Oh, 2013. My head is swimming with so many thoughts that I don’t know where to start. I feel like every year I start the year off all excited and ready for change, but by February I have slipped back into my same old mindset. Not only that, but I totally forget about my resolutions and at the end of the year it’s a surprise to me to even read what they were!
In my house, we have a tradition where we write our resolutions down and put them in our Christmas stockings for safe keeping. Then, the next year when we pull out the decorations we have them ready to read….and ready to be depressed about. I realized that a lot of my “resolutions” are actually things that are mostly out of my control. No wonder I get so disappointed when they don’t happen! This isn’t true for all of them, but a lot, yes. I have decided that this year I am not going to set myself up for failure and disappointment by writing down lofty things that may or may not happen during the year. Especially when I know I will forget about them in a couple weeks.
Hear me out, I’m not saying you shouldn’t have goals or strive for certain things, if you have been reading my blog for awhile you know I typically do small monthly goals. I just think a laundry list of lofty things for the year may not be the way to go for some people (like me).
This year, instead of setting myself up for disappointment, I am going to try to focus on bettering myself as a whole person. I’m not labeling it, I’m not putting limitations, restrictions, or specifics on it. I know technical goal people are probably having a panic attack right now because that isn’t exactly “measurable”, but I want the freedom to make it whatever I want it to be for that day, hour, or even minute. For example: I may wake up one day and decide I want to run 25 miles that week. So I will focus on bettering myself in that way, and then that’s that. The next day or week, I may decide I want to volunteer in some way,do it, then move on to something else. I don’t want to limit myself, box myself in, or set myself up to fail. Heck I may decide in the middle of something to change my mind!
Bottom line, January puts a lot of STRESS on me, and it’s not necessary. I want 2014 to be low key and laid back. This in itself will be a huge feat because I am quite high strung. I have always been very competitive and in turn am very hard on myself. This year I don’t want to beat myself up for things I DON’T do, but instead want to CELEBRATE the things I do accomplish.
It’s all about your mindset and attitude, and I am striving to be more of a glass half full kind of girl. So, my word for the year is OPTIMISTIC. Again, not putting any rules on this, I just want to strive to be an overall better and more optimistic person, whatever that looks like depending on the day. You are the only one who can change your attitude, and we all know your mental health has a huge bearing on your physical health.
So for 2014, I will be counting my blessings and being optimistic about the future. I think if I can do those things, then I will WANT to better myself because I will have the right attitude. It’s a cycle! 2013 was tough, I don’t share everything here on the blog as I don’t want to air my personal issues online…so just know there were a lot of days I really struggled. I’m not sad to see it go and am ready to start fresh with this new approach. Even though things last year didn’t go as planned, I am a very blessed girl and owe every good thing I have to God, who has been with me even when I felt the most alone and sad. It’s tough, but I am trying to remember that my plans may not be what God has in mind for me, and may not be best for me. I don’t want to settle, so I will be optimistic and try to go with the flow and remember it will all work out!
Here’s to a laid back, glass half full 2014. I just know it’s going to be my best year yet. (See, already working on that optimism!)
Thank you for reading my blog in 2013, you all mean a lot to me, more than you can know.
Cheers!
I am very high strung typically and took a huge chunk of 2013 working on that. Here is to a more optimistic 2014 Heather!
Cheers!
Well said Heather! As I read what everyone’s goals are for 2014 I started to feel that maybe I was a bit lazy because I didn’t have this long list of goals. I certainly do want to accomplish things but I am a bit like you in that I want to decide on what it is that I want to accomplish through out the year and I want the ability to change my mind! Best of luck to you in 2014!
You aren’t lazy! Everyone responds to things differently. 🙂
I love this Heather! I definitely need to think of my glass being half full! Happy New Year!
Happy New Year!
I really don’t like how people feel pressured to change things with the new year, which is why I think they don’t stick with them. I like your attitude though 🙂 Focus on the positive and try to have fun!
thank you!
I’m very glad to have found your blog….you motivate me. If you like to read, here is a book you might consider….The Desire Map by Danielle Laporte. Its a pretty neat book…..again, thanks for sharing your life with me through words. I’m working towards a half marathon at Disney Land next January……..
You will love running in DL! if you are talking about running in California, the January race is being moved to mother’s day weekend.
Heather, is that for next year??? Well shoot, then I will have to just get my hinny to Disney World and be a princess.
is what for next year?
Last year my goals were to run more than 400 miles, which I completed. And to also run a half marathon, which I completed. While some people think those are large goals, I knew I could do it and that’s why I set those goals (I don’t use the term resolution).
This year, my goals are to run 500 miles or more, which I should be able to do unless I’m injuried or sick. To run a sub 30 minute 5K which will happen because my last 5k was 32 minutes. And to run another half marathon, which I will do because I enjoyed my first one.
I think goals are a great thing, not necessarily need to be set on January 1st each year, but for all year long. If you have no goals in life, then you get no where and you don’t progress or get better at something.
Like I said, set goals you know you should be able to accomplish.
Thanks for the post 🙂
Jessica great job!
That’s exactly why I set “mini goals” for the month but something even those are daunting!
I think you’re doing the right thing. There’s no point in setting grand ethereal goals if they only make you feel badly later.
We have a producer who always says “energy is a choice” as a joke note to us actors, but in reality, he’s right. We choose how we act and respond to the challenges that come our way. It’s not an easy choice, but it’s one we can learn to make with time.
Have a very happy new year, and maybe we’ll see you in WDW!
Love it! Great blog! Here’s to an optimistic 2014!
Great ONE WORD goal for 2014!! I’m using it in my round up 😉
Great post, Heather! I’ve admired your tenacity and positive attitude for a long time. 2014 is going to be great 🙂
Love this post! You are 100% right! Here’s to a positive 2014!
Great post. I need to remember this too. I tend to lean to the pessimistic side of things. I love how you said that God’s plans may be different (and much much better) then the plans we have.
Hope you are having an optimistic weekend so far! 🙂
I am actually thankful to the owner of this site who has shared
this great piece of writing at at this time.
After I initially commented I seem to have clicked on the -Notify me when new comments are added- checkbox and from now on each time a comment is added I get four emails
with the same comment. Perhaps there is a way you can remove me from
that service? Cheers!