A New Year, A New List

I am not a fan of new year's resolutions. Maybe because my track record in "keeping" them is not too hot. However, I do like making a "to-do" list of sorts for the new year. I don't know why, but a to-do list just seems more concrete and manageable than a list of resolutions. I like knowing that I can complete something and check it off my list. A resolution, on the other hand, feels like it takes a much more indefinite commitment. Maybe I can't really check sometime off my new year list, but at least I know there is something tangible that I am working towards.

For instance, rather than simply resolving to be an awesome wife, daughter and sister... it is on my New Year to-do list to take the weekends off from work (unless I have a wedding), try one thing new with my husband every month (i.e. picnic-ing at an unfamiliar spot, bike riding from our home to the beach, trying a new restaurant, board game, museum, etc.), have at least one whole day-date a month with my mom and call my sisters at least once a week for a real conversation. Getting married has been such a wonderful blessing, but I have had some trouble juggling all the different priorities in my life and I want to make sure I don't take life, love and family for granted. Time really flies, doesn't it?

Rather than resolving to lose weight, one of my to-do list goals is to run two miles at least three morning a week. I can definitely work my way up to add more miles later. :)

Another possible resolution might be to figure out what I want to do "when I grow up" but instead, my New Year to-do list includes, quitting my "day-job" this May and fully committing myself to growing So Happi Together as a business and myself as a planner for one full year, at the very least. I feel like I am at a crossroads and have been so incredibly fortunate to meet and book 14 beautiful couples for 2010. I want to give each of them all my love and attention (which is why I try to book only  a maximum of 2 weddings/month), so I am going to finish out the school year and then take a sabbatical from teaching in order to fully focus on So Happi Together and my happi couples. I can't WAIT to start sharing some of the details from the different weddings I am working on! This is going to be such a fun year because each couple is so sweet, unique and in-love!! I am almost more excited for these weddings than I was for my own! Almost... :)

via Erin Vale Design, Leo on the Loose blog

Anyways, something that always comes in handy for me is "The Freakin Never Ending To Do List" template by Erin Vale Design. I started using this along with the "Dreamy Blog Topics to Post List" back when the templates for both were still free and available for download. Now you can still download the pdf for the blog topics list here, but she has made the to-do list into an actual notepad that she sells in her Vale Design Paper Goods etsy store, here. It is currently sold out, but I still have the pdf of the downloadable/printable version so if you REALLY want it, feel free to email me and I can email the file to you and you can print it as many time as you like and maybe even make your own pad! :)

And make sure to keep an eye out on her blog, because she always has some cool ideas and free downloadable printables available!

Good luck with all of your own resolutions and to-do's. It's an incredible journey, isn't it? I am so glad that we are all on it together!

via Erin Nicole Photography on fluidr