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June 1: Day of Reckoning

It is the midpoint of the year, precisely six* months after we all resolved to better ourselves in some way in 2013. You did do that, right? I always like to spend some time on June 1 checking in on those New Year’s resolutions.  Several readers pledged similar goals to the ones I wrote about in my Don’t Judge post, so I thought I’d share my progress here:

1. In 2013 I will learn how to keep house.

I’m rocking this one.  I figured out a housekeeping schedule that works for our family, and after six months, it has become habit.  I don’t worry about unexpected guests, or feel like I need to go on a cleaning spree when we have friends over.  I clean on Wednesdays, now with the company of podcasts, and the house is generally tidy and comfortable.  It’s pretty awesome, I have to say.  I feel good about this resolution.

Monday: laundry (clothes)
Tuesday: menu plan/grocery list, ironing
Wednesday: laundry (linens), clean house top to bottom (bathrooms, counters, sweep, mop, vacuum, dust)
Thursday: laundry (clothes)
Friday: grocery shopping

2. In 2013, I will begin to build a grown-up wardrobe, with timeless, classic pieces.

I’ve still got a few gaps to fill – a spring jacket/cardigan/wrap, a brown belt, a new handbag – but I’ve got most of the basics down now.  With these foundation pieces, I can put together an outfit for almost any occasion, and I can build on them to expand and add fun:

pumps in black and nude
sandals (okay, flip flops) in black, brown, and nude
boots in black and brown
2 pairs jeans, 1 pair capris, 3 pairs shorts, 2 pairs trousers, 1 black pencil skirt
camisoles and tank tops in white and black
several tailored button down shirts
1 peplum blouse
several easy tees
2 casual maxi dresses, 1 summer surf dress
little black dress
2 accent belts
denim jacket, wool coat

3.  In 2013, I will read five biographies or memoirs.

Dang, I’ve done this one too!  Wow, what an annoying overachiever.

Swimming to Antarctica: Tales of a Long-Distance Swimmer by Lynne Cox and Martha Kaplan (Goodreads review here)

Enchantment: The Life of Audrey Hepburn by Donald Spoto (Goodreads review here)

Wild: From Lost to Found on the Pacific Coast Trail by Cheryl Strayed (blog post here, Goodreads review here)

Albatross: The True Story of a Woman’s Survival at Sea by Deborah Scaling Kiley and Meg Noonan (blog post here)

I Remember Nothing: and Other Reflections by Nora Ephron (Goodreads review here)

Now what?  I could take it easy the rest of the year, I guess.  Or I could reward myself with another set of goals. Fun goals. Writing goals.

  • Post at least once, preferably twice, per week on blog.
  • Complete a tight 2000-5000 word essay that I’m really proud of.
  • Finish three unfinished pieces that I began in the first half of the year.

I hope my overachiever momentum will carry over into the second half of the year.  I’d really like to accomplish those last two.

* Math is not my strong suit. I was travelling after this post went live, and I had this interaction with my husband via text:

Husband: I like your blog post but… it’s only been 5 months 🙂
Me: D’oh!
Husband: Well, at least “precisely” doesn’t have strict definition or anything…

So we’re not halfway through the year after all, which means we have 7 months instead of 6 to accomplish our goals.  Bonus!  Also, I need an editor.

14 thoughts on “June 1: Day of Reckoning”

  4. Just can’t believe what I’m reading…
    The routines and wardrobes… Exactly what I’ve been wanting to work on… Are you saying
    That is going to be your entire wardrobe? You know how “they” say you really only use 20% of what is in your closet? That speaks to me(!) I often thought I would keep only what I would pack for a 2 week vacation, by bringing only my favorite pieces….. Talk about cutting down on the laundry;) It’s freedom;)

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    1. That’s awesome that these are the same things you’re working on! As far as the clothing list goes, no, it’s not my complete wardrobe. I forgot to include some of the winter stuff, like sweaters, tights, and a long wool skirt, plus 2 swim suits for summer and a 3/4 sleeve dress for spring and fall. But for the most part, yes, this list represents my wardrobe. I wear the items from this list every single day. Because everything is basic, I can mix them up to make different outfits, and eventually I’ll be able to change their looks with jewelry and accessories. I think those elements – the accent pieces – will be my wardrobe goal next year.

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  5. I’m banking on June to get somewhere on my resolutions list. I haven’t quite made it to my “Try to get done in January” section yet. Where does the time go?

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  6. Re the housekeeping, you aren’t a FLYbaby, by any chance are you? (www.FLYlady.net)

    It is kind of working for me; although I haven’t got all the routines sussed, I am a demon at de-cluttering 🙂

    As for my ‘plans’ I am still going on my 40 things 😀

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    1. I keep hearing about FLYlady, but I’m comfortable right now in my routines, so I haven’t felt the need to try anything new. I will check her out when I feel like I’m in a rut, though.

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  7. Well, we may not be precisely half way through the year, but I sitll appreciate a little kick in the pants. Time for me to pull out the ol’ resolution list!

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  8. I like your blog post too! And when I saw the asterisk, I knew…someone had pointed out to you that we weren’t exactly 6 months into the new year 😛

    Still, that means you accomplished all that even more quickly then you thought…bravo! (I myself don’t make new year’s resolutions…I make anytime resolutions. But I don’t always stick to them, either… 😛 )

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