In the new year, and number 30

Having a list of 31 things to do in the next 11 months, I realized that I'd better get started. After all, I have to cross off almost three items a month in order to make it!

Tomorrow should take care of #5-- I bought the lift tickets today and Erik has agreed to hang out on the beginner slopes with me.

Another one I thought would be easy(ish) to get started on is number 30. Really, it has me the most worried. Sure, it's easy to start, but it's something I've attempted before and never achieved. It's a very long term goal, too, with a tiny bit of work every day. I'm in great shape right now: running, lifting weights, practicing yoga regularly (although only once a week), so this particular feat of agility should be within my grasp. And it does take more than flexibility. Your arms have to be strong enough to hold your body in an uncomfortable position without letting the leg muscles tense up, and you have to be able to breeeeathe through the pain (always good practice).

I've also been doing particularly well with daily goals. This week, since I've been working from home, I've been able to read (and recycle) one magazine a day (I have a huge backlog since we get so many as gifts and for free) and get rid of one item a day. The latter was proposed to me by a friend who pared down his belongings to an extent that worried his family. Being a pack rat, I'm sure I won't go that far, but I really admire his spartan aesthetic and the ability to be able to travel lightly. The discarded item can be big or small-- it's just the idea of slowly and steadily working on large projects and big issues that really appeals to me.

That said, I've had a lot of success with my before-bed ritual. I know this is boring, but since I've had to wear a night guard to minimize grinding damage to my teeth, I've stuck with flossing, brushing, taking an iron supplement, washing my face and putting moisturizer on (eyes, face, lips and hands!) every single night. All of those things we're supposed to do that are so annoying and are quickly derailed by just skipping it "this one time." Things that really make a difference over time and will allow me to enjoy better health, longer. I am now officially no longer a spring chicken.

So I guess that's my mantra for the new year: slow and steady, every day. Hopefully I will find ways to apply that to my newly manifested dream of becoming a travel writer and photographer.