Late on Those Resolutions

on November 21, 2010
in All Posts

I am BIG on New Year’s Resolutions.  I guess it’s just part of my personality to love a fresh year with new opportunities and challenges.  Kind of corny, but it works for me.

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There are a few big goals for 2010:

 

  • Successfully promote the Operation Beautiful book (check!)
  • Run a marathon (check!)
  • Sign a book deal for Book #2 (check… I just haven’t told you about it yet!  And there’s actually a surprise to announce, too!)
  • Learn to be responsible with our money (ehhhh…)

 

But there are other, smaller goals that I wanted to accomplish.

 

  • Walk the dogs every day.
  • Write some fiction, just for fun.
  • Stop being late all the time.
  • Do more yoga.

 

So now I”m on this mad dash to actually attempt to make my smaller resolutions into habits before January 1, 2011 (haha, so I’m literally late on stopping to be late).  I’ve been walking the dogs religiously – on bad days, I just take them into the yard.  I’ve been making headway into my tardiness.  I bought an unlimited yoga package. 

 

And I wrote six pages of fiction last night!  I re-read it this morning, and it’s not so bad.  🙂

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I’m just writing this for fun, to see where it goes.  I majored in Creative Non-Fiction in college and have never written a lick of fiction in my life. 

 

Any fiction writers out there?

 

In other words…

 

The dough balls were INCREDIBLE!

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I ate five, then I got a stomachache.  I think sugar highs are good for writing, though.

 

Today’s breakfast:

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Dakota bread French toast with baked apple on top.

 

Off to yoga!

 

Have you fulfilled your New Year’s Resolutions?  Are you scrambling to get some done?  :)  It’s never too late!!

{ 83 comments }

 

  • erin c November 21, 2010, 8:55 am

    Congrats on book deal #2! Can’t wait to hear about it!

  • Jodi November 21, 2010, 8:56 am

    Hey Caitlin, I majored in creative writing in college with a focus on fiction. i completed a novel and am working on a second. Fiction is fun!!

  • Paige (Running Around Normal) November 21, 2010, 9:00 am

    There’s quite a few that didn’t get done :-/ Makes me feel a little down, actually. So I might not look at it again, and just recreate for next year 😉

  • faith @ gracefulfitness November 21, 2010, 9:01 am

    I was a fiction writer…when I was 9! I wrote all the time as a kid but these days I have no desire for fiction writing (reading I am all about).
    Congrats on the book deal, that is so great!

  • Little Bookworm November 21, 2010, 9:06 am

    Congratulations on the second book deal! 😀

  • Ella November 21, 2010, 9:08 am

    Mmm your breakfast looks so good!
    Mine was to start treating myself better. Mentally, even though I have a BMI of 19 I’ve spent the last five years constantly on a diet, always freaking out about food and working out and ughh it just all became too much!
    I’m a junior in college and its really hard to get everything done and balance keeping fairly healthy, but lately I’ve been making sure I get atleast 8 hours of sleep, drink lots of water, and take a vitamin..at this stage in life I’ll take what I can get. I’ve been feeling all around so much better now, its great!

  • Kath November 21, 2010, 9:13 am

    Ohhhhh the surprise suspense!!!

  • Lee November 21, 2010, 9:23 am

    My major New Years resolution for 2010 was to PR in a race. I PR’d in four different distances in 2010! So you could definitely say that I accomplished that one. I’ll have to look back and see what my others were.

  • Tanya (girlxoxo) November 21, 2010, 9:24 am

    Better late than never I say – clicje I know. My big resolution was to work out more consistently and finally around September/ October with the help of training for races, I’m getting it done! I need to do more reading – I guess more of a fiction reader than a writer 🙂

  • Melissa @ Running with Needles November 21, 2010, 9:25 am

    Ooh, I can’t wait to hear what the surprise with book #2 is!

  • Nina November 21, 2010, 9:26 am

    Hi Caitlin,

    What really helps me to write is doing “Morning Pages” every morning, like suggested in The Artists Way by Julia Cameron. It helps get the juices flowing and the first pages are just about getting the clutter out of your mind.
    Good luck!

    • Caitlin November 21, 2010, 11:59 am

      I think I’m better in the AM too!

