life in general · random thoughts by m

Control, Alt, Delete in 2014

According to the calendar, my alarm clock, my TV and my gazillion electronic devices, it’s 2014 y’all. And while I honestly don’t know where the time is running off to, I do know it’s time to think about what I’d like to control, alt or delete in the new year.  I’ve been doing a lot of thinking about resolutions and goals; ideals that I actually believe I can get behind and I’m finally ready to jot them down and put them into action.

Note: I have both resolutions and goals. I’m considering my resolutions as “the act of resolving something” or “an answer or solution to something” where my goals are my “objective, target or intent.”

 

Here we go!

 

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Control [things I’d like to start that in my opinion are aspirational yet very attainable and within my control]

  • Run a half marathon (goal) – My first step was signing up for the Philadelphia Love Run on March 30th. I am just starting my training plan and would like to blog about my experience as I seek to achieve this long-time goal.
  • Save $1,000 dollars (goal) – Since moving to NYC, I have been BLOWING through my (already meager) savings while not contributing much month to month.  While I know I could probably contribute more than $1,000, I’d like to hold myself accountable for savings an extra $1,000 outside of my regular checking accounts. Therefore, I would like to give $20/week or $80/month to my Dad to hold for me in order to reach this goal.  
  • Be grateful (resolution) – Now don’t get me wrong, I am grateful for many things but I often feel like I can get caught up with all the things that are going wrong, as opposed to just stepping back and being grateful not only for the things that are going right, but also for the wonderful things I have. When I was living in Minneapolis and I was really sad and homesick, my wonderful friend Sara told me about this awesome app called Gratitude Journal, which allows you to track the things you’re grateful for, daily.  It doesn’t have to be big things — sometimes mine are as simple as, “I’m grateful for Thursday because Scandal is on tonight” or “…that extra hour of sleep.” But what I love about this app is that it saves all your daily entries and it’s sometimes nice to go back and reflect on the (little or big) things that you are grateful for.  I have a lot to be grateful for and I would like to spend 30 seconds a day jotting that down in the app so I have a record that life isn’t always so bad.  
  • Blog at least 5 times a month (goal) – I absolutely LOVE to write. I really do. But it’s time-consuming and sometimes blogging can be a lot of work. But this little space is all my own; a wonderful outlet to keep record of my path in life and I don’t want to take that for granted.  I actually hope to write more than 5 times a month but I also want to realistic. In order to achieve this goal I really want to focus on writing for myself. The things that are on my mind or the things I would like to share. If I focus on that, it truly takes any pressure off. 
  • Take one real vacation (goal) – My friends would say I travel all the time and that I do.  But I honestly can’t tell you the last time I took a full week off to decompress. This should be a vacation that I plan solely because I have an interest in going/doing/seeing/exploring/relaxing.  This will not be a long weekend due to a wedding, baby shower or any social function or event. This vacation would ideally be 5 days or more bookended in between two weekends.

Alt [alternate/things I’d like to change]

  • Be present (resolution and goal) – It’s a nervous tick. And a damn shame.  I am guilty of sitting on the couch watching TV with my roomie but texting the entire time, sometimes asking for a courtesy rewind because I missed a key plot in the storyline.  Or I’ll be out to dinner with my friends or my Mom and I’m checking my phone under the table. Or, I’m so obsessed with getting the right photo (head titled, skinny arm, “I need this side because it’s my good side”) that I miss the actual moment. And for what? So I can post it on Facebook or Instagram so people can judge?  I mean, don’t get me wrong, if my eyes are closed, we’re re-taking the picture but I would like to be less concerned with the image and more concerned with the moment; less concerned with what’s happening to everyone else, everywhere I am not and more concerned with where I am, who I’m with and what I’m doing.  
  • Say “no” more (resolution) – I have a hard time of saying “no” period, let alone saying “no” without feeling guilty. As a result, I often get stretched too thin and in hindsight, I become resentful of activities that I would normally love to do, if I didn’t feel like I were doing them out of obligation because I can’t say no. This will be a tough one but a necessary one in order to achieve more balance in my life.   

Delete [self explanatory but for real, y’all, this stuff has got to go]

  • Kill negative speak (resolution) – I am the absolute worst at this, especially negative talk about myself. I want to proactively try not to bash myself and my appearance because it’s just not useful. In fact, it’s more harmful than helpful. I know I am not perfect but I do believe there are things I could do to make myself more comfortable in my own skin…so I just need to be about it and make the changes so the negative speak doesn’t apply. Criticizing myself (whether malignant and benign) has got to stop.   
  • Kick fear to the rocks (resolution) – In a past life (5-10 years and 40lbs ago) I was fearless.  I had no qualms about being adventurous and trying new things (be it making the first move with a guy or trying to learn a new skill) but as of late, I’ve been afraid of almost everything.  I’d like to try a few things in 2014 not limited to but including 1) online dating (I’ve done it in the past but I’d like to use try it again as another avenue to meet gentlemen) and 2) more boutique classes such as Refine and Uplift. I’d like to push myself to get out of my comfort zone and discover strength I didn’t even know I had.  
  • Rid myself of texting and driving (resolution and goal) – I don’t do this often but even once is once too many!

How about you? What would you like to control, alt, delete in 2014? 

4 thoughts on “Control, Alt, Delete in 2014

  1. Hi Mecca Mec…long time, but I must first start off by saying that I have admired you since we met…at the time you where younger, but strong. I admire your drive and your goal to reach your goals. While I am sure it has been some challenges along the way, your since of direction at an early young age was refreshing. So congrats to you for wanting something and going after it. As to YOUR CONTROL ALT DELETE…I LOVE IT. I am a true saver, totally believe in it and love doing it…we should talk I have a couple of full proof things you can try. Being present, is my ALT to0…with so many distractions and the fast immediate world we live in its my daily struggle to stay in the moment…even as I type this I can think of 5 things I should be doing…lol…and DELETE…GIRL, i am a constant cleaner of my life, I don’t believe in carrying baggage in my personal life (home, friends, marriage, associates, etc.), I think that has a lot to do with my daily job, I deal with so much at work that is dysfunctional (its the job) that my LIFE for me has to be peaceful and any interruption of that peace makes me a maniac…so yeah, I am often cleaning my shelf and keeping people around me who support, encourage and hold me accountable. Thanks for your blog, I look forward to your words of wisdom. Thinking of you…kiss ya mom for me, I will try to see her soon.

    Kisses, Stephanie

    1. First of all, thanks for stopping by. Second of all, thank you so much for all your kind words! That means a lot and hopefully Mom and I will see you soon. Oh, and I would absolutely love to know your methods for saving (I need to get my life!).

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