It’s December and that means that I want to do roughly five things for the next 31 days: listen to December by Norah Jones on incessant repeat, go shopping, bake, manufacture nostalgia and romantic feelings, and watch every single claymation Christmas movie ever made. Unfortunately, since I can’t quit my job and do these activities all month, I’ll have to work them in amongst other things somehow.

Life is hard. For real.

As we come to the end of another year, though, I can’t help but reflect on the current year and how much I’ve changed. It’s not just a matter of weight loss. I’m fundamentally different. So, December goals need to bring closure to that old girl and hail in the new. I’ve also decided to participate in #reverb10.

“Reverb 10 is an annual event and online initiative to reflect on your year and manifest what’s next. The end of the year is an opportunity to reflect on what’s happened, and to send out reverberations for the year ahead.”

They send out a daily prompt and I write something. I like it.

While I don’t know how much I believe in the whole sending out reverberations for the year ahead or manifesting the next year, I do like the idea of setting the tone for what I want out of 2011.

I jacked the idea from Shauna.

So, first goals and then the reflection.

December’s Goals

1. Clean out the closet: I have enough clothing to clothe an entire village of unfashionable fat people (what, did you expect a better analogy?). I also have shoes I don’t wear, items I don’t use, decorations I don’t like, and no patience for any of it. It’s always been my way to keep things “just in case” but I have no need to do so.

2. Continue 5K Training: Even if it kills me.

3. Get rid of the anxiety: I wholehearted believe that we do have at least a measure of control over our emotions and feelings. I’m allowed anxiety back into my life and I am responsible for getting rid of it again. I know how to do relaxation exercises, calm myself down, and regulate my nervous response, I just haven’t done it.

4. Work on core strength: Part of the shoulder pain I still experience is because of my posture and tension. Building up my core strength helps with this amazingly.

5. Raw Vegetables: When I eat more raw vegetables everything else just seems to improve right along with that. So, it needs to be a priority this month.

So, for #reverb10?

Prompt: One Word. Encapsulate the year 2010 in one word. Explain why you’re choosing that word. Now, imagine it’s one year from today, what would you like the word to be that captures 2011 for you?

This year: change.

Everything changed. I don’t think I’ve ever had a year that made me so different… and it’s good.

Next year: Libera (Italian)

Freedom, liberty, not encumbered by anything: That’s what I want next year to be about. I want to unravel the tangles of years of binding myself with fear, coping mechanisms, and complacency.

Leave a Comment

Katie Metzler December 1, 2010, 9:08 pm

Love the reverb10 thing, thanks for the link. Also love Norah Jones' December…

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queerveganrunner December 2, 2010, 5:25 am

I totally get the "I know how to do this thing that will make me happier, but I just haven't done it because it takes a shit ton of energy up-front, even if there's pay-off later." Totally. Get. It. Thanks for putting that into words.

Yeah, raw veggies, nothing like the old plunger. 🙂

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Lola December 3, 2010, 12:48 pm

Its funny you post your "word for the year". I started thinking about that yesterday. I always get so excited about making new years resolutions (because I'm a psycho Type A), but this year, I want to pick one word to symbolize my year…a mantra sort of thing. Your One word section reminded me of that…but I don't know my word yet. Still noodling….

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