      • I.N. November 21, 2010, 3:56 pm

        Do you have suggestions about how it works best for you? I work freelance jobs from home and its difficult to then be creative. I typically do all my freelancing in morning and early afternoon in order to avoid that nagging feeling that if I leave it , I will have something to do later in the day and evening. This is where I get lost. How do I fit in morning pages or creative writing, when the morning is really the nicest time, but I really feel I need to get the freelancing done. And later in the day, my desire to be creative withers. I completely lose any and all desire.
        Caitlin, what time do you wake in the morning for breakfast? Do you have typical day to day eating times? I would really appreciate some thoughts on this so I can add a bit of structure to your life.
        Insanely jealous at your fiction writing. I’ve lost my work ethic and ability to produce in that area. I think I might devote a few months solely to reading and give it a rest.

        • Nina November 21, 2010, 4:14 pm

          I do my morning pages first thing in the morning – before I get started with any other freelance writing or updating my web site. it is really like a “teeth brushing” exercise, or a meditation. The purpose is just to clean out your mind. The writing can be absolutely ANYTHING – I prefer stream of consciousness writing, but other people do poetry, fiction, etc.
          The point of it is just to cleanse your mind and open up the creative flow.
          Hope that helps!

        • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 8:51 am

          I really need to figure this out again because I’ll be writing the books soon. I have to blog at HTP in the AM, but I’ll prob switch to doing OB posts at night so I can minimize the amount of non-creative stuff I have to do in the morning. I find I’m most creative in the morning so I try to do most of my writing then.

        • Chrissy (The New Me) November 22, 2010, 10:33 am

          I am also best in the morning, and love to write then (I write fiction, mostly) but I also prefer to run in the morning, need to walk my dogs, AND have to get to work at 8am. Finding a schedule that works for my life and my writing is tough.

  • Amy* November 21, 2010, 9:28 am

    My resolution was to run a 5k for the first time which I did back in March. Now I’m fixing to run my first marathon in 2 weeks!

    Congratulations on the book! I can’t wait to hear all about it!*

  • Caitlyn (A Spoonful of Life) November 21, 2010, 9:28 am

    I’m excited to hear about the book deal #2!! I took creative writing in high school and it was one of my favorite classes. Then again, anything’s better than physics and calculus!!

    I didn’t make any resolutions this year. Maybe I’ll make a november/december resolution just to have something to focus on until this coming New Year! Better late then never.

  • Michele @ Healthy Cultivations November 21, 2010, 9:32 am

    Congratulations on your second book deal!! Sincere congratulations!

  • Alina November 21, 2010, 9:36 am

    “Stop being late all the time” is definitely going to be on my list of resolutions if I make one this year. Do share tips if you make any headway on this!

  • Alison (Ali on the Run) November 21, 2010, 9:42 am

    I have one resolution left: take a tap class! I used to be a big tapper and have pretty much given it up since I started working.

    Congratulations on the book deal! Can’t wait to hear all about it.

  • Freya November 21, 2010, 9:43 am

    You have a second book deal!? That’s amazing!!
    I had a list of 10 goals to do in 2010, and I managed to cross off every single one by October 🙂 So proud!

  • susan November 21, 2010, 9:52 am

    Ok I have to comment and please do NOT take this the wrong way. I was once told by a psychiatrist that being late is a manifestation of arrogance. That really hit home for me (I’m never late but my husband is ALWAYS late). Anyway, by you being late you’re basically saying that whoever is waiting for you will wait because you are that important. Now I know you’re not consciously thinking that but it is something to consider. You don’t strike me as an arrogant person but maybe you don’t view your behavior as how very inconsiderate it is. I only tell you this as something to think about the next time you think you’re going to be late.

    • Caitlin November 21, 2010, 11:57 am

      While that may be true for some people, I think the bigger issue is that I am overloaded and do way too many things. I easily work 70 hours a week, which makes it difficult to get to anything on time because I am literally always working.

      • Jillian@ Reshape Your Life November 22, 2010, 12:59 pm

        I used to be constantly late… Actually my Dad and sister are chronically late too. So a trick that worked for me was to say that I needed to be there 15 minutes before I actually had to be there. This worked until I started getting places earlier and earlier. Now I’m chronically early. I can’t win!

        We usually tell my Dad and Sister that the event starts an hour earlier that it actually does… They are still late but not nearly as bad anymore. 🙂

  • Morgan @ Healthy Happy Place November 21, 2010, 10:03 am

    eek!! can’t wait to hear about your second book deal! When do you think you’ll be able to share details?

    • Caitlin November 21, 2010, 11:57 am

      Sometime this week!

  • Maddie (Healthy Maddie) November 21, 2010, 10:04 am

    Congrats on your 2nd book deal! That’s awesome.
    I really don’t remember all of my goals for this year but I am definitely going to write a list for next year and try to accomplish all of them.

