I did it...2007 was a Year of Me

It is the beginning of 2008. The end of another year inevitably means that I begin reflecting on the past 365 days, how I spent them and what I accomplished. For me, 2007 has been a year of mixed reviews. I can say with some conviction that I am most proud of how emotionally stable this past year has been for me. During 2007, I really focused on what makes me happy and doing away with all that doesn’t.

If you remember from last year, this is what I posted for my New Year’s resolution in 2007:

I’m officially declaring that the year 2007 is for me. While reviewing my year, I couldn’t help but to think about all the bad dating situations and jerks I’ve been involved with in the past year. In 2007, I’m going to try my damndest to stay far away from that. Being alone is always better than being with someone who makes me unhappy.

It was a fairly broad and somewhat easy New Year’s resolution, but I stuck to it. How many people can say that? I made 2007 about me. I didn’t cry, feel depressed or let someone walk all over me. I focused on the activities and the people who make me smile. I didn’t enter every weekend and every bar, hoping to find my next great love. I took my energy off obsessing over finding a man, and put in into just having fun. I definitely spent energy on a few guys who ultimately didn’t work out, but I never lost site of what I wanted and who I thought I was. I didn’t let a guy’s opinion on me determine my self worth. I started to understand that I have a lot to offer someone else, and am pretty damn great. I feel like I gained—and maintained—a confidence in myself that I had yet to see in years gone past.

I am really fortunate to say that I feel like I’m definitely in a positive place while on the cusp of turning 26. I have a stable job, however boring it might be sometimes, and an apartment that I love in a pretty stellar location. There are moments when I get home, put on sweats, curl up on the couch in front of the TV or with a book—with Stella of course—and I am ridiculously satisfied and content. I have seen myself change this year from a person who previously couldn’t spend five minutes home alone without wanting to rip out my hair, teeth and eyeballs, and then head out on the town for six nights a week, to someone who is okay with being home most nights during the week and who really enjoys—and needs—alone time. I also feel that I’ve really blossomed into my career, and hobby, as a writer. I started writing for both Metroblogging Seattle and The Seattle P.I. in addition to continuing this little homespun project here. I have not only seen myself emotionally evolve this year, but professionally evolve too. I feel ready to channel myself into a great relationship and a great new career.

Which leads me to the mixed review portion of my reflection. While I feel stable in some parts of my life, I feel unstable and unsure in others. Most say this is the mantra of your 20s, so I suppose I’m just like everyone else. But, I’d like to make some significant changes this year. I sometimes wonder if I’ve spent my time out of college in the most productive manner. This year, I’d like to be more purposeful with my choices. I’d prefer not to float through my weeks, but to work hard to achieve the past vision that I saw for my life, and how I see it now for the future. As were beginning another year, and I’m nearing my 26th birthday, I'm focusing on professionally advancing my career, thinking about grad school and perhaps obtaining a new job that could eventually lead to a location change. Because I don’t want to wake up at 30 and wonder how and what I did with my 20s, I want to make 2008 the year I made a significant check next to one of those major life accomplishments.

So, a belated champagne toast to all of you my readers. I hope you’ve had a chance to reflect on the positives and the necessary changes in your lives. Here’s to another year. I have a feeling it’s going to be good. After all, I did find $100 on New Year’s Eve…how many years start out like that?

Currently Feeling: Wee bit nervous for my interview tomorrow.
Currently Anticipating: Closing my bedroom door, turning off my phone, and not communicating with anyone this evening. Don’t take it personal.
Currently Hating: My extreme lack of sleep and lack of personal space as of late.