Cupcakes and Cashmere

New Year Thoughts

January 3rd, 2013



I’m torn about New Year’s resolutions. They’re promising in theory, but usually turn into these unrealistic challenges we create for ourselves. Instead of embracing the upcoming year with energy and enthusiasm, I end up dreading my new pledge to hit the gym and eat more vegetables. Besides the statistics that show how few people follow through on their resolutions (it hovers around 10%), I’ve decided to take a different approach this year. I want to start the year on a positive note – one that celebrates and rejoices in the little moments instead of focusing on changes that need to be made. So here are a few of the things that I’m looking forward to doing this year:

Light candles with dinner. Climb back into bed on the weekends without feeling guilty. Plan a vacation. Wear high heels to brunch with friends. Spend more time outside. Be nicer to myself. Eat breakfast for dinner. Rearrange furniture. Visit more museums. Host monthly game nights. Take cooking classes. Hear more live music. Go to the movies, if not just for the popcorn/soda/candy. Buy our first piece of art. Declutter, constantly. Plan surprise date nights. Take day trips. Speak more Spanish. Less text messages, more calls.

And with just a slight shift in perspective, I’m much more excited about the year to come. It’s going to be a good one, I can feel it.

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  • http://elizpaige.com elizabeth | notes, quotes & anecdotes

    i love it – a positive shift in the attitude of the resolutions still gives you ways to improve life in the new year without being harsh. my favorites are less texts/more calls (i should do the same!) and to declutter.

    i’ll tack those on to my list and add on painting my nails more often :)

  • http://www.smartprettyandawkward.com Molly

    Really love your attitude towards New Year’s Resolutions! It’s going to be a great year!

  • Alex

    I also decided to focus on small, happy goals. (although some of them may be a little daunting, such as running a 10k and maybe a half!)
    cook more fresh, less processed
    take more photos
    explore the city
    and, I’ve always really wanted to go speed dating. just think of the stories that can come of such an adventure!

  • http://www.prairiegirlinthecity.com Jennifer Pistor

    I am so with you on this one. I love to set goals and make fun plans for myself. Self growth is so important but setting yourself up to fail is no fun at all. I really like your list. I might even adopt a few of those myself:)

    Jen
    http://www.prairiegirlinthecity.com

  • http://www.satinandscotch.com Lili

    I concur. Great thoughts!
    xoLili

    http://www.satinandscotch.com

  • http://vogueandheels.wordpress.com Anngelik

    What you said here is exactly what I want to do. I always text instead of call and it would be lovely to actually hear people’s voices instead of reading a text. Same goes for planning a vacation and taking trips!

    Great points and I am glad I can relate!

    -Vogue&Heels
    vogueandheels.wordpress.com

  • Gema Laswell

    Me encanta tu blog. Puedes hablar español conmigo cuando quieras.
    Besos desde España
    Gema

  • http://www.asliceofglam.com Amberly

    I love the idea of a monthly game night!

  • http://theoccasionalindulgence.blogspot.com/ Naomi A

    I always resolve to be nicer to myself. I also like the museums one. I love learning!

    Last day for my Giveaway!
    The Occasional Indulgence

  • http://thegreenerbean.wordpress.com Gillian

    Love this — especially the “be nicer to myself.” Mine are simple too: volunteer, run races, don’t sweat the small stuff. Happy New Year!

  • http://midwestgirly.blogspot.com Melissa

    Love this! I should throw out my resolutions and try this approach instead.

  • http://casualeleganceblog.tumblr.com/ Reba

    I love your out take on your resolutions. I am one that never makes a resolution, so this year I am trying the opposite and making one! I going to dedicate my life to getting fit. I for once want to be that girl at the beach that everyone is in awe of.
    Cheers!
    Reba

  • http://www.questoftheglitz.wordpress.com Quest of the Glitz

    I love your thoughts on this subject!! very inspiring too. Especially the climbing back into bed on the weekends without feeling guilty!!
    Thanks for this post!!

    http://www.questoftheglitz.wordpress.com

  • http://www.fabuloustuesdays.com Fabtuesdays

    Ohhhh I absolutely adore this approach! It certainly inspired me to follow the same approach! I particularly likes the game night and surprise date night ideas!

