My Hopes and Thoughts for 2020

The year 2019 was definitely interesting for me.  I got a new job, I helped my parents move out of my childhood home and into their new home, and our apartment complex underwent renovations (on the outside--roof, windows).  The last year of the 2010s was a memorable one for me, and I'm thinking 2020 will be just as memorable.  I will discuss my thoughts and hopes for the upcoming year, from my personal to professional life.

I cannot state this enough: I need to lose weight.  I don't consider myself obese, but overweight, yes.  I am not expecting this to happen overnight or even over just one month.  I think it may take close to all year.  But I am going to put my mind to it.  I need to find some way to work out fairly consistently, and start planning lighter and healthier meals.  I'd like to lose 50 pounds over the course of next year, which would be an incredible amount, but I'd even be happy with 20-30.  I do not have a set plan yet, but I am going to give myself goals and rewards for reaching weight milestones.  For example, I cannot eat one of my favorite (unhealthy) foods until I've lost 20 pounds.  I will continue to make choices which involve more exercise, such as taking the stairs instead of the escalator/elevator, and eating the healthier option if I eat out.  I just don't like my self-image very much right now; and I know if I got back to the shape I was in in my early 20's, I would be so much more confident and happier.

Professionally, I don't know if I necessarily want to change jobs (already), but I will keep my options open.  I will continue to look at jobs, and if one pops up that I think would be a really good fit for me, I may go for it.  I do like where I am now, but it's not a job that someone stays at for years and years.  I also want to make a bit more money.  I will probably go back on some of the job sites (Indeed, ZipRecruiter) and opt-in to the e-mails again so that I can see what's out there.

I want to travel in 2020 for sure.  It may not be until the summer or even Christmas season, but I don't think I've flown to California in three or four years.  I haven't seen Amanda's family in that long, either.  I will do my best to get some time off to go with her somewhere, whether that be in the summer or for Christmas.  Christmas falls on a Friday next year, so it would be a great opportunity to get a three day weekend and travel to see her family.  Which reminds me, I also will have to either get my first ever passport or an enhanced driver's license.  I also want to see a Seahawks game next year; I saw one in 2018 but not this year.  I want to take Amanda to one in 2020, as she's only seen one Seahawk game, and that was in 2011. 

Next year will also be big for news.  We're going to have a presidential election in November, and hopefully get a new president.  The 2020 Summer Olympics will happen in Tokyo.  There are other things, but let's not forget it's also the first year of a new decade.  Also, when before some people were starting the current year "Two thousand-", they now almost all will start calling the year "Twenty-Twenty".  Not many people are going to say "Year Two-Thousand Twenty".  They'll say "Twenty-Twenty".

There are a couple other things that might happen in 2020, but I am not entirely sure.  I may get a new car, but that could wait until 2021 or later.  I may get a new computer, as my current one is having issues, as it is pretty old (around a decade old) and runs Windows Vista.  But I also want to build up my savings next year after the hit it took this year.  There are a couple other big things that might happen in 2020, but are personal to me, and I'll share them on here if they do end up happening.

I am excited for 2020 and what it brings.  I'm very curious to see how much my life changes in the next year.  I am really hoping for an improved me by this time next year.  I know that sounds all very cliche, but it's very true for me.  I am going to be that 2020 will be a significant year in my life, even more so than 2019 was.

My 7 New Years Resolutions for 2017

As I type this, 2017 is just about 4 hours away, so it's time to make my New Years Resolutions.  Yes, plural.  And in fact, there will be SEVEN of them.  To be totally honest, I'll be happy if I accomplish 4 of these.  I'll aim for all 7, but I feel like the more Resolutions I make the more I'll accomplish.

1. Lose Weight
I've lost count on the number of different ways I've tried losing weight.  But this time, there's no excuses.  I'm cutting out sweets, sugary drinks, and eating anything in excess.  I love to eat, but I'd love myself more if I was in better shape.  As the weather warms up during the year, I also plan to work out more, possibly even get a gym membership. 

2. Answer Phone Calls
Yes, I know, what a silly resolution.  But I have a slight phobia of talking to strangers on the phone.  Which is why I have never answered the phone from an unknown number.  Funny thing is when I work customer service at my job, I answer the phone several times a day from people I don't know.  But from now on I plan to answer it (unless I am driving, working, busy, etc.)  I know, 9 times out of 10 it'll probably be a telemarketer or something else like that, but that one time out of 10 could be an opportunity of something I am missing out on.

3. Make progress in/towards a career
I think I've put this as a goal anytime I've made a list of goals to accomplish, but it bears repeating.  I've been stuck where I am for years and it's time to change.  Or at the very least get started or do something in addition (2nd job?).  At some point this year I will figure out a secondary source of income or a career I want to pursue. 

4. Seize an opportunity if it presents itself
This is pretty vague, but I've never been one to "seize" things.  But I plan to change that about myself.  Every time there is an opportunity for something productive, fun, or something that could better my life in any way, I will seize it. 

5. Buy Less Stuff/Give Stuff Away
I've been accused by my friends of being a "hoarder".  Yeah, I own a lot of crap, but one thing most people don't know about me is that I can get sentimental with certain objects.  A souvenir I got at a gift shop one time I traveled.  It's hard for me to give stuff away.  But I'll do my best.  There's the Buy Nothing project where people are more than happy to see cool things for free.  There's also Goodwill/Value Village.  There's a decent chance I might move this year, so I'll need to part with a lot of objects before moving if I do.  Also, I need to watch my spending and only buy things I need, not what I want.

6. Learn an Instrument
This one I won't be too shocked if I don't end up completing it, but one thing I've always had on my bucket list is learning how to play an instrument.  My top three instruments I'd want to learn to play would be piano, guitar, or ukulele.  Probably guitar.  If you didn't know already, I really enjoy singing and if I learned an instrument I could pair that with my voice and entertain people at get-togethers.

7. BE HAPPY! :)
This one is pretty simple and straightforward, but is definitely important.  I plan to wake up each day with a smile on my face and not let little things bother me.  Too often I get upset at things falling/breaking or my team losing, but being upset over those things that won't matter in 5, 10 years is utterly pointless.  I plan to make 2017 the happiest year of my life. :)

I know that's a lot, especially for me, but like I said earlier if I accomplish more than half of these I'll be happy.  Obviously if I accomplish #7 I'll be happy.... oy... well here's to a fantastic 2017!!!