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2016- The Year of Change!

I am not a fan of resolutions. For some reason they always disappoint. I forget that one goal I made for myself one day, one week, or one month. Then, in my perfectionist mind, it all falls apart. Why bother?

And yet at the beginning of 2016 I found myself in an inner debate on what resolution I should make. How will I make this year different than all the past years? Because at the beginning of this year, 2016, I was desperate for change: I turn 40 in October, I was in a rut and wanted to find a way out. 

So I did what every 30 something girl does when she needs inspiration- I went to Pinterest and searched “Change”, “New Year”, “Resolution” and every combination possible. What came up were not ideas- but quotes:

“A self that goes on changing is a self that goes on living.” – Virginia Woolf
“Your life doesn’t get better by chance, it gets better by change.” – Jim Rohn
“A ship in harbor is safe, but that is not what ships are for.” – William G.T. Shedd
“If it doesn’t challenge you, it will not change you.” - Fred Devito

 

And on and on they came up in my feed. Some of them I had pinned before, some of them were new to me. But in then end- it all added up to what I decided to do for 2016. 2016 was not going to be about a resolution it was going to be about a revolution. Instead of doing what I normally would do (or what I have always done)- I decided to change.

 

What does that mean? 

Each day I try to do what I normally would not do. If a day or two go by and I feel like I haven’t done anything- I think of anything that breaks up the monotony of my life. Sometimes the change is big- like giving my hairdresser free reign to do whatever she wanted (I am now blonde- and love it!). But sometimes it is smaller- like having insomnia and being awake at 4:30 in the morning. Normally I would read or watch TV but one day I got up and ran 9 miles before 8 am. It felt amazing.

So far this year some of the things I have done include:

  • Makeover!
    • The last time I had my make up done I was in my 20s and in college. If you ever need to feel refreshed- schedule an appointment and be pampered. My recommendation- give the artist free reign! They know what they are doing!
  • Wrote my own knitting pattern
    • This did not turn out great- but each weekend I go back and try different things.
  • Took a day off work and ran a 5K with a friend.
  • I bought myself flowers.
  • Starting writing a blog (SEE!)
  • Spoke up honestly and professionally at a business meeting.
    • In a time when I try to say the correct, political thing- which can lead too me using too many words- I was able to find the balance of being political and honest to get my message heard. It wasn’t an easy moment for me- but I did it!
  • Ran a marathon relay with an amazing group of friends on Valentine’s Day.
  • Made real homemade soup for my parents!
  • Wore my hair wavy in public.
  • Applied for and got a new job at my company!
    • This was by far the hardest thing I have done professionally. I was doing great at my job and had a great teammate/partner in crime but I dreaded going to work at times. Work was feeling comfortable, easy and it wasn’t challenging me. I could have stayed in the position and “coasted” through work for a year or two- but that isn’t me. I need a challenge- so I went for it and start April 1st! (The pessimist Karen isn’t reading too much into starting a new job on April Fools Day- which is something new for me too!).

The list goes on and on! At the end of the day I reflect back and write down what I did. The notes are put in my “Change Jar” – which is placed predominately in my room. It reminds me every day to really think of what I can do differently- and that it doesn’t need to be something big- it can be something small because:

 

“Little by little, a little becomes a lot.” – Tanzanian Proverb

 



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  • Stacy O on

    Congratulations!!! These are amazing feats and I applaud you! You are inspiration to me!! love you girl!


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