Mental & Emotional Health

I’ve been gabbing on and on about my 108 resolutions for 2008 and I’m hoping that at least one of you will join me on this endeavor of making a list of things you’d like to accomplish by the end of the year. They can be small things or they can be big things, but when you’re making those big changes, I want you to take a minute and think about where you are in your life and then look at the Stages of Change Model.

I want you to look at these stages of change and decide where you fit into the puzzle with regards to the change that you would like to make.

Are you at the precontemplation stage? This stage is where there is no thought or intention of behavior change. If you’re thinking about adding something to your list of new years resolutions, you are probably not in the precontemplation stage. In fact, those in this stage are oftentimes unaware or even underaware of their problem.

Are you at the contemplation stage? In this stage you are aware the problem exists, and you are thinking about changing the behavior. You have yet to make the commitment to change, but you are thinking about it!

Are you at the preparation stage? Here, you know the problem is there and you have made the decision to change it. People in this stage are looking to make their change in the next 30 days. If you have added something to your resolutions list, you’re probably in the preparation stage.

Are you at the action stage? Here you are modifying your behaviors and your environment in order to change and overcome the problems. There are many behaviors changes and a lot of time and energy expended in this stage.’

If you’re at the maintenance stage you probably wouldn’t be reading the rest of this blog. Here you’re working to maintain and keep your gains you’ve acheived through the action stage! This stage can be as short as a few weeks and as long as decades depending on your changed actions.

So, depending on where you are in the stages of change model, your actions for a new years resolution will change. Be sure to keep these five stages in mind when you’re setting up your realistic goals!

mental & emotional health, new years resolutions, stages of change, precontemplation stage, contemplation stage, preparation stage, action stage, maintenance stage, decision making

On Monday I started sharing my list of 108 New Years Resolutions with you all. I shall continue today!

16. master the night-time bokeh shots
17. learn to use my tripod with speed (right now I’m really slow using it!)
18. finish MamaDee’s/Baby Dee’s cross-stitch project (I started this before BabyDee was born, and he just turned 7 months old … I need to get on this before he turns 18!)
19. finish winter term with straight A’s (I’m registered for three classes – human sexuality, health and health systems and nutrition for heath and looking forward to each of them!)
20. earn at least a B+ in epidemiology (I don’t have to take it until spring term, but I’m already concerned!)
21. earn $1,000 by blog-writing (I was on my way this year, but would really like to make this happen in 2008)
22. start running steadily again (I’ve been taking months off at a time and that’s not quite working out for me)
23. run a half-marathon (I don’t plan on setting a time limit for myself, I just want to do it)
24. sincerely wear out a pair of “running-only” tennis shoes (I used to be able to do this, too!)
25. pay off one credit card in full (this is something that I hope to have done by June, actually)
26. repot/replant my vine plant I have in the house (I want it to get bigger and it’s not getting any bigger in the pot it’s currently in)
27. go to the Roller Derby again (I loved the derby the first time, and I really want to go back! Anyone want to go with me?)
28. go to the zoo
29. spend a day on foot in SE Portland exploring
30. share a taster tray with Miss Buckeye at a new brewery

mental & emotional health, New Years resolutions, 2008

Every year for the past four years I’ve set up a huge list of random New Year’s resolutions that I’d like to accomplish. In 2004, my initial year, I made 104 resolutions (and accomplished 84 of them). In 2005 I made 105; in 2006, 106; and in 2007 I got lazy and only made 57. 2007 has been so all over the place for me that I didn’t actually keep track of them though. In 2008 I would like to:

1. keep track of my 2008 New Years resolutions list

2. read 50 books*

3. write a one-sentence review of each book I read to keep track of my books (I plan on keeping a running “tab” on my personal blog with this information on it)

4. read two sci-fi novels*

5. read two fantasy novels*

6. read five biographies*

7. read one self-help book all the way through*

8. take one photograph a day

9. post each photograph to Flickr (as a set, with the date as the title)

10. book one wedding session**
11. book two Senior sessions**
12. book three family sessions**
13. book four one-on-one sessions**
14. learn five new PSP techniques
15. submit one photograph to the Oregon State Fair

*While I’ve bookmarked The Book Stacks here at 451Press, if you have any book recommendations for me, I really appreciate suggestions! I have read TWO science fiction books in my entire life, and while I really enjoyed one of them I’ve never felt compelled to read another. I’ve read some popular fantasy novels (the entire Lord of the Rings series) but other than that, haven’t branched out much. I adore biographies but slacked on them in the last half of this year. I normally give up on self-help books unless they’re really applicable to me so I have to find a good one.

**Obviously I’d like to branch out with my photography. If you are interested in being shot (bang bang!) let me know and I’ll pass my information and rates on to you! I would absolutely be willing to cut you a deal to help my portfolio!

mental & emotional health, New Year’s Resolutions, 108 for 2008, reading, book suggestions, photography