Reflecting on My Personal Journey: A Graded Review of New Year’s Resolutions

Last December, as the new year approached, I carefully categorized my New Year’s Resolutions into two distinct groups: personal aspirations solely for myself and home improvement goals for 2012. Today, I’m taking a moment to look back at the first category—my personal goals—to assess my progress. It’s an opportunity to see how closely I aligned with my intentions or, perhaps, how much I veered off course. Given that I’ve just navigated my inaugural year of graduate school, adopting a grading scale feels particularly apt for this self-evaluation. So, let’s delve into how I truly performed.

As I re-examine my personal resolutions, they naturally coalesce into several key areas, reflecting various facets of my well-being and personal growth. Each category presents a unique story of effort, challenges, and unexpected victories.

1. Prioritizing Self-Care and Allowing Myself Much-Needed Breaks. My grade: B-

This resolution was fundamentally about embracing a more balanced lifestyle, particularly in the face of increased academic demands. While I did make conscious efforts to step back and rest when exhaustion truly set in – a fact often mirrored by the erratic posting schedule on this blog – I genuinely believe there was room for greater self-compassion. The relentless pace of graduate school introduced an unexpected layer of guilt. I found myself constantly battling the feeling that I was neglecting the numerous house projects I had envisioned tackling throughout the year. This internal conflict often sabotaged my attempts at genuine relaxation. Instead of fully embracing the breaks my body and mind desperately needed, I spent a significant portion of the year feeling overwhelmed and perpetually frazzled, a consequence I can only attribute to my own high expectations. It’s a challenging lesson in balancing ambition with well-being.

However, amidst the academic hustle and internal battles, there were bright spots. I made a concerted effort to foster my social connections, dedicating quality time to friends and family. These moments of shared laughter and genuine connection proved to be invaluable anchors, preventing me from becoming completely consumed by my studies. Furthermore, I even managed to carve out time for a date or two, reminding myself that life beyond textbooks was indeed thriving. An unexpected, yet delightful, discovery was delving into the world of craft beers, transforming casual tastings into a small, enjoyable hobby. All things considered, despite the stresses, 2012 remained a year punctuated with moments of genuine fun and, crucially, I did manage to reclaim some essential “me” time. It wasn’t perfect, but it was a commendable start to recognizing the importance of personal well-being amidst external pressures.

2. Cultivating Healthier Eating Habits and Cooking More at Home. My grade: D-

This particular resolution proved to be my Achilles’ heel, largely due to a long-standing, deeply entrenched aversion: my kitchen. The truth is, I despise my kitchen, and consequently, I loathe cooking in it. This powerful deterrent became the primary obstacle to preparing healthier, home-cooked meals. Far too often, the path of least resistance involved ordering takeout or dining out, a habit that spiraled almost uncontrollably throughout the year. It was a cycle of convenience overriding intention, leaving me feeling consistently disappointed with my dietary choices. The lack of an inviting or functional cooking space significantly dampened any enthusiasm I might have had for culinary experimentation or routine meal preparation.

Nevertheless, even within this challenging category, glimmers of progress emerged. My go-to snack underwent a remarkable transformation. What was once a greasy, salty bag of chips evolved into a delightful and nutritious combination of yogurt, ripe bananas, and crunchy walnuts. This simple yet satisfying concoction became a daily staple, a small victory I could consistently rely on. I genuinely could consume it every single day without boredom. The next logical step for improvement involves broadening my repertoire for lunch and dinner, moving away from the default assumption that ordering food is always the quickest and easiest solution. My commitment to drinking green tea at work remained steadfast, a small but significant habit contributing to my overall hydration and well-being. Furthermore, to my pleasant surprise, I felt noticeably happier with my waistline this year compared to previous ones, suggesting that even minor, consistent efforts can yield positive results. It underscores the principle that any improvement, no matter how small, is a valid starting point and can always be built upon. For me, the journey toward better eating is inextricably linked to finally getting my kitchen into a more functional and appealing state – a goal that will undoubtedly feature prominently in my 2013 home resolutions.

3. Indulging in a Little More Pampering. My grade: C

The concept of self-pampering often takes a backseat amidst the demands of modern life, and for a while, it certainly did for me. However, I’m pleased to report a revival in this area. I successfully reinstated my nightly skincare routine, a ritual that had unfortunately fallen by the wayside during busier periods. This consistent habit, though seemingly small, brought a sense of order and care back into my evenings. Beyond daily routines, I occasionally managed to treat myself to a fresh coat of nail polish on my toenails or a much-needed haircut and style. While I haven’t quite reverted to my former identity as a “product junkie” – someone constantly experimenting with new beauty items – I feel a renewed sense of motivation. The recent transformation of my bathroom into a truly relaxing sanctuary has been a game-changer. Having a tranquil space to unwind in has significantly increased my inclination to set aside dedicated time for those lovely creams, masks, and other self-care products that have patiently resided under my sink. It’s amazing how an inviting environment can shift one’s habits and priorities.

