I wrote a list of 28 resolutions for this year (see below for what they were) - I plan big (we won’t talk about my follow-through). Then I got knocked up, so the goals seemed to change. And I came back together with my ex. For three whole weeks, before things didn’t work out baby or marriage-wise. And now, things have changed again.

In fact, life as a whole, it’s all about to change. Here’s how:

~ We’re moving to a more sedate, less gossipy area of Vancouver. The suburbs. As soon as I figure out how I’m going to be able to pay rent.

~ I’m not putting my ex’s habits, depression and anger ahead of what I think is best for my daughter (or myself). Most of the time, doing what’s easiest is not, in fact, what will give you a good feeling at the end of the day.

~ I’m getting healthier. Quitting smoking, eating better, spending time inside my own head (without just trying to get out of it).

~ I’m changing priorities. Yes, I love coffee from Starbucks, but it will no longer be a regular replacement for a walk to the park or library. I’m realizing that working from home is my ultimate goal (short of the next one), and will proceed as such - getting an efolio together, putting out resumes for writing gigs. I’ve never thought of myself as a good writer, but it’s something I can do and love.

~ I’m going to finish my degree. If it kills me. I haven’t been in school since 2001 and I’ve missed it more with every single friend who has graduated, or talked of finals, or has a career starting in the field they planned. I will finish my degree and then I will get my masters. And then? I will write and teach. Cuz it’s what I try to do daily, anyways.

~ Minimalism. Peace. Acceptance. Growth. Maturity. Joy. Confidence. Success. Love and intimacy. All of these things will be daily goals, not just far-off seeming possibilities that I never have enough time or energy to really try to attain.

So, come 2009, I’ll write a revised list - how far I’ve still got to go and what’s changed. But most importantly is that I will look back on everything I’ve done in these last seven months of 2008, and I will see how far I’ve come and what I have accomplished. Because me? I’m becoming an optimist.

28 things I will do in 2008, or throw myself from a bridge (metaphorically speaking of course):

1. potty train Isobel
   
2. move her into a big(ger) girl bed
3. take some kind of gymnastics or dancing class with her
4. limit tv time to an hour per day (ha hahahaha)
5. make a damn baby book, already
6. McDonalds, and the like, no more often than once a month
7. make her stuff for her room - curtains and a blanket for the big(ger) girl bed
8. redo living space
9. spend time each day: cleaning, blogging, bookkeeping, me time and Isobel time
10. cut down on coffee buying
11. blog consistently, daily, even
12. stick to monthly budget
13. half of money to debts, half to goal meeting (ha hahaha)
14. make twice 2007’s blogging income (no longer relevant)
    
15. freelance writing? (no longer relevant)
16. stop procrastinating on client work
17. take a class (no longer relevant due to baby #2 constraints)
18. bake weekly
19. family dinner monthly (ha hahaha)
20. knitting?
21. aim for eight hours sleep nightly (and HOW!)
22. be a size one (no longer relevant, due to baby #2)
23. acceptance of others
24. go to the dentist (no longer relevant, due to baby #2 constraints)
25. read 100 books
26. eat more produce, daily
27. grow hair out to hippy length (no longer relevant)
28. do yoga (no longer relevant, due to baby #2 constraints)