  • Mary @ Bites and Bliss November 21, 2010, 10:43 am

    I actually don’t remember my New Year’s Revolutions..I should write them down this year! Congrats on the deal for Book #2!!

  • Sarena (The Non Dairy Queen) November 21, 2010, 10:58 am

    I am not good with “resolutions”, but I do have goals. I am trying to get better about achieving things. I feel like 2011 will be a fresh start for me in that area and I am really looking forward to some greatness! Have a great day Caitlin!

    Congrats on the book deal…that is a goal of mine too next year for sure!

  • Emma (Sweet Tooth Runner) November 21, 2010, 11:00 am

    Yay on the second book deal!! I can’t wait to hear what the surprise is!! 😀
    I love New Years Resolutions too, and can’t wait till I can make some in a month and a bit! 🙂

  • Amber K November 21, 2010, 11:14 am

    I don’t make “resolutions” per se, but I do make goals from time to time. I’m actually writing some fiction for fun right now too!

    A second book deal? I’m so excited! I loved your first one and I have it out so I can pick it up and flip to any random page for good thoughts for the day. 🙂

    • Caitlin November 21, 2010, 11:59 am

      Thanks Amber – that is really nice 🙂

  • Natalia - a side of simple November 21, 2010, 11:28 am

    I can’t wait to hear about your second book deal! Please share what news you can soon 🙂 I’m a big fan of fiction and love to write some here and there when I’m not swarmed in papers for school. I really prefer reading fiction over nonfiction for enjoyment. Good luck with your resolutions 🙂

  • hippierunner November 21, 2010, 11:34 am

    The most fiction writng I’ve done is for my screenplay writing class which was pretty fun!

    High five for accomplishing your big goals!

  • Priyanka November 21, 2010, 11:50 am

    Congratulations on accomplishing the second book deal, so happy for you!

  • Amy November 21, 2010, 12:09 pm

    Congrats on book deal #2! I can’t wait to hear about it. I’m a fiction writer. I have written a lot of short stories and poetry since I was a little kid. I hope to write an actual fiction novel this year. I have so many ideas but I haven’t found the right one to stick to yet.

  • Caitlin November 21, 2010, 12:13 pm

    Scrambling! I totally forgot about mine. I need to post them somewhere in 2011 so I cannot ignore them!

  • Jillian@ Reshape Your Life November 21, 2010, 12:30 pm

    I didn’t make out a full “to do” of resolutions… Just one. To start living a healthier life. And I can definitely say that I’ve got that one in the bag, although I did get a late start. I’ve lost over 15 lbs in 3.5 months and am running my first 5k on Dec. 4th!

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 8:49 am

      Yay! Congrats on your healthier outlook.

      • Jillian@ Reshape Your Life November 22, 2010, 1:00 pm

        Thank you! Your blog has been a great source of my inspiration to keep going!! 🙂

  • Chelsea @ One Healthy Munchkin November 21, 2010, 12:40 pm

    Congrats on the 2nd book deal! 😀 And it sounds like you’re making good progress with all your smaller goals too! I wish I could say the same. I still haven’t started regularly doing yoga or gotten any better at managing my time/money haha.

  • Cynthia (It All Changes) November 21, 2010, 12:42 pm

    I love that you had little goals in addition to the the big ones.

    I need to recheck my list. I’ve updated throughout the year but have definitely fallen behind on some.

  • Deva (Voracious Vorilee) November 21, 2010, 1:07 pm

    Congrats on book deal number two! I made resolutions this year, but looking back I feel like some were superficial. My goals for the last 5 weeks of the year are just to stress less.

    Congrats on book number two! Can’t wait to read it!

  • Diana November 21, 2010, 1:09 pm

    It’s great that you’re reminding people it’s not too late to fulfill their new year’s resolutions. I hadn’t even thought about that until you mentioned it on the walk. Good call Caitlin! I need to re-review mine.

    And I’m so glad the dough balls turned out. They look perfect! 🙂 (btw, I have 2 new flavors I’m revealing later today if you want to try another flavor!) 😉

  • Sana November 21, 2010, 1:27 pm

    OMG I can’t wait till you tell us about the 2nd book deal!

  • Jennifer S November 21, 2010, 1:31 pm

    Can’t wait to hear about book deal #2! I have been trying to get back into writing fiction lately. The last time I seriously wrote anything was in college. I, too, am a firm believer in “morning pages” – it helps so much to organize my thoughts about everything going on in my life. Best of luck with your many goals!

  • Jessica @ The Process of Healing November 21, 2010, 1:35 pm

    Everyone and their mother has made those cookie dough balls.. I need to get on it!

