I think it finally hit me today that it’s nearly mid-December and the year has officially started to wind down. When did 2012 decide to just sneak up like that?

I can easily say that 2011 has purely been about relationships. I have always been very blessed in who has been put into my life. But over the past few years, I have kind of struggled with knowing who to let in and who to politely shut the door on. Often times, I give people one too many chances and end up getting burned in the end. But this year, this year has been different. I feel like I finally have become much stronger and I feel like I have a good grasp on realizing who does and doesn’t have my best interest at heart.

So, when I look back on 2011, I’m not thinking about who is no longer in my life, I’m just smiling remembering all the millions of moments I have shared with all the wonderful people I am truly blessed to have in my life. I smile thinking about how much we have grown as individuals and as friends and it just makes me so happy.

In a couple of weeks I’ll be starting a new job and another semester at school. I am looking forward to both as well as continuing to build & enjoy my friendships.

Happy Holidays, friends. May yours be filled with joy, love, and laughter.

“Our relationships are mirrors – who we choose, who we let choose us, how people treat us, how we handle the hard patches and the good times – it’s all a mircocosm of our own personalities.” ~Bethenny Frankel

It’s hard to believe that another year has come and gone. I always like to see how everyone has classified the year…good, bad, exceptional, depressing, horrible, the best, the worst…it’s just so interesting to me how one person’s year can be totally different from someone else’s.

I love how even though January 1st is technically just another day in the books, to some, it’s the turning of the table, a chance for a fresh, new start. It doesn’t matter what word described your year because at that moment when the clock hits 12, you are instantly filled with new hope for what’s coming next.

My word for 2010?

Incredible.

I am pretty confident when I say that this past year was one of the best years of my life – one I will never ever forget. I am also pretty confident when I say I have never busted my ass as hard as I did in 2010. With hard work comes big rewards, right? =)

As I watched my friends write and discuss their goals for 2011 today, I couldn’t help but smile. All that hope and determination running through their veins makes my heart happy. As for me? Well, I have very few resolutions this year. My goals for the year are to:

Run a 10K in March (and continue to improve my running)
Continue eating healthy (with the exception of cupcakes here and there of course =) )
Improve my design & development skills
Continue to have & spread positivity
Have fun – I need to practice relaxing and enjoying life more =)
I am definitely looking forward to what is in store for 2011 – for myself and for my friends and family. The year will be as good as we make it. Aim high and appreciate every single moment of it. =)

Happy New Year!

December 11 – What are 11 things your life doesn’t need in 2011? How will you go about eliminating them? How will getting rid of these 11 things change your life? (Author: Sam Davidson)

I read a book earlier this year called, “Happy,” by Ian K. Smith. A large portion of the book focuses on being optimistic as well as putting yourself first, showing gratitude, pursuing your dreams, simplifying your life, and ultimately being happy. At one point in the book, Smith says,”Too many dark clouds can block the most beautiful sunset. Less is often more, and simplifying your life isn’t as difficult or as painful as you might think.”

Life is full of things I “don’t need” and 2011 is fine time to simplify my life in every way I can. Here are my 11 things I don’t need in 2011:

