I refuse to make new years resolutions. I'm more of a "live in the now, always improve" type of person. But that mentality also led me to burn out suddenly and quickly by early December '17. One can only 'grow' and 'improve' so much before realizing it's a pleasant way to say we hustled a little too hard this year.

As I sat in a vegetative state on my couch watching a marathon of Magic School Bus, eating 3/4 of a pie (no exaggeration), battling a raging sore throat, and with several social engagements to get dressed for, I resolved myself to take up a resolution.

It must be stated that this goes against the very fiber of my being. But I know that my personal goal for this year is to be healthier as a person, and that it is not optional. I will stop staying up until 2am every night, tapping away at my keyboard. I will stop pretending that tea doesn't count as caffeine. I will call my mom more regularly. I will exfoliate once per week. I will use that Class Pass membership I signed up for in July.

The problem is that I don't know when these good habits died, but one day I woke up and they ceased to be part of my routine. In November I started getting terrible acid reflux that was causing me to choke in my sleep. At that point I knew I had to make a big change. Between working on my book, chugging away at EAF, planning my wedding, and working my day job, there was just too much on my mind. I was never relaxed and it was showing physically.

I was also in a foggy state mentally. My allergy anxiety was returning to its previous high, exacerbated by the many Christmas parties and events of the season. I wasn't feeling sharp, and I was completely overwhelmed.

By "getting healthy", I mean I have to start learning to relax again, and exercising beyond walking to and from the grocery store. I don't aspire to become a gym goer or a regular at spin class; I just aspire to feel good again mentally and physically.

Eating 3/4 of a pie while watching TV was the most relaxed I had been all year. With my manuscript and photography nearly finished, my wedding invites dispatched, and the social functions of the season behind me, I could feel myself exhale. I took a moment to think about what I want 2018 to look like, for me.

Habits to keep:
- Eat breakfast and lunch every day
- Consume lots of veggies
- Avoid alcohol most of the time

Habits to ditch:
- staying up to the point of exhaustion
- forgetting to eat when I get home from work
- snoozing my alarm ten times
- responding to emails in bed

Habits to develop:
- let my brain relax at the end of the day
- allow myself time to wake up in the morning
- try to be active

Do you believe in resolutions? What do you plan to do differently, if anything, in 2018?