What I’m going to do more of in 2012
I take new year’s resolutions very seriously: I used to tape up my index card of the things I most wanted to change on my mirror, so that I would see it every day. Since I’ve been traveling, I carry them around with me in my wallet. It’s a written reminder to hold myself accountable, to create the life I want to live.
I’m excited for 2012. I’m excited to wake up in a new country and explore a new continent. I’m determined to keep traveling, keep writing, keep waking up in the morning with a smile on my face. Now that I’ve finally got myself flossing every day, I’ve decided to turn my attention to a few new resolutions:
See more sunrises: Waking up early to see the sunrise is kind of like a workout: I never regret one, but there are plenty I regret missing out on. I scored an awesome early morning running buddy my last few weeks in Melbourne, and our route along the beach was extra refreshing when it was a gorgeous sunrise.
Travel with my best friends: I love solo travel, but my absolute bestest friend just got her passport and I’ve been dreaming up crazy adventures with an awesome sorority sister for years now. I want 2012 to be the year that I finally head through customs with a friend from home.
Go to at least one music festival: Going to a music festival is something I’m pretty sure I’ll appreciate most when I’m young and carefree and don’t mind camping (aka boozing) for three days straight. So I want to do it now, even if it’s above and beyond my usual budget.
Dedicated yoga and running sesh at least once a week: When I’m working in a city, I’m good at setting up a regular gym routine. But once I get on the road, I tend to stay in shape with lots of walking, stair climbing and bike riding. However, being able to clear my mind with either a yoga class, a long stretching session or an outdoor run is something that I not only enjoy but is also important to both my physical and mental well-being.
Go to Croatia: It’s been on my list of places I really want to go since 2008. I’m sick of it being on the list, and I want to check it off this year. No excuses.
Only say “I’m sorry” when I really mean it: It’s a very feminine trait to be constantly apologizing, and I do it far too much. I’m almost tempted to say “I’m sorry” just for being guilty of that fact. This year, I want to stop the automatic and afterthought apologies and only say it when I really mean it.
Stop saying “I’m jealous”: I drop things like “so jeal” or “I’m so jealous!” into so many conversations: when a group of my girlfriends gets together for drinks, when a friend jets off to a sunny locale and posts incessant photos of umbrella drinks on her Facebook, when a blogger goes to a destination that I’d love to visit. Instead of being jealous, I want to be happy for their happiness and remember that I’m living exactly the life I want to be living.
What are you looking forward to in the new year?
