For over twenty years, I’ve sat down on New Year’s Eve to reflect on the past year, writing down the highs and lows as well as my resolutions for the year to come. Thanks to my mom preserving (a.k.a. hoarding) every memento of my youth, we found the original New Year’s 1997-98 entry from my childhood journal! It’s clear many of my concerns at 12 are still relevant today. (Considering I’m still in grad school, even #1 applies!) Trying to make sense of the unexpected death of my swim coach and a few close family friends while balancing weight issues, boy problems, and school, 1997 was a year of significant personal growth for me (as well as physical growth, which was NOT fun in middle school!). Looking at the past is definitely helpful in looking ahead at the future, and I hope we all take some time to reflect right now as 2017 comes to a close. I also hope that sharing my past and current resolutions – both humorous and serious (yet all true!) – resonate with you as you consider your own goals for 2018!
1998 Resolutions:
2018 Resolutions:
1) “Don’t sweat the petty things, and don’t pet the sweaty things.” Ok, so maybe I don’t mind petting the sweaty things now that I’ve become a gym rat, but the rest of this daily mantra of mine rings true. If you’re anything like me and find it difficult to not take things so personally, let’s make an effort to let things roll off our backs (without Xanax!). Take a deep breath, don’t make mountains out of molehills, and don’t forget: “This, too, shall pass.”
2) Be vulnerable. I’ve never let any of my long-term partners be there for me when I needed them, and it’s taken me a long time to admit that to myself. When a frisbee flew into my face in Central Park a few summers ago and put me in the hospital, I refused to let my boyfriend of 2 years come with me. When I woke up during my botched wisdom tooth surgery a couple years ago, I called my brother to come get me – not my partner. Now, with a surgery planned for mid-January (I have problems, what can I say?!), it’s up to me to let my man in. In 2018, may we all admit our strengths and weaknesses and seek love and support when we need it. There’s no shame in asking for help! (Somehow, I have no trouble asking my doorman to open my salsa jar or my Uber driver to zip up my BCBG bodycon dress, but I can’t ask a loved one to make me soup when I’m sick?! That’s sick, y’all.)
3) Reduce my Splenda intake. This white granulated powder is my drug. My addiction even comes out in this 60 Second Doc about me! I need to freakin’ switch over to Stevia or something. Help!
4) “Surround yourself with the best.” I recently read an amazing business development book by my friend Cliff Lerner, and this particular tip stuck with me: “Write down the five people you spend the most time with. If you become the average of them, would you be happy with that outcome? If not, it might be time to upgrade your inner circle.” I’ve had toxic relationships and friendships in my life, and I’ve stuck ’em out, even if they brought me down. It’s time to reevaluate our inner circles. Have a friend that always gives back-handed compliments? (Ex: “Most girls look really bad with a chest as flat as yours, Erin, but you make it work.”) How about that passive-aggressive, push-and-pull guy you don’t want to be dating, but still are? It’s time to resolve to cut out the crap from our personal life as strictly as we resolve to cut out the crap from our diet! In 2018, let’s all evaluate the quality of the relationships we surround ourselves with.
5) Throw out the garbage – literally and figuratively. I have this horrible habit of waiting until my trashcan is brimming to the point I have to jump on it to make it possible to tie it before hauling its impossibly heavy load to the chute. I’m vowing here and now to take my trash out before it reaches bursting point, and I’ll do the same with the bulk I let pile up in my personal and professional life. I get more emails and voicemails on a daily basis than I know what to do with, and I need to harness the power of saying “no” and prioritizing the important things. (See right for my current iPhone screenshot, and note: NO swipe apps!) I try my best to reply to every message I get, but it’s hard to manage such a full plate, and I have no one to blame but myself for taking on so much. It’s time to take out the trash, y’all!
While I have several more resolutions for 2018, that was my top 5. Check out the rest of my 1997-98 journal entry below. Lastly, if you’re looking to set any relationship and dating goals for 2018, I have a 50% off promo running for the month of January for a one-hour consult for my private business. And, if you have any fitness or nutrition goals for the New Year, shoot me an email to join me and some new friends for a workout class sometime! Just email me at shabbatness@gmail.com.
Wishing you all love, health, and happiness in 2018!
