Looking at Resolutions.

There must be something about January.... Something about this month that makes me want a fresh start. Something that makes me want to get moving, get creative, and get stuff done. I've noticed that as I get further into the year I get a little worn down and my energy and awareness for these things starts to lag. A few things that this obviously manifests itself in are my blogging and my reading. So as with every January for the past 6 years I'm going to give it another go. 

With blogging, with reading, and with the resolutions that started it all. 

Looking back on the past couple of years worth of new year's resolutions, I mostly see success. Where I maybe didn't reach my goal, I still made an effort and something about me was improved by challenging myself. 

Let's take a quick look back.

2010:

#1 is: Be Fearless....No matter what, don't be afraid to do anything that makes me happy.

#2 is: Travel more

#3 is: Read 100 books

#4 is: Drink more water

2011:

#1: Give more

#2: Read with meaning

#3: Take more photos and learn more about photography

#4: Run a half-marathon

#5: Eat clean

2012:

#1: Run a FULL MARATHON

#2: Make chores a priority

#3: Save Money

#4: Eat out less often

2013:

#1: Run for fun. Don't get injured. Run another half-marathon.

#2: Read for fun.

#3: Show more love. 

#4: Plan a trip somewhere I've never been.

2014

#1: Read 30 books.

#2: Stretch.

#3: Sign up for a race.
#4: Blog at least once a week.

It's probably hard out in blogland because you didn't know me before 2010, but I can tell you that working on these resolutions made me a more healthy, thoughtful, and adventurous person. When I began blogging I was probably drinking around five Diet Dr. Peppers a day (minimum), I wasn't exercising, and I ate microwaved dinners regularly.

No I didn't succeed at them all. I didn't end up reading 100 books in 2010, but I did read 73 books and that's pretty much incredible if I do say so myself. I did run a half-marathon in 2011! I actually ran two, then ran another in 2012! I've traveled to many new countries (and continents) and I've greatly improved my eating and water drinking habits (No more diet soda and I don't even own a microwave any more).

Looking back at these resolutions makes me excited about what the future will bring. Maybe in a few years I'll look back on this blog post and be amazed at how far I've come. 

Daisies on the last day of 2016

The last few days of 2016 I spent cleaning my house and getting my fridge full of food. I love waking up in the new year to a clean house and a healthy meal. It's like the ultimate reset. All the dirt is gone and I'm ready to start fresh. I couldn't pass up these daisies at the grocery store. Not quite ready to bloom in 2016, but watch out 2017!