Advice to Myself, Circa 2006

I’ve been sorting through old papers, letters, journal entries and photos. It’s all in an attempt to streamline my memories so my mom can start getting rid of things in my room, since I don’t live here anymore. Mostly, it’s been spurring a lot of nostalgia, along with a great big helping of laughter. We were so funny back then. We probably still are, but we don’t write the letters to commemorate it.

I was going through one of my old camp binders, and came across a strangely poignant list I’d written down on a random piece of paper. No date, no context. But it’s lovely. I thought maybe you’d appreciate it too. Warning: it’s equal parts useful and fluffy.

Get more hobbies. Do what you WANT. Be nice. Be enthusiastic. Be yourself. Be insane. Think before you speak. Try rock climbing. Get Bronze cross. Learn guitar much better. Rethink iPod music. Don’t care about boys. Love yourself. Write all the time. Run. Get buff! Hang out with your family. Always learn new things.

Care. Try. Sing. Improve personal style. Buy tons of shoes. Be less obsessive. Don’t care so much about the little stuff. Be interesting. Eat more of what you want. Be close with who you love. Improve personal hygiene. Keep promises. Keep secrets. Keep friends. Always smile. Feel beautiful. Learn more piano.

Work hard. Play harder. Kiss for fun. Be the person you want. Practice your music. Take care of yourself. LAUGH. Love music. Don’t be high maintenance. Try out for cheerleading. Be cute. Be hot. Be friends with boys. Don’t be selfish. Never give up. Grow. Do things you’re scared of, always. Always have fun. Meet new people. Find things that make you happy.

Love your body. Use your body. Carpe Diem. Take pictures. Be inspired. Follow through. Be creative. Remember. Take camping trips. Learn to sail and canoe. Love life. Don’t be so bitchy.

2012 Goals

My 2012 intentions are set, which means it’s time for the juicy measurable GOALS! I don’t know about you, but I love tracking things, and seeing progress. Which means that I have a lot more fun with measurable goals than with intentions – even though intentions are really important too!

To see the fully updated 2011 New Year’s Resolutions post, click here. I didn’t get as much accomplished as I might have liked, but I aimed for the moon and was really happy with where I landed.

This year, I am being no less ambitious. I know I could have made my blogging goal, so it’s staying the same. Turns out 100 books was too high, so I’m cutting it by a quarter. I’ve made simple adjustments to other goals and added some new ones. Each of them reflects something I want to learn or improve upon, and I think hope know I can get them all done by the end of 2012 if I really set my mind to it.

I’m posting my goals as a page on the blog here and will be updating it throughout the year. I’ve also created a public spreadsheet that I’ll be updating weekly with my progress. Gotta have that accountability!

Now, without further ado, my 2012 measurable goals!

…

2012 GoalsRead More »

Looking Back on 2011

2011 was an awesome ride. Like any good roller coaster, there were some amazing highs and some crazy lows, and lots of drama in between. All in all, I think it was one of the best years of my life to date, because of all the growth and change I went through. I’ve learned a ton about myself and what I need, and that just means that 2012 will be an even greater year as I build on that knowledge!

What I Did

Where I Went

  • Ottawa twice: once for Winterlude, and once for Canada Day.
  • Quebec City for a romantic weekend away
  • Cancun, Mexico for a fabulous week in the sun with my family!
  • Los Angeles, CA for a week of surfing, eating, and exploration.
  • And of course, back and forth between my beautiful Montreal and Toronto to visit family & friends.

By the Numbers

  • Books read: 50
  • Blog posts: 77
  • Articles published: 14
  • Novels written: 1
  • Photos taken: 5, 391 in 167 events (according to iPhoto)

In 2012, I want to read more books, take more better photos, and travel as much as possible. Stay tuned for a concrete list of New Years goals & a round-up of my 2011 NYR! (Spoiler alert: I didn’t get as many done as I’d hoped, but I’m still pretty thrilled.)

What are your favourite 2011 memories? I’d love to hear them. 

…

Looking Back on 2011Read More »

2012 Intentions

As I head into 2012, this grand, glorious New Year, it’s important to me to draw myself a map. I need some signposts and markers on the road to steer me straight in the coming year. While I’ll be sure to look back on what worked and what didn’t from 2011, first I want to clear my mind and look forward. I know cynics can say January 1st is just an arbitrary date, but for me it feels like a fresh start, a clean slate. I love new beginnings!

I’d encourage you to open your mind and heart over the next few days and see what themes or quotes appeal to you. This is to find the major idea, or spirit of 2012, not necessarily any measurable goals. Those come later, once you’ve defined how you want to feel in the coming year!

For a couple of weeks, I’ve been ruminating on what kinds of habits and mindsets I want to foster in 2012, and I’ve come up with a list of phrases that sum up how I’d love to be and feel in this new year. Feel free to draw inspiration from these intentions, I’ve gotten them from many different sources myself!

…

2012 IntentionsRead More »

Scroll to Top