January: it’s about the small things.

What I did in January.

It’s easy to make New Years resolutions and then promptly forget about them. Everyone is gung ho about going to the gym on January 1 but come January 31 it’s all Netflix and excuses. Or maybe that’s just me. Personally, despite every good intention I may have had, I lost about 1 pound in January. I tried cutting down on calories but instead I ate way too much chocolate. As usual. And I thought about buying a Groupon for some fitness classes but then a nasty cold had me doing nothing but taking DayQuil and passing out. And I thought about joining a gym but didn’t want to commit to anything because I didn’t know where in the city I’d be moving.

Excuses, I know. But, it is what it is.

I did, however, make strides towards some of my goals for the year. I haven’t bitten my nails since before Christmas. During the week I’ve mostly used the Keurig machine at work instead of stopping at Starbucks on the way. And I’ve been keeping a spreadsheet and writing down every cent I’ve been spending to try to try to not overspend.

Oh, and I found an apartment.

I signed a lease and move into my own place in March. The building is a little bleak, but the apartment itself, while older than I’d like, is cute. It was one of those things where I just felt happy being inside. Like I could live there. Which doesn’t happen often with me. So I submitted an application right away. The apartment is in an pretty amazing location, which sealed the deal. It’s surrounded by good bars, restaurants (including the new location of Taco in a Bag which my friends are opening soon!), places where I can take guitar or cooking lessons, and a movie theater. It’s also two blocks from a gym that offers yoga and spinning and zumba. So, I guess, come March, I will have no more excuses.

Except that my gym shoes are buried in a box in storage somewhere.

Honestly though I feel like a huge weight has been lifted off my shoulders. Since getting home in October I’ve had little energy. I come home from work and want to do nothing but lay in bed watching Netflix and Hulu. This feeling of being in limbo, unsettled, in transition, has been hard. And I didn’t realize how hard it had been for me until I actually signed a lease.

Soon I’ll have a place of my own and, hopefully, start feeling whole again.

It’s about the small things.

Here are a few more things I got up to in January…

I went to The Art Institute’s Modern Wing for the first time. And laughed at penises. Because…wait…please tell me I’m not the only one…

 

I played Cards Against Humanity for the first time. And probably played the best hand i will ever play.

 

I tried the new flat white at Starbucks (on a weekend, of course) and was super excited because no one in the US ever has them on the menu.

 

I won a prize from McDonalds on Twitter for no reason at all. (Seriously, they just randomly tweeted me and then sent me $200 in gift certificates and some other swag! I NEVER WIN ANYTHING!)

 

I got a hair cut.

 

I celebrated my 34th birthday.

 

I saw Tosca at the place I work. Spoiler: everyone dies.