2013: Getting It Done

What is the start of a new year without a few resolutions? I'm not a fan of resolutions, as I believe there is an innate shelf-life to them that ends somewhere in the middle of February. On the other hand, I love making goals. Last year, I set a few goals for myself and although I may not have achieved all of them to the degree I had envisioned, I'm still proud of what I was able to accomplish.

A big fan of mantras, last year was the year of "Make It Happen" and I believe I was successful in altering my outlook towards life as one of action versus inaction. You can either choose to be passive and let life happen to you, or you can take the initiative and make life happen for you. I infinitely prefer the latter. As such, I am taking what I've learned from the last year and have set a handful of goals for 2013 in what I am dubbing the year of "Getting It Done". There is so much I want to do in this life, from small things such as figuring out how to apply eyeliner without looking like I got sucker-punched, to big things like getting published.

Dreams are great, but they're all talk until you do something about it - so get it done!

For 2013, I will:

1. Move to either of these three places. There are current job prospects in all three locations, I think I could be happy in any one of them. Each city brings its own unique benefits, as well as its share of sacrifices, but they will all put me ahead in my career in different ways. Here's to moving forward!

Dallas, via.

New York, via.

Burbank, via.

2. Climb Half Dome. I grew up only a couple hour's drive outside of Yosemite, but I never took the opportunity to climb Half Dome. It may be a challenge to complete it if I live out of state, but I am planning to cross this off my bucket list come June. Friends, if you're interested in joining me in this endeavor, let me know - the more the merrier!

Half Dome, via.

3. "Do" Las Vegas. I have only ever driven down the strip, in daylight, no less. I want to do Las Vegas properly, with lots of high heels, impulsive decision making, haphazard dancing, and tons and tons of revelry.

Las Vegas, via.

4. Become a proficient swimmer. Historically, I've despised swimming in all bodies of water with a vehemence known only to the truly pathological. However, I understand the utility of being a decent swimmer - certainly not to an Olympic standard, but well enough so that I can reasonably keep up with my future kids during mommy & me swim lessons.

Become a proficient swimmer, via.

5. Write 12 Short Stories. While also working on my novels, I want to get some practice in, so 12 short stories it is. Short stories, I find, are a million times harder to write than a novel, but can be very rewarding in terms of learning how to become a better technical writer. One story a month, roughly 1500 words or so. I can do this. (P.S. I really want an Underwood typewriter. #love)

Write 12 Short Stories, via.

6. Be more flexible. Being more flexible will help in all areas of fitness, but I just think it would be amazing to be able to bend myself in half like this. The blog where this photo is from has more stretches to improve flexibility, to ultimately improve one's running, but I'd be content to just be able to touch my forehead to my knees.

Be more flexible, via.

7. Buy a dining table. This is a bit contingent on where I end up, but where ever I do go, so long as it fits in my apartment, I will make purchasing a dining table a priority. I went without one all of last year and ate most of my meals on my couch. I want to be a little more sophisticated than that and to actually eat meals at a real table. Plus, table top decorations are fab.

Buy a dining table, via.

8. Pay off a credit card. It's time to be very mindful about making wise financial decisions. I want to pay off one of my credit cards. And. I. Will.

Pay off a credit card, via.

9. Eat better. It's just about impossible for me to stop eating junk, but if I eat healthier stuff first, I'll have less room for the junk. It's basic physics, I just wish I could enjoy veggies more. I will work on it.

Eat better, via.

3. Read 50 classic novels. I have a fantastic list of 1,000 books in literature to read before I die. I haven't made much of a dent in it, so this year I will read 50 books from that list specifically. I tend to read a lot of rubbish and think it would be nice to broaden my knowledge of the classics.

Read 50 classic novels, via.

2013 is shaping up to be an incredible year. If you too have set some goals for 2013, I wish you all the best in achieving what you set your mind to. Get it done!