{SG in 2013: All Resolutions, All the Time!}

Okay, yes, this is yet another resolution post, but what can I say? I’m in a contemplative mood this week. The list below is decidedly more personal, rather than style-related, but it’s interesting to note that everything kind of rolls up into the idea of yesterday’s goal of “less but better.”

In no particular order, my resolution for the new year:

1. See more movies

I love movies. Love ‘em. I saw two over the holidays in the theatres and two at home, and they’re just, like, the best. Going to the theatre with your popcorn and your snuck-in snacks. And at home when you’re all cuddled up on the couch with a big cozy blanket over you. And previews? Oh ma-a-a-a-n-n-n I love previews. Never skip one, even on dvd. Not even for an Ashton Kutcher movie. …Okay, maybe for an Ashton Kutcher movie, but that’s the only exception.

So seeing more movies is a not-super-serious priority, but that’s good because it’s a low bar for success. It’s something that doesn’t take a lot of effort or money and makes me happy. Why wouldn’t I want to do more of that? Plus, Netflix started streaming The West Wing, so if I’m not diligent about my movie-viewing, there’s a good chance I would just start all over from season 1 and never see anything new ever again.

lol at @nymag naming the 5 best West Wing eps to watch now that it's streaming on netflix as if I'm not going to watch all of them all over

— Style Girlfriend (@StyleGF) January 3, 2013

2. Cut negative people out

Like having fewer, but better clothes in my closet, I like the idea of editing my social circles down in the new year to just the folks who put a big stupid grin on my face every time I think about them. And that includes those people in my social networks who I don’t even know in real life. It’s easy to get wrapped up in who you “should” follow on Twitter, or whose site you should check in with to get the latest, but there’s validity in being out of the loop if it means you’re associating yourself only with folks who you feel fortify you. So, I’m sorry funny-but-perpetually-sarcastic blogger who I follow to be up on the latest whatever, you’re out in 2013.

3. Take a dance class

Here’s the thing, I love to dance, but I think I’m terrible at it. not really “I think” so much as “I know.” I mean, I run funny (I’ve been told by multiple, well-meaning exercise partners who were worried about my form), so I’m guessing awkward dance moves must be related. As a kid, I did gymnastics but never ballet or tap or any of those other girl staples. As a result, I kind of just…missed out on the whole “grace” thing. So while the idea of learning choreography in a room where other people can, y’know, see me absolutely terrifies me, I’m excited at the prospect of getting a little more rhythm in my life. To feel as confident on the dance floor as I do dancing in the kitchen making dinner. And hey, I can always stand in the back row, right?

4. Take a day off from technology and work

In the past year, I’ve been working on making my Saturdays are a work-free, technology free day. That means, no opening my computer for a little draft revision. No tweeting about brunch. No getting sucked into a Facebook vortex of photo album viewing of people I haven’t spoken to since middle school. In 2013, I really want to re-commit to that and go hard on giving my brain space to come back the next day and feel creative and excited to set pen to paper (and by that, obviously, I mean, fingertips to keyboard).

5. Run a half-marathon

Eek! Can’t believe I’m actually putting that out in the universe to be accountable to, but here we are. I broke ten miles on a run back in November, and while my distances have gotten shorter as the weather’s gotten colder, I know 13 miles is well within my reach. It’s funny, I’ve never wanted to run a marathon, but after completing a half, we’ll see. For now, I think this is a good, attainable goal that I’ll feel really proud of myself for executing in the new year.

6. Get married

…Just kidding! But kind of not? This one is just more about placing value in relationships and in myself. I think us lady folk, especially the ones in big cities, can fall into the trap of acting like relationships aren’t a priority so they don’t seem as…well, desperate to get married, pop out babies, crash the suburbs, the whole shebang. Whether it’s about, “Oh, I’m really concentrating on my career right now,” or simply playing it cool til the guy decides that he wants to make things more serious, it’s all exhausting, and it all reinforces the unhealthy notion that for a chick to want all that for herself (while, yes, wanting a great career and whatever else it is she’s got going on) is somehow wrong or that she has to hide it. But y’know what? Marriage seems awesome, and if my niece and nephew are any indication, kids [are a total crapshoot but can sometimes if you’re lucky] turn out super fun.

So I suppose what I want is, how do I put this…to be better about serving as a reminder to guys that a girl can 1) actively pursue a committed relationship and 2) do so without any whiff of desperation about her. If you have a rad chick like that in your life, or if – for shame – you’re stringing one along who doesn’t deserve it, I dunno, son, just, like, think about your life. Think about your choices.

The end! Happy new year! Again! Tell me your non-clothing-related resolutions in the comments! I can’t wait to keep ours together this year!

(image: Quotes and Notes)