Still working on my post about our trip over the holidays, but did some reflecting on our way home and during this week (first week back to reality). I’m a little late with my 2018 post, but here it is.

My perspective on resolutions is simple–do not JUST make resolutions. Reflect on your life and make CHANGES. When each new year approaches, I don’t necessarily come up with a couple of resolutions like working out more and eating healthy. Setting these demanding goals and life altering changes for a person that doesn’t live that way is difficult and frustrating. You’re setting yourself up for failure. Why would you start when the holidays are ending? To me, I want to work out and eat healthy consistently over the spring and summer holidays, so I can indulge in the fall and winter. It’s the BEST food and I’m ready to hibernate–anyone else with me?!

I eat healthy 90% of my week, work out 4 days a week and then I’ll drink on Tuesday and Friday and Saturday and I’ll order late night pizza. It happens. I can do more or less of any of those things. WHENEVER I WANT. Not just in January. Yes, I understand that a new year, a clean slate motivates people. It motivates me as well, but I determine changes in my life to make the next year better than the year before. I do this for me. No one else. Don’t let an ad or an Facebook post make you think you should do something at a certain time. Let it inspire you to make a change–not just temporary goals. Again, make CHANGES to your life.

This change could be simple and exciting like changing the style of your hair or it could be complex and kind of dark like spending time with a family member before they pass away. Life has too many unopened doors and road blocks to always come up with positive fitness/health inspired “goals” each new year.

Disclaimer: One thing I want to highlight before I get into my list of changes is that it is okay if you want to make changes that appear “simple” or common like changing your fitness and health habits. Just because I say that I work out and eat healthy, doesn’t mean I can’t improve or get worse (SCARY). In my eyes, it’s just not a “New Year” change for me because I always try to maintain a healthy lifestyle. AND it’s a little rocky sometimes 🙂

Your changes do not have to be glamorous or completely life-changing. Here’s what I want to change this year:

CONFIDENCE

This is number one for a reason. Everyone has something to offer in life and I didn’t really think I had too much to give until I landed in a career where I found what I’m good at: building relationships and was surrounded by people who told me so. I’ve always been a people person and been referred to as “bubbly” and named most outgoing in high school and best dressed in college (yes, my small little college did superlatives), but those were by people I knew. I think–for me at least, it takes someone who is almost a stranger to help me realize the start of my potential and worth. I need to be confident in failing and learning as well (thanks boss man).

Sleep More

Over the years I have found myself maintaining a healthy lifestyle all while maintaining a consistent on-the-go social lifestyle. There’s got to be more SLEEP in there to really balance the two. I noticed that my friends who never worked out, ate semi-healthy and slept A LOT more than me–appeared to be in the same “looking” healthy  arena as me and it bothered me because I put a lot of effort into feeling/looking healthy. SO sleep is the missing factor in my life that I will be getting a lot more of!

Say “NO” More = MORE Quality Time

I’m a people pleasing, over-committing, stressed out woman and it’s GOT to stop. I need to say no to work-oriented and social things more and spend more time with my family and friends. In a non-drinking environment AND in person. Not just on social media. I’m going to try and see some family and friends once a month. Among the chaos of everyday life between routines with work, family and friends, I need to spend more quality time with Tony. It’s challenging with his last minute travels and my evening events–but it’s going to change for the better whether it’s a long bike ride on a Saturday (NOW THAT WE HAVE BIKES), a quick breakfast before work, sneaking away for lunch or face-timing more while we are apart, I will make more time (I promise <3).

Get Out of Comfort Zone–Try Something New and Learn a New Language

Try Something New: Yoga–been wanting to for a while, but I’ve taken two classes so far and I LOVE IT. Going to do it on weekends and maybe once during the work week. Learn a New Language: Open for suggestions–maybe Spanish. Regardless WHICH language–I need a better understanding of the places I’m traveling to. Need to dust off those world history books (jk I don’t have them) or Google the countries we visit, learn the language and just KNOW. I watched Gladiator after visiting Rome and it inspired me. So I’m in the process of deciding on a language–any suggestions? It’s terrible that we have traveled to the UK, Asia and Europe and almost everyone we meet speaks 3-4 languages. WTF Americans (Tony and I).

Self Control in the Financial Form

Contribute more to 401k and towards paying off student loans student loans. I’ve been driving the same 1994 Honda Accord for almost 9 years and I need self control when it comes to saving money. I’m GOING TO BUY A NEWER CAR.

Positive Attitude Adjustment

I’m to the point in life where I think I’m old enough to to admit that I may have an attitude problem when it comes to certain situations. I feel like I have two personalities sometimes…I’m not diagnosing myself with a multi-personality disorder, but I’ve been doing it for so long and I’m over it. When I hear other people who sound/appear similar to me and act or say some things in the way I do that are negative or condescending, all I can think is “Fuck, I hope I don’t sound like that stupid bitch…” SEE I even think like that. Why did I have to think about that person like that? That’s a BIG change.

Understand My Strengths and Weaknesses

And how to use them. This will help me in multiple avenues in my life–personally and professionally.

Create My Legacy

I’m good at taking pictures (to an extent), great at networking, being social, hosting parties and somewhat organized when it comes to event planning, and despite the attitude adjustment I mentioned above–I’m a pretty positive and happy person. Among those things–I can’t think of a single one of those things that would make people remember me when I die. The more I travel, the more upset I get about homelessness. I can’t wrap my mind around why this way of living exists for some people and how close anyone of us working class people are to homelessness if we miss a paycheck or two. I have seen it all over the world from my travels and have become very passionate about it, If I want to be remembered for anything in life–it’s being a legacy for ending something like homelessness that is a sever problem in our world.

There are more changes that I’ll be making this year, but these are the ones I wanted to share. Please share your changes or resolutions with me 🙂

HAPPY NEW YEAR and let’s make it the best one yet.

-E