The thing I love about January 1st is it always feels like a fresh start. I guess in our 365 day calendar view, it is! I don't make resolutions every year (I used to religiously, but I have since stopped doing that in the last few years). What I do like to do is reflect on the past year, and then put down some things I want to focus on...big, general kinds of concepts, but not necessarily hard and fast measureable goals...and generally the past few years, they have been the same big things. I think they are pretty much the same this year.
1) Focus on living a healthy and balanced life. This takes on all aspects of life, really. Mainly for me, it is something to focus on for my overall health. I struggle with the whole "work-life" balance and my health normally takes a backseat to work. This generally means I go full force with work and neglect my physical, spiritual and mental health, then promptly crash or get sick, or just spend 3 full days in PJs watching reruns of Friends :) This is, and will be, a continuing theme in life for me. I do my best. I fall off the wagon. And then I climb back up. Sometimes it takes a little longer to get back on, but I still get back up and try again. I am glad for that. So each year (and ideally every day), I try to focus on making balanced and healthy choices, and to do things that I know are good for my overall health and well-being. This year is no exception :)
2) Live outside my comfort zone. Well, I have to say 2013 was incredible for this one. Learning a new language, moving myself overseas to start a whole new career, and now living overseas. Yeah, all outside my comfort zone. It has had its challenges, for sure! But overall, I honestly feel that if I live by this and push myself to do things that scare me, or that I haven't done before, I think it makes me grow into a better person. Ok so it may not make me "better" but it sure does help me grow :) I was, and to some extent still am, a person who tends to not like huge changes. I find it HILARIOUS that I have chosen a career that expects me to move every 2-3 years, do different jobs that I may, or may not, have experience for, and completely adapt to a new culture and state of being so often. I like to think that I have somehow incorporated this subconsciously into my life. Eh, probably not. But maybe if I keep doing it, it will just become part of who I am. Or maybe it already has :)
3) Developing relationships that are meaningful. When I was younger, I thought it was so important to have a lot of friends. I wanted everyone to like me, and I genuinely wanted to like everyone. I still have both parts of that in my being to a great extent and I struggle with the whole thing at times. But as I have gotten older, I have truly realized the value of meaningful relationships. I think we all have those surface relationships in our lives too and there is something to be said for those too. I still strive to be nice to everyone, and to be a good person, and not exclude people whenever possible. But in the deeper sense of meaning, I have also grown to realize that everyone does not like me (gasp!!) and that I don't want to be "friends" with everyone I meet. And I am truly coming to terms with that and becoming better about it. I really like having relationships with people who I trust and respect, and who do the same with me. It is important to me to be able to be myself, in all of my weirdness and dysfunction at times, with people. And I have realized that is not everyone I meet :) Most people would say "well, duh!" To this...and they'd be right :) But I am very trusting and I have tended to trust quickly and then get hurt. I have lost people in my life because of differences, or changes in priorities, or breaking of trusts, or just general disconnection. It still pains me, especially if there was a perceived, or real, connection and/or friendship there. I firmly believe that people are brought into our lives at certain times for certain reasons. And I am brought into theirs. So I work to have faith to know what to do when I meet people or know people. I don't always get it right, and sometimes things are just painful. And I still tend to trust too quickly. But other times? Well, then life is just amazing and I am so thankful for the wonderful relationships that I do have with the people in my life.
4) Travel. And More Travel. I love traveling. I seriously just love going to new places and experiencing what is there. Sometimes it is just taking a different way home, or driving to a park, but mainly it is getting out and seeing the world. The quote "Your life is never the same after your passport has been stamped" is my mantra. It is true. You see, smell, hear, taste and experience things you never thought you would when you travel. Anywhere. Some good, and some not so good. But every experience you have makes a memory, and makes an indelible impression on you in some way. I make sure I travel at least once a month, but know that I am happier when it is more often. I have started planning some of my travel for this year and I am utterly excited for the amazingness that awaits me as I visit these places. I know I am truly blessed and fortunate to have these opportunities for adventure and travel, and I will not waste them or forget how truly lucky I am to be able to experience them.
Although I am a very structured person, and I like a schedule, follow the rules, and tend to have a plan, I have noticed I am starting to enjoy more spontaneity, am learning to fly by the seat of my pants more often, and may bend the rules here and there (though not break them!!). And every year on the first day of the year, it is kind of awesome to reflect on where I have been, who I have become, and to think about who I want to be and where I want to go...in life and in the world. Life is great for that! Every day we get a fresh start when we open our eyes and start a new day.
I wish for you the beauty and freshness of every new day. And for finding those things in the coming year that make you happy, healthy and well.
Happy 2014 :)
From a chilly and overcast Athens,
Becky
Song in my head: "Wake Me Up" Avicii
