I do not make new year resolutions. Instead I pick a theme for each year and I try to focus and explore that area throughout the year. I've had The Year of Friendship, The Year of Simplicity, The Year of Organization, The Year of Autonomy, The Year of Education, The Year of Closure, and the list goes on. I've been doing this for over 15 years now and I come away each year with new insight and a better understanding of myself at the very least.Last year my theme was: "2009 - The Year of Happiness." What's my theme going to be for 2010? I've already focused many years on "mind" and "spirit" themes. This new year is going to be dedicated to "body." It's health and fitness and everything physical. I have been neglecting my physical being for quite some time and I have decided I need to give the physical me some love and attention.
At present the idea is to start taking care of myself. Vitamins. Waterpik. Eating healthier (less take-out, more home cooking). An active lifestyle. Strength. Flexibility. Beauty.
I feel old. My body hurts when I get up in the morning, my back, my feet, my hips, and my knees. I know that can change if my lifestyle is more active, my body gets the exercise it needs, and my metabolism is elevated. I want to like what I see in the mirror again someday. I want to feel as good on the outside as I feel on the inside.
My initial thoughts on how to do this are different than how I'd approach this in previous years. I'm not going to buy a membership at the healthclub. I'm not going to force myself to run every morning (which I find quite brutal self abuse at the moment even though I used to love to run). So instead, I am going to focus on classes and activities that I actually am looking forward to doing! I've already signed up for a beginner's yoga class. I've also signed up for a informal dance class with friends. I'm trying to make a date with an old friend to go hiking on the weekends when our schedules are compatible. I'm going to order Wii's Dance Revolution too. I'm not going to over do it and push myself like I did last year when I got my Wii Fit and ended up barely able to walk for the better part of a week and never touched the thing again. This time, it's moderation and fun with an emphasis on fun. The more fun I have the more likely I'll come back for more.
I'm not going to give up my other passions either. I'm still going to take classes on subjects that interest me. This month it's a sewing class and a few jewelry classes. Next month I'm slating a quilting class and hopefully a weaving class and perhaps some glass/PMC classes and maybe some instruction on how to use my new kiln. Other areas I'd like to explore are play a bongo drum, pottery, basket weaving, woodworking, blacksmithing, creative writing (most forms), spanish language, photography, firearm/marksmanship, glass blowing, candle making, drawing, website design and development, and possible a refresher C++ class as a springboard into video game programming. I will continue my jewelry design, knitting, crochet and home improvement activities. I also hope to spend more time reading.
If I like the yoga and/or the dance classes, I'll keep doing them. If I don't, or if I get bored, I'll find other activities that sound fun and take classes for those. Other physical activities that sound interesting are Tai Chi, Qigong, Pilates, other forms of dance, hiking, hash house harriers/running, and walking the dogs on a much more regular basis and possibly other activities including the dogs. I hope to meet people that also have active lifestyles, and that I'll cultivate friendships with that will help reinforce this new way of life. Eventually I won't even have to think about taking care of myself physically because it will just be a part of who I am again after all these years.
At least that's the idea. As usual, the focus will morph as the year progresses and as my self-discovery advances. I love the luxury this provides and really look forward to each and every year, and whatever topic I chose to focus my attention.
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