  • http://beancakes.wordpress.com/ Kristina

    love your list emily + with that, cheers to 2013! x

  • http://www.zoesfashionfeed.com Zoe

    I also dread the resolution so much so that I decided years ago not to have any.
    I like your approach to it these year though. Way to start the year off right!

  • http://www.fashiondenis.com/ Denisa

    Pefect idea and list. I wish you that all dreams come true.

    http://www.fashiondenis.com/

  • http://glamourgirl-bg.blospot.com Iliyana
  • http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com Jennifer

    Ooh I would love to take cooking classes too

    xo Jennifer

    http://seekingstyleblog.wordpress.com

  • http://hotmesscoolday.wordpress.com Lindsay

    I took a more relaxed approach to resolutions this year as well! Instead of my detailed Action Plan for all 9 of my resolutions, I have 5 broad ones focused on bettering myself in general. I think this year is going to be great, too!

  • http://www.counttofour.com Count To Four

    love your list – wear heel to brunch with friends! that’s a good one :)

    http://www.counttofour.com

    http://www.counttofour.etsy.com

  • http://trendsurvivor.com TRENDSURVIVOR

    Great post! I Love your plans especially .. Climb back into bed on the weekends without feeling guilty….

    xxx
    Nina
    http://trendsurvivor.com

  • http://Www.anicerchoice.com Joanne @ ANicerChoice

    I love it! There are definitely things there I should do more often.

    I only made one resolution this year…’to remember I always have a choice’. I have a choice of whether to stay angry or whether to let it go; I have a choice of whento eat healthy and when to indulge etc. I’m hoping small choices have a big impact :)

  • Nicole

    Positive vibes for 2013.

    However, 4 years ago I started to do away with New Year’s resolutions and started a bucket list.

    Every year, I would try and accomplish as much as I could. On 12.31 I would replenish the list.

  • http://namesnotashley.com Natalie

    Speak more Spanish – that one’s my favorite. Maybe it should be mine, too. Happy New Year!

    Natalie
    Name’s Not Ashley

  • http://thatsaprettyhat.blogspot.com Kathleen Lisson

    I am glad that you are making resolutions that make you feel more excited about life.
    Wearing heels, and for me, hats, makes me feel more ladylike. It is kind of like honoring the occasion and showing respect for your brunch friends. Plus, it’s just fun to dress up!

    http://thatsaprettyhat.blogspot.com

  • http://ragsandrobes.blogspot.co.uk Rachel Dutton

    Love the resolutions, especially the games night, we played board games on Christmas night and New years eve and it was so much fun!.

    My resolution is simple and easy. Wear more red.
    Have a fabulous 2013! x

  • http://withluckblog.com Jenn

    My boyfriend and I make a fun list like this of things we hope to do together throughout the year. It doesn’t make me feel as guilty!

  • http://obsessedwithpolkadots.blogspot.com/ rebecca

    ,,,i’m with you on resolutions, i never make them but i do choose “life improvement” intentions which are attainable. i like your list!,,,

  • http://www.shopdisowned.com Dani

    I definitely don’t have any concrete resolutions, but I feel like this is just going to be a great year to improve myself in every little way I can.

    Best of luck!!

    http://www.shopdisowned.com
    http://disownedclothing.blogspot.com

  • http://magsmind22.blogspot.com/ Magda Pomichowski

    I love this concept. My particular favorites are lighting candles for dinner, visit more museums, host monthly game nights & declutter constantly. All things I aspire to do more regularly also! Happy New Year!

