About Jes Watson
For editor Jes Watson, happiness is a perfectly poached egg, a vase filled with fresh-cut peonies — or just getting out of dishes duty. From furnishing and decorating her new house to hosting the perfect dinner party, she shares a slice of her domestic adventures with you each week.
I've learned my lesson.
No longer will I make lofty goals at the beginning of the year only to find myself unwound back to my usual ways at the end January. The secret to effective change is simple: Start small.
Vowing I'll have a perfectly kept house and four-course meals for dinner every night sounds great on paper, but let's be honest — it ain't gonna happen. Why set myself up for failure? There's a saying somewhere that goes something like,"The low-lying fruit is the sweetest." (I'm pretty sure, anyway.)
So, after some careful evaluation and honest introspection, I've comprised my personal goals for the year. Here they are, for your consideration:
1. I will do the laundry as soon as the hamper gets full. Or, as soon as the hamper gets full and my daughter's hamper. Or, maybe the hamper, my daughter's hamper and that little laundry basket we keep in the closet.
2. I will no longer refer to under the couch, dining table or bed as "the dustbin".
3. I will take stock of my pantry and fridge and make thorough shopping lists that may or may not be left on the counter before leaving the house.
4. I will perfect the art of the soufflé, and if my soufflé falls, I will perfect the art of the omelette.
5. I will always put my keys in one easy-to-find place. (As yet to be determined. Just need to find my keys first!)
6. Dusting will occur when a fine layer of debris has become noticeable enough not to be explained away as a rustic patina.
7. I will try my very, very best to wash each dish immediately after using it. Failing that, I will try to wash my dish right before using it.
8. I will refrain from naming, feeding and caring for my pet dust bunnies.
9. I will stop pretending that chocolate is the sixth food group (even if it should be).
10. I will not rely on my dog to clean the floors anymore. Or at least I will no longer call her "Mopsy".
For more great ways to kickstart your goals, be sure check out our Daily Resolution Calendar!
Image: MildlyDiverting/Flickr
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