What I’m going to do more of in 2015
This year’s mantra, courtesy of Alice Walker: Look closely at the present you are constructing: it should look like the future you are dreaming.
Every year, I get more confident in my own skin and in my own decisions. I recognize my patterns and my pet peeves and the peculiar things that make me happy (and unhappy!), and I’m starting to own all of those little things that make me ME. This year, I want to be unapologetic in the way that I live my life: fully owning my decisions and my dreams, without regret or worry. And I want to see more sunrises, because I’m never mad about getting the day started early. I’m excited for 2015! It’s going to be a good one, and I have a few things that I’ll be focusing on for the next 12 months.
Carry cash.
I am the first to admit: I’m terrible about carrying cash. I definitely prefer using my Discover card for the rewards or my debit card so that I can track my spending. But! My favorite local salon prefers tips in cash, and there are quite a few bars/cafes/dry cleaners in Brooklyn that only take cash or that have a super high credit card minimum. And in general, cash tips are just better for employees (as I learned during my brief stint as a waitress in the city). So my top resolution is to always carry cash, and always tip in cash, and to stop being the person who is constantly Venmo-ing the people who do carry cash.
Commit to healthy habits every single day.
In the morning: Ayurvedic routines like tongue scraping, oil pulling, neti pot cleansing, meditating and drinking a mug of warm water with lemon. In the evening: floss, exfoliate and moisturize. And at least once a week: do a clay mask and wear my retainer. Splurge on a facial once a season. Go to yoga or to a spin class when I feel overwhelmed. Ride my bike and walk and run. Drink more water and eat less sugar.
I know how much better I feel when I eat well and exercise often and take care of my skin. This year, I want to be intentional about doing the things that make me feel healthy and happy–inside and out.
Let go of travel expectations.
Even though I’ve lived in New York City for the last two and a half years, I still traveled internationally frequently: Panama, Colombia and the Bahamas in 2012; Jordan, Iceland and Canada in 2013; Dominican Republic, Turkey and Nicaragua in 2014.
But this year is the year of weddings and bachelorette parties, the year of my 10-year high school reunion in Sacramento and a reunion of my college roommates in Napa Valley and my sorority anniversary alumna weekend in Chico. Essentially: 2015 is a year of traveling for friends.
As excited as I am to celebrate and catch up with some of my favorite people, it’s tough to not feel like I’m traveling “enough.” It’s a year where I might not be able to be in another country on my actual birthday–and that’s a goal I was SO determined to keep. Either way: one of my goals is to truly, truly enjoy everywhere I go with a focus on the people instead of just the place.
Unplug.
Quite simply: disconnect. Turn my phone off at night. Don’t walk and text. Take out my headphones. Don’t travel with my laptop. Look for validation in places other than social media. Stop comparing myself to strangers on the internet.
Choose joy and practice kindness.
Whenever possible, and remember: it’s always possible.
What are your resolutions for 2015?
