Happy 2019!!

2018 was a weird year.  I had so many intentions and goals, but unfortunately, none of them were reached.  2018 was a year of ups and downs for me.  There were a lot of stresses from all different aspect of my life that came out of nowhere!  There was a ton of stuff going on with my 9-5 job, which not only kept me super busy but was also draining; I’d be completely exhausted by the time I got home from work.  I was also finally adjusting to life in the suburbs.  I still miss my big city, but I think I can safely say I’ve settled into suburbia.  It took a while, but I did it.

There were lots of things that made 2018 great, but of course it’s the stressful things you remember the most.  I can’t say I’m sorry to see 2018 go, but I am ready to step right into 2019.

New Year’s Resolutions are one of those things you either do religiously or not at all.  And for those of us who make them, keeping them is a whole other story!  I’m proud to say that I don’t make resolutions like “getting to the gym more” or, “cutting out refined sugar.”  They’ve just become part of my lifestyle.  Yay me!  I’ve put some thought into my New Year’s Resolutions for 2019… looking back into 2018 and thinking what I would’ve done differently, etc.

Here are my New Year’s Resolutions for 2019:

1. See some place new!  This is at the top of my list ever year.  I love the idea of experiencing a different part of the world, hearing a new language and trying new foods.  I usually am able to get this one checked off no problem!
2. Dust off those recipe books sitting in my kitchen!  OK, we all have them… the recipe books we buy because we love the cook/chef, or have been following them on social media for years but only end up making one or two recipes from each book.  I’ve got about 5 of them and this year I am going to start cooking my way through them.  The recipes look delicious and are generally pretty easy, so there’s really no excuse.  And yes, I realize this is an odd resolution, but it’s something I’m committed to doing in 2019.  Besides, I’m sick of getting home from work and not having a clue what to make for dinner (because sometimes “meal prep Sunday” is just a fantasy)
3. Keep a journal!  OK, this is the big one.  Both 2017 and 2018 seemed to just fly by.  I don’t know how many times I’ve said, or heard, “the year has just gone by so fast.”  or, “I can’t believe it’s already summer.”  I found it hard to look back and remember/reflect on everything that happened in the past year because it felt like you’d blink and the month was over.  I want be present and not feel like my years are going by too quickly.  I’ve decided that I’m going to start using the “5 Minute Journal.”  I love that it’s a quick and to-the-point way of keeping track of what was good about your day and what you wished went differently.  My first entry will be Jan 1/19.  I plan to do a 3-month and 6-month check in to see how I’m feeling about it.

I feel much more balanced and motivated about 2019.  I’m not sure what it is.  Maybe the crap year I had in 2018 is making me super excited for a new year because it brings a new beginning.

I’d love to hear what your New Year’s Resolutions are for 2019.  Comment below.