“Mom. We did resolutions today. I did the same one as you,” Rose reports after school.
I look at her, puzzled. “Which one did I do?” I asked.
“The one about not buying things you don’t need.”
I laughed. “What did Ms. Walsh saw about that?”
“She said she was going to do that one too.”
One look at our garbage/recycling lining the road after the holidays was a reality check of my shopping problem. More specifically, my online shopping problem. Our lives are busy and online shopping is convenient. But, as I looked at the boxes piled up on the side of the road, I imagined the drawers that are hard to close in everyone’s room and the closets that were once empty, slowing piling up. I knew I need to be more thoughtful about my shopping habits.
So, on January 1st, I ordered a habit tracking journal online. Then, I cancelled the order and instead, downloaded a habit tracking app. Instead of New Years Resolutions, I decided to work on creating some better habits for myself. My first habit was “no extra shopping.” Every time I have the impulse to quickly order something, I think of the satisfaction I receive checking off my habits at the end of the day. I’m happy to report that eight days in, I have not shopped unnecessarily. Even a quick stop at the grocery store, in the midst of a snowstorm frenzy, I purchased only the three ripe bananas my husband requested.
Another one of the habits I’ve added to my tracker is reading at least 20 pages a day. This has helped me chip away at my grad school reading, but has also led to cozying up on the couch with my kids as they read…I’m the literacy teacher with a few kids that aren’t the greatest fan of reading…yet. So this unintended outcome is welcomed. Again, on the days when I don’t feel like reading, I think about my habit tracker and I pull my book out.
I know it’s early, but I have a good feeling about my New Year Habits. I’ll have to check in on Rose to see how’s she’s doing with her shopping resolution.
Where There Is Joy 
Growing good habits…instead of spending $$$, spending time reading, spending time with family…now that’s an investment habit worth sticking with and to!
LikeLike
Hey Jessica! I love the idea of a habit tracker. I too, vowed to not spend money on things I didn’t need. Then I saw a beautiful lavender jacket on sale, and I couldn’t resist. So much for self-control. Maybe I’ll do better with reading 20 pages a day! I’ll keep you posted!
LikeLiked by 1 person
Go you (and your family) building new habits in 2024!
LikeLike
I love that Rose is no longer going to shop for unnecessary items!! I have set a goal for the new year too and I need a habit tracker. What app are you using? Also, have you read Atomic Habits by James Clear? It sounds like you might like it (and since you have to read for 20 minutes a day…..).
LikeLike
It’s called Habit Tracker 🤣. I can show you! I have not read that book but will add it to my summer list.
LikeLiked by 1 person
Ha ha! Ive been thinking about, writing about and working on good habits, too. I totally get that little nudge of being able to give yourself a check at the end of the day. I LOL when you ordered the journal online! Then of course you cancelled…
And that unintended consequence of your kids cozying up with you on the sofa- my favorite image from your piece. Keep up the good work!
LikeLike
Jessica,
Your new habits are perfect. It’s been easier not to shop unnecessarily in retirement, but I wish I’d started sooner. My rule now is not to buy what I don’t love and to think about how saving money allows for extra travel.
LikeLiked by 2 people
Ah! We are SO ambitious @ the beginning of the new year. My wishes to all is for you to keep that ambition- close to you- all year long. 🙂
LikeLiked by 1 person
A habit tracker sounds like a good way to help you think about whether you really need something or not. I’m looking forward to hearing how it goes.
LikeLiked by 1 person
I, too, really liked the part where you almost bought the journal online but then caught the irony in that move. I hope the tracker works for you. You’re already more disciplined than this procrastinator who can’t even post weekly. Now I’m off to keep my Duolingo streak intact.
LikeLike
1. I love your blog title.
2. This is totally relatable!
3. Your aspiration is my new habit resolve too. Wishing us both sticktoitiveness (if this is a word).
LikeLiked by 1 person