The end of 2022 was rough for me andI didn’t give a shit about looking ahead. I lost my dear Roxy girl, was stressed at work and the stress of Rob and I living apart was getting to me during the last quarter of the year. Some of those stressors and grief helped me gain a new outlook once I was able to surface this new year though and I’m finally feeling in a slightly better place. Here are some of my thoughts around commitments I want to make to myself this year:
2023 Resolutions | Say Yes More
If you read past blog posts on resolutions, it’s always been about saying no and set very strong boundaries. I’ve mastered this for the most part so much so that I don’t leave the house or do anything outside my tiny little comfort zone that has continued to shrink during the pandemic. I’m finally ready to say yes to things that uncomfortable, but exciting like international travel, more trips to see Rob and plans to visit my friends to work events and volunteer commitments that I’ve refused for years now. I don’t think I’ll transform into a social butterfly or world traveler, but I’d like to be more open to these things. Life is too short.
So far, I’ve gone to London and Paris, a trip that has frightened me to make without someone who already is well traveled and having to figure out things for myself really tested me, but me and my anxiety got through it all and all I want to do is travel more. Rob and I just booked our honeymoon for Amsterdam and Paris this summer. I’d also like to look into an extended trip, like something month-long where I can work and live from an airbnb, but that might be something for 2024.
2023 Resolutions | Get My Health in Check
I started off the new year on the wrong foot with 13 or 14 days of migraines the first 17 days of the month. Just the overall stress of life has given me more migraines than ever, nausea and digestion issues. Instead of suffering through the pain, I went to my doctor and I’m working on some solutions medically, but taking the week off to travel was a reset my body and mind needed–and I wasn’t sick at all during my trip.
I’m finally speaking up a little more with doctor asking for a referral for a neurologist and dermatologist and getting my dental issues sorted out. A lot of appointments and stress, but worth it for my health.
2023 Resolutions | Explore New Hobbies
My hobbies change year to year it seems and at the moment, I’m interested in learning another language, specifically French and so far, bought an online class through the local community college in French conversations. It’s been super helpful, but I have so much more to learn, but excited to learn!
Rob and I have been taking dance lessons for the wedding and it’s been a blast and re-energizing for me. I’m interested in learning more dance, maybe a beginner ballet class for old people? I’m not good at this, but I’ve realized that’s okay. I’ve always focused on hobbies that I might be better at naturally but I’ve always been interested in dancing although terrible, plus I’m so over typical workouts that this might be a new form of exercise that entices me to get off the couch.
