New Year’s Resolutions 2019

I usually set my New Year’s Resolutions in November, but this year it’s been a struggle to get clear on what I want to accomplish in the next year. Last year, I cast a wide net, setting 10 goals across a bunch of different areas of my life. This year, I’m going slightly narrower and focusing on SMART goals — those that are Specific, Measurable, Achievable, Relevant, and Time-Bound. Here they are:

1. Do one new thing every day (and document them).

Woo, let’s try this again. Every year since 2016 I’ve set this as a Resolution, with varying success. In 2019, I’d like to document every single new thing, and do a better job of planning new things out in advance. Some things I’d like to do/am committed to doing next year:

• Take an aerial silks class
• Have dinner at Souen
• Read Ashley C. Ford’s book
• Get unicorn ice cream at Taiyaki
• Go to the Noguchi Museum
• Run the Covered Bridges Half Marathon in Vermont
• Go to a Real Talk Radio retreat
• Be a guest on some new podcasts
• Join a CSA
• Take a vegan Szechuan cooking class

2. Publish two blog posts per week.

I’ve been wanting to get more serious about my blog, so I’m hoping that setting a weekly goal will help me get on track.

3. Submit a romance novel to Hallmark Publishing for their February 28 deadline.

This means I’ll spend January writing, as nothing I have on hand is sufficiently wholesome or on-brand to submit.

4. Meditate every day.

I want to do meditation teacher training in late 2019 or 2020, and I think in order to prepare for that I need to get to a place where I meditate every single day for an extended period of time.

5. Read 25 books by people of color

I’m adding this to my 2019 list because I tried and failed to accomplish it in 2018. I’ve diversified my reading a lot this year, but I still have farther to go. I decided to jumpstart my long-dormant Goodreads account to create better accountability in 2019, so I’m hoping that will help!

I did a lot — probably too much — in 2018, so I’m trying to keep my 2019 goals simple and leave space for uncertainty and spontaneity. Honestly, I’m not sure what 2019 Kat will want: where I want to travel, how much I want to run or do yoga or eat vegan, what kinds of skills I want to pick up, or which creative projects will call to me. I’m kind of fine with just seeing where things go, which is pretty out of character for me.

What are your goals for 2019?