Thursday, January 01, 2009

2009: Reboot

I can't say that I'm going to miss 2008. I lost my last grandparent, my job and pretty much all of my savings. However, I am thankful for being able to look upon my boyfriend's face in person nearly every day, actually living in the place I've been paying mortgage on for three years (though it doesn't look like it's going to sell anytime soon) and having a reliable fast Internet connection for the first time in a long time.

My situation is likely going to get worse in 2009, but there's little I can do to prevent that. So I'm taking time to "reboot" my life. It started with an abrupt decision to chop off most of my hair, and now I'm looking at everything around me in a new way: Have I truly expressed how much the people who love and support me are appreciated? Do I really need to watch so much television? What needs to change to prevent my being taken advantage of in the future? Maybe that life-assessment I didn't go through when I turned 30 is catching up with me four months late, but I suddenly feel like a bomb is going to go off if I don't get my crap together as soon as possible.

Last month I reconnected with people who studied abroad with me; we reminisced in disbelief that our semester in Spain was a full DECADE ago. Then I stumbled onto a journal (I still haven't put my albums together) from that time and discovered that the uncertainty and frustration I had wanted to escape back then isn't all that different from the confusion and helplessness that I wrestle with today. Ten years can change a lot of the details, but the sentiment is the same. There's no such thing as a vacation from your life--and perhaps the best way to figure out where you're going is to take a good look at where you have been. So that's what I aim to do this year.

Happy 2009 everyone. I hope things get clearer and brighter for all of us.

6 comments:

SupaCoo said...

This post gave me goosebumbs! Happy 2009 to you, as well.

Anonymous said...

Always remember: Its not what happens to you but your reaction to it that counts.

Optimism is a choice - take it.

Anonymous said...

Happy new year. As long as we all have roofs over our heads, food on the table and love in our lives, it all comes down to perspective. And you seem to have a good one.

(And thank goodness for Obama. Can you imagine how you'd feel, entering 2009, if McCain had won? Yikes.)

velocibadgergirl said...

Happy New Year, lovely!

I've tagged you for a meme, and will send "Better Year This Year" vibes your way! xo!

Anonymous said...

A lot of people I know are looking at rough starts to the new year (myself included). Stay positive, set some achievable goals, and go out of your way to have some fun! That's going to be my strategy anyway, might as well bring some others down with me if it fails ;)

Best wishes for your 2009!

Anonymous said...

I know it sounds cliche, but with every challenge comes opportunity. I wish you the best in 2009!!