The crumpling of New Year’s resolutions

I hate New Year’s resolutions – and hardly ever make them. At some point last year I made a before 2012 end’s resolution, it was quite simple, or so I thought. My year-end resolution was to be able to run 5km. I bought myself running shoes, reflective clothing and a cap. In check was my fully loaded iPod, a Run 5km in 5 Weeks programme and plenty of weeks left to do it in. I was quite looking forward to trotting along the beachside when we went to Durban for Christmas.

What I didn’t bargain on was the illnesses of an *almost* 30-year-old creeping up on me, about 11 months in advance. I have since been told that in your near 30s your back gives in (check), in your 40s your knees and in your 50s your mind. By 60 you don’t care what else goes because it is your mind you miss the most. Back to the resolutions…

As 2013 approached I decided to do the New Year’s resolutions thing. Small, simple and achievable goals (in no particular order);

1. Do my first 5km road run – preferably before Winter.
2. Read more – or at least finish my sparkling new Games of Thrones box set.
3. Spend more time with friends. Last year, due to being a part-time student, some of my favourite people were seriously neglected.
4. Pass seven subjects.
5.  Spend more quality time with bf.

The new year hadn’t even started when my well-intended resolutions started crumbling.

In early January – after a Voltaren injection, two Cortisone injections, chronic medication (or so I was told) and one, still need to happen, neurosurgeon appointment – I realised that my dream to run 5km has to be put on hold. In fact – all training has been put on hold, until such time that I know what is wrong with my lower back and what I can and cannot do (to prevent further injury).

Now the crumpling of resolutions 2 and 3 are as a result of resolution 4. I have registered for four subjects in this semester and, after assessing the workload, I realised that most of my spare time will be dedicated to studying.

In my own stubborn and dedicated way I do try and stick to resolution 2 and 3. I try and read for five minutes every night, normally while brushing teeth (it’s a skill I mastered as a child), and I’ve accounted for special events with friends in my study schedule – my iCal app is by far the most overused app on my devices – everything goes in there.

So far the only resolutions that seem to be doing ok are 4 and 5. To date I have managed to stick to my study schedule. I keep myself going by reminding myself that the faster I complete my subjects and get my BA, the quicker I can get back to this thing called a life. Bf and I are doing our best with this quality business – we now eat at the table and talk instead of in front of the TV. Plus, there are special times in my iCal entitled “Date Night”, in two cases “Date Day”.

I suppose the lesson is this – even the simplest of goals require work. Get off your butt and work on it. It reminds me of why I value reading and am desperate to hit the road; 

"The keys to life are running and reading. When you're running, there's a little person that talks to you and says, "Oh I'm tired. My lung's about to pop. I'm so hurt. There's no way I can possibly continue." You want to quit.

If you learn how to defeat that person when you're running, you will learn not to quit when things get hard in your life.

For reading, there have been gazillions of people that have lived before all of us. There's no new problem you could have – with your parents, with school, with a bully. There's no new problem that someone hasn't already had, and written about it in a book," – Will Smith.  

For the love of a good book

When I was a child I use to walk up the road to my mom’s workplace after school. I’d pop in say hello, and then run across the road to the library. There I would stay until the librarian would remind me it is 16:30 – home time. I grew up in a library. I grew up surrounded by books. 

Today I cannot walk into a bookshop without walking out with a book, or two, and I never give a book away or sell it. As a teenager I read SweetValley, give me a break ok, I’m a girl. I actually started collecting the books and had well over 250 books (ranging from Sweet Valley Kids to University). In Varsity I gave it away. Yup, GAVE IT AWAY. I regret it more than accidently spilling acetone on my iPhone 4. I swore never again. Hence, I keep every book I buy. 

I realise that in another 10 years I might need a room to store my books in, which suits me fine. In fact my aim is to one day have a reading room with a large comfy chair, fireplace and bookshelves of all shapes and sizes. Here is a walk through my perfect reading room;

Minus the ornaments and wasted cupboard space. Visualise rows and rows of books.

I simply love this bookshelf! In fact I have convinced bf that one day when we have children, yes my Trend Stalking friend plural, this will be the centrepiece of the child’s room. Except it’ll be the child’s name.

I love open and airy spaces so another window would be fabulous! With the chair of course, comfort is important if you are planning on spending hours reading.

 I spotted this canoe-bookshelf at a shop in Clarens. I think it’ll fit in well with my collection of bookshelves.  

Now what would a reading room be without a fireplace? The stepladder isn’t a bad idea either.

Here are some other bookshelf ideas which I simply love, and will have to make space for;

 

Now you must think I am crazy considering that we live in a digital world and I can have every single book I desire on one device. I have the Kindle app for my iPad, and every other book app you can think of, but it is simply not the same. I love turning a page and the smell of books. As long as I am around, print will never go out of fashion, all for the love of a good book.

Best I go and pick bf off the floor. Once he sees this, he will faint – guaranteed. 

For fabulous, practical, easy to implement, home ideas visit www.thefurnishingtouch.co.za.