Everyone takes the turn of a new year as an opportunity to make resolutions, a chance to make a change. These changes are abandoned almost as quickly as they’re started. The concept of the “New Year’s Resolution” is an inside joke shared by all of humanity. We know we won’t take it seriously, but every year we pretend things will be different this time.
The problem, I think, is that we put too much pressure on our resolutions. We act as though they’re all or nothing— if we falter, we’ve failed. Guess we’ll have to try again next year.
Instead of viewing January 2019 as the only fresh slate we’ll get, we should instead consider the long term. We all have goals we want to accomplish. Maybe we’ve been working toward them for a while, maybe we’ve only just begun. Either way, we can all make 2019 a year of change and achievement. We just have to change our thinking.
Nothing makes a goal more daunting than when it’s this nebulous thing in the distance. How do you get there? Where do you start? Well, you start with a mini-goal and take things one step at a time. You’re not working toward your end-goal— only toward your next mini-goal. It makes each task far more manageable and the future a little less intimidating.
All that said, today I’d like to share my long-term goals with you. I haven’t quite yet worked out a timetable for everything, but that will be my next step. But I’m a big believer in the concept of speaking something into existence and faking it till you make it. So I have to let the universe know what I want for myself in 2019.
Do you hear that, universe? In 2019, we’re going to accomplish these goals:
- I am going to lose 60 pounds.
“Ren,” you may be thinking. “That sounds like so much!” Well, the fact of the matter is I am overweight. That’s how far I am out of the weight range that is considered healthy for my height and body type. And it’s time I put my health first.
Before anyone calls me fatphobic, let’s get a few truths out of the way. First of all, it’s my body. I can make it as fat or as thin as I want. If I lose weight, I’m not making an anti-fat statement. I’m simply changing my body into a body in which I feel confident.
It’s also misleading to claim being overweight is not unhealthy and that saying otherwise is just fatphobia. Yes, you can be fat and perfectly healthy. It’s also true that overweight people are frequently misdiagnosed because their doctor assumes whatever malady they have is due to their weight. But that’s not the case for everyone.
While being overweight doesn’t guarantee you’ll have certain health issues, it does put you more at risk. The same goes for being underweight. If you could do something to help reduce your risk of developing health problems, why wouldn’t you?
If you are fat and you feel confident in your body, good for you. All I ask is that you don’t spread misinformation. Also, please don’t tell Jameela Jamil on me. Just let me stick to my diet and exercise program in peace.
- I will move out.
That’s right, the elusive Ren Strange is just another Millennial with a college degree still stuck living at home. But this year, that’s going to change.
My best friend and I are planning on moving to the DC area this spring. We’ll finally be on our own. Even better, we’ll be in a much more diversified area with a lot more things to do. I grew up in that area and I’m ready to make my grand return.
I’ve done some preliminary work in investigating the area. I’ve done a quick search for jobs in writing and found a bunch. I’ve also checked out what the average cost of living and salary is in the area. Even this little bit of work has narrowed down my area of focus.
Even though nothing is set in stone yet, I’m really starting to get excited. It’s time I left this small down behind me and moved on to bigger and better things.
- I will start a romantic relationship.
I was actually on a dating app called Her for a brief period of time in early 2018, but never got very invested. This is mainly because I’ve been planning on leaving the area for a while and don’t want to get caught up in a romantic entanglement that could change that.
But now I’m ready to really start dating and getting some experience. Eventually I’ll find someone I can call my girlfriend. It’s time to San Junipero my life.
- I will start writing my novel.
For years, I’ve been one of those writers who doesn’t actually write. Hell, I started this blog to keep my writing skills fresh (and because I don’t know enough about film editing to become a YouTuber). This year I’m finally going to change that.
I still haven’t come up with an idea, but I have a couple scraps floating around in my head. Maybe simply trying to piece them together will give me that million dollar idea. After all, it’s starting that’s half the battle.
I’m hoping that by sharing these goals I not only speak them into existence, but am able to better hold myself accountable. I plan to accomplish them all, but I won’t let failure get me down. Because 2019 is going to be my year.
Do you have any goals you’d like to accomplish this year? If so, what are they? Let’s help keep each other on track!
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Strange Storyteller 
Just wanted to say, real happy I found your blog! Wishing you best of luck with your 2019 goals!
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Thank you so much! You’re so sweet.
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