This week I’ve gone through the highlights of Life Without Pants, featured some of the best and brightest bloggers to follow in 2010, and shared with you TEN valuable lessons I learned this year – but today, I want to talk about the future. Here are TEN things/events/commitments I’m excited for and dedicating myself to in 2010. Buckle your seat-belts.
I’m getting married!
I don’t think much needs to be said here except, it’s kind of a big deal. Save the date, May 8th, 2010. I’ll be tweeting live from the alter! OK, maybe not. Maybe from the hotel room after the reception? OK, maybe not. Maybe sometime during the honeymoon? OK, maybe not. After the honeymoon? Yeah, that works.
I’m starting debt free!
I’ve worked insanely hard at my full-time job and freelancing on the side to get to where I am today- almost 100% debt free. In the first quarter of 2010 I WILL be debt free – and then can start actually saving some money for the first time in my life.
Reading, reading, and more reading!
I’m committing to AT LEAST one book a month (I know that doesn’t sound like a lot but I have to start somewhere). Even if it means less writing, I WILL devote more free time to knocking out some of those books that have been sitting on my bookshelf collecting dust – not to mention devoting myself to the continued discovery of new blogs.
I’m getting back into running
Several years ago when I was a freshman in college – I made a commitment to myself to lose weight. For almost a year I ran, and I ran, and I ran, almost every day – and for the first time in my life I was HAPPY about my health. I was all “I’d do me”. It’s time to get back to that. I’ll be launching the 500 Miles in 2010 campaign – and will be tracking my workout/running schedule and progress online. The fiance is on board (whether or not she realizes it yet) and if you’re thinking about doing something similar, I encourage you to swing by every now and then and share an update on your own progress. There’s power in numbers!
I’m traveling to one new place every month
It doesn’t have to be Paris or Ireland, but I am dedicating myself to traveling more in 2010 – that means one new place every month, location to be determined.
I’m starting the “What Would Have Been for Coffee” fund
I have sort of a sick addiction to coffee – it’s my vice, and yes there are worse things in life – but it’s expensive. More expensive than I realize. SO, while I will not be quitting coffee cold turkey, I will be making a conscious effort to either make my own coffee or skip it altogether. AND, all the money that WOULD have gone to coffee will go into savings. By the end of the year, it’s safe to say I’ll have a nice little sum of cash to go…I don’t know, buy more coffee?
I’m going to write a book, damn it
I’ve wanted to sit down and write a book for as long as I can remember, and in 2010 I’m making it a reality. It’s not all mapped out yet and I don’t expect to sign a book deal, but I am at least going to get some of the legwork done, enough to knock on some doors and get myself in front of the right people.
I’ll continue developing my freelance career
I love my nine to five, but there’s something especially rewarding about the type of people I’ve had the opportunity to work with as a freelance designer and consultant. I’ve taught myself everything you see around you in less than a year, and anticipate that another year of experience under my belt will go a long, long way.
I’ll try to cut back on my use of excessive exclamation points!
It’s annoying, I know, but I can’t help it! See, right there, I did it again! …Ok, you get the picture – I have a bad habit of ending sentences (especially in emails) with exclamation points, even when they are totally unnecessary or borderline inappropriate. That has to stop in 2010. !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! Whew, now I’m good to go.
I’ll make more time for me
2009 has been full of change and transition. My hope is that 2010 will bring a little more stability and regularity to the mix. I’m looking forward to planning my wedding, getting married, doing work that I love, and doing all of the things listed above that will make me a happier person.
And of course, it goes without saying – but there are some big things ahead for Life Without Pants. I am 100% committed to the continued development and growth of this community. So I hope you’ll continue to join me on the journey – it’s been a pleasure getting to know all of you this year – I can’t wait to see what next year will bring!
Stay tuned tomorrow for a special holiday message from my fiance, my dog, and yours truly.