Wednesday, December 31, 2008

New Year, New You?

Photo: dotw on Flickr

Tradition dictates that every 365 days, you should try to kick bad habits and start your life anew.

Will this year be the year? Will this be the year that you achieve real change in your life? Despite it being a wholly arbitrary event, there is something cleansing about tagging a new number onto the end of the date, hanging new calendars, "out with the old, in with the new" and generally hoping for a better year than last.

This is a time when many of us get reflective. At least, I do. I have always been big on resolutions. For years, the last few pages of December or the first few pages of January in my journal would be filled with a zillion promises that I made to myself. With a new year came hope, excitement and a chance for a fresh start. In fact, I'm one of those people who actually sticks to her resolutions and sees them through.

For the first time (ever, really) I don't have a gigantic list of things that I want to change going into the new year. I don't have any real "resolutions," per se. Sure, I know that I need to learn how to relax. And that I should find more time to take better care of myself. 2008, well … it was amazing, exhausting, transformative, exciting, terrifying, emotional and … how the hell was it just one year? I started it in my very own apartment, which now really feels like home. I made some absolutely stellar new friends. I took on a job which has challenged me and forced me to grow in ways that I never could have imagined. I'm a better (stronger) woman for what this past year has taught me.

Looking back, I can't help thinking of the naive 25 year old that I was only a couple years ago. As Ben Harper just said on my ipod…"I’m more afraid of falling…" which I was, up until now. That being said, I have also most definitely stumbled a few times as I've gone along. What I am most proud of, is that I have been able to dust off my knees, get up and keep going.

The truth is, I'm always striving to be a better version of myself. I think about that all the time, not just at the end of the year. Regardless, I would like to bid farewell to 2008 as I look ahead to what I believe promises to be a most incredible new year. I just can't wait to see what 2009 has in store!

Happy New Year. Truly. It will be.

6 comments:

Anonymous said...

Personally, I cannot wait to start my new year. I'm looking forward to advancing my education, and making large strides in personal improvement.

Have a safe New Years and have a wonderful 2009!

Keira-Anne said...

No resolutions, no particular goals - just hoping that things in 2009 will turn out even better than in 2008.

Unknown said...

I'm looking forward to 2009. Lots of changes...my main focus will be on my career. Happy New Years to you too! xo

Anonymous said...

Lovely post, Jen!
I never thought about seeing the past year as mistake, but rather as a testament to one's strength and growth ... obvious pessimist writing here :P
Wishing YOU all the best in 2009!

Roshan said...

As always, lovely post. I've had a lot of tough things happening to me in 2008 but it's also brought me some positive things. I want a few things to happen in 2009 - more pay, moving to a new place and finding Ms. Right for me.

Lindsay Dee said...

Whenever I can't think of a resolution in particular, I always recite "Betterment, betterment, betterment". We can always be an improved version of our current self.

Yay New Year!