I hate making resolutions. Mainly because it’s always the same thing.
In 2008, I am going to lose weight.
In 2009, I am going to lose weight.
In 2010, I am going to lose weight.
In 2011, I am going to lose weight.
FINALLY, I lost some weight. Not enough, probably. But Shaun thinks I look hot, so that’s enough by my standards.
This year, I am making a new New Year’s resolution. It’s not a shallow one, but it will help me look better.
I am going to stop swearing.
*gasp*
I know.
It’s going to be tough. But it all hit me when I was having a conversation with one of my bosses.
Meredith, you’re a smart and pretty girl. Swearing doesn’t make you look very smart or pretty. You have a much larger vocabulary than most people. Use it.
She told me this as I was defending swearing.
But what she said really sunk in.
I AM A SMART GIRL. SWEARING DOES MAKE YOU LOOK STUPID AND UGLY.
I think I can still find funny ways to describe things without cussing. I know I can.
I can still say these words:
- Vagina
- Purple-Headed-Yogurt-Slinger
- Rat Bastard (“bastard” cannot count)
So I should be okay.
Oh, and I only want to wear awesome shoes this year. So I guess that’s two things I’m going to do better.
Today, I am wearing these gems from White House Black Market. They were on sale.
They make me want to wear skirt. And I hate skirts. So maybe this year will bring out a whole new Meredith.
Happy Swearless & Fancy Shoe New Year.
What’s your New Year’s resolution? Do you think I can pull of becoming a non-cusser? Do you think cussing makes people look bad?
{ 34 comments… read them below or add one }
I use profanity on occasion. I don’t really care what people think when I do use it. If I really think about it though…it does make one sound ignorant and takes away from trying to purport intelligence. Happy New Year Meredith!
I am writing a post about swearing tomorrow…can’t wait to see what you think of it.
Can’t wait to read it!
I am so proud of you!! Did you know that your Aunt Carol used to see that it takes an intelligent person to not swear? She said that ignorant people curse, because they don’t use their brain to come up with a more intelligent word! Ouch! Thankfully, I dont have a problem with this (miranda reminds me often how one of the very few times she heard me cuss was when I discovered lice in her hair one year at Dad’s during Thanksgiving!) HA! Now losing weight, on the other hand, thats my vice. We all have our weaknesses, but I do agree with your boss lady! Love you, I know you can do this, and I know your Mama is gonna be soo proud!
That Aunt Carol was one smart cookie!
I think it can be very, very funny when used sparingly. It can also be used in an intelligent way, versus indiscrimantly tossing the F word into every other sentence (which you do not do, I realize). It probably shouldn’t ever be used at work, unless you’re a trucker or work in a fish market. Or have a horrible Mother-In-Law.
Love the boots. In my eyes, that’s probably more of a life-changing resolution than the first.
Happy New Year, Meredith.
Yeah, the boots are pretty epic.
I’m with Tara. It can be hilarious, but there is a time and place for it. The classy part is knowing when to do which. I could never give it up altogether.
SO PROUD…..So Proud….so proud!!!! I think that swearing comes from the mouths of people who aren’t smart enough to think of a better word….you just need to find “a look” ….your dad has perfected that over the years and you have so many traits of your dad. You’ll be just fine!!!
Dad also swears.
Good luck girl! I have the mouth of a trucker and it is hard when you work in a male-dominated office. I am trying to cuss less. That works better for me than not at all. =)
That’s a great resolution. You definitely have a wide enough vocabulary to be hilariously funny without swearing. Good luck!
I made TWELVE resolutions for 2012 – http://oracularspectacular.wordpress.com/2011/12/22/12-resolutions-for-2012/ The first one starts tomorrow – detox, diet and exercise. Kill me now!
TWELVE?! I would just give up if I had 12.
OMGosh. No swearing?! It may make me look ugly and dumb, but I’m still not sure I can stop.
Me either.
Fuck no! Cussing may not highlight the breadth of your vocabulary, but it can get your point across. Cussing has a health benefit as well. It is fucking science man
I agree with the whole point across thing.
My resolution? Losing weight. And keeping my clean laundry put away. The first because I’m *gulp* running a half marathon in April and the second because I OMG-watch-too-many-episodes-of hoarders-and-think-I’ll-become-one.
Your resolution? Totally doable. Just say stupid shit like son of a biscuit and cheese and rice instead of the real words. Rolls off the tongue just the same. Does make you hungry though with all the food references.
Half marathon! WOWZA! Good luck!
I think when you overuse swear words they lose their ummph. My sister drops the F bomb all of the time, thus I take it less seriously. I swear, but I am also a professional nanny, thus I try to limit the use of swear words when at all possible. But when I do use a cuss word (ear muffs, kids) you know I mean business. PS-I don’t swear around the kids (that loud).
I didn’t think swore around my kids until Logan started saying things were bullshit.
In high school if I ever swore and my mom overheard, she’d always ask: “do you think that makes you look pretty? It doesn’t so stop.” I now find myself telling my niece that, even though I still cuss like a sailor.
I gave up swearing for Lent several times when I was a teenager. I was working around people that used the F-word in every sentence and I started using it more and more. Even at home, around my mom. Now I hardly use it. My favorite curse is Ratzilfratzle or Sugar. The kids think it’s funny. Good luck because you really are too pretty to use such ugly words!
Cussing does not make you look stupid or ugly. Its like glitter. Which looks prettier, a shirt, or a shirt with glitter? What gets your point across more? “Why did you hit me with your car?” or “Why did you hit me with your fucking car you whorebag?” Profanities are glitter for your vocabulary.
I love that!! Glitter for your vocabulary!! I am soooo fucking sparkly!!!
Awesome! I am super glittery!
This would be impossible for me! I think swearing can make you look stupid, it can also make you more relatable. I almost never swear at work (small children, old people and pregnant women are my primary patients), but a well placed, “Shit, I’m sorry, that’s terrible.” makes me seem like a real person and not a “doctor”.
Fucking resolutions are bull shit.
~~~VAGINA. RAT BASTARD. Can I say Son-of-a-Bitch?
You. Rock.
You. Make. Me. Smile. X
OMG. I’d be left with like, 6 words.
Not really. I’m gonna tag-team and work on this, too. So thanks for the boost!
My goal: 1) eat for the body I’d like to have (and not the one I’m scared to have!) 2) Stop living in the future and enjoy the present.
I don’t know if you remember how much I used to cuss, but I still love to do it and have restrained myself only because my job requires me not to speak, and because it’s not stressful. Cussing unfortunately does make one, male or female, look ignorant, but like Nancy said it gets the point across. Also, I’m proud to say I’ve gotten most, if not all people i associate with to use the word Bitch.
a sweet mouth and sweet shoes are fabulous goals. you go on ahead, bi… i mean girl!!!
If you quit swearing then the rest of us who still do can no longer say, “Oh yeah, well Meredith swears! And she’s awesome!” You’re ruining our excuses.
Sidenote, good luck. This is one of my LONG TERM goals.
I am working on the diet thing too….again for how many years in a row i have forgotten. I also have ‘goals’ for 2012- get on the dean’s list at school, and get a new job after graduation….those boots are great; I couldn’t pull them off, I can barely walk straight in flat shoes
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