New Year's Resolutions

Invariably, any conversation you have from December twenty-sixth through December thirty-first of every year will gravitate towards a discussion about New Year's resolutions. I hate New Year's resolutions. I never stick to them and I suspect that this also applies to the vast majority of people who adopt resolutions as well.

In December 2008, instead of creating a list of resolutions, I thought of a general mantra by which to live my life in the upcoming year. 2007 and 2008 had been rough, so my goal for 2009 was to break free from all of the things that were keeping me down and holding me back – it was time to get mine. "GET MINE IN '09!”

2009 was nothing short of spectacular. I took a comedic writing course at Second City, something I had always wanted to try. In the thick of the economic recession, I quit my steady job at a labor union to pursue an unpaid internship at a Senator's office for three months. Consciously deciding to not pay my bills for a quarter of a year was the most terrifying decision I could make and yes, it was also the most liberating. The internship was a blast! I met new people, had fun despite my limited resources, and lived a carefree life temporarily.

I returned to my old job in late December once the internship ended. Sitting at my desk one quiet afternoon, I thought about the incredible year I'd had. What was beyond getting mine in '09? How could I extend that mantra into the upcoming year?

I created a new list of goals and as expected, my list was quite ambitious. "How in the world am I going to find time for a love life," I asked myself as I reviewed my list. "Well actually, why would you need one," said a little voice inside my head. "Frankly, if you did without men in 20-10  you could get everything accomplished."

Wait, that's it! "No Men in 20-10!” Not that I wouldn't make an exception if the right guy came along, but why not just take some time to focus on other things?