Happy New Year!

Alright, alright, so I'm a bit late. But it's not because I don't care. It's just because 2009 kicked off and hasn't let up much since it started. Between work, maintaining a semblance of a social life, and writing and rewriting those resolutions I haven't had time to just sit down and exist without multitasking in some way shape or form.

So, I hope that everyone had a wonderful New Year's Eve and rang in 2009 with plenty of gusto! And also that it was a safe day for everybody.

Now, about those resolutions, which I expect are or have been conjured up by many more people besides myself, (which subsequently may or may not be strictly kept). I may still add some to my list, but so far mine are as follows:

The Resolutions* I Hereby Make for New Year

*Resolutions are subject to change without notice.  

Any resolution listed may be amended or discontinued at any time. For further information, please see our FAQ's page.

1. Lighten up. 

Don't take yourself so seriously, and try not to take everything  personally. It'll add years to your life, and will make you more fun to be around.

2. Be spontaneous.

It's fun, it's unexpected, what could possibly go wrong? Okay, so a few things might go wrong. Still, what have you got to lose? Besides, don't they always say to expect the  unexpected? Maybe that's not such a bad idea. Or even if you don't expect it, look to participate in it.

3. Ditch the comfort zone.

At least a little. You don't always have to be uncomfortable, but try going new places, meeting new people. Break out of your shell and experience things you wouldn't necessarily have thought of in the first place. Don't turn up your nose at something when you don't know for sure whether you'll like it or not.

4. Set goals.

Who says you must suffer a flogging if you don't reach a few of them? It never hurts to try, and if you don't set any goals for yourself then you sure as heck won't meet any. Not only does it give you something to do, even a purpose if you will, but it also makes you feel pretty darn good when you succeed.

5. Be proud.

Don't be afraid to let yourself acknowledge your accomplishments. This doesn't mean you have to be a braggart. There isn't anything wrong with telling yourself "Good job!" or having pride in something you've done. Now, rubbing it in everyone's face might not be the best thing to do, but it sure isn't great to walk around as if you're a useless slob who has yet to accomplish anything in your whole pathetic life. It just isn't so. Hold your head up high and say not only "I can," but also, "I did. And I did it darn well!"

6. Be yourself.

Stop comparing yourself to everyone else. Stop looking to others to see where you should be, what you should have accomplished, what your goals should be, and what you should want. It's okay to be you, it's okay to be different. It's not a race, it's not a competition. Allowing yourself to be comfortable where you are and with what you have will open doors to success in many other areas. Just think, with all of that time you spend thinking about your shortcomings, failures, etc. now free, there's no end to what you can accomplish!

7. Grow up.

Take responsibility for yourself, and all of the things that fall under the category of "should be taken care of by me". This means bills, chores, work, all of it. Don't expect everyone else to be there to do the things you don't want to or the things you think you can't. Manage your time and money properly, learn to tell yourself no. Things can wait. Responsibilities can't. It's a hard fact of life, but it's a fact that's better learnt sooner rather than later.

Since 7 is one of those good numbers, I'm stopping there. That's all I've got. Certainly more could be added, and might be if I can think of other things I'd like to see myself strive towards. But for now, surely that's a lot to work on as it is. I'm far from perfect, and sometimes a little self-reevaluation is a positive thing. It gives you the opportunity to sit down and really think about and realize what you are, who you are, and if there are things you'd like to see yourself do different. I know I have plenty of those things myself.

Good luck to everyone on keeping your resolutions! Hopefully we can all better ourselves and maybe next year have even less resolutions than the year before. Or at least all new ones. I mean, of course one of mine is "drop a few pounds", but that's such a cliche why even bother adding it to the list? I don't even think it's an earnest resolution anymore, so much as a daily mantra.

Again, I hope everyone's New Year is off to a great start, and will only continue to get better! If you haven't made your resolutions yet, never fear and don't despair! There's still plenty of time to figure out what resolutions, if any, you should have. 

Until then, enjoy the conversation with your inner-self. If yours is as attention starved as mine, it could be a long talk. 

Perhaps it's best to grab a cup of coffee and settle into a comfortable chair...