Cheers to the New Year!

Alison
Jan 3, 2020
3 min read

Updated: Mar 23, 2020

Leaving this decade behind, I am enthusiastically and brightly looking forward to what 2020 brings. In 2019 I vowed to work on myself, my outlook on life, my health and wellness. I cannot say that 2019 was easy, and certainly had a lot of bumps in the road with many highs and lows. Last year, when I rang in 2019 I knew that focusing on myself, and both personal and professional growth would help in all other aspects of my life. From my friendships, potential relationships (as I had been perpetually single for 5 years), my work and my family. Last NYE I was sick and stayed in, which gave me an opportunity to reflect and fully commit myself to personal growth. That NYE I watched the Tony Robbins documentary and was in total awe of his ability to turn people's lives around in just a few short days. I subsequently bought books to help my with my mental toughness, and began seeing a therapist. Yes, I know acknowledging seeing a therapist is something people don't usually divulge, but I want to be open, transparent and relatable to those who follow me. I knew that in 2019 I would be leaving my 20's and entering my 30's. This was never a scary or daunting right of passage to me, but yet I know you "enter your prime" in so many ways in your 30's. So how did I end up accomplishing this?

I started by setting small/attainable goals. People tend to set lofty resolutions and inevitably give up within the first month, and feel like they have failed. One of my smaller and more attainable goals was to drink more water which is better for your skin, helps maintain a healthy weight and helps you feel refreshed. Just by drinking more water I was setting myself up to succeed at my resolutions in 2019. Also, I had always wanted to run a 1/2 marathon and in 2019 I completed 3 of them. Never in million years would I have thought this possible. In 2020, I look to challenge myself even further by improving my times and run a sub 1:40 1/2 marathon. Another of my 2019 resolutions was to quit swearing. If any of you know me, this if DEF an area where I needed improvement. I set my goal too high on this one and should have looked at lessening it rather than cutting it out completely. My final resolution from last year was to start saying 'no' to things and people. I have always struggled with saying no to others because I didn't want to let them down or lose their friendship. But I never knew how exhausting it was on me mentally, emotionally and physically to continuously over extend and spread myself thin.

I look forward to the next decade and plan for growth, happiness and success to be in my future. During the last decade I feel I accomplished so much. So I can hardly wait to see what the next 10 years have in store for me. My New Year's resolutions for 2020 are along the same lines:

1.) Surround myself with positive people who genuinely want what's best for me

2.) Continue to grow and set my sights on new endeavors

3.) Reduce my swearing (since last year was a fail)

4.) Live in the moment