A Brand New Year

I really don't like new year's resolutions.  Usually people create impossible goals, and end up feeling like failures when they can't reach them.  I certainly have been there, but I stopped making resolutions a long time ago.

That being said, I still think the beginning of the new year is a perfect time to stop and reflect on your life, and change directions if you notice you're not down the path that's best for you.  And after a hard year like I've had, I really need some redirection. 

Chad and I are going to have our traditional new year celebration soon, consisting of a movie and nachos, so I won't spend a lot of time on this post.  But I wanted to write down what I want to change in my life, so it's maybe a little more concrete. 

Number one, I want to start feeding myself properly.  My body is an amazing gift from God, and I should nourish it with the best foods I can find.  My goal is not to cut out junk because thinking in negative terms creates a vacuum that draws in the candy bars.  Instead, my goal is to fill my plate with lots of good foods so that there's not much room left for foods that make me feel bad. 

I also want to start exercising my amazing body so that it's strong and well maintained so I can do the things I love, like gardening and hiking.  I'm going to go easy on the exercise, because I'm out of shape and I don't want to hurt myself.  I also don't want to exercise so hard that I start hating it.

I want to make space in my day for the things I love, which means I have to change the way I think about my time.  It's precious, and I should stop trying to find ways to waste it.  This will also make space and time in my life to help me find more meaning in my days.

I want to start treating myself with the same respect and love that I treat others, because no one else will treat me that way until I do. 

So how was your year?  Was it good?  Did you have rocky spots?  Is there anything you want to change?  Whatever 2015 looked like for you, I hope that 2016 is even better.  Happy New Year!