New Year's Resolutions?

I gave up on making New Year's Resolutions years ago.  They were always the same, and I only followed through for a month or two.  As I got older, I came to realize that those "resolutions" needed to become a way of life.  Exercising, eating healthy, taking care of my mental health, nurturing important relationships, and just being the best me I can are important every day activities, especially if I want to live as long as Grandpa Ed.

Most days I do a decent job, but it's always helpful to have a reset point, and January seems like a good time. I shared this on Friday, but in case you missed it... this is how I intend to live each day in 2018.

Choosing happiness is a big one for me this year.  A few months ago I had a sort of epiphany about it, and my entire attitude has changed.  I've got a blog post percolating on the subject, coming later this month.

And then there's "begin".  Life is a series of endings and beginnings, right?  The last few years I've gone through my share of endings, and now I'm ready for something new.  There are things I've been dreaming about, and it's time to begin.

Which brings me to the blog.  I've learned a lot in the almost four years I've been inhabiting this space.  I started here because I love to write, and I wanted to get my words out of my head and into the world.  But I've gotten away from that.  I compared myself to others and didn't think I was doing it right.  I considered stopping completely a few months ago, but the more I thought about it, I realized that would be a big mistake.

So instead, I've got some new blog goals.

Blogging, for me, isn't about making money or doing sponsored posts.  It's about the people.  While I enjoy writing about products here and there, it's the connections with other bloggers and those in the writing community that makes me happy.  I'd love to do more collaborating this year.

And I'm going to get back to writing from my heart.  Even if nobody reads it, it's why I'm here and why I want to continue.  Not every post, not every week, but there's things I need to say.

So resolutions?  No.  Goals and intentions?  Yes.  Hope I don't scare you away!

Sunday night's sunset - just because it was so pretty!

Be sure to head over to The Blended Blog (my favorite collaboration of all) to read about others' resolutions and link up with us.