(In alphabetical order because why would it be any other way?)
Action
This year I want to DO things. I don’t want to read about them or think about them or plan them out. I want to make shit happen for myself. A few things to do specifically: complete a sprint triathlon, become an angel investor, write a novel, and take a road trip.
Adventure
During my 26th & 27th year I spent a lot of time and energy moving: to different cities, to different jobs, and to different relationships. Now that I’m settled, I can put my time and energy towards exploring my new home and (hopefully soon) traveling to new places.
Ambition
I’ve got a lot of audacious goals to get to before I turn thirty (the biggest one I got to cross off last year was becoming a COO), and I only have two years left to make it happen.
Amusement
I want to laugh more. I want to find more things in the world around me entertaining. I want to resist the urge to zone out and numb myself with mindless scrolling or bottles of wine and start finding more pleasure in everyday things. Like the weird things my dog does. Like playing chess and drinking tea. Like bike rides.
Calm
Breath in peace, breath out prosperity.
Care
Somewhere down the line I ingested the belief that caring about people and causes is a vulnerability that will only lead to pain. I started keeping things at a distance, and retreating whenever I felt moved by something. I stopped volunteering my support or empathy for anyone or anything. It’s time to off-load that belief and realign with my natural ability to care about things, and to view this as my strength, not my weakness.
Clumsiness
Because, who am I kidding, it’s me.
Confidence
Basically I’m going to be less of a bitch to myself, because no one wrecks my self-confidence more than I do. One of my closest friends often has to stop me mid-shame-spiral and ask “Would you say any of these awful things about me? Then why are you saying them about yourself?” This year, I am going to stop saying awful things about anyone.
Courage
Lately I have been guilty of doing the things I kind of want to do instead of the things I really want to do. I’ve convinced myself that I’m still taking steps in the right direction, but if something doesn’t work out, it’s no big deal, it’s not what I really wanted to do anyway. It’s time to start going after the things I want now, without worrying about what will happen if I don’t quite make it, or if it turns out not to be what I want later.
Curiosity
What is the fastest way to learn a second language? How do financial markets really work, and how could we make them work better? What is my body doing when I back squat, and why? Do foxes have feelings? Why do the same types of wine not all taste the same? What makes a good parent? What’s the best technique for swimming? What is meditation, really, and what isn’t? Does my dog know I love him?
Delight
Like a kid on Christmas, except all the time.
Determination
This means leaving behind the fear of messing up that causes me to bow out too soon, to doubt myself and undermine my abilities when I haven’t given myself a fair chance. It means letting go of the worry that I will do something wrong so that I can learn to do it right.
Eagerness
I don’t want to hesitate. I don’t want to make pro/con lists. I don’t want to get worked up and get in my head and chicken out. I just want to GO.
Efficiency
One of my favorite things about myself is that usually I can find the fastest way to do things. Sometimes this means I do everything fast. I read one hundred books but I didn’t enjoy any of them. This year I want to use my skills for good instead of evil, getting things done quickly that I don’t want to spend time doing so that I have time to savor the stuff (activities, people, food) I like.
Energy
No more sleeping in! No more binge watching Netflix! No more eating pints of ice cream in one sitting! Ok, maybe sometimes. But less times.
Friendship
Old friends and hopefully some new friends in my new city once I can see people’s mouths again and don’t have to strike up weird conversations with strangers from six feet away.
Generosity
I’ve been sitting in a scarcity mindset where there’s only enough for me and no one else. Only enough toilet paper at the grocery store for me, no one else. Only enough room on this sidewalk for me, no one else. Only enough time to get this project done, no time to help anyone else. We’re told the value of saying no, and maybe when you’re Oprah you just have to but I’m not Oprah so I’m saying yes, to everything that comes my way, and I’m trusting that there will be time, and space, and resources for all of it.
Help
No seriously, you see this list? You think it’s getting done by me, all alone?
Hope
Especially during the pandemic, my outlook on the future has felt bleak. All the big plans I had when I moved to DC haven’t panned out, and I feel like I’ve lost an entire year of momentum. With the outpouring of cancel culture and scrutiny I’m starting to question what I could do that would have any real impact on the world, or if anyone would even want to me to do it. I think we’ve all become a little disheartened. I’m looking to regain the hope that brought me to a new city, a new job, and new relationships, and *hoping* it’s around here somewhere.
Humor
What do you call bears with no ears? B–
Integrity
I haven’t always had strong moral fiber. I would not have made a good Disney hero in my early years. I have a lot of years left to change that but I’m not putting it off.
Love
The thought of rejection sort of turns me into a fear-biter, but this year I will tell the people I love that I love them and I will NOT. BE. SCARED.
Novelty
I want to something happen in space, like a shooting star or an eclipse or something. I want to figure out how to enjoy the snow. I want to try painting, or pottery, or knitting. I want to bring new experiences into my life.
Reliability
This year I will be the kind of person that my friends and family know will drop everything and come running when needed. And I’ll be able to rely on myself, knowing that when I say I’m going to do something, I do my best to make it happen.
Rowdiness
And Rowdy, who constantly reminds that life is too short to act normal.
Satisfaction
Time to stop looking for something else and embrace what I have. I get so caught up in the future, in how what I’m doing today might impact what I get to do tomorrow, instead of looking at today and realizing damn, this was a great day.
Skills
How to drive a stick shift. How to drive a right-hand-drive stick shift. How to understand a balance sheet. How to analyze a start-up idea. How to do your taxes. How to do a handstand. How to start a podcast. How to cook pasta sauce from scratch.
Thoughtfulness
Taking the time to consider all options and possibilities, to be less hot-headed and more even-tempered, and to be more focused on how I do something than just getting something done.