Now that 2011 is almost over, what do you wish that you would’ve done differently? Anything about your life, finances, schooling, relationships, adventure-wise, or anything else? This will of course lead me to eventually think about my goals for 2012, which will hopefully come soon.
I would say that 2011 was pretty nice to me. There were certain things that I wouldn’t mind staying the same, but of course there are other things that would be better if they changed, such as any illnesses or deaths of people that I know.
There were a lot of new changes in my life in 2011, I got a new job in 2010, so in 2011 I was really getting situated still and learning everything. I started an MBA program, found time to start decorating my house, and worked on myself more.
- Life. I would say life overall was really good. Nothing too horribly bad happened. I do need to buckle down in 2012 and actually start caring about my classes before finals so that the last week isn’t so horrible. Also want to start caring about everything more and not feeling so lazy. Also, I want to start thinking more positively about things, and having a better outlook.
- Finances. I wish I would have paid down more towards student loan debt instead of buying clothes and going out to eat so much. Of course my eating out has changed significantly, but sometimes I revert to old habits and eat out a ton (multiple times a day). I think I’ve also given up on the second job thing, until I graduate with my MBA so that I have more time and not worried about 2 jobs plus school. I need to be better with budgeting for vacations, Christmas, and other things also.
- Schooling. I wish I would’ve taken summer classes so that I could be done with my MBA in May of 2012, but now that won’t happen. Hopefully the classes that I need are offered in the Summer, but if they aren’t, then I’ll have to wait until the Fall of 2012. That just seems so far away. I want to actually open my books this semester, that is something that I can say that I did not do last semester.
- Relationships. Nothing I would change here. I love the BF and things are of course going great. It’ll be 6 years that we’ve been together in a couple months and our house and pups are great too. Couldn’t ask for more. We had a great time this year and have had more time together because our schedules are more in sync now, which is even better.
- Other. I do wish I would’ve gone sky diving like I kept telling myself, but now I’ll be waiting until the spring. I really need to work up the courage and stop freaking out!
What about you?
Mrs. Monologues says
I wish I would have eaten out less, spent less on Starbucks. Next year this is going to be a priority. It just feels like such a waste.
Holly says
This year was a big one for me. We bought our house, got married, got a new puppy and so much more. I wish I would have slowed it down a little and enjoyed the big and little things more.
Anne Sabine says
Wow, this is a lot to think about. Let's see, I wish I started paying down my debt earlier. Instead, I went through a phase where I just spent a little too much money. I started making payments in October and haven't missed a month since! Looking forward to keeping that up in 2012. I too wish I was a bit more focused with school, but its so tough going to work and doing the part time MBA. I'll try to work on my time management a bit more. Definitely taking more interesting and more relevant classes next semester, so I might be a bit more inclined to stay focused.
Bethany says
I wish I wouldn't have let stress RUN my life. I am so grateful to have acquired a job that allows me to enjoy my life. Low key is SO much better than high strung!
Sarah says
I'm so glad to hear that 2011 was good to you! I wish I would've focused more attention on my classes too so I could've finished school this year. I also should've taken the extra money for my loans and started paying them off….instead of using it for trips/shopping/rent/etc. And relationships…well let's say it was not the year. Huge huge heartbreak and even though it sucks it will make for a great 2012. And you are crazy!!! Skydiving? Ah, only if I'm dead already hahaha
jpkittie says
if I could take anything back – it would be the fact that we pulled out a credit card a few times – this set us back probably atleast $5k in progress that we could have had gone… you win some, you lose some… we will get the pace back – it is a necessity now!
P!nky says
What an interesting post and idea. I might have to steal it later this week! Good luck with all the things you want to do better! xoxo
The PvdH Journal says
Well 2011 has been a rather confusing year for me, a long knee injury and loads of stress (work in finance). Having said that, I started my blog and feel great about sharing my illustrations that I otherwise kept to myself. 2012? Keep up the blog, do more outfit posts, and take more holidays! 🙂
Amanda says
I give you a lot of credit for going sky diving! You can do it! I like that there weren't that many things you would change 🙂 And happy almost 6 years! That's amazing!
Holly says
I think this post is so great and will be even greater to look back on next year to see how much you've accomplished that you wanted to!
McVal says
It has been a crazy year. I wish so much of it were different. Different decisions made by various people including myself of course. Different decisions regarding money, etc. sigh.This has been a huge year of change for me and my whole family. I hope 2012 is a bit calmer, but I know it won't be.I do hope I get more sewing done for myself this year! But I probably won't. Babies being born and proms to attend. That will probably take up all my sewing efforts.
