I'm welcoming 2010 with open arms

I wrote a long-winded post that recapped all of 2009 and then I choose to scrap the whole thing. Basically it was a review of the year, the ups and downs and in-betweens. 2009 was probably one of my best years so far and I managed to pack a lot of stuff into in, mostly all stuff that was enormously fun and repeat-worthy. I decided instead of recapping last year that I'd look forward to this brand new year. So far 2010 holds lots of promise to top 2009. I'm looking forward to seeing what it will bring me and my loved ones.

I rang in the new year with a hike at a local park not far from my house. I fall in love with this park a little more each time I visit. It was cold and a bit muddy and I must have hiked for almost an hour before I saw a single person. It was a great way to reflect on the year and make grand plans for this new year. I intend on making this hiking outing a yearly tradition. I took a few photos while on my walk and even though the trees and grass are mostly brown and dead, it's a gorgeous place to center yourself.

Who wouldn't be able to recharge and make grandiose plans for the up coming year with this back drop?

For 2010 I decided to make a list of goals rather than resolutions, although they are basically the same thing. I try to not make resolutions because it's just so easy to break them every single year. With a goal in mind there's a different set of rules, or at least it feels like it.

• I plan to set one single goal each week. It could be something big (like organizing one whole closet) or little (like returning a phone call I've been putting off), but if I make a goal each week I'll have, at the very least, accomplished 52 goals throughout the year. I can't take credit for this idea, it was passed along to me by a very brilliant friend.
• I'd like to lose that last 20 pounds by this time next year. It's doable and I know I have it in me. I just need to make those small changes and stick with my plans.
• Running has really been a slow-burning passion of mine. I say slow-burning because I don't really talk about it much because I still feel like an awkward teenage girl in gym class on occasions. I have a goal to run 3 miles and then 5 miles without stopping. So far I've made it to 2.75.
• Books are another passion. I love reading but I'd like to branch out with the subject and topics I'm choosing. My goal is to read around 25 books which include some biographies, non-fiction and history. Keep an eye on my Goodreads page to see what I'm reading!
• I'd like to make more of an effort to be kinder to my family. It's so easy to take for granted that your family will always be there for you so sometimes. I find myself saying and doing things I normally wouldn't say or do to strangers. Time to remedy that.
• Traveling is another goal I have for this year. So far I'm planning a trip to The United Kingdom, New York and Missouri with possibly another trip in there somewhere.
• My last goal is to really save as much money as possible to fund these trips. In conjunction with saving as much as possible I have a goal to really cut back on spending on things I don't need. (This of course does not include books!)

I have some lofty goals this year but I'm pretty confident I can make them reality with a little hard work and a bit of luck. I really am excited about this year, I think it's going to be a really awesome year that I'll be able to look back on and remember fondly.

Happy New Year, everyone...may this be your year to kick ass.

Comments

[Jess]

These are great goals! 2010 is going to be awesome for you.

[Natalie]

Everyone is making me feel inspired to set some goals!

I love the 1 goal per week! If only you and Jennie lived closer, I could really get on board with your running goals! And um, what 20 lbs are you talking about? You would blow away!