Resolutions

I don't normally do resolutions beyond the basic. They're not really my thing. But this year is different. It's a really big year for me and I need to start changing some things around. I'm moving (again) (and then again) (and then again), I'm going to a different country, it's my last full year of college. I need to sort some things out. So, resolutions.

• Procrastinate Less: I'm the WORST procrastinator, which is really terrible with how much I work. Because the first half of this year is going to be pretty high stress and I need to be on the ball. Edits get done in a timely manner. I do school assignments I can as soon as I know about them. I stay on top of reading and applications and forms.
• Volunteer: This is a resolution, but also a requirement. I need to have 30 hours of community service before I can study abroad, but I only have 3 on record, though 8 unofficially (which goes to procrastinating - those hours are from SEPTEMBER). If I procrastinate less, I'll have less "But there's no time!" excuses.
• Read More: Also tying in to procrastinating less, I have a goal to read a book a day in January (which has worked so far), but then I still want to try to read 2 books a week after. It's totally manageable.
• See Friends More: After the big September rush to not be in my apartment, sickness and introversion kind of took over. I cancelled plans I made in October and still haven't felt well enough to reschedule those. But I don't know how much more time I'll have to really go and see friends in the city whenever once I move, so I want to have a get together with one of my friends once a week. A meet up with my blogger friends, a dinner or lunch with publishing friends, going out with my roommate - something. Once a week, every week. Hopefully this will help me work up to doing things and traveling while I'm abroad and don't know anybody. People skills FTW!
• Write: I'm never going to have the same kind of time and energy that I'll have this year. Next year starts with me commuting, writing my thesis, and taking two grad classes in my full-time course load, then that ends and I have to start looking for a Grown Up Job. This is when things need to happen.
• Record Life More: As stressful as this year is, it's going to be exciting. The terrible end of year I had really made some of the amazing memories in the first half of the year dull and fade. I don't want that happening this year. More pictures, more blogging, more...everything.
• Budget Better: I'm not really a budgeting kind of gal. I tend to make sure I can cover my bills and food each month, then spend as I please. Currently, my only income is from freelancing, which is obviously not the safest bet, and it might be the only job I have all year. I can't count on a paycheck every two weeks, and even if I do get a job this semester, I don't think I'll have one this summer or while I'm abroad. So, I need to be better at restraint and thinking of the future.
• Buy Less Books: Part of budgeting better has to be this. I'm already down to almost only buying books I've already read at signings since I have SO many unread books already, but I'm putting a total ban. Only if I loved it at a signing (or it's an author I know I loved). If I want to buy any other books, I have to have read/get rid of 5. This clears up space AND keeps me from spending too much.

I have some other goals to help me be better to myself and be a better friend, but they're not things I can really explain. I also want to be a better blogger. I just want to improve myself this year. I know I can't be perfect, but I want to help myself get there.