Changing habits

The rule of thumb with habits, good and bad, is that it takes 40 days to make a new habit, or kill an old one.


That means forty days of being diligent, persistent, and conscientious of your actions.  Paying attention.  Being engaged with your own actions, and not just operating in a haze.  (HA!)


I'm bringing up changing habits NOW because I LOATHE the whole "New Year's Resolutions" thing.  I turn 33 this year, and I've wasted enough time in my life lamenting at how I wasn't able to keep up with my NYR this year, BUT NEXT YEAR!!!!  Good gravy.  I've been of the frame of mind, for about the last 7 or 8 years or so, that I don't do resolutions, per sé.  I do GOALS.  Why?


Because setting goals WORKS.


And my goal right now?


To change my habits.


I have a list the length of my leg of habits I'd like to change or develop, but since I'm the type of person, that in order to not get totally overwhelmed, then stressed, then have debilitating anxiety attacks, which THEN result in hideous depression - *breathe* - I have to take baby steps.  So, because 90 days seems to be "THE THING" right now (P90X, Vitality for Life, etc), and yesterday was the 1st of February, I made a commitment to develop a couple of new habits, and to COMMIT to persistence and diligence and engagement with these habits for the next 90 days.  That will take me to 30 April, 2012.  (I will then be 33. :D)  Because, realistically, I know for me, 40 days?  Probably not enough.  Besides.  GO BIG OR GO HOME. ;)  And changing a couple of actions for 90 days seems like a good enough baby step for me.


I'm really excited to see what 2012 holds for our family.  We have faced some MASSIVE adversity and challenges as a family, financially, emotionally, physically, you name it, over the last 4 years most specifically.  And I personally have battled for years with stress/anxiety, depression, and most related to being a housewife: inadequacy.  I LOGICALLY know that these feelings are bunk, but feelings don't have to make sense.  And I know that logically, in order to deal with them, I need to address my actions - and create new habits.  Hence, I'm changing habits.


I'm going to be posting in the coming weeks about my commitment, in addition to other things, and I'd love to hear what kind of things that you have committed to - either now or in the past.  What things have you battled with in your commitment?  What challenges have you faced to keeping those commitments?


Cheers,
Dinnae ;)

A sad day...

I've had a hard time stopping the tears for the last 4 hours... I'm thankful it's not due to a loss in my family, but just the same, my heart is broken for my dear friend who is going through the loss of a child.

On the evening of 5 January, a car accident occurred in NSW that left the driver and one of the 4 children in the car seriously injured.  Later that night, the 9 year old girl lost her fight.  Her auntie is still in the hospital, still in critical condition, so she needs prayers.  The other 3 kids are ok.  But Kate and Matt lost their beautiful Liv...

To pay tribute to this sweet little angel who was taken from her loving parents too soon:  she was a gorgeous redhead... shy sometimes, but others, take you off guard with how bubbly she was when she was warming up to you.  She was thoughtful and intelligent, and so so sweet.  And this all from a lady who really didn't know her all that well.  I was lucky enough to meet this gorgeous girl more than once, and lucky enough to have her over when my oldest was a newborn.  I can't imagine what they're going through right now, but Kate, if you're on the net trying to take your mind off things (as I know you do dear girl), please know that I'm shedding buckets for you, Matt and the kids, and that Liv has a special place in my heart...

Grab your kids, your parents, your brothers and sisters, your friends.  GRAB them, HOLD them, and tell them how much you love them.  Because it's not just a cliché - we really don't know how much time we have left.

Much love,

d.

ps: Kate has a blog, and just a few days ago did a lovely slideshow of pics of her kids in 2009... have a look-see over there:  The 6 of Us

Tagged by Dinnae

And... after heading over to get my fix of Shazza's croppy self... I have been tagged by her at: shazza's craft connection, I have to fill out the answers to these questions then tag 8 other bloggers... so...


8 Things I Look Forward To
1. cuddles with my hubby and/or my boys
2. church
3. family visits
4. scrapbooking and sewing (when I get a chance)
5. crash coming to live with us
6. facebook (yeah, sad, I know)
7. the arrival of my monthly Melaleuca order (hey, I've been a customer for 10 years, because I looooove their stuff!)
8. coffee with friends


8 Things I Did Yesterday
1. got woken up far too many times (1.19am, 4am, 5.48am)
2. went swimming at the Nilsson's
3. had hot dogs for dinner
4. put laundry out on the line (I LOVE THIS SEASON!)
5. set up my boys' wading pool
6. visit with my Grama (whom I live with) and my Auntie C
7. went for a walk/jog
8. read my Bible and prayed


8 Things I wish I could Do
1. have my own scrap/sew/craft area
2. buy our own house
3. go visit mates in Melbourne
4. live closer to all my bestest friends (Van, Melb, EVERYWHERE!)
5. be organised, and not always feel like I'm behind the 8ball
6. go to a hawks footy match... I miss my team!
7. know what the future holds
8. have 36 hour days (I think that ties in with #5 tho)


8 Things Or Shows I've Watched Lately
1. Rules of Engagement
2. Big Bang Theory
3. Obssessed
4. NCIS
5. CSI:NY
6. Max & Ruby & ITNG
7. Pros vs Joes (T's pick)
8. Stanley Cup Finals


8 Blogs I am tagging....
1. Tanja W
2. Kate H
3. Jen N
4. Yvette O
5. Heidi B
6. Susan D
7. Marcy
8. Samantha


hugs,
d.