1. Play the piano more often

Now that I’m home again, I have no excuses to pick up a few more songs. Playing an instrument is a great stress reliever. 

2. Get out of that comfort zone!

I already like to do things that are new and intriguing, but I’m always looking for ways to push myself even more. However, getting out of my comfort zone doesn’t necessarily mean that I have to pack a bag and explore another country by myself (which I will never say no to).

Perhaps it means going to a movie solo . . . or RSVP’ing to that meetup, even though I know nobody . . . or possibly downloading that online dating app I’ve already erased and uploaded a handful of times . . . I won’t knock it until I’ve tried it.

3. Think more about my future health

That means no more spur of the moment cigarettes and 99c cigars (which are never a good idea) . . . sorry Mom.

I plan on backpacking this summer, and being healthy will help me walk all those miles and ward off all those pesky hostel viruses. Plus, being in good health just makes everything easier. It’s something I always take for granted until I don’t have it anymore.

4. Love what I write, no matter what I write 

Artists know the struggle. When you’re creating something, it’s brilliant. It’s the most brilliant thing you’ve ever done. Your entire life has led up to this project. And then you take a step back and suddenly it’s a total piece of crap.

My writing career has (and will be) essentially been this cycle . . . on repeat . . . until I die. But nothing I’ve ever written has been absolutely useless, and I need to continue to realize this.

Well, maybe that Goonies fanfiction from back in middle school was, but we don’t talk about that anymore.

5. Finish that short story collection

Let’s add at least one concrete resolution to the list.

I’ve published a couple . . . written a few more that haven’t seen the light of day. . . stopped a few halfway through . . . have dozens of ideas . . . I just need to get all those ideas down.

There’s a challenge to finish 12 short stories in 12 months. I think that a good short story can be written in two weeks. My collection includes 29 short stores. Let’s finish those short stories.

6. Learn how to make drinks

Like, actual cocktails. Pouring beer does not count, though I am pretty good at that.

7. Enjoy the now rather than the future

Like chatting with friends around a fire, listening to the rush of heavy waves on the surf, the light rustle of palm trees in the wind, remembering the sound of my brother’s laughter. I need to pay more attention to the things around me that won’t always be there. I have an obsession with trying to plan out my future like it’s going to work out the way I intend to.

** Spoiler Alert **

It never does.

8. Be a better evolved person

Like a Pokemon, if you will.

I already know that I’m not the same person that I was last New Years. And I like that. I’m still me, but my experiences (both positive or negative) have been for the better. It doesn’t matter if people around me can see the difference. I can feel it, and that’s all that matters.

There are people from my hometown who have stayed there this entire time, and they haven’t changed a bit. It isn’t a bad thing, but when I think back to my high school self, I couldn’t imagine a reality where I stayed. I wouldn’t have gone to all the amazing places I have been and I wouldn’t have met the people I now call friends. So I wouldn’t change that for anything in the world.

Happy 2018 everyone!! Let’s make it a good one.