Monday, 03 January 2011

• The Small Achievements of 2010

  

  Change is a funny thing.

  People are so quick to reflect on their lives as a whole and claim major adjustments or accomplishments—living in a new house, getting a new job, watching the kids grow up.

  But we rarely think to congratulate ourselves on the small changes we've made, like switching out all the lightbulbs to energy-saving bulbs or cooking fresh meals for the family most nights of the week.

  I've spent all of 2010 aiming for change. I gave myself the challenge on January 1st to try something new every week, 52 new habits or experiences with the intent of becoming a healthier, happier person.

  

  I spent a week walking and biking everywhere; tried all kinds of new healthy food like fish, tempeh, eggplant, and spaghetti squash; did a 10-day detox; didn't spend money for a whole week; and even ran a 10k race.

  Each thing on its own seems small. But going an entire week testing out a new habit, such as biking everywhere, showed me that I don't need to drive to the store that is 2 mile away, or that I can go an entire week without chocolate.

  And if you can do something for a week, why can't you do something all the time?

  i'm lucky because I was able to accomplish 52 small goals through one large goal—not only did I keep a new years resolution which, lets be honest, not many people can say, but I also stuck with something for an entire year.

  I have come so far in the last year with those small accomplishments we never congratulate ourselves for. I now go to spin classes, I eat fish, I bike everywhere, I run on a regular basis.

  However, I don't know if I would look back and see all those minuscule accomplishments if I weren't looking for them.

  I'm lucky because with the goal of trying to be a healthier person, I look back over 2010 trying to find things to congratulate myself on.

  But I'm sure a lot of people tried new, healthy foods this year, or finally started running that extra mile regularly. I'm also sure that if they liked the food or the experience, it is now a part of their meal plan or daily routine, helping to make them a healthier person.

  I am not alone at the start of 2011 of being the person I wanted to be at the beginning of 2010. Yes, my expectations were simple: to be healthier and happier. but isn't that similar to most people's wishes?

  If you think about what you've done over the past year, maybe you see major accomplishments, maybe you don't. But don't forget to look at your small accomplishments.

  Remembering to put the toilet seat down is something to be proud of because you're being considerate of someone else.

  

  Things like remembering to take your vitamin every day or remembering your reusable grocery bags may seem like old news to you now, but think about how much effort it took to remember those things in the beginning. any change that takes conscious effort is something worth patting yourself on the back for.

  Everyone looks at the new year as what is to come, what 2011 holds for each of us. But don't forget to look back and see what 2010 gave you.

  Start 2011 off right, excited about what you've achieved because we've all accomplished something this year, even if it wasn't our new years resolution. Besides, that's what next year is for.

   

  What were some small achievements you made in 2010? Do you have any goals for small achievements for the new year?

   

  This post is contributed from Cupcakes and Carrot Sticks!

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