• More friends. I know that probably sounds pretty bitchy but I truly made a lot of connections in 2010 and now I really want to focus on making those relationships better before I start building more.
• Bad health. As much as I love food, I really don’t want to be the size of a cow. I have to continue to make working out and eating right a priority. And that doesn’t include giving up cupcakes and ice cream either. Moderation, people! Moderation.
• Negativity. I am pretty certain nobody needs this in their life and I know that I certainly don’t either. Life is too short to be anything but happy. But it’s also too short to get caught up in the “woe is me.” In 2011, I will continue to find the good in every situation, regardless.
• Structure. Ok, that’s some what of a lie. My life definitely needs structure as in organization but I also know that I need more adventure in my life. I need to start living in the moment more.
• Crazymakers. I read “The Artist’s Way” by Julia Cameron earlier this year. She talks about getting rid of the crazymakers in your life. “Crazymakers are those personalities that create storm centers. They are often charismatic, frequently charming, highly inventive, and powerfully persuasive…Crazymakers like drama. If they can swing it, they are the star. Everyone around them functions as a supporting cast, picking up their cues, their entrances and exits, from the crazymaker’s whims.” Enough said.
• Irresponsible finances. I like to shop. I can’t even lie about it. I have the, “work hard, play hard” mentality but I definitely think I’ve reached a point where I need to be a bit more responsible about my finances. I need to pay my credit cards off and save. There’s too many things I want to do in life and last time I checked, nothing’s free.
• Guilt. I’m sick of feeling like I “have” to do things – go to events, social gatherings, etc. I have no desire to continue doing things I don’t want to do and I’m not going to feel guilty or obligated anymore.
• Perfection. I think I constantly push myself because I don’t ever think what I am doing is good enough. For who? I don’t know. But I do know that I need to come to terms with this, sooner than later. Who I am and what I am doing with my life is good enough.
• Excuses. I am responsible for myself and for my actions and I need to own up to it. No more excuses – it is what it is.
• Worry. It’s useless. I believe there is a greater plan and there is truly no sense is worrying about stuff. Things will work out how they should – it’s up to me to see the good in how it does actually work out.
• What if’s. They can seriously go to hell. There is what happened and there is what didn’t happen and there should not be imaginary scenarios and what if’s running through my head. They are just false hopes. I need to be realistic.

*Photo Credit

I have to say, I am SO HAPPY 2009 is coming to an end. This year has been FULL of ups and downs, tears, laughter, love, friendship, and family, but I am ready to scoot 2009 out the door and wave hello to 2010. As we all know, its prime time to start making those New Year’s resolutions of dieting, working out, quitting smoking, planning to travel, or saving money.

At the end of every year, I like to reflect on how well I did on on achieving my New Year’s resolutions, but as I pulled up my list, I realized I had actually forgotten most of them. I had 8 “things to do” in 2009. I achieved 2. Wow. Really?

So, in an effort to make 2010 an amazing year, I tried to figure out what mistakes I might have made this past year that kept me from achieving my goals. In hopes of not making the same mistakes, here goes nothing:

I had too many goals.
Yes, 8 is a lot of goals. Hitting one goal is hard enough as it is. Think about if you went to play darts. What if you had 8 different targets to chose from? Which one would you try to hit first? Would you forget about some? Would you give up? I think our personal goals are the same way. Too many and you might lose focus, forget, or just give up. So, I’m just going to focus on one or two. And I know that if I achieve those goals before I celebrate 2011, I can always make more. :)

I wasn’t committed.
Sure, I can SAY I want to learn the guitar, I can SAY I want to run a half marathon, but how committed am I to actually DOING it? How much do I really want it? Mediocre commitment = mediocre results.

I had no checkpoints.
You can’t just write a goal on paper, cross your fingers, and hope you achieve it. For me, I achieve goals by planning. By writing baby goals for one big goal –weekly, monthly, quarterly – whatever works for you. By doing this you are creating checkpoints to keep yourself on track. If you’re not on track, re-assess at the checkpoint, and try, try, try again! Don’t give up.

So, whether or not you are trying to lose 20 lbs, start a small business, quit smoking, or get your website off the ground, I hope that you create a well thought-out plan of attack. Your goals aren’t going to be achieved by themselves. It’s going to take hard work and commitment.

As I mentioned, I am excited to venture into 2010, as I think most people are. New year, new beginnings. And this year, I will plan, I will commit, and I will achieve my goals. I hope that as you write your New Year’s resolutions, you will keep this in mind and set yourself up for success.

And hey if you don’t have any New Year’s resolutions, check out “Project 365: How to Take a Photo a Day and See Your Life in a Whole New Way” – it looks really cool!

So, say GOODBYE to 2009 and HELLOOOOOO to 2010!

Happy New Year!