Solutions, Minus the Re

I am not a fan of making official resolutions.

For me, declaring something as such automatically sets it up for failure in my mind. That's why I'm going to try something different this year. A mind trick of sorts. I will henceforth call them "Solutions" and I will spread them out over the course of the year, so not to overwhelm and discourage myself. How many weeks does it take to form a habit?

Really, calling them Solutions makes a lot of sense to me. Once I solve these issues/hurdles, I will be healthier, feel like I've accomplished something, have more money in savings and possibly — possibly — have fewer stress-related gray hair and pimples. (Which is really a problem that needs solved anyway — what is the deal with having both? Once you get the grays of older age, shouldn't the pimples of adolescent hormones stop?)

My Solutions, listed in the order I plan to start, are:

1. Remember to wear my patience pants more, especially when it comes to reacting to the kids' behaviors and my daily commute. Deep breaths. More patience may solve that whole aging-adolescent thing I have going on.
2. Make frequent use of the gym membership we already pay for each month. I have a goal to run a 5K straight through. I have never been able to do that, but I know that all things are possible. Getting to the gym will solve that "never have".
3. Less wine enjoyment. Not only will that help with my calorie/sugar consumption, but it will save us between $10 to $20 a week. I want to get healthier — not necessarily lose weight like I always used to resolve to do — but just feel better. 
4. Support local businesses. Choosing small, local stores over big chains will help an economy issue for local people, but it also offers me, the shopper, more unique and special merchandise. It just feels better spending $50 at the corner bookstore than at the box store.  
5. Start writing about one or more of those zany ideas I have in my head. I need to stop being chicken about this. If no one else likes it but me, at least I accomplished writing for myself. Something I've always been too self-doubting to attempt. 
6. Limit my social media life. I'm not trying to cut it out completely, just reduce the time and energy that's consumed by it. This one will be pretty tough for me since I do spend an exorbitant amount of time on Facebook, but I know this will help me work toward a few of my other Solutions.

As far as their order, I really didn't want to start with going to the gym more because the gym is insanely crowded in early January with so many people resolving to go to the gym more. Maybe if they start calling it a Solution to their troubles that would solve that? 

Yeah. I'm sure removing the "re" will really help me keep from repeating resolution failure. There I go self-doubting again. Well, technically, it's not 2012 yet so I'm still in clear on that one.

Wishing you much strength and encouragement on your New Year's Solutions!