I turned 30 last year and unlike most people who lament their second 29th birthday, I didn’t have a hard time with it. I was done with the post high school find-yourself period, the college studious-but-stupid spell and the find-a-job-and-act-like-you’re-grown-up stretch. I’d had the “lots’o'fun” that is expected of everyone in their 20’s (including that one exciting episode of being cuffed and stuffed, sniffling and sobbing into the back of a police car.) (OK, that wasn’t part of the “lots’o'fun”. We’ll throw that into the bag of “learned a big lesson”, another pivotal part of any 20-something’s resumé.) I was really looking forward to more mature shenanigans.
I celebrated my new decade, despite the fact that I was unemployed and broke, because I was excited about everything it was symbolizing. I had every reason to be miserable about it; instead I had fun with friends.
But I didn’t have a list of accomplishments I was excited to share. (You’ve read the bio, right?) Turning 30 seemed to be a great benchmark by which it would be good to start tallying up shiny new achievements. I’ve been calling my 30’s my Do-over Decade. (Call me a dork, I don’t give a shit.)
Around comes December 31st and it’s time to start 2010. Aside from being employed, there’s nothin’ special going on in my life. Woo hoo for the first 7 months of being 30, Kyle. Whacha got to show for it?
I figure what the hell, why not make a New Years General Resolution. I typically steer clear of anything that requires me to display an ounce of willpower, so this was really out of the ordinary for me. The best way to make sure I don’t earn a FAIL immediately? Make it general!
General Resolution? I’m going to be healthier. Starting… January 1st. No shit, Sherlock, I know it’s the middle of February. I really did start in January. This is a slow moving train we’re on, alright?
This blog is really the first tick on my shiny new achievement docket, and it’s aiding and abetting my general resolution which is also a big player in the register. Here comes share and tell.
1. I’ve quit smoking (again.) Try # 1 in 2008 was successful for over 6 months, but it didn’t stick. I’ve been smoking for about half of my life now (you do the math, I can’t believe I’m actually admitting to that much.) I haven’t had a puff since Dec. 31st. This time I’ve got it- I’m not messing around with the “third time’s the charm” crap.
2. I’m working on my diet. For a brief moment I thought I’d really get into this whole raw foods thing I’ve seen more and more about… but let’s not be too ambitious in this general resolution. I have a green smoothie at the start of every day, so let’s say I’m 25% raw in my diet right now, ok? I also get a kick from trying new recipes on unsuspecting friends who come over for dinner. (I now have a food processor and two new hummus recipes. Things will only get better.)
3. Finally, exercise. I love doing yoga a couple times a week, but I’m facing reality- I need to get in shape if for no other reason than to fit into 75% of my wardrobe that currently is off limits. Yoga is not bringing me back to whatever-it-was I weighed in ’03. This is not to say I’m quitting yoga- I still go two times a week. But now I’ve enlisted the help of a friend, borrowed some necessities and started… (don’t fall off your chair in shock) P90X. (If you fell off, I can’t help you get back on. I’ve just finished week 3 and I’m astonished I can still move.) Anyway, I’m keeping notes on my progress with that, and hope to make it into some easy readin’ for you folks. You lucky ducks.
So far, so good. Because my resolution is a general one, I can be flexible with how I’m sticking to it. I feel good about it. For once I am in fact taking action on something… anything… where in the past I’d just live up to my tagline.
Hmmm… 31 had better not be a bitch.
