2010: The year of reinvention
There comes a point in everyone’s life where you are faced with a decision: stay, or evolve?
I have felt stagnant these last couple years. Although I accomplished a bit in 2009, a lot of it had to do with tying up lose ends of my past, instead of venturing forward into the future. It’s been like this for awhile, but that is all about to change.
At the close of every year, I try to spend a bit of time thinking about a theme for coming year. This year, the theme was clear: reinvention. Everything in my life is in desperate need of reinvention. My habits, my clothes, my hobbies, my plan for the future, the way I approach things, my relationships, my mindset on life… even my bedroom, which, by the way, I painted and decorated a decade ago. (Even worse, my bed, desk, bookshelfs, dresser and nightstand are all even older – try, maybe, a decade and a half.)
Instead of setting out typical resolutions, I’ve decided to change things up this year. I’ve made a running list of things I can do on a daily basis that are in harmony with my theme for this year. The list:
Chanel’s list of “one a day”:
- go to bed early (lights out and sleeping before 12)
- be more outdoorsy (hiking, trails, sports, camping, etc.)
- be more social (in person, one-on-one or small group setting)
- answer all correspondence in 12 hours or less
- eat healthy (vegan, sugar-free or just well-balanced)
- be more gutsy & get outside your comfort zone
While this list looks like a possible list of resolutions, it really isn’t – instead of focusing on something that may take weeks or months to reach, I’ve decided to go the route of small things that can be accomplished in a day. The goal here is not to do everything—just one a day. For example, my new year so far:
Sunday, the 1st: Went walking in the pouring rain through the muddy, obscure trails of Pacific Spirit forest … “be more outdoorsy”
Saturday, the 2nd: Went to the mall and had dinner with a friend I’ve never really hung out with outside of a certain group. … “be more social”
Sunday, the 3rd: Read from 10:30-11:30 and was sleeping by 12am … “go to bed early”
Monday, the 4th: Had a strong conversation with someone that was long overdue … “be more gutsy & get outside your comfort zone”
So far, this has been going quite well.
In addition to that, I’ve also outlined a couple projects I desperately need to undertake:
Operation: Drive – step one: book my first driving lesson; step two: learn how to drive; step three: take road test, don’t fail; step four: buy a car; step five: collect money from the bet with my brother saying he’d get his license before I learned how to drive.
Operation: Bedroom Overhaul – rip up carpet and install bamboo floors; paint & patch ceiling and walls; buy new desk, new bed, new bookshelves (maybe) and new nightstand; change up the arrangement of room; sort through all my clothes and donate what I don’t wear; install surround sound speakers; do a physical restructure of my closet to better accommodate my clothing. Among other things.
And finally, in the spirit of reinvention, I also joined a choir (i’ve been itching to sing for awhile now) and decided I want to learn how to play the harp.
The tides are turning, my friends.
Did you make any resolutions for 2010?
And a new layout, too? :o Or did I miss this again thanks to my feed-reading habit?
In any case, thumbs up to the one a day idea… I had a bunch of things for every day, but this might work better, at least in terms of being accomplished.
I want to hear how the bedroom overhaul goes! I’d love to paint my walls but my mom’s not so keen on the idea–the house is up for sale so we’re waiting to see if any good buyers crop up. Otherwise, we’ll keep it.
As always, you’re an inspiring character and I love your attitude! :)
Reply: Awww, thank you. :) … The layout isn’t totally new; the top navigation and footer are (I needed to switch things up again), but other than that, its the same layout that I’ve had up for a couple months!
I will definitely be doing a before and after post on the bedroom overhaul. I’m so incredibly excited – I feel like it will be the fresh start I need. I hope you get to paint your walls if the house doesn’t sell, by the way – Its always fun to switch things up every once in awhile. :)
January 5th, 2010 at 1:03 pmI really like the one a day idea. I’ve already made my list of goals for 2010, but I may have to steal it for next year. It’s such a nice way of pushing yourself, but not the extreme. It’s nice that you can pick what to do that day – so if you’re just feeling REALLY anti-social, for instance, you can pick something else. :)
January 5th, 2010 at 4:54 pmClem’s last blog: New Year’s Resolutions
Wow, the one-a-day idea is great!
I know what you mean about stagnation; the year that I really stepped out of my comfort zone and tried new things was 2008. I continued with the new things in ‘09 but they weren’t new anymore, so this year I want to push myself into new things again :)
Also, I fear my younger brother (4 years younger) will get his driver’s license before me. I don’t have any pressing reasons to get it in the near future so I’m always putting it off!
January 5th, 2010 at 9:01 pmKaylee’s last blog: Definitely not a daredevil
I tend to not make resolutions but more to-do lists, and like yours redecorating my bedroom (again like you, mine hasn’t been decorated in almost a decade) and start driving lessons (only start; maybe not complete as I’ll have to wait until Summer).
January 6th, 2010 at 3:53 amThis is such an inspiration. I also feel like this is the year I want to do things right. Mostly I want to improve on a personal level and spend more time on personal relationships.
January 7th, 2010 at 2:37 pmsleepyjane’s last blog: Dear Blog
Id like to be better about answering correspondence too….er, this may be added to my list.
January 8th, 2010 at 12:19 pmThat’s a really neat approach to the usual NYE resolution; I hope it works well for you! I’ve got a couple resolutions for the new year (blog more, draw more, improve my grades, eat a more balanced diet, etc.) but I still need to figure out how to implement those goals in my daily life.
And I’d love to see pictures of the bedroom overhaul. :)
January 9th, 2010 at 6:43 amI’m trying to only drink on “occasions.” But will probably stretch the meaning of that word… =)
I like your answering correspondence in 12 hours or less resolution… I might try that one for myself!
January 9th, 2010 at 11:22 pmEmma’s last blog: This year
You’re New Years resolution blog isn’t much different than mine. You’re on the right track. And how are things working out for you nearly 2 weeks later?
alexis b.™’s last blog: my new favorite hoodie
Reply: Thanks for asking! They’re working out quite well actually – so far, 2010 is nothing like 2009, which is a very good thing. I actually feel like I’m progressing, growing and changing … so yes, working very well. :)
January 11th, 2010 at 12:30 pm[...] good it feels to finally do it. The first step is always the hardest! (This also fulfills one of my “one-a-day”s – do something you’ve been putting [...]
January 19th, 2010 at 1:43 pm