Jamie says
Skydiving. Yikes. I am too chicken. 🙂
Out My window says
I think we had a good year. But I work too hard and this in the end costs me money. it is hard to explain but it does. I wish I would have purchased a automatic car instead of a stick, as I am having trouble driving it in the mornings with my arthritis.
Emily says
I wish I would have cracked down on my diet – the weight could have all been gone by now if I just would have buckled down and gotten it done! And in regards to paying off loans instead of buying clothes and going out to eat – THAT IS HARD. I think we all struggle with that, but we can't live in the past I've just decided to work more so I can pay for both!xx Emily @ laughliveandshop.blogspot.com
Free!~ says
I wish I would have saved more money. I got an embarrassingly large tax return in February and spent it gone. I should have saved it. But I'm saving now and am doing well.
Under the Fluorescen says
wow i can't believe you've been with your bf for 6 years! crazy. hope you enjoy your new year shttp://underthefluorescents.blogspot.com/
working.for.money says
2011 was a great year. Looking forward even more so to 2012.
diggingoutandup says
I wish I had sold my lululemon stocks when they were at $90 rather than the $45 I actually sold them at. That would have paid my debt down by another $500 easily!
Melissa Blake says
I can't believe how fast this year went! I wish I would have worried less this year…we'll see if that happens in 2012!
Jane says
I have no regrets from 2011, thankfully. Life is on an easy keel, fairly predictable day to day. We can always wish we'd saved more, spent less, but hey, that's life. We have to enjoy each day, not just save for the unknown future.
Tanner says
Wish I had kept better tracking of my spendings earlier on so I could compare the full year fairly and accurately. Also, wish I had let go of my parents' finances a lot earlier. Other than that, wish I had gone out a lot more.
Cassie says
I wish that I would have saved more money too, but what fun would that be?! I guess it's okay to splurge a little sometimes!
shoppingtosaving says
I wish I had stopped eating out so much too. I started off the year so well and it went downhill after I started studying for the LSAT in Aug and continued until Dec. I also wish I had started studying earlier so I could have taken the test in Oct instead of Dec. Also I wish I had worked out more towards the end of the year but I needed more time in the day. We all could use more hours in the day!Other than that I wouldn't change a thing, 2011 was a good one=)
Hunter says
Interesting list. I can easily relate to your thought process, that's cool. But, I do draw the line at skydiving. I like my airplanes to take me up and bring me down safely.What would I change? I would have eaten less. I do a lot of training and exercise, but I have still eaten too much and this pushed my weight up. I need to focus on that in 2012.
ND Chic says
I got a new job and that was my number one thing so I wouldn't change anything for 2011. Bring on 2012!
Stephanie says
I wouldn't change much about 2011… if anything, I would have made it a point to fence in the back yard! The receiver collar on our dog's wireless fence crapped out on us last month, and we can't justify spending $140 on a new one when we are DEFINITELY fencing in the back yard as soon as spring rolls around!
Judy says
My only big regret of 2011 is that I wish I had taken more pictures of me with the kids and my husband. Because I am self consious of my weight I tend to be the picture taker, but no more, I am losing it slowly.Great post
Annabelle Fleur says
I think I would have relaxed a little more, usually I am work, work, work and no play! I think I would have taken more time just to do nothing! Well, we'll see if I can make it happen next year! Love your blog and now following, maybe you'll have time to visit my blog:)Kisses,Annabell ehttp://vivaluxury.blogspot.com
Rafiki says
I wish I had gotten a cheaper car but other than that, I think it turned out to be an awesome year.Also like everyone else said.Awesome post.
Leigh says
2011 was pretty good to me as well. I did a funky thing to do my Roth IRA contributions in April because I didn't realize that your 401(k) contributions reduced your gross income! So now that's going to be a pain come taxes time. It's also been interesting watching my company stock go up and down and seeing what that does to my taxable income.I think my biggest accomplishment was getting a better understanding of how investing works.
Sistergirl says
I lost my job in 2011 and it made me realize I need to establish a business of my own. I never want to have to go through that FEELING again. Its hard when you have bills coming and someone tells you your position will be eliminated and you know you still have your bills. In 2012 I plan to get my side gig going.
Kimberley says
I think I would have paid more attention to our finances!