2012: A New Year, A Fresh Start, A Happier Julia

I'm definitely NOT one for making New Year's resolutions.  I don't think one day on the calendar should be the inspiration for changing something about yourself.  I think the willpower to change has to come from a deep desire within oneself and the burning of that desire is what fuels us to keep going, as difficult as it may be, to reach our goals.

That being said, I did make some resolutions this year.  These changes have been in my mind and my heart for a long time but I needed a catalyst to put them into action.  Being the private person that I am, I had never thought to share my goals with anyone, but I think that doing so will help force me to stick with them, even when the going gets tough.  I hope you help me stay accountable for the goals that I set for myself; the changes I hope to make.

My deepest desire is simply, happiness.  Am I happy now?  Yes.  But I know I could be happier.  Happier with who I am, a more "me" version of myself.  My sister calls this "self-actualization" - realizing my full potential, becoming everything I am capable of being.  Not just in my career, although that is one area I hope to address, but in all aspects of my life:  my relationships with my family and friends, my health and fitness, my outward appearance and inward perception, the ways I spend my time and my daily interactions with others.  These are just some of the areas in which I hope I can grow this year.

A few months ago I read The Happiness Project by Gretchen Rubin.  It was a great book full of practical advice and personal anecdotes about a journey to become happier, and it was what put the seed into my mind that I could do something about my own happiness and personal growth.  I highly recommend it, as well as the website that goes along with the book, especially if you are hoping to find more happiness in your life.  I was also inspired by a fellow blogger, Caitlin of Style Within Reach (wonderful budget glamour tips and amazing fashion inspiration), to share my resolutions for 2012.  A couple of hers really spoke to me and I realized I hope to achieve some of the same things.

This year, 2012 will be a year of growth.  Personal growth, self-actualiztion, a happiness "project" of my own, if you will.  I have set a number of goals that I would like to attain in the coming year and a list of resolutions to keep in my mind as I set out to discover who I am, to become "me."  I hope to make this process as transparent as possible, so that you can help me stay on track.  Don't be afraid to call me out if something I'm doing/saying is not in keeping with my resolutions!

In true Julia fashion, I go from making no resolutions ever in my life to making a dozen all at once.  I guess I'm making up for lost time.  I am sharing two lists.   Goals:  attainable resolutions I am making a commitment to do.  And Personal Commandments: overarching principles to guide my actions and thoughts.  Some of my Goals need some tweaking in order to make them more concrete and measurable, as I think that will help to keep me motivated.  But I thought it would be better to write down what was in my head now, rather than waiting until it was perfect.

Goals for 2012

Run a 10K
Improve my physical strength
Volunteer/Donate my time to a cause I believe in
Write every day
Learn to paint - paint something I would be willing to display in my house
Improve my photography
Make time to read daily
Make a career change
Learn French
Spend more time outdoors (but take better care of my skin!)
Become a better friend/daughter/sister/wife
Explore and share my passions and knowledge with others:  food, wine, health, wellness
Travel somewhere new(destination TBD)

Personal Commandements 

Be Julia
Explore
Be Open
Be Confident
Keep Trying
Work Harder
Stay out of my Head
Ask for Advice
Ask for Honesty
Listen
Complain Less
Be More Grateful
Lighten Up
When in Doubt:  Mantras and Meditation
Trust My Instincts
Laugh
Show Love
Smile
Say Yes
Treat Others the Way I Wish to be Treated
Act the Way I Want to Feel
Let it Go
Be More Assertive
Better is (Often) the Enemy of Good (not everything has to be perfect!)
Do Not Worry About What Others May Think


So there you have it:  my 2012 resolutions.  They may not be your typical New Year's resolutions but they are what's right for me, and only me.  Here begins my process of letting go of who I think everyone else wants Julia to be, and embracing the real me.  I think we will all like the real Julia even better.