Life has been NUUUUTS.  I graduated, celebrated my 24th birthday, Christmas, New Years, signed a lease on a house, aaaaand have been a sick mess for the past week.  But no worries.  I feel I have much to celebrate : ]

I get back here, wordpress has changed the whole infrastructure around, I don’t know what’s going on.  I’m just gonna go with it.  Also, I’m not changing my theme, because I hear we’re SUPPOSED to get some snow around here on Thursday.  We had snow yesterday morning, but it didn’t stick.  I was a bit bummed, but dad keeps telling me we’re getting “the real stuff” this year.  My fingers are crossed.

My friend, Sarah, always has interesting content on her blog – most recently, her New Years resolutions.  I decided it best to compile my own list.  Besides, it’s always better to put it in writing.  Then, you feel more committed!  Here we go…

1. Get a sync license for at least one of my songs.  For those of you not in the music biz (are there people out there that aren’t?  I don’t even know anymore…), a sync license is the use of your song in a television program, commercial, movie (!!!!), etc.  Several of my friends have scored placements on popular shows, and I think it’s my turn.

2. Be more active.  Isn’t this everyone’s goal?  Sorry for being cliche, but I’ve been working on this a bit recently.  I just want to feel stronger, leaner, more comfortable in my own skin.  Last year (it feels too soon to be saying that already), I ran my first 5k.  I was so proud of myself!  And the runner’s high I experienced was more intense than anything I experienced from chugging one-too-many Red Bulls.  Side note, I haven’t had Diet Coke in a WEEK.  If you know me, you know that this is a miraculous occurrence.

3. Become more self sufficient.  I think I’m a bit more independent than most, but still, I have a lot of debt to repay with the cost of my education.  I hate having to ask for money, even though that’s what parents are for, right?  Anyway, I’m well on my way.  I just signed a lease on a house to decrease my expenses.  I’m making better financial decisions.  And I’m starting to look into investments.  Look at me!  Look at me!  I’m an adult!  Now, if I could only find a job…

4. Show the people that I love how much I appreciate them.  I am independent, but I would be nothing without the people that edify my character.  Big things or small, I just want these people to know that they I adore them, and I got their back.  This ties into my next resolution…

5. Keep the people out of my life that don’t belong there.  I’ve been hurt.  Who hasn’t?  But those people don’t deserve a place in my life.  If you’re not here to love and support me, get the hell out.  Sorry to be harsh, but life’s too short to deal with those who create situations and infuse negativity.  I don’t have time or patience for it anymore.

6. Take a vacation! And not one of these fly-by-night trips I hae the tendency to make.  I mean, a glorified vacay.  I don’t care if I go skiing.  I don’t care if I take a cruise.  I don’t care if I go alone or not, familiar places or not.  I just need a break!  And I’ve worked really hard.  I think I deserve it : ]

7. Be fearless.  I think we fail to act on the basis of fear, but I don’t want to be that way.  I have a degree, a big heart, and a lot of determination.  It’s time to put those to good use!  Whether it means taking a job in a new city, or finally telling my best friend that I’d really kind of like trying to be more than friends (TERRIFYING), I’m going to try it.  Emphasis on “try”.  Ahhhhh!

8. Record an album.  This means being disciplined enough to make myself right regularly, save up my funds, and just make it happen.  I can do this.  I know I can!  But I don’t want to put something out there that isn’t wholly me, something I’m not proud of.  This will be quite the undertaking, but I know I can make it happen.

9. Become more socially responsible.  I already recycle.  I try not to drive my car in circles around town (my SUV gets HORRIBLE mileage).  I’ve participated in some mission work around the city, but not as much as I’d like.  I want to participate in something on a regular basis.  I haven’t quite figured out what.  I just feel that Nashville has given so much to me, that it’s time to reciprocate.

10. Focus on true happiness.  This isn’t something you can really do for one year.  It’s kind of a life-long movement.  But I want to be less stressed on things that are of little or temporary importance.  I’m devoting more effort to doing things that I enjoy.  I’m not sure what that entails just yet, but I’ll let you know as I’m figuring it out.  I know one of those things is taking a Wilton Cake Decorating Class!  Why yes, I am a 50 year old woman!

That’s it for now.  Still pretty sickly and finding it difficult to string sentences together.  Hope you’re all having a fantastic new year and feeling as hopeful as I am!

XOXO

-N