As the years switched over, I spent the early morning hours gently rocking a sweet, new babe. There was something poetic about holding a new life as January 1st rang in. She was a reminder to express gratitude for the past, stay focus on the present, and embrace the future.
New Year’s Eve is not one of my most favorite holidays. It ranks above Halloween but that is not saying much for someone who may still be intrinsically frightened by people with masks. So much hype goes into New Years celebrations – the parties, the people, the resolutions – and by spending my days in New York City, it is a force that cannot be ignored. Most years I opt out of hubbub by escaping to Long Island or some other locale and this year was no different. As the final preparations were put in place in Times Square, I was in flight to the Lone Star State anticipating meeting a good friend’s latest addition to her family.
Since my visit was a bit of a last minute plan, I tagged along with like-minded people to a lake house an hour or so east of Dallas. Games were played, drinks were imbibed, and lounging was pursued in earnest. As the minutes ticked closer to then end of 2015, a sort of group consensus was made that we would all rather spend the new year getting an extra hour of sleep than participating in the obligatory New Year’s cheers. While the rest of the group got themselves situated in their beds, I scooped up the tiniest member for some one-on-one time by the lingering fireplace embers. As we bounced, rocked, and swayed our way into the new year, I couldn’t help but feel encouraged by the changing calendar despite what ever anxiety provoking moments the previous twelve months had produced.
I’ve mentioned before my distaste for resolutions but this year has me longing after some more concrete goals in my life. Perhaps it was the influence of new life that has inspired me to set forth some personal pursuits and attempt to mix things up in 2016. I’m not quite ready to formally refer to them as resolutions so let’s just be vague about this whole thing and say here are some things I am hoping to incorporate in my life that may make me a better, saner person.
1. Write Thank You Notes
I am a bit ashamed to admit my shortcomings in this area of my life. This pertains not only to tangible gifts I have received but also those in the form of thanking someone for sharing their talents or perhaps some deed that they have done that might otherwise go unnoticed. Also, it is time to bust out the pen and paper because nothing quite compares to the handwritten note.
2. Budget Better and Continuing Conscientious Consumerism
I budget, sort of, as in I have a general idea of how much money I have and where it is going. However I have some big plans in mind for the next two years and so I feel the need to financially prepare. Also, I love me some spreadsheets and number crunching so I might as well use it for my benefit. Along the same line, I’m working on maintaining mindful spending shopping habits and expanding it to other expenses. I’m not sure what that looks like quite yet but the intention is there.
3. Intentional Outdoors
My current method of getting outside is to run for the hills (or beach… or mountains… or airport…) whenever I get to the point of not being able to cope with city living. This generally occurs one to two times a week which isn’t terrible per se unless I have the impulse to escape and cannot do it because life and being a responsible human being. I’m hoping that by setting aside some time each week in the great outdoors, I can avoid the midweek concrete jungle panic.
4. Run a Race
I was all set for running a marathon this past September and then managed to injure myself (unrelated to any exercise activity), which sidelined me from hitting the trails for a solid four months. Slowly but surely, I am working on building back up the miles. Ideally my return to racing would be a family-centric Ragnar but I’ll take what I can get.
5. Limited Screen Time
Somehow in the past year I have become increasingly addicted to my phone. As I sit here typing, this blue rectangle of distraction is nestled lovingly next to me, pretending to be more of a benefit than a burden. My current waking and sleeping routines involve me staring into its glow until I can convince myself to get out from under my covers or until I can no longer keep my eyes open, depending on the desired goal. This cannot be healthy and I know I am not alone in the must-distract-myself-from-all-thoughts mentality. I’m looking into switching my bedroom over to analog and quitting this habit cold turkey. Wish me luck.
They’re not the loftiest of goals by any means but they’re where I am at and, fingers-crossed, attainable. Alright 2016, it may have taken me a couple of weeks but I’m ready – let’s do this.
note:
i know. only three pictures and they are seemingly unrelated to this post. at the beginning of a new year, it has become a tradition of sorts for me to meander through heckscher state park, with an adorable pup (not mine), and ponder all the january thoughts. while these musings are from texas, the photos are from new york. in fact, i took only one picture in texas. when the fall semester finally came to a close, i found it necessary to take a break (excluding job obligations) from all internet related activities. so i did.
