Screw New Year's Resolutions...

they inevitably fail. Okay... not inevitably. But most of the time. They're typically just something the person WISHES they could do, but aren't really ready to take the steps to follow through with (or they would have done it before the New Year).

This year, I have GOALS for 2011.These are not some unobtainable things I want because it's a new year, but rather because this is a new PHASE in my life, which happens to coincide with a new year. 2010 was crappy anyway, so I may as well use the beginning of 2011 as a benchmark for new beginnings.

Some are for personal growth. Some are for professional growth. Some are just things I want to do more in general... but all-in-all, these goals are meant to help achieve one ultimate objective... to be HAPPY! I can't think of a better reason to have goals.

LEAH'S GOALS FOR 2011:

1. BE SELFISH- I know this sounds bad, but I don't want you to misunderstand. I am a compassionate and understanding person, in general... but almost to a fault. A lot of the time I do things just to please others, no matter the pain, anguish or inconvenience it causes me. And that's a lot of what caused me end up where I am now. Screw that. I am done. Time to put Leah first for once. At least for a while.
2. SIMPLIFY- Get rid of clutter and things I don't need. Get down to the bare minimum. Spend less. Pay off debt. Save more. This refers to things, people, situations... anything to unclutter my life and ultimately, my mind.
3. PRACTICE MINDFULNESS-  Be okay with and accepting of the now, however it is. Meditate and do yoga regularly.
4. APPRECIATE WHO AND WHAT I HAVE- Especially all the awesome people in my life- my amazing friends and family. Remind them how much I love them through actions and words. Although this may seem contradicting to my selfishness, it's really not... these people are understanding of the things I need to do to better myself and will probably only encourage me to do them. Those who have and will be there for me, I will always do the same for them!
5. SET HEALTHY BOUNDARIES FOR MYSELF- and honor them. These are things I need to do, no matter how difficult, because I know they will be healthier for myself in the end.
6. BELIEVE IN MYSELF- Focus on my positive qualities, work to improve the less-than-desirable, and know that I have the strength to accomplish anything I put my mind to.
7. PICK UP A RANDOM HOBBY-  Something really fun I can do on a weekly basis to let loose and periodically give my mind a break. Some ideas include swing dancing lessons or picking up playing the viola again.
8. READ MORE- I like reading. I learn stuff. Or laugh. Or heal. It's good, and I will do it more.
9. WORK RANDOM JOBS- I've been in career mode for 5 years, and probably will be for the majority of the rest of my life. Instead of  making big career moves, I am going to use this year as a transitional period to do random jobs I've wanted to do, and may or may not have the chance to do again. Some things I'm looking into- working on a farm this summer or briefly stepping back into the restaurant scene. I've got other ideas too. ;)
10. BE LESS JUDGMENTAL- I think a lot of us are guilty of this, and I am no exception. I want to approach people and situations with the least amount of bias as possible. Who am I to judge, when I could so easily be judged myself? It's just not fair.

While there may be others, I'll limit this list to 10 objectives for now. After all, I want to keep it realistic, which I totally think all of these are. And they compliment each other nicely!

Otherwise, an update on me: I am feeling stronger all the time, despite my good and bad days/moments and am slowly gaining confidence in myself again. I am getting more and more excited about all the possible directions I can go in my life...Nothing is  holding me back from reaching for my dreams! That is pretty awesome... This is undoubtedly going to be a year of change and growth for me, and I am beginning to embrace that.

Happy 2011 to all of you! Skip the resolutions...Maybe it's your time to put down some of your goals for the new year, too. :)