Furthermore, an often-overlooked aspect of self-care is quality sleep. With the acquisition of new bedding, I’ve noticed a significant improvement in my sleep patterns, leading to more restful nights and greater energy during the day. This simple upgrade has had a profound impact on my overall well-being. And speaking of significant investments in self-care, I made a truly transformative decision this year: laser hair removal. This procedure was, without a doubt, the single best present I’ve ever given myself. The liberation from daily routines and the newfound confidence it provided were immeasurable. It represents a significant step towards feeling more comfortable and confident in my own skin, solidifying its place as a top-tier personal indulgence.

4. Embracing a More Active Lifestyle: Working Out More (or at all!). My grade: A-

This resolution stands out as my most triumphant personal accomplishment of the year. I embarked on a remarkable journey, transitioning from a state of complete inactivity, which left me feeling perpetually sluggish and dissatisfied with my body, to discovering two profoundly effective methods for de-stressing and cultivating a truly amazing sense of self. The physical and mental transformation has been nothing short of exhilarating.

One of my key discoveries was Hot (Bikram) Yoga. The intense heat combined with the challenging postures has dramatically increased my flexibility, an unexpected benefit that has also served as perfect preparation for mentally demanding tasks like test-taking. The increased blood flow to the brain, stimulated by the rigorous practice, truly enhances mental clarity and focus. It’s become a sanctuary where I can push my physical limits while simultaneously calming my mind, proving to be an invaluable tool for both physical and academic well-being.

Beyond the meditative intensity of yoga, I also plunged headfirst into the world of competitive, yet immensely fun, races. This year marked my participation in the first three races of my life. Two of these were part of the wildly popular “MOB” craze, an acronym that delightfully stands for mud, obstacles, and beer. I tackled The Dirty Girl Mud Run, an empowering women-only event filled with laughter, camaraderie, and, of course, plenty of mud. Shortly after, I conquered the Warrior Dash, a more intense challenge involving scaling walls, crawling through barbed wire, and leaping over fire—a truly unforgettable experience that pushed my limits and ignited a profound sense of accomplishment. These events weren’t just about physical exertion; they were about embracing challenges, overcoming fears, and celebrating achievements with fellow participants.

To further solidify my commitment to fitness, I also ran my very first 5k race. The feeling of crossing that finish line, fueled by weeks of consistent training, was incredibly rewarding. My running habit has since become a consistent fixture in my routine, with a minimum of one run per week. While I acknowledge there’s always room for improvement and pushing myself further, I’m granting myself a high grade in this category for a crucial reason: a significant portion of the battle in establishing a sustainable workout routine lies in discovering activities you genuinely enjoy. I’ve found that, both during and immediately after a run, I feel an undeniable sense of power and capability – a total “badass,” as I like to put it. This intrinsic motivation, coupled with the slightly improved eating habits I’ve adopted, has led to a much greater satisfaction with my physical appearance and overall well-being today. It reminds me of that hilarious scene fromKnocked Up – sometimes, feeling good is all the motivation you need.

Overall Reflections on the Year: Finding Balance Amidst Ambition

Looking back at the past year, I wouldn’t characterize it as a period of perfectly balanced personal growth. In many respects, my personal goals took a backseat, particularly in areas like consistent self-care and diligent home cooking. The pursuit of academic excellence and the growth of my blog demanded an immense amount of time and energy, creating an undeniable imbalance in other facets of my life. However, this sacrifice wasn’t in vain; it allowed other significant areas to flourish and shine brilliantly.

Indeed, this year proved to be an absolutely fantastic period for this blog, witnessing significant milestones and engagement. More importantly, it was an exceptional year for my graduate school journey. Achieving a staggering 3.99 GPA is an accomplishment that fills me with immense pride and serves as a testament to the countless hours of dedication and hard work. While this academic triumph came at the cost of fewer pedicures, considerable lost sleep, and a noticeable decline in home-cooked meals, I firmly believe the trade-off was worthwhile. Life often presents us with choices where we must prioritize, understanding that the pursuit of one significant goal may temporarily overshadow others.

I hold a strong belief that, in the grand scheme of things, priorities have a way of eventually rebalancing themselves. While some aspects of my personal well-being might have suffered temporarily, the reward of a graduate degree – a tangible representation of my intellectual growth and perseverance – is something I’m incredibly proud to have. It’s a credential I eagerly anticipate hanging on my wall (or, more realistically, finding a suitable spot for it, as my current work environment doesn’t offer many wall-hanging opportunities!). This year has taught me that true balance isn’t always about equal distribution across all areas at all times, but rather about strategic prioritization and trusting that the scales will eventually level out, especially when significant achievements are at stake.

Now, I’m genuinely curious about your experiences. How was your year? Did you set any personal goals for yourself, perhaps a renewed commitment to fitness like getting back on the treadmill, or diving into a new workout craze? I’d love to hear your stories and insights. Please do share!

Oh, and one final thought! I’m planning to update my About Me page early next year with a video. If you have any questions you’d like me to address or include in that video, please let me know. Your input would be greatly appreciated!

Psst: If you happened to miss it earlier today, my wonderful Facebook followers were treated to a glimpse of where my sense of humor truly originates. My mom, it turns out, can be quite the comedian! Also, I hope you all have a fantastic time celebrating the fact that the world is most definitely not ending tonight 🙂