10 Things to Accomplish in 2017

With the exception of travel, the bad far exceeded the good in 2016. There was a deficit of happiness as illustrated by my monthly updated list of “good things.” Aside from Japan being one, everything on there is work related. Not okay. It’s quite possible that 2016 was a non sequitur or perhaps a foundation year for 2017. I laid down the groundwork and now I’m putting everything into action. The wheels are in motion and I am MOTIVATED. Rather than focusing solely on work this year, I’m branching out to other facets of my life. Here are few things I’m making a point of focusing on personally this year: my 10 things to accomplish in 2017.

I have a tendency to start things, walk away, and leave fragments everywhere. It’s easy when you live alone, you’re accountable to NOBODY but yourself. Last year I moved around so much that my filing system for my taxes was a bunch of receipts in a shoe box. These are not things that are going to make me my most successful self. I’m penning in due dates and keeping them. I’m starting to organize those receipts now – not post-Coachella panic, and I’m putting things away after I use them. 21 days and it’s a habit I hear.

By trade, I’m supposed to document every single event in my life. It’s daunting and quite frankly, sometimes overindulgent. Everybody needs a few secrets, some mysterious, but more importantly we all need to remember to enjoy things in real time. Snapchat doesn’t have to be updated during a moving concert, an excellent dinner, or while simply hanging out with pals. I’m going to make a concerted effort to be present more often than not.

…and not like the garbage dump I’ve made it. It pains me to admit the type of neglect I’ve caused my body over the past two years. It’s more than just putting on a couple of pounds, it’s the general feeling of imbalance and sluggishness. Getting moving is a start, making green juices with my Vitamix (this thing is my life), and respecting myself and actually listening to my body. Another area of focus is my hands; I am an anxiety chewer. If I’m having a bad day, unconsciously I will begin tearing my fingers apart. This has to stop. My hands are important and deserve respect.

I started writing a book ages ago and over time shelved it to the recesses of my workload. The old ‘I’ll get to it eventually’ mentality. Well… eventually is now.

As Shia Lebouf said: “DO IT. JUST DO IT. Don’t let your dreams be dreams! Yesterday you said tomorrow.” I have over 50 journals and they should be turned into something otherwise, what on earth was I doing with my time?!

I spend a lot of time alone. My job doesn’t require a commute, I don’t see people unless I make an effort and it’s much too easy to slip into a pattern of seclusion. A part of this is has to do with focusing on people who are worth spending time with and cutting off the time vampires who don’t add value to your life.

Last year felt bleak and desolate in every creative endeavor I embarked on. EveryThing seemed dull and overdone and boooorrrrinnnggg. Inspiration had left me wandering aimlessly. BUT NOT THIS YEAR MY FRIEND! Actively exercising your creativity is the answer.

– Draw one thing every day
– Read more books (at least 20 this year… and more FICTION)
– Attend more art openings

Day to day life is hectic. There’s something to be said about immersing yourself in nature and taking pause. Whether it’s taking a stroll through the abundant river valley I have access to here in Edmonton, or making use of my National Park Pass. I need to make a point of connecting with green spaces more.

– More plants for my home
– Plan a ski trip and pray I can remember how to snowboard still
– Find ways to enjoy the outdoors during any season

This one is painful. I’ve been “playing” guitar since Grade 8. I let myself get self conscious about it and avoided it all through high school. Flash forward to now. I’m 29 and am a weak guitarist. Why do I own instruments I can barely play? I originally read that it takes 10,000 hours to truly master something and then I found an article about the fallacy of 10,000 hours that gave me hope that I may actually accomplish this in less time.

– Actually finish all the guitar tutorials in GarageBand
– Practice the boring scales until they become easy
– Allocate focused time on it as well as leisurely play while watching garbage tv! (Maybe this year I should resolve to stop watching Real Housewives and every other show Bravo produces….)

I have been living in a construction zone for a year now. It hasn’t been easy. Progress has definitely been made in the last couple of months but I still have a kitchen from the 1970s. The only furniture I have that isn’t packed away is: my bed and a desk. If I’m not working, I’m likely in bed. I need to have a leisure space and a place to eat that isn’t at my computer. Since moving out of my parents house a few years ago, I’ve been buying/flipping condos and not living in one place for long enough to settle down. I think I might stay here for a while and enjoy the stillness for a bit. Grow some moss.

Fingers crossed I’m able to cross off a few of these! I’ll report back at the end of the year. [UPDATE: here’s my 2017 in review as well as my 10 Things to Accomplish in 2018 post.] Anyone else have action plans they’re putting in motion this year?