2018 New Year's Resolutions

I tend to make multiple New Year's resolutions, and I usually stick to them (or at least somewhat). Here are my resolutions for 2018:

1. Eat more healthily. Something along these lines is usually on this annual list. In the past I've been more specific, like giving up bubble tea or Rita's Italian Ice. This year I'm being more general: I'll try to cut out the bad stuff (particularly empty carbs, like bread at restaurants and such), eat more of the good stuff, and in general just cut my portion sizes. I'm only 5'3"; I don't need the 2,500 calories that calorie counts on foods are based upon. I just need to eat less, and when I do eat, the food should be nutritious. I'm not saying I'll never eat dessert; I have too much of a sweet tooth for that! But I'll try to cut back on the candy and ice cream (except when I'm PMSing. Then I get to eat whatever I want!).

2. Drink less. I'm not a big drinker, but I feel like this year I drank a lot more than usual. I think I drank alcohol (which for me means wine or cocktails) at least every other day, and there were TWO times I got sick from drinking (which hasn't happened since college). So in 2018, I plan to never drink alcohol out (unless someone else is paying for it, since I want to budget better in the New Year, too), and never to drink alcohol alone at home (again, not something that happens that often, but I'm going to make it not happen, period). Besides, following #1, these drinks are empty calories AND can really mess with your body. This will be a year-long cleanse of sorts.

3. Dance once a week. I used to be really into blues dancing, and I went almost every week. In 2017 I did not dance nearly enough. So this year I want to try to dance once a week, whether that's blues dancing at Glen Echo Park, Latin dancing at Lucky Strike in Chinatown, Zouk in Dupont Circle, or trying something new. DC has such a great dance scene (especially for salsa, which is not my favorite, but whatever), so I should take advantage of it! Now maybe I'll actually make it to those dance Meet-Ups I get emails about all the time...

4. Go to Shabbat once a month. In general, I go to Adas Israel for their Shir Delight services, which are on the first Friday of the month. But sometimes I'm busy that first Friday, and they don't even have these services in the summer months. In the past I simply don't go to Shabbat in that case, but in the New Year I want to go to services on a more regular basis. There are plenty of other groups that host young professionals shabbat services, like Sixth & I Historic Synagogue and 2239 Metro Minyan, so I'll make it a point to go to those services throughout the year, too.

5. Try to dress more fashionably. I'm not saying I have no style or look like "frump girl" all the time. But sometimes I feel like I'm just wearing clothes as opposed to actually putting together a fashionable outfit. I will try to make an effort to add a little extra to my ensembles, like wearing statement necklaces, or honestly simply doing more than wearing just a plain shirt with a pair of black slacks. I have so many pretty clothes and pieces of jewelry; I can do better by them!

6. Keep a journal. Well, sort of. Several months ago, I came across a notebook in which you write something every day for FIVE years. It's like a memory log for 2018 through 2022. Unfortunately, my best friend and I got in a fight over New Year's, so this isn't starting out so well... Hopefully this is not a premonition for the rest of 2018 (or the next five years!). And while this isn't really a true New Year's resolution, I will also try to avoid saying things that hurt or insult other people (i.e. this friend); while hurting someone's feelings is never my intention (my comments are usually in jest), I will make a real effort in the new year to be more aware of what I say, how I say it, and think more thoroughly before speaking. Probably a good rule all the time!