Here comes 2016

The funny thing about New Year's Day is that it comes whether you want it to or not. And the more you don't want it to arrive, the more likely it is to get here sooner. Time works in mysterious ways.

I am both dreading and excited for New Year's Day. Excited for obvious reasons, as the start to a new year is always a good reason to be excited. So much can happen in 12 months and it's all before me.

Dreading because 2016 will start off no different than 2015 ended, and I'm not in a happy place right now. To be fair, I'm not miserable either, but this year is not ending as I hoped it would, and 2016 is not starting as I hoped it would. In fact, is starting very close to how I dreaded it would.

Hense my conflicted feelings on the matter. But 2016 will come, whether I wish it or no, and so, like most things in life, you learn to make the best of it.

On that note, I have certain New Year Resolutions. Though I hate that term 'resolutions'. I resolve to do this, this and this. Resolutions are about intention, not outcome, and by the definition far too easy to break. Like promises. I am resolved is a good turn of phrase, but it does not necessary mean follow-through.

Instead, I make determinations. I am resolved in decision yes, but I am determined in process.

So my New Year Determinations are:

Follow-through on the internship I created for myself. That means six months self.

Go to the gym regularly.

Eat fewer white carbs.

Eat less processed sugar.

See friends at least once a month.

Write a query letter. Send it out. [Freak out.]

Finish the novels that are in progress. To not start anymore.

Edit two novels. [Well, one and a half.]

Travel as much as your bank account will absolutely allow.

Walk camino.

Graduate.

Be excited about 2017.