I don’t know about you, but the things that stand out to me from 2016 are the challenges I faced. Recovering from hip surgery, losing someone I love, and learning to maintain a house as a new homeowner. 2016 was a whirlwind of a year for me and for many, making it easy to get bogged down by the challenges we faced since they are what weigh most heavily on the mind. So to end 2016, I went back through my calendar (and I suggest you do the same) and I rediscovered (without much effort) some of the delightful things that happened and stood out throughout the year.
In January and February, it was decorating my new home (still a work in progress). In March and April, I planted a flower garden and sat on my porch to enjoy it after my runs. In May, I had a blast during a girls’ weekend in New York City. In June, I joined a Bible study. In July, I spent the 4th of July with my grandmother on Cape Cod, for what would now be the last time. I traveled to Louisville, Tampa, St. Augustine, Blacksburg, Charlotte, New York, Vermont, Harry Potter World, Cape Cod, and stayed in an exquisite old stone hotel and ate delicious food in Old Montreal. I celebrated my first wedding anniversary, and celebrated the weddings of many close friends. I spent time with family, friends, and myself. So for all the tribulations I faced throughout the year, there were many more amazing moments that are, unfortunately, easy to overlook, and for that reason it’s important to look back on them and savor each one.
Now, as I look ahead to the new year, I made some simple “resolutions” for 2017. I use the term “resolutions” loosely here, as they are more goals and ideas to live by rather than pledges.
1. Plan outfits the night before.
I always pick out my outfits before I head to work in the morning, and I need to stop doing that. First, because choosing outfits when I'm sleepy means I grab items I think look great together with my eyes barely open, but then when I look at my reflection in the office bathroom mirror I think, oh nooo what have I done! Second, I am always in a rush in the morning to head out the door, so I tend to choose the same simple outfits over and over again. I don’t have enough time to think of new combinations or accessorize, so it's easy to end up looking boring day after day. On the rare occasion (hopefully not so rare in 2017) that I do choose my outfit the night before, I feel better and more confident throughout the workday.
2. Wear the fancy clothes.
On the theme of clothing, I’ve decided to stop saving outfits for special occasions. I've come to realize that when I buy a dress that I adore, if I wait to wear it for a super special occasion, one of two things happen: either the occasion never comes or I end up waiting too long and by the time an occasion does come, it no longer suits my style. So in 2017 I am determined to wear my nicer clothes on a daily basis, and if I happen to stain one, so what. At least I got some use out of it.
3. Visit a museum a month.
I thought of this resolution months ago when I tried to recall the last time I visited a Smithsonian museum. How terrible is it to live in a city like DC and not take advantage of all it has to offer? When we grow older and take on more responsibilities, we forget to immerse ourselves in culture and new ideas. Cities offer so many opportunities that are just waiting to be taken advantage of, so it’s time that I do. In fact, I already have my January exhibit booked: Dupont Underground. It's a forgotten public work turned into an urban art gallery. I will be sure to let you all know how it is.
4. Get up early.
This is a good habit I have lost this past year. I used to get up in the 4 or 5 o’clock hour on the reg to go for morning runs before work. This year, however, I haven’t run since I had hip surgery and it’s amazing how quickly a good habit can be lost. The funny part is, even though running was my main motivator for those early morning alarms, I always cherished the days I got up at 5 and instead of running, sat on my sofa to watch morning shows or read a book. It’s time to get back in the habit. For tips on how you two can be a morning person, visit this past post.
Not only can you can accomplish so much in getting up an hour earlier (do a load of laundry, pick up around the house, do some yoga, go for a run, watch the news, read a book, enjoy a real sit down breakfast...) but it also makes your day feel longer and work day feel shorter. It makes you feel more in control of your every day and less like a workhorse. I love it. I’m going to work to get back to where I was.
5. “Exercise” aka stretch.
This is the time of the year when everyone decides to exercise more. I have never had to make that resolution because I truly enjoy exercising… as long as it’s something I want to do. I don’t complain about having to go for a run, because I love it. When I sign up for a yoga class, I look forward to it all week. But this year, I fall into a different category. Just two months out from hip surgery, I have just learned to walk again (still learning, actually) so running seems like a distant dream at this point. However, in recovering from hip surgery one of the most important things I have to do is stretch. Six. Times. A. Day. Do you realize how many times that is? It’s exhausting just thinking about it. And on top of that, I need to do an hour long series of hip exercises once a day. This is probably the only actual resolution I have on this list, since if I don’t stick with it, my hip won’t work. And that would be terrible. So for all you out there who hate exercising and said this is your year to get at it, I will be right there with you hating stretching and getting at it myself. Six. Times. A. Day.
6. Read the newspaper.
The best part about this resolution is that I can pair it with another (getting up early). Two birds, one stone. There are always so many things to do around the house that my Sunday paper very often goes unread, and I hate that! Not only does it feel like a waste, but when I do pick it up and read a few articles, I always learn something new and enjoy the time I spend reading it. Isn't it time we spend more time doing the things we enjoy?
7. Slow down.
Ahhh, this the resolution to top them all. I am a mover and a shaker. I hate sitting still and think walking should look more like jogging. Well, it’s time for me to stop rushing. I can’t even begin to tell you how many times this year I spilled my coffee because I was moving too fast to put the lid on tight, or lost something because I didn’t put it back in its rightful spot. You would think by now I'd realize that when moving quickly, you don’t really achieve anything all that much faster, and very often it ends in frustration. It's time to slow the pace, quit the rush, and stop making unnecessary blunders.
8. Continue to curate clothing.
This is something I picked up over the past year or so that I wish to take with me into the new year. I have become much more skeptical about the purchase I make, particularly with clothing. I used to buy a top or dress if it looked good and fit the occasion. Now I only by a new top or dress if it feels good and fits many occasions (and, importantly, if I already don’t have something else that fits the occasion). It is such a simple way buy, and for me it has made all the difference. It encourages me to dive deeper into my closet and pull out forgotten items and it keeps me from buying things that will look great for that one co-worker’s wedding, but that I will then never wear again after. Comfort and simplicity is key.
9. Pickup a lost hobby.
As we grow older and become more comfortable with the life we live we lose our passion to discover new things about ourselves or indulge in former hobbies. I think we also do this because when you are young, you are trying a million different things to find what you are good at. You finally choose a career and life style and stick to maybe two of those million things you once tried. Then down the road, you realize that you miss doing some of those other things. For me it is painting. I loved to paint. Before, I would paint because I had to in high school art class, or I would paint because I had free time to kill after college. Now, there are plenty other boring grown-up things to fill my free time and no teacher is there to tell me to paint, so I simply don’t. Picking painting back up will be a challenge for me because it is always scary to start something new, and though I used to do it daily, it does feel new. I hope I find the courage this year to pick it back up.
