New Year, Happy Me

2022 Recap: Fucking crushed it.

This last year, I have worked really hard to be my best self. Therapy, medication, using my voice, setting boundaries — ya girl been doing the most.

And it was a year I absoltuely crushed.

Sure, I spent 6 months unemployed, but I did so in style. I traveled, I spent time with the people who give me joy, and I decided to only do things that make me happy.

I started setting actual boundaries for the first time. Saying no, end of sentence. And I cut loose the folks that didn’t accept these boundaries.

I spoke up. Opened up about trauma and got vulnerable while fighting for better. I shared more with friends about my life and why I am the way I am. I kicked out friends who didn’t make me feel good.

And I waited for the right role for what I need right now.

2022 was dope. Sure, there were some hard times - a lot of them. My health hasn’t been great. Dating was a bit …interesting? Money was not as flush as I’d planned.

But when I think of this year, I smile.

So 2023? More of the same. I’m going to prioritize me, put more work in to be my healthiest mentally and hopefully figure out all this gestures wildly health stuff.

I’m going to travel more, smile more, be vulnerable more and put me first (and dog, obvi).

New Year doesn’t mean new me, it means focusing on me, period. It means just continuing the work and continuing the strive for better.

I don’t set NYE goals, I don’t do resolutions - I work everyday to get better. Regardless of the date.

For me, that’s winning.

What does the new year look like for you?

New Year, Same Sparkle

It’s time, the New Year, Same Sparkle post! I use the same title every year because 1. I don’t believe in New Year’s resolutions and 2. It’s pretty damn accurate.

Look we all know NYE is different in 2020. I hope you are all staying home, staying safe and being respectful of the world in which we live in right now. If you’re not, you’re trash. And I sincerely mean that.

I am spending the evening playing games with my Colorado quaranteam. It’s a very small group of safe friends. A very exclusive club — and no, you can’t sit with us. It’s a pandemic, please go home.

Because I don’t buy into resolutions, NYE is honestly just another day for me. I don’t really reflect that heavily on the year, I don’t think about changing in the new year.

Because 2020 has been anything but a normal year, it makes sense that I might feel a little different.

I’m still the same me, but I believe that I’ve become more me. I’ve embraced therapy whole heartedly and that means my growth into loving myself and owning who I am is off the charts.

I genuinely feel the best I ever have in my life.

So maybe new year, more sparkle?

I’ve struggled a lot with a lot this year, namely aging. I’m embracing it, but it’s also terrified me to be 35. It really really was a hard thing to face for whatever reason. Sitting at home all year and having time to look into the why of that — led me to a real breakthrough. Age ain’t shit. Write that down. It’s science.

That breakthrough has also made me feel so much ownership in the life I want to create. In 2021, I hope to continue to prioritize that.

It has also pushed me to own and celebrate who I am. And to not allow anyone else to tell me otherwise. In 2021, I hope to continue to show that.

That breakthrough has given me the courage to take a big risk, in 2021, I hope to continue to take big risks — especially when I’m scared to do so.

2021 is a new year, and while the pandemic isn’t over and there is so much to fix in this country — I am excited for all that is to come.

I hope things never go back to normal. I hope we raise hell and affect real change.

And next year I hope to tell you I’m my sparkliest yet.

Edit: Since I wrote this I decided to stay home entirely. It’s not worth the risk and because my friends are dope, they get it and respect it.

New Year Same Sparkle

I LOVE NEW YEARS. Realistically - I love the entire winter holiday season.  But NYE is defined by sparkle and celebrations and bubbles and excitement.  I LOVE ALL THOSE THINGS!

That being said - I do not love the dreaded New Year's Resolution.  I've always believed that there's no reason to wait for a new year to make a big change.  Want to quit your job and follow your dreams?  Do it now.  Thinking about popping the question?  Why wait? Craving a healthy lifestyle?  Get started!  The point is - why are you waiting for some arbitrary date to motivate you?  If you wont do it now, you're not anymore likely to achieve those goals because it's January 1. 

Can we all just skip the resolutions, stop crowding my gym, and focus on what NYE really means?  Dancing on tables in sequin dresses while drinking champagne with your friends.  I swear - scientifically that's what it stands for.  I think NASA discovered that...or something.

Ok you're right - the arthritis in my feet will keep me from dancing on tables this year but being a grown up means I can afford the good bubbles and the fancy dress.  Quick question - do they make sequin onesies?

While I will not be participating in the tradition of the New Year's Resolutions - I will continue to sparkle.  I will continue to work on bettering myself.  I will keep chasing the dream.  I will work on my physical and mental health.  I will never stop learning.  I vow to never stop speaking my mind (although sometimes I should, whoops!).  I vow to make everyone laugh as much as humanly possible.  I promise to keep asking the hard questions.  I promise to work on relationships with myself and others.  And I solemnly swear I will always always - be up to no good.

New Year - Same Sparkle! See ya when I see ya 2017!