New Year's Resolutions

Wow. It's been so long since I've posted (slaps wrist). What was I thinking? In the spirit of New Year's, I thought it'd be fun to post about resolutions (the first being to start FINALLY posting on here regularly). I've never been one to make New Year's resolutions because, well honestly, I always thought they were stupid. Sorry, it's the truth. But now that I am getting older (because 23 is oh, so old) I'm learning the benefits of resolutions. With the promise of a new year comes the inspiration to begin a new self. We all have a few things we could stand to change about our lives, and what better time to kick off a new self than with the new year?

The problem with resolutions, I feel, is that people always set these lofty, reach-for-the-stars goals that are almost, if not absolutely, impossible to reach. This causes them to get discouraged and quit. My goal for my goals (my high-school English teacher just cringed at that horrid sentence structure): make them attainable. They need to be easy enough to achieve within a reasonable amount of time, but not so easy that they don't feel like a real accomplishment.

Keeping with the theme of Pretty Sweet Style, these resolutions will all be beauty and health (body, mind, and life) related.

So, here they are. My 2012 New Year's Resolutions:

• Straighten-up my room at least once every two weeks. (Believe me when I say it needs it much more often than that. But we're setting realistic goals, remember?)
• Go running at least twice a week.
• Choose a healthy snack (fruit, vegetables, etc.) over candy, chips, etc. more often than not.
• Cut waaaaaay back on the dairy. (Hello, I am a lactose-intolerant dairy-addict.)
• Wash my make-up off every night. (This does not have to include my regular cleaning routine. On nights when I'm super tired, I can just run a make-up removing wipe across my face and call it even.)
• Fully use up a product before I buy more. (Ex: Buying a new type of shampoo and conditioner just because I'm interested in it before finishing the products I have in my shower. This will cut back on wasting my money, products, and counter/shower space.)
• Allow myself to relax before bed by reading every, single night. (I've actually been doing this for a few months now and it has helped me sleep so much better. Most nights, I read less than 10 pages. Just enough to help me wind down and make me sleepy.)
• (Finally, a blog related one.) Post on here at least once a week. It can be about anything at all, I just have to post something. This little space has been gathering dust and cobwebs and is getting really lonely.

How do you guys feel about resolutions? Are you pro or con? What are some of your success, or horror, stories you've had with them? And, if you are a champ at sticking to your goals, what are some of your tips and tricks?

P.S. I hope you all have had a wonderful holiday season with your friends and family! :)