2017, I’m Ready for Ya!

2017 vision boardNew Year’s Eve is my favorite day of the year. Years ago, once Tim and I tired of the pressure of going downtown, fighting the crowds, and spending too much money on overpriced dinners and cocktails, we started a tradition of having a tiny group of friends over for fondue and champagne. Later, thanks to my friend Candace, we added a tradition of making vision boards, which is one of my favorite things to do every year.

Some people hate resolutions. I saw a funny meme the other day that showed the gym on Jan 1, packed with people on treadmills, and a picture of the gym on Jan 4, completely empty. It’s funny because we all know it’s true. For some people, the expectation of failure or the pressure of setting resolutions isn’t appealing, but I love the chance to use Jan 1 as a fresh start.

2016 was a crappy year in several ways and I’m thankful it’s behind us. Every year, I set 10 resolutions (sometimes 11 for a bonus goal), and I try to achieve as many as I can so at the end of each year, I have a sense of accomplishment. On New Year’s Eve, I like to grab last year’s vision board and see how well I did.

In 2016, my #1 goal was “There will be dancing.” I’m a terrible dancer, but I wanted to get past years of insecurities about it and dance like no one was watching even though I know fully that when I dance, people watch because it’s funny. As I look back on 2016, I didn’t dance enough, but I did have one important dance experience that had a big impact. One of my dear friends invited me to go with her to a thing called “Ecstatic Dance.” It’s absolutely as hippy dippy as it sounds, and it’s an experience that I can’t fully describe except to that afterwards, my friend laughed very hard and said, “Your face looked like a combination of pure joy, pure fear, and ‘wtf am I doing here?'”

Other 2016 goals included:

  • “Book.”  This one actually happened! I’ve had a book in the works for years, and in 2016, I re-worked it completely and changed it from a book on step parenting to a book of entertaining essays. There are plenty of step parenting stories there, but the book fits better to my style than what I was originally writing. A lot of friends are asking, “When can we read this book?” And my answer is, “When someone publishes it.” Here’s the scoop. I am going to submit it to 100 agents, and if I get rejected by all of them, which is absolutely a possibility, then I may self-publish it. Or, I’ll burn it because if 100 agents reject it, it’s probably a crappy book. 2017 will be about finding the right person to help me get it published. I’ll keep you posted.
  • “Library vs. screens.” Oops. I am embarrassed to admit I didn’t set foot inside a single library in 2016. I also spent a lot of time in front of a screen finishing the book. Next!
  • “Lose pounds.” This one makes me laugh because I didn’t specify how many. 2 would have met the criteria, but I actually lost close to 20. I did it the right way this time, nice and slow, and it was the result of consistent exercise and cutting back. I’m happy about that.
  • “Swimming in Mexico.” I did that! I intentionally set that goal up for success, since my sister got married and a bunch of us followed the newlyweds to Tulum for their “funnymoon.”
  • “Marfa.”  I didn’t go to Marfa, but Tim ended up going instead when he went to pick up his daughter Stephanie, who spent a semester in LA and needed to drive her car home. I like that one of my goals was transferred to other people that I love.
  • “Better work life.” Man, this is a good one and I had no idea when I wrote it what would happen in 2016. At the start of the year, I was working at a job that managed to suck most of my soul bone dry, but in February, I left that job to finish my book and spend 8 months freelance writing and writing resumes, then in October, I accepted an offer at Marketo, working alongside several of my former coworkers and taking on a challenging, rewarding situation. Hashtag blessed!
  • “Cuss less.” Well, shit. That one didn’t exactly pan out because have you driven in Austin?  Were you awake during the presidential election?

2017 has some lofty goals in store. I hope to eat less meat, though I’m not ready to commit to a completely vegetarian lifestyle because I will always eat a hot dog when I travel. One of these days, I’m going to publish a coffee table booked titled, “Amy Eats a Hot Dog,” so I can’t quit hot dogs for that very important reason. I also want to “eat right,” which is nice and vague so I can reduce meat and sugar but not be crazy obsessive over every bite I shovel into my gullet, and also because my definition of “eating right” includes queso. “Eating right” might also include movie theater popcorn. I’m still deciding.

I want to work on my spirituality, whatever that means, and for some crazy reason I want to attempt a half-marathon, but if there is even any smidgen of a nipple bleeding or toenail loss I’m crossing that one off the list and taking up swimming. This is the benefit of a long list of resolutions! No pressure to make it all happen.

Also, I made 10 goals last night with room to add a bonus goal this morning, which is more than likely going to be: “There will be dancing”again because I really hope that someone hosts a George Michael/David Bowie/Prince dance party. We need that.

What are your 2017 goals? Please share in the comments! I would love to hear from you.

 

 

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3 thoughts on “2017, I’m Ready for Ya!”

  1. I’m going to try and be deliberate this year. Meaning in my food choices, scheduling time with family and friends, taking time for myself with exercising, and being kinder. I always want things to happen but unless you plan them hours turn into days and months and I didn’t do any of it. Here is to 2017! May it be better for all of us.

  2. Love these! First resolution post I’ve read that mentions nipple bleeding….LOL Leave it to you! Happy New Year!

  3. Hi Amy. I loved reading your goals, and thought I would share a few of mine… plus you asked. hee hee.. I have a brief summary in my head about my 2017 plans, but I am still processing the words I want to use and will post on FB soon. Thanks for sharing this. I now have more time to think and write about what I want to do much more easily. 🙂

    Given time, kids, work, commute, and life in general, I decided to keep doing what I am doing today, and adding fun and realstic goals that can eventually become my lifestyle.

    Exercising at least 30 mins/day. For the past 3 months, I have been exercising almost 5 days a week consistently. Whether it’s a strength training video, a 3 mile run around town lake, or a yoga class, I have focused on giving myself that time each day. With that said, I have alwasy been good about eating the proper foods, but I have not given up the things I love (French Fries, Kettle BBQ chips, wine, and an yearning for skittles, and other things), but I feel stronger, healthy, and more firm. I have discovered that exercise is key.

    Music – I feel my calling to start practicing my guitar and singing more. I have been singing all my life, and took guitar lessons in my 20’s, so now I can practice again. Even if it’s 20 mins a day or longer a few days a week. You never know, you might see me at an open mic night at one of the Spicewood, TX local bars sometime.

    Meditation – I know this is important and makes a difference, but I am horrible about making the time. I am going to make the time now, even if it’s in the early am before everyone wakes, in a conference room at work, or anytime to calm my mind and say positive affirmations. Again, only 10 mins/day is reasonable.

    Hula Hoop – I want to do this and do it well. It’s again good exercise, keeps my body moving, and it looks so pretty. I love to dance too, so this would be a good combination.

    Giving – I will continue to make time and volunteer for the homeless, and just be kind to every human being. Kindness goes a long way, and doesn’t require any effort really.

    Mindfulness – Being present in the moment and enjoying the moment. It’s easy for me to put away my phone while having conversations with friends, family, and colleagues. However, I also want to laugh, learn, and grow those relationships. They all deserve my attention if I am making the time to meet and be present.

    Take my vitamins – I am horrible at this, and I can’t swallow them like I used to. I have to try, and will start with taking 3/day, once a day. Then, if it gets better, I will do the required 3 vitamins twice/day.

    That’s about all… I will write these in my journal for the year, and that’s another goal…journaling. Thanks for sharing your goals, and asking for ours in return. It allowed me the time to be present and focus on what I want to do.

    Love you and keep writing, dancing, laughing, and sharing. I love it.

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