The Door to the New Year

 January - The coldest month of the year for most of us in the northern hemisphere. According to many, January 1^st is the coldest day of the year for us, and the warmest day of the year for those in the southern hemisphere. It’s also one of the most depressing months out of the year. The month when everyone realizes they overspent for the holidays; Their tax return, granted they get even a penny, will end up paying off their credit cards and the debt from the previous month or two of shopping and “saving money” on deals and bargains. At least that’s where most of my return will be going this year. Last year I was lucky enough to use it to pay off one of my many student loans and put a little something away for the There goes my plan of starting my New Year off financially sound.

Since my financial situation varies from paycheck to paycheck I need to find something else to shoot for this New Year. After a lot of overly ambitious thoughts, I’ve come up with a few things. Starting January 1 we’ll keep track of how long this lasts.

Exercise more – when I don’t exercise like I should already, exercising more might actually stand a chance. Motivation – I can’t afford new clothes so the ones I have need to fit better!

Eat right - After a year of taking cake classes and practicing decorating cakes, I’m getting sick of frosting. I never thought the day would come, homemade butter cream frosting is amazing, but I feel like I’ve reached my limit. Motivation – see the reasoning from the first goal.

Do something for myself every month. I think this is a goal everyone, no matter your age, should set. With the stresses of today’s world bearing down on you everywhere you go we need to remember to take time for ourselves. Whether it be a day where you stay home and relax, head out and take on nature or get a pedicure, do something you enjoy. Pick a date to do it on so you have something to look forward to, especially in these early months where holidays for us minion workers are scarce.

Welcome to my life. I’ve survived it for a few years, so I give props to anyone else who can make it through this world and still find time for themselves and not take the little things in life for granted. Because after all is said and done, at the end of the day it really is the little things that make this life worth living.