As 2010 is coming to a close, I can’t help but reflect on this past year – the ups, the downs, the wild times, the lazy nights. For many, 2010 has been a year of change, some good, some bad, but for all, 2010 definitely has some lasting memories.
It’s hard to stay motivated and even remember what resolutions you made last year as the New Year approaches. For me, 2010 was an odd year. However, the friendships and bonds I developed this year out stand any other year and for that, I wouldn’t trade it for the world.
I’m going to try something new for 2011 – a way to reinvent myself, if you will. Instead of making a laundry list of “to-do’s” or resolutions for 2011 that generally lose steam by February, I am going to focus on one main element per month. Here is my list – it’s easy to lay it all out on paper but I imagine it will be slightly harder to follow as time goes by. If someone would like to join me in this journey so we can hold each other accountable, do let me know! Obviously, the elements are what work for me – maybe switching them up would work better for you?!
January 2011 – Get Fit. No explanation needed however, take January to focus on exercise (just like everyone and their mother is). Do cardio 3-4x a week, lift weights 2-3x a week, take a dance class 1-2x a week, take a yoga, pilates, or Dailey Method class 2x a month, and exercise outside at LEAST 2x a week.
February 2011 – Get Focused. Focus on anything that is lacking in your life – a career, a household, a friendship, a love life. Take February to really focus on what’s important to you. Take the steps necessary in getting you from where you are to where you want to be.
March 2011 – Get Organized. Tie up any loose ends in your life. My camera battery charger is missing – replace it now. Spring clean the closet, your kitchen, your bookshelf, and so forth and donate items to Goodwill or sell back to a consignment store. Organize your contact list in your e-mail and phone. File away papers and develop storage units for necessary things.
April 2011 – Get Healthy. Put down the bottle. April is for sobriety. Take the lessons learned in January (and although it should continue to apply throughout the year), keep up the exercise! However in April, focus on a diet – maybe do a Detox, drown yourself in gallons of water daily. Take the 30 days of April to not drink a sip of alcohol – sounds easy, but how often does one have a glass of wine with dinner? Just try it – or guide me through it?
May 2011 – Get Cultured. I mean, going to Bay to Breakers is a culture lesson in itself, but really, what I mean is go to a museum, an exhibit, the zoo, a musical. Do things out of the ordinary and take May to LEARN about new things. Read a book about Africa. Take a salsa dancing lesson. Ask a friend to teach you how to cook some cool meal from their country of origin.
June 2011 – Get Stable. Stability is something that everyone goes back and forth on – sometimes you are emotionally stable, but not financially stable. Sometimes you are financially stable, but not physically stable. Take June to line up everything and focus on stability. If you’re financially unstable, ask someone to help you figure out a budget and make a time line of when you can become debt-free! If you’re emotionally unstable, seek help – talk to a friend, find a therapist, read some self-help books. It’s hard to pick a month to become “stable” considering how quick lives change, but going into the month and thinking “how can I make things better for me?” is an easy start.
July 2011 – Get Educated. Learn something new! For me, I’d love to learn to speak another language. I took 4 years of Spanish in high school and what do I have to show for it? Mi pluma es azul. My pen is blue. Sad. I’d either like to revisit Spanish or learn something completely new – maybe French? Greek? German? Italian? I know 31 days of July won’t make me a pro, but at least it’s a start!
August 2011 – Get Happy/Spiritual. What makes you happy? Take this month to figure it out. Find peace of mind. What’s your spirituality? Is it church? Is it yoga? Is it meditation? Reflect and refocus and find a happier you!
September 2011 – Get Traveling. I’ve made it a goal to put away money each month for this trip. I would like to travel to Greece in September for 2 weeks for my birthday with 3 of my girlfriends. GO SOMEWHERE! The end.
October 2011 – Get Giving. Many people like to volunteer time around the holidays, but why not get a head start? Sign up locally to volunteer. I know in San Francisco, the Nike Women’s Marathon goes on – see if you can get involved as a volunteer. Throw a party for a friend and ask for donations to a charity of your choice. Help a friend out in need (that’s part of being a good friend anyway, year-round, might I add) but maybe ask. A lot of people keep things to themselves – asking if they need anything might open up a closed door that you never even knew about.
November 2011 – Get Daring. Do something you’ve never done. Go sky diving. Sign up for a marathon. Talk to that guy or girl you’ve been eyeing for the last few months at Starbucks. Blog if you’ve never blogged. Do something out of your comfort zone – again and again and again – in the month of November. You might just end up being even more bad ass than you already are.
December 2011 – Get Pampered. You spent an entire year trying to better yourself. Take December to pamper yourself – manicures, pedicures, massages, facials, a spa day. Get a new hair cut or color. Buy a new pair of shoes. You deserve it!
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