In Honor of My Birthday…

I am not going to lie I had pretty low expectations for my birthday this weekend. The past year has been so crazy busy that the big day just kinda crept up on me. Birthdays are kinda like New Years; you build everything up, and it just becomes a disappointment. I have to tell you though, despite my best efforts to be a debbie downer, my birthday kicked ass thanks to the amazing people in my life. I feel so loved and appreciated, and it honestly feels really nice.

The one thing I do love about birthdays is they allow for reflection, and provide a clean slate for the rest of the year. I always get excited about the possibilities for the year ahead. Last year my birthday goal was the start a blog, and nine months after my birthday, I finally did it (better late than never, right?). In honor of my 26th birthday, here are the 26 things I am going to work on this year. And all of y’all out there can keep me accountable.

1. Listen more, talk less.

This is the way that relationships grow deeper. I think I can learn so much more about the people in my life by truly hearing what they have to say, rather than always just adding my two cents.

2. Keep my apartment cleaner.

I am way too old to live like a frat boy. It won’t kill me to hang up my clothes right when I am done doing laundry.

3. Do what I want, not what I should.

I have a tendency to say yes to too many things because I feel like I should. I am over that. I am going to start doing what I want because my happiness is important.

4. Give random gifts to the people I love. 

One of the best things about my birthday was the amazing gifts that my friends and family gave me. It wasn’t the material possessions that matter, but it was the thought that they put in to them. They really know me, and wanted me to be happy. It brightened my day, and I think its important to make people feel special…just because.

5. Appreciate people always.

This one is pretty self explanatory, but don’t take anyone for granted because you really never know.

6. Don’t measure success by the amount in my bank account.

Success is so much more than a $ sign. If your definition of success revolves only around money then you will never really be successful.  It is more about respect, helping others and doing your best.

7. Worry less.

I am infamous for worrying about everything in life, and after 26 years I can say that it gets you no where.

8. Be more emotional.

I am not sure why, but we tend to shy away from real emotions. That is not living life. I used to think it was a negative characteristic to “wear your heart on your sleeve. I now realize that is the way you want to be. Through vulnerability, you can actually start connecting with people in your life.

9. Write random notes to show people you care.

Words have a lot of power, especially when you take the time to write them by hand. The best thing about sharing kind words through writing is the recipient can go back and re-read them whenever they need a pick me up.

10. Buy less clothes, give more to notable causes.

I can probably go an entire year (maybe even two) before I really need to buy more clothes. Instead of buying another pair of shoes, I would rather my money go to the causes I care about.

11. Gossip less.

I am guilty: I am totally a gossip. This isn’t a look I am going for anymore.

12. Do more yoga.

I love the calm of yoga, and how when you enter a studio the rest of the world falls away. I want to make it a priority to get to more yoga classes, and really focus on finding the peace.

13. Date more.

I am in a really good place in life, and I finally feel really ready for a real relationship. My career is progressing on its own, and I have a new sense of confidence that I never had before. That being said, it has to happen organically. I want the RIGHT relationship, not just the most CONVENIENT.

14. Stop playing games.

This relates to #13 above. I am so tired of hearing about all the games you supposedly need to play to make a relationships work: be standoffish, wait 3 days to respond to texts, don’t be too available. It all seems so counterproductive to me, and I am not playing these bull shit games anymore. If so someone is going to like me, they are going to like me as I am.

15. Sleep in more.

Everyday doesn’t have to productive.

16. Ditch digital friendships.

What exactly does this mean? You know, we all have those people that we used to hang out with in real life, and now they only exist through text or Facebook communication. We always plan to meet for coffee or grab lunch, but it always falls through.  I refuse to have any kinds of relationships in my life that don’t involve face time every once in a while.

17. Check Facebook less.

I probably check Facebook 100 times a day. Why? I am not sure. Total waste of time.

18. Value silence more.

I used to think silence was awkward, but that isn’t the case. Sometimes not talking is more meaningful than talking.

19. Cook more.

I have to learn how to cook. By the time I turn 27, I want to have 2-3 recipes that I am a rockstar at.

20. See more movies in the theater.

Seeing movies, right when they come out, in the theater is one of my favorite things to do. It is the perfect way to escape from reality for a few hours, and to let yourself get lost. I hate watching movies at home because it is so easy to get distracted. However, I always feel like I can’t spare 2 or 3 hours to catch a flick. I am going to start making the time.

21. Meet new people.

You should never stop meeting new people because you don’t know what you can learn from others. Also, you never know who will make a lasting impression on your life.

22. Run more.

When I was living in NYC, I used to run without any destination. I never calculated the time or distance, I would just run until I was tired. Then, I trained for a half marathon over a year ago, and my enjoyment of the sport changed because it became a chore. Lately, I have been trying to get back into it because it is really the cheapest form of therapy.

23. Feel guilty less.

I am always feeling guilty for all the things I do, as well as, the things I don’t do. Whether it is not finishing my entire to-do list or not getting back to people soon enough, I am not feeling bad anymore. I will just do what I can.

24. Let time heal.

It is the control freak in me, but I always feel the need to have everything be solved right away. Sometimes that is just not the way it works. Time can be the ultimate remedy, and can really dictate whether something is meant to be or not.

25. Only apologize when you really should.

If you do something wrong or hurt someone, always apologize. However, I find myself apologizing for things I shouldn’t, mostly out of self doubt. I am going to stop apologizing for what I think or how I feel.

26. Don’t be guarded in any aspect of life.

Whether it is work or personal, I don’t watch to approach anything in a closed off manner. That isn’t living life to the fullest. And you miss out on really amazing opportunities.