My Open Door
At lunch with my family on new year’s day, I shared that I was going to write a post about my new year goals, and I mentioned my theme for the year is “2024 is my open door.” Next thing I know, there’s my sweet husband’s Facebook Status (pictured above). I think it’s meant to be supportive, but he beat me to my own post and stole my theme for the year, so that’s my angry face reaction. He thinks he’s so funny.
For this year, I’m focusing on open doors and knowing that things meant for me will be. I’m working on shedding self-doubt, trusting my instincts, and being authentic. When I get complimented, I’ll sometimes tell people to be careful because I’ll start believing my own hype. Truthfully, I could probably stand to believe my hype a bit more.
Last year was rough in a lot of ways that don’t really need to be rehashed here, but I believe this will be a better year. I’m glad that it started on a Monday, because I love when the new year is also the start of the new week. Sunday would also be an acceptable day for the year to start. Any other day of the week throws me off. I’ve spent a bit of time thinking about how I want to spend my year, so here’s a peek.
2024 Goals
Handwrite the book of Psalms and maybe Proverbs if time. I just found this whole community of people online who are handwriting the whole Bible, and it intrigues me. I’ve written out five Psalms so far, but I started the end of last year. There’s something neat about writing it out, and I feel a bit more connected to the Word when I do it. I experience it differently.
Post a new blog weekly. I’m gonna aim for Mondays, but we’ll see. I have a series in mind called “Remind Me,” which I hope to start next Monday. I’m going to revisit some of the prayer poems I wrote in my late teens early 20’s. I hope that my words will encourage someone out there.
Write more and share more and maybe get published. I’ve joined a local writing group, and I’m hoping to get some feedback on an essay I wrote that I want to submit to the Modern Love column of the New York Times. It’s about the last time I saw a college crush, and I’m pretty proud of it, but I can’t publish it on the blog if I want to submit it to the NYT.
Walk or run, but probably mostly walk 1024 kilometers. I have the Map my Walk app on my phone, and it’s a yearly challenge they host. I’ve never been close to 1000K, but it just helps me to be motivated to walk.
Pass my graduate courses. I already lost my chance for a 4.0, so I just want to finish my graduate certificates even if it’s with a bunch of Asian F’s (AKA B’s for those not in the know).
Read a book every two weeks. I was going to do a book a week, but with classes and work and the business, 26 books is a fine, respectable goal.
Spend less, save more. Love the stuff I have or get rid of it.
Romanticize my own life, which for me just means to take in and appreciate that my life as messy and complicated and crazy as it can be is also quite beautiful and lovely.
Here’s to a year of believing my hype and authentic living. May only the right doors open for me and for you this year. I’d love to hear about your own goals and/or suggestions for how I can stay on track with mine. Cheers!!
Kimberly