  • Amy November 21, 2010, 1:38 pm

    Fiction writing is so fun! I’ve been writing on and off since childhood. I’m trying to develop a novel right now but it is slow going!

  • Virginia @ YtotheUmmy November 21, 2010, 1:50 pm

    I love new years resolutions! As New Years gets closer, I like to give myself time to develop ideas and think about it so that when the time comes, I’m mentally prepared 😀

  • Camille November 21, 2010, 1:52 pm

    I am horrible at writing fiction! I can just never get it to flow well!
    I will make New Years “Goals” because then I don’t feel bad if I don’t manage to do them. Resolutions always sounded to me like somethings needs to be changed.

  • Maryea @ Happy Healthy Mama November 21, 2010, 1:57 pm

    Congrats on book deal #2! What a teaser-I can’t wait to hear more about it.

    Operation Beautiful will be wrapped as a Christmas gift for some of my loved ones this year. 🙂

    Fiction is my favorite and for many years the only writing I did. Now that I am blogging I am finding that I can still get creatively fulfilled with non-fiction writing. Fiction will always be where my heart is though!

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 8:49 am

      Thank you for gifting the OB book! 🙂

  • Annie@stronghealthyfit November 21, 2010, 2:07 pm

    Cute post, and good for you for going back to your resolutions! Very admirable. I don’t really do New Years’ resolutions, but I feel like I always have something I’m working towards, something I want to improve about myself and my lifestyle 🙂

  • Ellen@FirednFabulous November 21, 2010, 2:20 pm

    Eat healthier, be more organized…those are always on the top of my list!

  • erica November 21, 2010, 2:28 pm

    i have a 10 in 2010 list that i haven’t even done half….i’m scrambling!

  • Cathy K November 21, 2010, 2:53 pm

    i love making new year’s resolutions!
    i check in on mine from january 1, 2010 on the first of every month, just to see how i’m doing…it helps to stay on track for the year!
    i love that you didn’t wait for new year’s to work on some goals…resolutions can start ANY day!

  • Amber from Girl with the Red Hair November 21, 2010, 3:00 pm

    I actually achieved ALL of my 2010 goals! They were all big ones for me too – 2010 was a busy year. I finished university, traveled to Europe and ran a marathon. I think I’m going to make smaller, every day type goals for 2011 – like not being late as much! I am also TERRIBLE for being late because I always have so much going on (and I’m a big procrastinator)

    In fact, after reading this blog post I’m going to leave in 30 minutes for a 1:00 PM appointment (30 minutes early!!)

  • Courtney Leigh November 21, 2010, 3:02 pm

    As it is the last week of National Novel Writing Month (Nanowrimo.org) I can tell you that sugar highs are DEFINITELY good for writing. I make sure I have a bag of candy at every write-in for my Wrimos. And it gets eaten. And words get written.

    You should take part in Nano next year to work on a fiction book. It’s so much fun. And I great way to stretch your fiction chops.

    • Hannah Hawley November 22, 2010, 9:47 am

      I am in the midst of NaNo myself! I highly recommend it. A lot of fun. Never to late to jump in either. Set a lower goal than the 50,000 words since its so much later if you want.

  • Jenne November 21, 2010, 3:02 pm

    My 2010 Resolution was to do a sprint triathlon. I did it on May 31st!! Next years resolution was is to run a half marathon. I’m signed up for one on May29th, 2011

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 8:48 am

      Congrats on your sprint triathlon!

  • Runeatrepeat November 21, 2010, 3:12 pm

    I”m totally scrambling to get in my resolutions too! It’s overwhelming, but I will feel better if I cross them off.

  • Hillary [Nutrition Nut on the Run] November 21, 2010, 3:21 pm

    Yes, I’m scrambling to get all (10!) of mine checked off, too. I’ve got a ways to go — eek!

  • Jen November 21, 2010, 3:24 pm

    Book deal #2?! Exciting! Can’t wait to hear about it! I did make some resolutions this year, then my dad died and everything went straight to he**! I’ll be making some for 2011 though 🙂

    Jen

  • Emily November 21, 2010, 3:31 pm

    Go you for still working on the resolutions! I’m not sure if I really made any at New Years, I sort of make them by season really and so far so good. My goal for the fall has been to transition into gym workouts and stay happy and positive about the impending cold weather by looking forward to something each month 🙂 I just need to get in some more yoga and I’ll be good!

  • Jolene (www.everydayfoodie.ca) November 21, 2010, 5:07 pm

    I remember when you discovered that wine was good for writing too 🙂 I like that! Hehe.

