On Being Mindful...2012

Welcome to the 6th edition of my annual New Year's post sharing reflections and resolutions for living a green & healthy life. Has it really been 6 years? I'm a bit shocked really.

So many things have changed since I entered this amazing community of green-minded folks in 2006. The concept of "living green" has gone from trendy to pretty darned mainstream. Interest in buying organic, local and Fair Trade, supporting handmade and turning to DIY has grown by leaps and bounds. Meanwhile, the consumer movement against toxic chemicals and unsafe and unethical manufacturing practices has skyrocketed, causing laws to be overhauled and manufacturers to reformulate products.

Over the past 5 years, I've covered so many different topics, I sometimes wonder if there's anything more to write. But somehow there always is! In 2012, I plan to keep you posted about the latest green news and information, trends for healthy living as well as introduce some new eco-craft ideas, green product finds, giveaways and more! Be sure to visit me on Facebook, Twitter and Pinterest (I just joined today and I promise to share lots of cool stuff so please follow me!) for continued conversations about green & healthy living!

Enough reflecting - on to the resolutions! In the past, my New Year's resolutions have covered everything from improving the energy efficiency of our home to buying more products in bulk to mindful eating. Some years have been a random list of resolutions, other years have been more focused on a particular topic.  This year, a clear theme emerged: Taking Care.

Take care of the planet

In 2012, I pledge to be more conscious of all the resources I use in daily life:

• We may have a newly insulated home but doesn't mean I shouldn't pay attention to my home energy and water use.
• I may bring my own bags to the grocery, but there are still more ways to buy stuff with less packaging.
• The majority of my clothing may come from the thrift store but that doesn't mean I have full licence to keep buying more and more.

Take care of our health

In 2012, I pledge to be more mindful of the food I feed my family and the hidden chemicals I expose us to: 

• Make more meatless meals. That means coming up with some easy go-to vegetarian recipes that I can pull out of my hat when I'm in a hurry.
• Buy better meat. That means sometimes going out of my way to buy organic, free-range and ethically produced meat instead of conventional.
• Beware of hidden chemicals. That means using fewer canned goods laden with BPA, ditching the last non-stick pan still lurking in my house and continuing to lobby for safer chemicals.

Take care of my community

In 2012, I pledge to be a better community member:

• Read and comment on other blogs.
• Continue to build and interact with my social media communities.
• Get involved in neighborhood and school sustainability projects.

Take care of myself

 In 2012, I pledge to be nicer to myself:

• Take time to journal, to notice and to reflect.
• Start making my own happiness a priority.
• Stop comparing myself to others.
• Allow time for regular exercise.
• Refer to this list of 30 things to start doing for yourself with regularity.

That's kind of a lot, isn't it? Especially for someone who's trying not to be such an over-achiever! But when resolutions come from good, solid intentions and purposes, they are more likely to stick. As my husband always says, "Happy Mom = Happy Family" Words to live by this next year!

What are your green & healthy New Year's resolutions?

(Image credits: Lorettaflame via MorgueFile, Madelina via flickr)

Comments

[Lori Popkewitz Alper]

Happy New Year! What a wonderful post. I found myself nodding as I was reading it. I really like how you separated your resolutions into four categories. It is a lot to accomplish-but many of them are intertwined. One of my goals for the new year is to check in with myself more often to make sure I'm happy and not overly stressed! I agree with your husband.

[veggieprincess91]

go vegan

[Anne]

Thanks for the reminders to be mindful. Definitely working on the taking time for self part this year. I've always been great at making sure everyone else has time for fitness, but not necessarily me. Also cutting back on doing too many "good" things so I'm not stretched too thin to do any one thing well.

[Micaela]

Good luck going vegan Veggie Princess! Thanks for stopping by!

 

[Micaela]

Hi Anne - I appreciate your comment about cutting back, even on all the "good" things you are doing. It's hard to do but it comes down to quality over quantity, don't you think?

 

[Micaela]

Hey Lori - I love your goal to have a regular check-in with yourself. I have a similar goal - to notice when I am feeling crabby or stressed and to try to understand what's behind it, so I can make it better! Easier said than done, but important to try!

 

[Desiree]

Loved the resolutions! For meatless meals ideas check out my blog: greenmomster.org. Along with discussions on environmental topics, I post a meat-free friday recipe that's very time - and family-friendly. Thanks for your terrific site!

[Micaela]

Cool blog Desiree! I will be sure to check back for more vegetarian recipes! Happy New Year!

 

[Michelle @Special Mom Space]

Health and self are great reasons. We can not be helpful to others if we are falling apart.

[Micaela]

So true Michelle! Yet it's so easy to put others ahead of ourselves. It will be a good focus for 2012!