New years resolutions and why I refuse to make them

I can’t believe 2009 is almost over. It’s been a tough year. It was my last year of classes in my program and it was hard. I struggled personally and professionally but I also overcame a lot of set backs. The mistakes and the accomplishments I made in the past year do not define me. They only help me to become a better person. In 2009, I am mostly proud of:

- Finishing classes and starting my internship

- Growing my relationship with Dan; we even cohabited for a few months!

- Moving to Pittsburgh, on a whim, and by myself

- Training for a completing the Cherry Blossom 10-miler

- Truly and utterly falling in love with running (I started running before 2009, but this was the year our relationship deepened )

- Turning 25

- Going on vacation to Myrtle Beach

- Visiting Boston for a conference

In the past, I would make new years resolutions but by February, I would realize that I didn’t stick with them. Typically, my big resolution would be centered around losing weight. I would eat like a pig up until January 1st. Then, I would practically starve myself silly for the first week of January and then splurge on some high calorie meal and the cycle would keep occurring. Obviously, that didn’t work for me.

In order to continue to be my best, I can’t tell myself that on January 1st, I will only eat healthy foods and that’s it. For me, it’s a LIFESTYLE change. If I want to truly change my lifestyle then it needs to happen gradually. Not within a time limit or a start date. It’s just not realistic for me. That’s why I’m also not making resolutions for other things. Instead, I have tons of goals that I have for 2010. Goals and aspirations are important for me. Without them, how would I get anything accomplished?

With that said, here is my 10 in 2010… goals, aspirations, and possibilities:

1. Graduate and become a school psych*logist in May (whee! )

2. Go on a trip alone to somewhere I’ve never been and meet interesting people along the way.

3. Land a job. Since I’ll be done with school, it’s only natural that I look for a job in the CAREER (wow, it’s insane to finally say that!) that I’ve chosen. I’m so excited to get out there and start making a difference in the lives of students.

4. Buy a couch. I know that sounds strange but after being in college for about 7-years, I think it’s time I buy a nice couch. A couch that I can be picky about and not get crumbs anywhere.

5. Adopt an animal. I haven’t had a pet since little Spencer the rat passed away this past summer. I need another pet in my life. If only to cuddle with when I’m lonely.

6. Train for a complete my first half marathon.

7. Continue to be the best person I can be and not be negative about myself. Only positive thoughts are allowed in my brain. Negative thoughts will quickly have to see themselves out.

8. Continue to evaluate and re-evaluate my professional goals and aspirations. I’m a true believer that it’s not the size of your paycheck but the size of your heart at the end of the day. I want to make absolute certain that I’m happy with what I’m doing on a daily basis. I say this because in 2010, I want to consider applying for a doctorate program. But if I do this, I need to be careful and not jump into anything too quickly!

9. Try at least one new type of different or exotic food on a weekly basis (hopefully more!).

10. Volunteer. Simple as that

I’m really looking forward to 2010. Mostly because it’s my graduation date and we’re FINALLY going to be IN the year that I’m graduating! It’s pretty amazing and has been a long road.

My bachelor’s graduation (this is my favorite picture of the whole day because I was left outside in the rain! haha!):

My master’s graduation with my mom:

And stay tuned for my May, 2010 graduation! Yay!

I hope you are having an excellent Wednesday! Right now, I’m at Panera blogging studying for my certification exam on January 9th. Eeeek! I love Panera. I just had a chocolate chip bagel with reduced fat cream cheese even though I’m meeting friends for dinner soon. It was worth it and surprisingly, I’m still hungry!

hugs,

Julie