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 8:48 am

      haaha yes, wine and sugar are great for writing.

  • Heather November 21, 2010, 7:17 pm

    cant wait to hear your book surprise!
    I love setting goals for myself. I operate best that way.

  • chelsey @ clean eating chelsey November 21, 2010, 8:22 pm

    I normally don’t have resolutions – but I think this upcoming year will be the one!

  • Shelley November 21, 2010, 8:39 pm

    I don’t usually make resolutions because I never stick to them, but for this coming year I am going to make some as I think I need a bit of focus!
    Congrats on the new book deal too! I would love to write fiction, aside from a few lame stories when I was a kid, I’ve never been able to sit and think of a good story to write. One day though 🙂

  • LIz November 21, 2010, 9:40 pm

    I’ve been doing a creative writing group through my work…we meet once a week and write for an hour and share if we want to. It’s been a great exercise to push my limits (I was an English major but haven’t written much for the past two years) and to have a supportive community. I’m also reading Bird by Bird by Anne Lammott – it’s a FANTASTIC book about writing and life in general. If you haven’t read it, I definitely recommend it!

  • Faith @ lovelyascharged November 21, 2010, 9:47 pm

    Major kudos on the creative writing! I’m an English major who really wants to start on a portfolio for any future jobs I’m going to apply for…I’d love to start on that ASAP!

  • zoe (and the beatles) November 21, 2010, 10:34 pm

    fiction writer right here!!!!!! it’s my major, actually 🙂 lovelovelove short stories. and i lovelovelove the fact you wrote six pages last night! good for you, caitlin! i love bursts of writing energy!

    as for my “resolutions” (i like to call them goals :)) i feel like i have accomplished them. it’s been a tough year and at the start i declared that i would love myself, through and through. and guess what? i did it. i can officially say with one hundred percent honesty that i love myself, body and all. it took a while but it’s an amazing feeling i am never going to let go of. and a lot of that has to do with you! so thank you, caitlin, for motivating me into self-love! good luck with your writing 🙂

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 8:47 am

      self-love is the very best goal 🙂

  • Jessica November 21, 2010, 11:02 pm

    I’ve never been big on New Year’s Resolutions but I’m always setting goals throughout the year. I’m glad you brought this up because I can be kinda hard on myself when I don’t feel like I’m reaching my goals when I should. If I step back and look at how far I’ve come rather than how much farther I have to go I would realize I’ve already achieved so much. I’m not saying it’s ok to stop half way, but just remember to congratulate yourself for the steps you take along the way.

  • maya @ finding balance in tokyo November 22, 2010, 1:36 am

    When I first opened up this post on my iPhone it looked like you were eating sausages on toast. I was confused for one very brief moment!

    I have been doing so-so on my resolutions. I did not set many, and they were mostly vague but I’ve been working on them slowly. I resolved to do more yoga, improve my posture, build some muscle, run a 10k, improve my 5k time, and ride a bike outside. So far I’ve done a bit more yoga (though nowhere near what I meant!), ran a 10k, and I have been seeing improvements in my posture, the muscle gain is questionable, and I have one more 5k coming up to try and PR in. There’s been no headway on the bike thing.

    • Caitlin November 22, 2010, 8:47 am

      i like the posture goal!

  • Shari November 22, 2010, 9:41 am

    Congratulations on the book deal!! That’s AMAZING news!! 🙂

    I’m a fiction writer, and I adore every minute of it. My second novel is currently in the hands of a couple agents, so I’m keeping my fingers tightly crossed for that and getting ready to start planning and plotting #3!

  • Chrissy (The New Me) November 22, 2010, 10:36 am

    I love making yearly goals and I love writing (fiction was my major in undergrad and I’m currently applying to MFA programs). I wish I had time to write more, but between my 8-5 job, running, two dogs, and boyfriend, it falls by the wayside way too often. Still not a good excuse though. My current 2010 goal is to finish my applications, submit them, and then commit to daily writing in 2011.

  • Jen November 22, 2010, 3:07 pm

    I write fiction! I have been neglecting it for a while and recently got a surge of “NEED TO DO…NOW” energy.

    You’re a pretty good storyteller so I think you might revel in this new way of telling stories!

  • Courtney @ Sweet Tooth, Sweet Life November 28, 2010, 3:06 pm

    I’m probably 50/50 on my resolutions this year…which isn’t bad, considering I’m usually pretty bad at sticking with them. Aren’t those dough balls great? I made some myself last weekend. 🙂

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