My 2018 Promises

by Sinclair Theee Health Nerd January 3, 2018

written by: Sinclair Theee Health Nerd

Introduction

Although self-improvement shouldn’t only be left for New Year’s Day, the start of a new year is a great time to evaluate the person you would like to be in the upcoming year and create actions to allow that growth to happen. These are promises I have made to myself for 2018. Labeling them “promises” rather than “resolutions” puts more weight and accountability on the statements I am making. I like to be a woman of my word, so these promises will hold me accountable for either my own growth or complacency.

I promise to read 3 books (for pleasure)

In elementary school, I struggled with reading comprehension. I remember being grounded for bringing home my first D on a reading comprehension test. Although I got better at the comprehension aspect of reading, I have still always been a slow reader. Being a slow reader does not bother me like it uses to. I have accepted and embraced it and stopped trying to compare myself to others. Knowledge is power and reading is one of the best ways to gain knowledge. That is why I have promised myself to read 3 books for pleasure this year. I add the “for pleasure” to specify that these books cannot be mandated reading for work or class. I have the first 2 books on my list and I will be searching for a third:

I promise to run a 5k in under 30 minutes

One of my favorite light-weight work-outs is to run with a nice view (specifically the beach). But I have never really challenged myself to run consistently for more than 2 miles. I usually do some time of interval circuit involving squats and lunges. This year I want to work on endurance. 5k is a little over 3 miles. It has been a while since I have run 2 miles uninterrupted so this will take some training but I am up for the challenge. I’m already pretty obsessed with my Fitbit Charge and everything it does, but we will become even closer throughout this journey to 5k.

I promise to start every week with a clean apartment

I have a very unique cleaning personality. I tell my fiancé, when it comes to keeping things clean, I’m zero or one hundred. There’s no in-between. This means I’m either a slob or a neat freak. I’ve decided to do away with the slob. 2018 is my year to form habits to make neat freak the permanent me. Every Sunday I will press the reset button on my apartment and start the week with the clean slate. My mind feels more at ease when the space around me is clean and organized. Keeping a tidy home will help my productivity and peace of mind.

I promise to call family member or friend every week

If you know me, you know I hate talking on the phone, so this is no small feat; however, my friends and family and scattered all over the place so losing touch with those I love has become way too easy. This is a promise to me that I will pick up the phone at least once a week and call a friend or family member, just to say hi and see how they are doing. It is very easy to get wrapped up in our individual lives as we all progress in different directions, but we should not forget about those who have helped shape who we are today.