tailoring it to my crazy life. I can't have a to-do list every day. Some days are too busy and I'm just not home and other days I'm just too lazy and tired. This is where things always fall apart. Also, I need to be realistic with what goals I plan to accomplish each day instead of starting my day with a list longer than my arm.

I'm always interested to see/hear how other people keep their lives organized. I recently started listening to a new podcast called The Organized Knitter, which I am totally loving. It covers two of my great obsessions: knitting and organizing. I recommend you check it out.

Well, that's all for today. Sorry if this was a little all over the place. FIL is here and sick, one kid is home sick, and, well, I have a toddler. Today is one of those days that I'm lucky to form coherent sentences at all. C'est la vie....