So, this is the New Year.

I can't seem to quite remember who I was at the end of last year. Have I improved in any way during the twelve months that have passed? Chances are that I have improved in some skills, maybe even picked up a few new ones. I have certainly stagnated in some regards and regrettably, retrogressed in others.

This year, I have decided to be very specific in the goals I set for myself and have measures of whether or not I progress toward them. I'm hoping that keeping this blog will give me some sort of accountability.

All of my goals work toward my larger, broad goal in life which is simply to be the best human being I can be.

• Be healthier. Starting with the basics, I need to feed myself right. I have been eating terribly lately, and it's very apparent. So, I my first goal will be to eat well consistently. I don't want to put food into my body that has no value. I don't really have a "diet" plan or anything, though a routine may develop. there are just a few basic guidelines: minimal processing in foods, avoid artificial colorings, added sugar, corn syrup, high fat foods (more than 30%) will be avoided, etc.
• Allow my body to reach it's full potential. I am going to start exercising regularly again! yay. I really do like working out, especially when I'm in shape. So, initially, I am just working on that: getting into shape. Last year, I was really getting into running and I would like to pick that up again, so to help me get back in shape I am starting a 10K training plan this week. this plan has me running 4 times a week with gradually increasing distances. Over eight weeks I build up to 6.5 mile runs. I have also signed up for a strength training class at school. I know I will not do strength training like I should unless I have to, so a class was a good solution.
• Stop procrastinating. My procrastination is a problem. I endure so much stress during the semester, and most of it is self inflicted. If I were to study like I should, do my work when I have the time, I would be a much happier person. This will probably be the hardest goal of mine to meet because procrastination is a very strong habit. in order to help myself improve I will be keeping a detailed calendar of my classes, internship obligations, assignments, test, and personal events. This will allow me to organize my time and actually see how many hours are available to me. One of my measures will be the amount of stress associated with my chemistry and physics tests (these are the highest point of stress for me). The less I procrastinate, the more prepared I will be, and the less I will stress. hopefully.
• Become more environmentally conscious. Locally, air quality sucks. nationally, food is reliant on large, inefficient food farming, production, and transportation. Globally, changing climate may cause problems usually reserved for movies. Individual impact on all three levels DO matter, and I need to actually start believing that, stop being lazy, and do my part. So, to lessen the burden of personal guilt and to improve the human condition, I will be finding alternative transportation to school at least once a week, either bus, bike, or by foot. This may increase as the weather improves and as I get used to adjusting my schedule to allow for more travel time. I will be saving money on gas and upkeep on my car, and if I bike or walk, I will be combining commute and physical activity.
• I have always really been keen on the idea of being able to provide for myself. Not just monetarily, but everything else like food and power. Lately, I have begun to think that a lifestyle of complete self sufficiency would make me very happy. I think that some day, I would really like to own a farm and run it on alternative energy. The skill set necessary to achieve such a feat in diverse, and I don't have very many of those skills. So, I want to start educating myself on these matters. I have decided that I will volunteer at the community garden that is down the street from me so I can learn more about growing things. Every year I have made some sort of half-assed attempt at a garden, and everything always dies. I want to put an end to this. I will also be purchasing a gardening reference book.
• Along with this, I want to learn how to keep a mulch pile. I really like the idea of using my food scraps, that would normally be going to the dump, to grow some plants in the back yard. There are many small changes I can make, that if everyone were to make, a measurable difference in made. and, I'd like to think I am doing my part. so, I'm going to make an effort to sort my recyclables better.
• Meditation is something I have always been interested in. My mind is always very busy, sometimes annoyingly so. I need to find a way to calm my thoughts and relax. so, I will start to meditate. There is a 5:00 meditation class at the gym at my school which I will be attending weekly for help in learning this skills. I will then work it into my every day life. every morning I will strive to be up early enough to meditate for 10 minutes while I drink my tea.
• I also have budget goals. which I will outline further upon receiving my financial aid for the semester.

I may add to this list as I go, but for the next few weeks, I will be primarily be working on integrating these new things into my life and establishing habit.