Last night was the first time I didn’t spend New Year’s Eve on the East Coast. Instead of being on the ground in New York, Massachusetts, or anywhere on the ground, I spent the end of 2012 somewhere over Wisconsin on my way back to San Francisco.
I’ve never been a fan of New Year’s Eve – I don’t think I’ve had a really good one since I was a kid and my best friends and I hung out at sleepovers to simply spend the night dressed up at home sipping sparkling cider. As I’ve gotten older, the holiday’s built bigger expectations and cost much me much more money (I know I’m not the only one who’s paid way too much money for an open bar you can’t get to through the crowds). You also have to count really loudly, and I’ve never been a fan of math.
Despite my low enthusiasm for the holiday, anyone who was acquainted with the origin of ‘The Year of Sexy’ or has hung out with me when I decide to give up all my vices for Lent, knows I can get a little fanatical when it comes to resolutions. But those friends of mine know too well that two weeks after a resolution, none of those changes had the monumental effect I imagined it would (shocker).
So, I’m taking a new approach this year, and it all comes down to two words: think positive.
When I look back on 2012, I remember a lot of negativity. I lost a lot of confidence and felt broken much of the time. When that happens, it’s easy to focus only on the things that don’t work or what you don’t have.
There is so much, though, that I do have. So, instead of constantly hoping for something that may never happen or agonizing over missteps, I’m aiming to focus on all that’s in front of me.
And so, if I can get nothing else out of 2013 – no stable relationship, no promotion, no financial gains – I at least hope to come out of it all with a brighter outlook. Because I do truly believe that all those things I feel are missing will have an easier time finding me when I’m in a better place.
So, as much as I wanted to judge the girl on the flight for doing yoga in the middle seat next to me, I didn’t, cause that’s not the positive thing to do.
OK, I did a little bit – but change doesn’t happen overnight. I’m working on it…
I totally know what you mean by judging the person next to you when she does something kind of weird. I’ve done that many times. I still do. I don’t do it as much as I used to though, and this is why. Being positive, like you said, which is the bigger part of being A LOT more laid back. I just let things go with the flow, roll off my back, all that. Then, things that i normally find are annoyingly weird are actually enjoyably weird. I guess California has gotten me, man. That’s cool. Best of luck on your path to positivity!