happy {belated} 2009!

happy new year!

sorry i'm so late... i feel like i haven't blogged in ages... i missed you all!

so, 2009 is here... last year brought so many wonderful and exciting things my way, i am excited to see what this year will bring!  i'm not usually one to make new year's resolutions, but this time around i have been thinking hard about what i want to accomplish and how i want to live this year.  now that i'm settled into my new apartment and getting into the swing of things with my new website, i really want to focus on getting the most out of life.  on that note... here are my resolutions!

be more productive.

working from home can be hard... with no one telling me what to do and no set schedule, i often find myself wasting much of the day instead of really getting things done.  this year, i want to focus on getting myself into a daily schedule and eliminating distractions so i can get the most out of every day.

explore my passions.

i am a very creative person, and i like to express that creativity in many different ways.  in the past, however, i have sometimes neglected my creative side.  this year, i want to give myself time to explore all my passions on a regular basis.  whether it is photography, illustration, sewing, or music... i want to make time to do something creative (that is not related to my business!) every day.

have more small adventures.

i love my new apartment, but i spend so much time here that i sometimes feel cooped up.  in 2009 i want to make a priority of getting out of the house, trying new things, and exploring the world around me.  it could be as simple as trying out a new ethnic restaurant in town, or as elaborate as planning a weekend getaway to a place i've never been.  anything that stretches my boundaries and helps me discover new things!

spend more time outdoors.

maintaining an active lifestyle is important to me... i started working out more last year, but much of it was confined to the indoors.  this year, i want to ditch the gym membership and get outside as often as possible.  i really enjoy outdoor activities like hiking, kayaking, snowboarding... even just walking around the neighborhood discovering new places.  nature has always inspired me and made me feel more alive, and i need to find more opportunities to go out and be a part of it.

be more green.

i started working on being more earth-friendly last year by switching everything in my bath and beauty regimen to natural and/or organic products.  this year, i want to focus on switching my household and cleaning products to eco-friendly alternatives.  i also want to buy as much organic and local food as i can find (and afford).  i am lucky to have a great farmer's market just steps away from my apartment, and my husband and i are also considering buying a csa share at a local farm so we can have access to all the fresh, local, seasonal, organic produce we can eat!

de-clutter and simplify.

i would love for my life to be more simple and more organized.  i am a fairly organized person, but i sometimes have a hard time staying on top of clutter... especially in my studio/home office.  i want to come up with an effective organization system and get into a regular routine of cleaning and maintenance to keep my home a neat and relaxing environment.  i would also like to try to de-clutter my mind and body... which means limiting television and internet time, eating less junk and take-out, and just trying to get back to basics.

relax and take it all in.

i tend to worry... a lot.  i sometimes feel anxious and nervous for no good reason.  this year, i really want to try to let go of my worries and fears and live more freely and openly.  i want to eliminate negativity and be able to enjoy everything more.  i think if i can do this it will help me accomplish all of my other goals!

so, there are my resolutions - out there for everyone to see!  hopefully that will serve as motiviation for me to really accomplish my goals this year.  i hope you all have big hopes and dreams for this year as well!

xoxo,

lesley