It's a beautiful day here in central Texas, about 50 degrees right now. Matt's sleeping soundly for the first time in almost a month, and has been for the past 10 or so hours. I've been thinking all morning about what I want to say today, and this entry will be a work in progress because I have plans to go grocery shopping in about 15 minutes. After that, I've promised what's left of the day after that to Matt. So, this may not see the light of day until tomorrow. We'll see.
I'm not very good at New Years resolutions. Every time I've made them, I've failed to keep them, which makes me leery to make them. Last year, I resolved not to make a resolution, and so succeeded instantly at the task. Of course, I also failed instantly, but who's counting?! This year, I want to make some because I feel like this year could be awesome if I give all I have to making it so. This is remarkably optimistic for me. I think the worst until I'm proven otherwise, and every year I welcome the following 365 days with pessimism, sure that they'll suck. In turn, they normally do suck. So, this year, I'm trying to think positive. It's a new decade, 2010, and with it comes new chances.
In 2010 I start a new educational adventure, a new chance. Matt and I celebrate our 10th wedding anniversary, a turning point. I'll finish my novel, an opportunity. I'm looking forward to 2010 in a way I've never looked forward before and if that makes me an optimist, even for today, I'll take it. So, what are those resolutions I'm resolved to make this year?
- Commit to freelancing - This is really important to me. Now that I have my bachelor's degree, if I feel like I should start doing something with it, even though I'll also be a graduate student and might have a (part-time) day job.
- Finish my novel - I'm about 25,500 words in, so this isn't a fresh start, but rather a project I really want/need to finish. I know it's a good idea, I just need to commit to it again, so here it is!
- Devote myself meaningfully to a planned, joint creative project - Matt and I, as it says, have decided to undertake a joint creative venture. I'm really excited about this, I know he is too, so we'll start putting things down on paper soon. It should be fun, if we can agree, which will be the biggest problem.
- Get in better shape - Yes, this is a resolution everyone has made at some point. It's the most overly sought after achievement in the history of New Year's resolutions, but that doesn't make me want it any less. I must do something about my weight. I would point out this does not say "lose [insert #] pounds." I'm not that brave, I'm not devoting myself to a specific number. Right now, anything would be an improvement, so that's what I'm aiming for, anything.
- Get organized - Okay, I know, another overly used one. I don't much care that it's common, what I care about is that I really need it. My house is a huge cluttered mess! I need to sort through what I have and get rid of some stuff. I'm such a pack-rat. A few more years and I swear 'Hoarders' is going to be showing up at my door with cameras and a psychologist. When we get the office floor laid down and I can put my desk back in there, that will help, we'll have one whole room to use that's not getting any use right now. Maybe a virtual (read: eBay) garage sale is in order!
Okay, so there you have it! Rather than making one resolution, I'm taking the opportunity to make five of them. I feel like 2010 will be a better year, it just simply has to be, and I want to make the most of it! I think it helps to put there here, too, a little bit of accountability never killed anyone... I hope.
I hope everyone had a very Happy, and safe, New Year. May 2010 be better than 2009 proved to be!!
