New Year, New Focus

You all may remember my stance on resolutions – setting one huge long term goal (or many long term goals) doesn’t realistically lend to achieving those goals.  Last year when I really dived into this whole blogging thing I set a primary focus for the year and had little weekly resolutions instead.  The weekly resolutions were supposed to help me focus on what I wanted to achieve on a smaller scale – more of a one-step-at-a-time sort of deal.  It turns out I’m bad at remembering to set resolutions – even weekly ones – but the year’s primary focus stuck.  Last year I wanted to live a more stylish year, and to live well – and as sort of an aside I took all you readers with me.

On the style front, I went from jeans and tees at work to actually thinking about what I was putting on.  As a result, I did notice a lot more about the aesthetics around me.  I noticed that people responded well when I took care and pride in how I put myself together.  I seemed to believe in myself more, as well.  When they say “the clothes do not make the man”, they don’t take into account the idea of self-concept, and how knowing you look great affects your self-concept.  I also thought more about what I was purchasing, and in turn made some really fantastic wardrobe investments – and I ended up paying off EVERYTHING I owed in the last year by not having to buy and re-buy when the cheap shit I bought fell apart.  Building and embracing style didn’t just alterwhat I wore, but how I decorated my apartment, how I thought of myself, and how I expressed who I am.

It sounds a little superficial, but embracing style helped me achieve what I wanted to in the last year – I was able to define “me”, I was able to experiment, discover and grow, and best of all – it gave me a little confidence boost.

In addition to embracing style, I was determined to live well this year.  I did – I had exciting adventures and embarked on new adventures (some of which, I have yet to tell you about!).  I saw, I conquered and I told you all about it.  2009 was a fantastic and transformative year – the perfect build-up to an amazing 2010.

This year’s primary focus is a simple continuation of last year’s “bonne vie - a là mode“; I wanted to enjoy my little slice of the pie, ice cream included.  I wanted to live right now, in the very best way possible, embracing what came to be known as “whole-style” – an encompassing way of looking at life.

So as a continuation of embracing the good life, my motto is: “Que la fête commence!” or if you’re from the South, “Laissez les bons temps rouler”.  Let’s keep this forward momentum moving and make 2010 our best year ever.  Embrace joy, and love life.

My primary focus aside, I’ve come up with a set of …. guidelines, so to speak.  Instead of resolutions, I want to be guided by little markers that will help me get to where I want to be.  I’ll be striving to take more risks and to fear less.  I’ll nurture relationships, creativity and expression.  I’ll encourage myself and those around me to live well and I will remember to take good care of myself, and those I care about.  I will continue to grow and expand my horizons.  I will be, do, think, say, love, grow, and experience.

Since tomorrow is my birthday, that is – to me – when I start my new year, and I can’t wait to see what 2010 delivers!

What’s your focus for 2010?  Have you set resolutions?  What do you want to achieve?