I was reading this thread, and was wondering…
What things you have you promised yourself you would do (or not do as the case may be) and you have been successfull in keeping that promise?
For me I made a concious decision back when I was a teen that I would never drink or smoke. I’m now 36 and haven’t touched an alcoholic beverage, nor picked up a cigarette, and I know I won’t ever do so.
So what promises have you successfully kept to yourself?
This is a thread I’d considered starting.
For me it was gum. When I was 21, I pulled out a cavity with a MilkDud and it scared me enough to stop eating sticky foods. I didn’t commit fully to the sticky food thing because I love jelly beans, but I’ve stuck to not chewing gum (4 years now). You’ll never find me without a roll of breath mints!
Oh dear, I can’t think of any. 
I never did drugs, as I promised to when I was younger.
I promised I would never have sex if I wasn’t in a loving, committed relationship. I didn’t.
Can’t think of any more right now.
To be true and honest with myself. To take responsibility for my own actions.
I started smoking when I was 13 (not peer pressure, just wanted to try it) and stopped at 15. I’m sixteen now.
Recently, I promised my friend that I wouldn’t commit suicide. We’ll see how that one turns out.
When I quit smoking 12 years ago I said I would never use a tobacco product again. I haven’t and I won’t.
I have never done an illegal drug.
When I was in my late 20’s I swore to never lie or steal again(even a paper clip), so far, so good.
at 36 years of age swore off sex outside of marriage, so far, so good.
I swear I’m not a boring person!
I don’t think that having a standard that you hold yourself to makes you boring at all.
The whole reason I have the standard of no alcohol and no smoking is because I was impressed by a relative of mine that had the same standards. This was somone I looked up to and I realized that maybe he’s onto something. So I made those decisions early on in my life and haven’t looked back since… and I hope I am one tenth the decent person my relative was.
I swore as a teenager that I would never be just another “buffalo in the herd”. If peer pressure wanted me to do it, more than likely I shouldn’t and it was worth my while to count to ten first. Peer pressure wanted me, back then and today, to drink, smoke and do drugs. I don’t do any of them and never will.
I’m still working on the promise that I made to myself and SWMBO to make her the happiest woman in the world. Good progress being made, though! 
I swore I’d never wear white pants after Labout Day or before May 1. Also, plaid is an acceptable wardrobe pattern only for a kilt.
Also, I never get involved in road-rage situations. That’s just way beyond stupid.
I swore I would not be like 95% of the people at my University–that is, I would graduate in 4 years. No “fifth-year” or “sixth-year” senior for me! It may not sound like much, but I don’t know many people who walk at the end of their 4th year.
I just passed my senior exam, I have all my credits, and I should be walking 5/05, 4 years after I started. (Sure hope I didn’t jinx myself!)
That’s the only one I can think of right now. I quit smoking 2 weeks ago today, I’d like to think I’ll stick to that as well.
At the ripe old age of 44, I am proud to say that I have also managed to stay away from alcohol, illegal drugs, and premarital sex.
Stopped smoking. Never cheated, on anything (tests included). Graduated college, got into law school. Stayed the entire six weeks in Minnesota even though I really didn’t want to. Didn’t quit that one job.
Generally if I make a promise to myself, and I’m very serious, I’ll keep it. Notable exceptions: not gaining weight back (damn you, Celexa!); going back out with an ex (damn you Ronnie!); not losing my temper (this is entirely my fault); not getting straight As (again, my fault).
About 5 years ago I promised to myself to never be jealous or envious of anyone to the point where I became angry or disgruntled by it.
I’ve literally just dropped it from my life completely. My wife still talks to ex-boyfriends and I could care less (I trust her completely), my friend and I started at the same company where he now makes $300K a year and has all the toys he wants while I still make about $50K and people don’t understand why I’m not jealous of him (he’s still my best friend and very generous with his stuff), I refuse to play ‘keep up with the Jones’ and could care less if others are attaining material goods around me.
So far, so good. It’s made my life much more easy. Now I get a kick out of seeing people get bent out of shape from being jealous of a sibling, co-worker, spouse, etc. It’s just not worth the time.
Never smoked.
Didn’t have sex until I was 20.
However, I’ve *kept * the promise of no illegal drugs and wish I had at least tried pot while in college.
I promised myself that I would see Vienna before I was 30. (Check)
That I would write a book before I was 40. (Check)
That I would develop my interest in nature by 50. (Check)
That I would become more physically fit by age 60. (Check)
(I try to have a big goal for each decade.)
Other promises I’ve kept:
To own a Jeep Wrangler
To own a red convertible – I’m on my second one
To have hair down to my butt. (It’s gone now.)
To see Paris
To bum around Europe
To have a screened in front porch with a white wicker swing
To sail Penobscot Bay
To board the Mary Day
To own a good piano
To meet Cherry Jones
To own my own home
That’s quite a list, Zoe.
Your post reminded me of another promise I made to myself. When I started learning magic 13 years ago, I promised myself I would one day get good enough to start earning money at it. I put my mind to it and 5 years ago I started performing in local restaurants.
When I was a teenage girl I promised myself I would never dye or color my hair.
When I was a teenage girl I promised myself I would never be financially dependant on anyone else. So I have responsibility for earning our families’ income, and my husband stayed home and brought up our three children.
I promised myself, and my husband, that I would never be unfaithful, and that he would never have reason to doubt me.
In '96, after many frustrating attempts to get warranty repairs done on their shitty auto -I promised myself that I would never, ever buy another Chrysler product again.
Still holding up.