  • http://iamturquoise.wordpress.com I AM TURQUOISE

    i watched a video that said the percentage is 40, instead of 10 :) so its pretty high!

    but i like your mini goals:)
    I made a list of big goals i want to achieve and smaller ones:)

    http://iamturquoise.wordpress.com

  • http://magsmind22.blogspot.com/ Magda Pomichowski

    I love this concept. My particular favorites are lighting candles for dinner, visit more museums, host monthly game nights & declutter constantly. All things I aspire to do more regularly also! Happy New Year!
    http://magsmind22.blogspot.com

  • http://mondaynightfashion.blogspot.com Eva

    Sounds like a good plan! Especially the popcorn and soda part :)

  • http://www.rachelupshaw.com Rachel

    Emily, have you played Settlers of Catan? I used to think it was a dorky game my little brother played, but now I’m addicted! It is perfect for game nights (especially if you have a few couples you do it with regularly!)

  • http://thislittlemum.blogspot.co.uk/ this little mum

    what a great post! I’m loving the positive approach to the new year.

    I didn’t set any of the usual resolutions this year either but focused on family oriented goals instead.

    http://thislittlemum.blogspot.co.uk/2013/01/three-little-resolutions.html

  • http://petiteandhungry.blogspot.com Petite and Hungry

    Hope you have a great year! Love your blog!

    http://www.petiteandhungry.blogspot.com

  • http://www.alwaysmaylee.com Always Maylee

    I can definitely get on board with eating breakfast for dinner, one of my favorite things!

    xo, Yi-chia
    Always Maylee

  • http://barksandbrews.blogspot.com/ kalei

    what a great idea…new year resolutions are passe…making a list of things you’re looking forward sound a lot more fun!

  • http://yeahwebake.com Ashley @ Yeah We Bake

    These sound like great new year’s promises! I think I may borrow your game night idea, that sounds so fabulous.

    Happy Thursday,
    Ashley

  • http://blueskydaze.wordpress.com/ Sinead

    Love these ideas – sounds like so much fun :-D

    http://blueskydaze.wordpress.com/

  • http://indomixblog.com Isabella

    I totally agree with you and can relate to some of the things that you are looking forward to. Y si necesitas ayuda, yo te puedo ayudar a practicar tu Español ;)

    Feliz Año Nuevo!

  • http://dashofglamm.blogspot.com/ Meggan

    Love these ideas!

  • http://www.thepinkcashmere.com Sophie

    Great ideas, I like the “speak more spanish”, I’m planning to speak more French so that I can actually hold a conversation with my family when I visit them in the South of France. And I really like the one about texting less, that is also one of my mini resolutions to call more instead of texting.

    xx

    http://www.thepinkcashmere.com

  • Ash

    Oh yeeaaahh. This is totally the right perspective and very inspiring. xo

  • http://www.littleredpurse.blogspot.com LeahS.

    Great resolutions to start off the year on a positive note. Happy New Year!

  • http://neverslacktide.com Joanna

    Love this.

  • http://thedillychic.com Nadya

    I wrote about the “strangeness” of New Year resolutions as well. In my opinion, it’s just an excuse for people (myself included) to delay making change. It’s ridiculous to wait until January 1st to “start a diet” or to “quit smoking”. According to past experiences this never worked out well.

    So I have to say I agree with you! Having a positive mindset and making small changes sound way more realistic and doable!

    Have a great year ahead dear!

    Nadya
    http://thedillychic.com

  • http://poorlittleitgirl.com Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl

    The “Be Nicer To Myself” and “Declutter” really resonate with me…here’s to a great 2013!

    xoxo
    Cathy, your Poor Little It Girl
    http://poorlittleitgirl.com

  • http://cafesocietyxxi.blogspot.com/ ElsaD

    Darling, if you need to take cooking classes…what do I need? ;) I can help you with the Spanish! Great post as usual. I love your inspirational writing! xoxo

    http://cafesocietyxxi.blogspot.com/