Farewell 2010!

Every year I reflect on what has happened and what I would like to happen next. I make a list of goals rather than resolutions and write them on a pretty piece of paper. I post that paper inside my medicine cabinet so that I look at it (or it looks at me) at least twice a day. 2010 has had it's challenges, mainly of the financial manner. While I did not meet all of my goals for 2010, I accomplished most of them, and a few other things along the way.

2010 Goals

#1 Be a kinder girlfriend and person. Stop judging, stressing, and bossing.
Well, I think I did fairly well on this, although I suppose it would be best to ask Aaron and others what they think. I think that Aaron and I are getting along very well and everyday learn how to care for and enjoy each other better. I have realized that I really need to listen more, however.

#2 Read 20 books.
Well, does it count that I read about 35 blogs on a daily basis? Ok, ok, it doesn't. I completed 14 books and am halfway through 3 others. I have to admit that I haven't had any books grab me since the Twilight series. Embarrassing!!!! I have also added two magazines to my monthly reads, so it's not like I haven't been reading, I just haven't completed all the books I have wanted to.

#3 Get out of debt, earn a specified amount, and save a specified amount.
Well, none of these happened. I attribute that to the economy and my challenging work situation over the past year.

#4 Blog, take more photos, and get involved in other art.
Well, I did start the blog which was huge. I did take more photos that usual, so that is great too. I bought all the supplies I need to do Asian brush painting, but I just haven't done it yet. Getting there, I suppose.

#5 Go camping 5 times
Well, I didn't do this either. I attribute that to the fact that Aaron and I had barely any free weekends this summer, and our summer was cold and gray, which made us hermits. We didn't really feel like camping. We went once and it was lovely.

#6 Take a one week vacation with Aaron
We did this! We went to Maui for over a week. Yahoo! Goal accomplished. We also just spent a week in Arizona for Christmas.

#7 Find professional calling and work towards it.
Well, I think I am most proud of this one! I was miserable working for the start up where I was and when I  was laid off, I decided to start my own company. I am my own boss, I have closed a few deals, and everything is coming together. Certainly something to be proud of.

#8 Yoga 5 times a week.
I think I did a great job of this when I could.  I couldn't always keep up if we had guests in town, or if I had an injury, but for the most part I went 5 times a week. I also completed 30 straight days of yoga in March.

#9 Walk Peroni everyday.
I think I walked Peroni 9/10 days, and some days I walked him twice, so I think I got this one in the bag.

#10 Clean and simplify! Get rid of stuff!
I definitely did this, taking about 15 trips to the Goodwill. Also given my financial situation, I wasn't adding anything, so I definitely made a dent here.  I would like to get rid of more, so this continues to be a goal.

Looking back at my accomplishments for the year, starting the blog, my own company, and furthering my yoga practice, I am damn proud. I also stopped eating most animal products in 2010 and no longer eat poultry, beef, pork, etc. I am very proud of the fact that I am helping my body and making the environment a better place by choosing to eat the way I do.  While 2010 was overwhelming, stressful, and sometimes just sucky, I think I definitely pushed through and had some great times. 2011 can only be better!

My goals for 2011 are similar to 2010, but here it goes:

#1 Get out of debt, save a certain amount, and make a certain amount. (Those amounts are private...ahem).

#2 Visit my sister in NYC, and take a trip to Seattle or Portland and perhaps Texas to visit my step dad.

#3 Blog once a week.

#4 Eat a wholesome, healthy, vegan diet 80% of the time, and it's ok if 20% of the time I eat fish or dairy products.

#5 Read 25 books.

#6 Run a 10k! (Ahh! Did I really just put that out into the world?)

#7 STOP INTERRUPTING PEOPLE, especially Aaron. It's super annoying.

#8 Make my focus on being active: Do yoga, run, bike, walk, just be more fit overall.

#9 Simplify. Get rid of more stuff. No one needs 80 pairs of shoes.

#10 Continue to grow artistically. More photography and other art forms.


I hope you all have enjoyed the holidays and that your goals for the year are coming into clear focus.

Happy New Year! I am off to make a healthy and comforting dinner.