Resolutions - 2017

2016... what a ride! Although life in the fast lane can be fun, I am really looking forward to some of the big changes I have lined up for 2017. But before I get to those changes - let's see how well I did with my 2016 resolutions!

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Here are my resolutions from last year, and my feedback in bold!

1. Fitness - I really like the at home (Beachbody) workouts I've been doing. They pretty much take away any/all excuses, and the portability keeps me on track when I travel. I would like to check out options for a weekly fitness class of sorts (MMA? Hip Hip Dance?) just to do something different for cardio. I still do and immensely enjoy the at home workouts. This year I also added running, and biking to the mix. I also took a swim lesson from a close friend (thanks Ana!). But the most fun I had in this department has been attending outdoor bootcamp classes on Monday and Wednesday nights. The people are awesome, and it's run by an upbeat guy named Josh who devises pretty intense (but scaleable) workouts, that are paired with his hand selected tunes that are blasted through speakers. For anyone local to Fort Lauderdale, I highly recommend giving it a shot! Here's the link if you're interested. It's a very welcoming group with all types of people, sizes, and skill levels. 
2. Diet - Like most Americans, the holidays put a slight damper on my diet, but nothing too crazy. So when I get back to Fort Lauderdale (currently in VA visiting for the holidays), I plan to jump back on track. Ehhhhh my diet has really been 70% healthy, and 30% frat boy. I could have done better with this resolution.
3. Work - Do my thing. And maximize the opportunities I have been given and will continue to get. I'm proud to say that I managed the marketing of about 50+ properties, when typically someone in my role has no more than 35. My team also won an award for one of the websites I worked on - so that was pretty cool! It's been fun to bring these luxury properties to life.
4. Social - I've recently achieved a much better work/life balance, and really look forward to continuing to enjoy it in 2016. I feel as though I have really made such great friends in South Florida... the hardest part is actually hanging out with them as they are very similar to me - very busy and always on the go! In 2016 I also learned that even though it can be difficult and even a little scary (especially when it's a very close friend), that sometimes it's best to let people go if proven to be more negative than positive. 
5. Personal - Stick to my guns. I'm surrounded by temptation in any and every form you can and can't imagine. I've made some mistakes, and although I've already moved forward from them, writing them as a goal is a good reminder to be the person my dog thinks I am. I definitely accomplished this. I'm human, and I make mistakes. But I didn't do anything to broke a strong moral code I have for myself.
6. Travel - San Antonio (ok this one is a gimme b/c it's for a work trip), Key West (maybe for my bday?), NYC, and somewhere in Europe (Iceland? Budapest? Ireland? Barcelona? Italy? To be decided...). Definitely knocked this one out of the park! San Antonio, Key West, Budapest, Vienna, Prague, Bermuda, Portsmouth, NH, New Orleans, Boston, Cape Cod, San Fran.
7. Photography - I bought an absurd camera, and I'm definitely getting the hang of it but still have a lot to learn! I've certainly improved my camera skills. I still have ways to go, but I'm chipping away.
8. DanaChirps - Just keep writing. Still writing! I'm also proud of my rebrand and website revamp.

My goals for 2017:

1. Fitness - Ease into training programs, and be more diligent about injury prevention. I had two injuries this year - left knee and left hip... largely due to going balls to the wall. As much as I looooathe stillness - I'm afraid that yoga might need to happen more regularly regardless of whether or not I want to. At least I love yoga apparel, so I'm halfway there.
2. Diet - This year I'd like to focus on eating clean. My plan to accomplish this is to do more cooking and going out to eat less. Luckily now that I have a boyfriend, it's a lot more fun to cook. I don't enjoy cooking for myself - it's just a utilitarian task when it's just me. But I do enjoy cooking for someone who warmly appreciates my meals.
3. Work - Find projects/work that allow me to feel empowered and fulfilled. 
4. Travel - I don't know where. I don't know when. I just know. And considering we're only two weeks into 2017 and I've already traveled to the Dallas area and Orlando... I think I'm on track. 
5. Photography - Practice, practice, practice. I also ordered a couple of new gadgets that I need to learn. 
6. Embrace Simplicity - Buy less stuff. Don't do everything all the time. Just stop and BE more often.
7. Relax More - This sort of ties into embracing simplicity. I'm a naturally high-octane person, but I think it would be beneficial for me to learn to make time to operate at a level 6 rather than a constant 10. 
8. Relationships -This effort is for all kinds of relationships I have. But I'd like to continue to work on being less reactive. I'm not totally sure, but I think it stems from thinking of worst case scenarios when something is unknown or unclear to me. Worst case scenarios are often sort of scoffed at, but my reality is that on more than one occasion the worst case scenario I imagined was actually the truth. Learning to separate past from present is a challenge, but it's one that I think I could benefit from. 
9. DanaChirps - I am really focusing on building the social presence - so if you're not already following me - click on the little grey social media icons on the top right hand corner, and subscribe to my email newsletter (homepage). Emails probably won't be launched until Q3.