2016, We're Ready For You

A no-stress guide to plotting, planning & scheming your plans for the new year

Last year, I made an ambitious list of resolutions. This year, I'm not even bothering. It's not because I don't believe in resolutions or even that I didn't accomplish any of mine, which for the record, I did. 

In 2015 I learned that planning your life out on a grand scale, say, over an entire year's time, is not only intimidating, but really impractical. You never know where life will take you. This time last year I thought I'd be living in California. I can only laugh about that as I pack my final bags for New York. 

"This time last year I thought I'd be living in California. I can only laugh about that as I pack my final bags for New York."

That doesn't mean I'll stop hoping, dreaming and planning, though. It just means that I'll be adjusting how I do those things.

1. Grab the cutest planner you can find

Writing onto the crisp pages of a cute new planner gets me excited. Opening it makes planning feel like an event – a special daily ritual, even.  I keep one main planner and a few supplementary notebooks for life's to-do lists, my blog and journaling. And yes, they are all adorable (I got mine from Sugar Paper L.A. for Target).

2. Plan a little now, plan a little later 

Planning too far and too specifically into the future gives me anxiety. When my family asks me to make plans for 2016's Christmas with them, I silently freak out. I mean, how am I supposed to say yes to going on a cruise in December? January JUST started. Instead, I plan in monthly or seasonal intervals. Plans that don't seem so far away become less intimidating and more tangible.

3. Break big goals down into smaller, specific ones

I'll be honest: to me, big, vague goals like "save money" or "be healthy" don't seem real. Last year, I wanted to "move more". Then spring came, and I realized I hadn't gotten any closer to making it happen. I needed to give it specifics. I wanted to take a burlesque class. After I looked up dates, times, prices and locations, it became real and pushed me to finally get my shake, shimmy and body roll going. P.S. I highly recommend taking a burlesque class.

So, girlfriends, how do you plan? Or are you just done and over with New Year's Resolutions completely?  

2015 dreaming

I don't know when making New Year's Resolutions became a thing to make fun of, because honestly, I like them. The possibility for positive change is exciting. Who doesn't want to become a better person?

This year I'll be 24. That's one year away from 25, which is what I believe to be the true, bonafide age of adulthood. In anticipation for that, I need to get my s**t together. 

These resolutions (fingers crossed) will get me closer to that goal. Cheers 2015! 

                          2015 Resolutions, Goals & Dreams                          

career | graduate college  

Once I graduate this year, I feel like the world will open up to me. Maybe it's naive with all the poor job market talk, but I feel like my career is out there waiting for me.

health | regular check ups  

I am making it my goal to set up regular doctor's appointments, and not just go if something seems wrong. Our health shouldn't be taken for granted. 

health | better diet 

In 2014 I made it a goal to cook more and eat out less, and I did it. This year, I want to cook with more fresh and nutrient rich ingredients. 

 life | exercise classes 

Hands down, I feel better when I moving. I've taken a few Zumba classes, but not regularly. This year I want to try a cultural dance class, a yoga class or a burlesque dance class. Maybe all three!

life | move to cali 

I've always been open to moving after college, I just always thought it'd be back to New York. After visiting L.A., I can see a chapter of my life being there. 

travel | cruise & New Orleans 

Oh, to be out at sea, getting my tan on, sipping a mai tai with friends. As you can see, I'm ready for a cruise. I've also wanted to visit New Orleans for as long as I can remember. It's so rich with history, and let's not get started on the food.

life | general goals

These are some that I have every year: read & write more, have better time management, explore Atlanta with my friends, spend less & save more. 

_______

Overall, I really just want to see growth within myself. I don't want my life to be a passing of days. I want to have something to show for every day, month and year I'm out here in the world. I mean, if I'm going to have get older, I might as well be getting better, right?

photos by Kaye McCoy