The One with All the Resolutions

Twenty 13 is here. This past year has slipped by as quickly as sand slips through fingers. It has been an awesomely inspiring, unpredictable, life-changing, memorable and thrilling time. It brought me things I never thought I would have, found me love, introduced me to new places, made me move continents, reconciled old friendships, strengthened family bonds and allowed me to rise to new occasions.

It has undeniably been the year of many changes and there were signs right from the beginning. This time last year, I was over the New Year’s family dinner and laughed with a sarcastic tone when my grandmother, instead of Cheers, said: “By this time next year, I wish you’ll be at your own home celebrating with your own family”.

This time last year, I hadn’t even met Sandeep and here we are, sitting in OUR living room, writing yearly reviews and New Year’s resolutions, side by side.

To be honest, I don’t like looking back as much as I like looking forward. My main focus for the months to come is to resurface, restore and resolve. I need to set objectives and follow them. I need to remind myself that a happy life is nothing but a series of good decisions, and resolutions can help set the scene for the bigger and more important stuff.  So here are my 12 resolutions for twenty 13:

1. Move:  Exercise for 30-60 minutes, 5 days a week. Make a timetable of fitness activities for each day.
2. Eat: Choose organic. Eat less processed food. Avoid non home-cooked meals. Say “hello” to 5-a -day.
3. Love: Give hugs. Say “I love you”. Listen better, to love better.
4. Enjoy: Plan my holidays for the year ahead. Eat chocolate without guilt. Spend time with friends.
5. Cleanse: Delete old emails. Clean out closets. Drink more water.
6. Live: Spend time by the sea. Look at the big picture. Live life to the fullest.
7. Accept: Make peace with the things I cannot change.
8. Quit: Choose not to nag; sometimes it’s okay if things are not up to my standards and expectations.
9. Abandon: Move on from old fears (including driving phobia).
10. Learn: Spend some time every day studying and improving my Spanish.
11. Create: Use the gift of TIME wisely and productively.
12. Give: Donate unwanted clothes or home items to a local charity. Help others whenever I can.

What are your resolutions for 2013?