Petite Resolutions Recap: The Third Quarter

Alright sports fans, we're about to start the fourth quarter (holy crap, there are only three months left in 2012 - doesn't it feel like this year just started? Only me? Okay...) This seems like the perfect time to check in on my petite resolutions for 2012 (read the original post here, the first quarter recap here, and the half-way mark recap here).

1) Read More - goal: read at least one book each month; read before bed instead of TV

Quarter 3 recap: I kind of fell off the reading wagon in both July and September (I blame not reading in September on 1) traveling; 2) having the travel plague; and 3) trying to cope with regular life. I have no excuses for why I couldn't finish a book in July - in my defence I have read 20 books this year, so, basing it on math alone, I've totally already met this goal.) To get me back into the swing of things I have a big stack of books out from the library. Fall seems like the perfect time to make up for those two black marks on my record. 

2) Volunteer

Q3: In my efforts to become more involved in the community (and be less of a hermit) I've picked a couple of organizations to volunteer with throughout the year. And, although they both just re-started after the summer, they've been keeping me more than busy with meetings, interviews, countless back-and-forth emails and admin tasks (I really didn't ease myself into not being a hermit; right off the deep end I dove!) Even though it's been a shock to the system to be so busy, it's fantastic and I can't wait to get more involved as the year wears on. 

3) Write more

Q3: Over the summer, inspired after reading the Happiness Project (If you haven't read it, run, don't walk and get a copy; seriously - it's that good!) I sat myself down and really looked at my blog and thought long and hard about what I wanted to do with this space. So, I set myself a few goals that I'll work on over the next three months. I realize I'm being very vague, but let's just say - so far, so good!

4) Spend less - use the library, make lunches

Q3: Let's just say that when I'm in Canada, I'm great at this resolution; when I was in Europe, not so much. But, let's focus on the positives: since getting back I've been diligently making my lunches, and bringing breakfast to work (even coffee - I haven't set foot in a Tim Horton's or Starbucks in the last 10 days). And, I love the library - its equidistance between work and home - so it's easy to stick with that one.

5) save 10% of each pay cheque

Q3: This happens automatically, so... no skin off my back.

6) Pay off Visa Card

Q3: This goal haunts me. I get so close to making my dream of having a zero balance a reality and then I have to pay for something like graphic design classes, or perogies and beer in Poland. One day I'll get there... one day...

7) Pay off student debt

Q3: Slowly... chipping... away... However, just the other day I was reading an article about the Obamas and Michelle said that it took them until 2004 to pay off their student loans. I've paid off half in four years, so I'd say I'm doing pretty good. Yes, I realize that the Obamas are both graduates of Ivy League universities and Law School, but whatevs, I take my inspiration where I can get it.

8) Drink more water

9) Eat more fruits, vegetables & berries

10) Eat less pasta, dairy

Q3: I'm good at 2/3 of this set - so, no too shabby, but room for improvement.

11) Go to the gym 3 times a week

Q3: Not to toot my own horn, but I have been killing this goal of late. After my trip (where I walked a ton so technically I wasn't slacking while I was away) I took a week off to try and cure my travel plague. When I realized this nasty bug was slowly getting better (and I wasn't going to terrify other gym goers with my cough) I jumped back into the gym as fast as I could. So far I've stuck with my routine and am averaging 4 workouts a week; however, none of those workouts has come in the morning, which was one of my fall goals. I guess some people just aren't meant to be at the gym at 6 a.m.

12) be patient, breathe

13) Stop being so lazy

14) Stop being scared - of failure, of standing out

15) don't think, DO!

Q3: Compared to the rest of the year, I feel like I've been doing a much better job at practicing these four resolutions of late. I've definitely been more confident and less scared, and much less lazy - all-in-all, I like the direction I'm going in as we head into the fourth quarter.

16) go to Europe, see Paris, Stockholm

Q3: Done and done! While I didn't see Paris (there's always next year), I did spend almost a week exploring Stockholm, and in total spent three weeks in Europe. It was amazing; an adventure for the record books (read about it here). The only downside from my little sojourn across the pond is that I now have a severe case of the travel bug and am eager to get back out there as soon as I can. Plans for 2013 are well underway!

As we head into the last three months of the year - how are you doing on your resolutions? Have you set new goals for fall?

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