My New Years Resolutions

I realize I am a almost about three weeks late but let's just say I rang in the new year in an entirely new way and have been a little preoccupied lately with the downward spiral that is my life.

I quit my job.  I moved to a new city.  I moved in with my boyfriend (Eeek)!  It has been a few weeks of nothing but change change change here in my neck of the woods!  So I needed a little bit of time to sit down and actually think about some of my new years resolutions for the year since so much has changed already.  However, as I looked back on 2013, I didn't do half of the things that I wanted to do or said I was going to do!  So this year is going to be different (I know I say that every year), but what will be different about it this year, is this list.  I have not made a new years resolution list in I don't know how long!  So this year is going to be different!

1. Continue to blog!  Start a day to day journal.  Even if nothing exciting happens, try and write in it everyday!
2. Take my vitamins and develop a better skincare routine.  I am so bad about washing my face and brushing my teeth twice a day.  I need to take better care of myself now so I don't look like I'm 50 in a year!
3. Complete my bucket list for the year (list coming soon)!
4. Find a job I love
5. Go back to school and find a career I will be passionate about
6. Stick to a workout routine.  Workout when I have time and don't stress when there is a day I truly don't have time to workout, but nonetheless, do not skip more than two days in a row!
7. Vow to visit a friend at least once a month.  Doesn't matter who or when or why, just maintain my relationships better and make sure I at least talk to those I don't see once a month.
8. Try and be less negative.  I have been a real Debbie Downer this last month.  I need to be more conscious of how my mood affects others and those that love me that are around me all the time (darling hubby).  I need to work on being more positive and happy even when my chips are down.
9. Drink more water, and drink less beer.  I've been really bad about this lately.
10. Kick my nicotine habit for good.  Yes I have been an off and on smoker for years and even when I cut back I still smoke about half a pack a week.  It's time to nix it for good.

I just generally want to have a year that I look back on and am proud of.  I need to find what I am passionate about and do what I love on a daily basis.  I've struggled with this in the past.  But I started this year by giving up things I didn't particularly love for someone I absolutely love and I'd say that's a pretty good start.

This article was posted in Glamour originally and then republished by the Huffington Post.  I thought it to be an amazing article that truly hit home a little bit since I am well on my way to approaching the big 3-0!  However, based on this list, I think I can comfortably coast into my 30's!

30 Things Every Woman Should Have and Know by the Time She's 30

By 30, you should have ...

1. One old boyfriend you can imagine going back to and one who reminds you of how far you’ve come.

2. A decent piece of furniture not previously owned by anyone else in your family.

3. Something perfect to wear if the employer or man of your dreams wants to see you in an hour.

4. A purse, a suitcase, and an umbrella you’re not ashamed to be seen carrying.

5. A youth you’re content to move beyond.

6. A past juicy enough that you’re looking forward to retelling it in your old age.

7. The realization that you are actually going to have an old age -- and some money set aside to help fund it.

8. An email address, a voice mailbox, and a bank account -- all of which nobody has access to but you.

9. A résumé that is not even the slightest bit padded.

10. One friend who always makes you laugh and one who lets you cry.

11. A set of screwdrivers, a cordless drill, and a black lace bra.

12. Something ridiculously expensive that you bought for yourself, just because you deserve it.

13. The belief that you deserve it.

14. A skin-care regimen, an exercise routine, and a plan for dealing with those few other facets of life that don’t get better after 30.

15. A solid start on a satisfying career, a satisfying relationship, and all those other facets of life that do get better.

By 30, you should know ...

1. How to fall in love without losing yourself.

2. How you feel about having kids.

3. How to quit a job, break up with a man, and confront a friend without ruining the friendship.

4. When to try harder and when to walk away.

5. How to kiss in a way that communicates perfectly what you would and wouldn’t like to happen next.

6. The names of the secretary of state, your great-grandmothers, and the best tailor in town.

7. How to live alone, even if you don’t like to.

8. Where to go -- be it your best friend’s kitchen table or a yoga mat -- when your soul needs soothing.

9. That you can’t change the length of your legs, the width of your hips, or the nature of your parents.

10. That your childhood may not have been perfect, but it’s over.

11. What you would and wouldn’t do for money or love.

12. That nobody gets away with smoking, drinking, doing drugs, or not flossing for very long.

13. Who you can trust, who you can’t, and why you shouldn’t take it personally.

14. Not to apologize for something that isn’t your fault.

15. Why they say life begins at 30

Things I've learned about being broke-ish

I have still not found a job which is causing me a high level of stress and anxiety these days.  I cannot help but think its a little bit of karma telling me I should have been pinching pennies all these years instead of spending a better part of my salary on red wine and shoes.  Good news is, those shoes are getting a lot more use since I no longer work in yoga pants, bad news is, I'm finding it difficult to put on pants everyday!  Yes this girl has 99 problems but sweatpants aren't one!  So I'm finding myself trying to not only pinch pennies but hoping if I rub the pennies hard enough a genie will pop out or something.

In case that you find yourself unemployed and not wanting to spend money, you have to find entertainment elsewhere and be creative about your spending or lack there of.

I have successfully managed to put together 5+ outfits for each staple piece of clothes in my closet.  I found new ways to dress things up, try outfits with a different pair of shoes, or just by adding a blazer over my favorite summer tank!  To be honest, I just wanted to put on a pair of pants.  Any pants, just a pair of pants.

If you close the bathroom door while taking a shower and turn the water up really hot, it sort of feels like a sauna.  And the best part is, you don't have to share it with people who awkwardly forget to wear their towel.  And you want to be real daring, turn on the shower and do some yoga in your bathroom!  It's like my own personal private hot yoga studio.

Speaking of fitness, since I have just moved here and have not found a gym yet I have resorted back to doing my p90x and Taebo fitness DVD's in lieu of my typical gym workout.  My ten pound dumbells may not be as efficient as the typical ones I lift, but hey, if I'm going to be broke, I mine as well be skinny!

You can successfully spend an entire day watching nothing but reality television.  When you have no drama in your life, well, when you really have nothing in your life, it's actually pretty fun to watch.  I am completely caught up with the Kardashians.  I wish I could list that as a skill on my resume.

If all else fails, always turn to social media.  If your facebook is anything like my own, you can easily find a few good people who you went to high school with that will always make you feel better about your life.  You could be unemployed with three baby daddies who don't pay child support.  Remember, it could always be worse!