New Year Beginnings

I love beginnings: new day, new month, new year, new book, new canvas, new manuscript; it makes me feel full of hope and life. I know it's possible to reset your life at any point but I always feel more inclined to do so on the beginning of something.

Last year, I decided to do a five goals each month throughout the year starting in February (If you'd like to see them, start here) This really helped me spread my goal-making out over the year and not stress so much in January. I didn't know if I'd actually be able to finish a year of it but I'm so happy I did. Setting goals really does help me; I'm the type that loves marking things off a list.

I'm going to continue doing monthly goals during 2015 because I loved it, but I also want to add a few more yearly challenges this time. Since I seem to respond well to a challenge or experiment, I thought a few more couldn't hurt.

Here they are:

1. Write 52 Thank You Notes. I recently read a book on gratefulness that really got me thinking. I want to pay more attention to all I have to be thankful for and the people that contribute to my life. I think this will be a physical activity that will help me be on the lookout for what is happening around me.

2. Read 30 Books. This is a low-ish goal for me since I love reading, but the third challenge is making me nervous so I wanted to keep this one simple and achievable.

3. Take 365 Photos. Piggybacking off of the gratefulness goal, capturing something special about each day will help me stay present and remember to enjoy my life. This challenge is the one I'm most nervous about. I've never done such a big photo experiment but I think it's worth trying. I'll be posting them on twitter (@CatherineDenton) and Instagram (@catherinedentonphotos) as well as here on the blog.

4. Write 1000 words per weekday. The hardest part about writing this many words daily is getting myself in the chair and staying there. Once my fingers start moving over the keyboard, I can usually make myself finish but it's the avoidance beforehand I have to fight. I'm going to add a few routines to help get me in place. I'll start with coffee at my desk and a review the previous day's writing. Possibly I'll add some soundtrack music for background inspiration (if it doesn't end up being distracting).

5. Exercise 20 minutes everyday. I would love to say thirty or forty minutes but I know myself; if I start too high I won't even begin. Twenty minutes seems manageable and less time-consuming. I've been doing much better with movement since getting an under-the-desk exercise pedaler for my birthday. Now each time I sit at my desk, it's there at my feet waiting to be used and I feel like a slouch if I don't use it. How's that for peer-pressuring yourself?

Okay those are my challenges for the year. I hope I haven't bitten off more than I can chew, but I did try to keep the numbers small-ish. (Can you tell I like to number things?)

Here's wishing you a Happy New Year!!