Well folks, here we are, at the very end of 2016. I’ve been feeling a bit melancholy over the loss of so many amazing people this year: Prince, George Michael, David Bowie, Alan Thicke, Harper Lee, Alan Rickman, Florence Henderson, Sharon Jones, Leonard Cohen–really, the list goes on and on and seems endless. It is easy to feel a bit blue this time of year, especially if you feel like you haven’t reached your full potential or achieved those goals you so dutifully wrote down this time last year.
It’s hard not to get wrapped up in those feelings, which is why people make resolutions–it’s a great way to create a new slate and a fresh start. But instead of starting from a place where you feel you need to change so many things–know that you’re pretty damn awesome just the way you are. If you approach 2017 from that angle, then everything else you achieve is just icing on the cake of life. Yes, you can be fitter, healthier, kinder, more successful, more adventurous–these are all great things to strive for–but that’s on top of the amazing person you already are.
Last year I posted my goals on Facebook because I wanted to hold myself accountable. I said I wanted to:
Give more
Worry less
Goof around more
Yell less
Keep pushing myself
I succeeded at all of them to some degree, but not consistently, especially the yelling one. I still do think it’s useful to record what you’d like to improve about yourself, because it is a reminder that we are ever-evolving creatures who can try new things and can push ourselves to be better. I just hope we can all do it from a place of love this year instead of deprivation or comparison to others.
So, what am I hoping to achieve in 2017? I’m taking a slightly different tack this year. Instead of goals, I’m writing down mantras. Here they are:
Enjoy more (with the emphasis on “joy”)
Know that age is just a number–it doesn’t define me
Be open to new ideas, opportunities and people
Explore–even if it’s just my hometown of NYC
Be in the moment (such a tough one for me)
I wish you a very happy and healthy start to the New Year. I hope it brings you renewed energy for all the things you want to pursue. And I hope that in some small way, the ideas and tips I share on these pages will help you be the most amazing version of YOU. But I think you’re pretty fantastic to begin with!
xoxo