Bring It, 2014

We’re a solid two weeks into the New Year, and I’ve been thinking about all the stuff I’d like to accomplish in 2014. Here’s the initial list:

1.   Learn to knit, and give lots of cool knit gifts to people. I think it’s really cool to be able to literally fabricate clothing for yourself, and others. I’d like to think that if/when Doomsday hits, everyone will clearly be looting and pillaging just to find a good pair of mittens to fight of the bitter chill of post-apocalyptic reality. Except for me. I’ll be one step ahead of everyone. I’ll have already MADE stockpiles of them, and when everyone else dukes it out just to keep their digits warm, I’ll be miles away, getting first pick of the available nature forts in which to settle down. Thanks a lot, knitting! You’re a real life-saver!
      And if the apocalypse never comes? Well, I still think it’s nice to be able to give somebody something that you made. And luckily for me, my grandmother was a pretty epic knitter—so I’ve been fortunate enough to inherit virtually all of her knitting supplies on which to plot my apocalyptic coup d’état practice. I’m actually doing kind of okay! Here’s a few things that I’ve managed to make thus far:

The first hat I ever made. My model is psyched!

Hat for le boyfriend. Model less psyched.

Hat for le me. Model unpsyched & sleepy.

2.   Keep up on my body metrics and continue to lower overall body fat percentage. I totally flaked out on this by the last three months of 2013, so naturally, I climbed back up in my measurements. Well, I’m back on the band wagon and still have my eyes set on <25% body fat.  As of Friday, I’m starting at exactly 28%. Game on.

3.   Take more fitness classes. I think they are both fun and funny. Fun because you don’t really notice the passage of time, and feel rather productive at the end of the group. Funny because—well, just think of the most uncoordinated person you know doing Zumba—and then superimpose my face onto that poor soul’s. If you’re not laughing, get some more clumsy, rhythm-less friends! You’re missing out!

     I don’t care how stupid I look, Zumba fills me with glee, damnit. Who doesn’t love the hysterical contrast between feeling like a sexy, superstar salsa dancer and looking into the studio mirror, only to see your body is actually twitching away chaotically, bearing no resemblance to the moves of the instructor? It’s like a workout and humbling experience/comedy routine all in one!

4.   Blog more often. And incorporate other topics in addition to my fitness musings. Ideally, I’d love to get in a blog a week. Realistically, I’d be happy with one every two weeks.

5.   Run a 5k outright—no obstacles, no mud. I’ve always wanted to do this, but by now, you are familiar with my love/hate relationship with running. But you know what? It’s just time.

6.   Act with intention and be present. Sometimes, I get this existential feeling that I’m just aimlessly wandering through life my day. Have you ever gotten in your car to head to work, and then suddenly arrive, without really remembering the details of your drive? Or had to say, “wait, what” when you realize someone has been talking to you for the past several minutes? Have you ever reached your hand into the M&Ms for a quick fix for your sweet tooth, then suddenly realize you’ve plowed through half of the bag? You’re not alone.

     I often feel like I’m not really paying attention to things that happen in my day. That I’m just going through the paces without really being present. It’s kind of frightening, actually, and I feel like I’m becoming numb to my own life.  So, I’d like to practice being more mindful and actually experiencing my day rather than just surviving it. Wow—that was heavy.

7.   Continue to contribute the global collection of cat photos. Because, honestly, you can never get enough love and nobody ever died from cuteness overload.

This goober is passed out. She would be so dead in the wild.

 

So far, that’s all I can think of—though I am sure there are many more goals that will develop over the next year, anyway! It’s never too late to start something new!

I hope your New Year’s Resolutions are still standing strong! You are two weeks in already! Hang tough!