New Years Eve. The buzz of “what are you doing to celebrate?” is constant after Christmas and this year, like many, would be a game-time decision; feeling what’s resonating with me the week or even night of.

This year, I felt like doing something small, intimate, cozy – with the only expectations being that it would be an event with good company, laughs, a countdown and a clink. Well, it was all that and more – add an intense boys-versus-girls game of Taboo, Adele belting sessions (which allowed my my voice to make an Irish-goodbye), great food, a melding of traditions, new friends and a new perspective.

Resolutions. Yes, I make them every year. And this year is different in that I’m going to write them here 1. as a written accountability that leaves the corners of my iPhone and 2. to hopefully inspire you to jot down some of your own. I know, I know, every day should be an internal reflection, a moving meditation on areas of ourselves we can cultivate and areas where we can evolve. I agree with all of that but here lies an opportunity for people everywhere to reassess. A time where the whole world is turning a new leaf the Gregorian way and kisses (or kicks) the year past farewell. Why not join in and make it a launching point for self-awareness, acceptance and aspriations?

The house party I attended with one of my greatest friends and her boyfriend was on the same block as the apartment I shared with my ex just a little over one year ago. As we traversed Golden Gate Park and poked out the other side right into the heart of my old stomping ground, I had the tendency to make the event heavy; to bring a weight and a sadness on the occasion. You know what? No. It doesn’t need to be that way – and in vocalizing my urge to make it a big deal, my dear friend mentioned the benefit of holding things lightly and just like that a biggie resolution for me was realized. 2016, I will practice holding lightly.

I will practice non-attachment, being present and engaged, but not holding my expectations so high that I weigh them down with what I think they should be.

I will be open to new experiences and live lightly, go with the flow, and not take myself or events too seriously.

I will practice making decisions confidently, try to avoid second-guessing myself and eliminate the concept of right versus wrong, and one true “best” knowing that regardless of how something turns out, it teaches me something. The energy I pour into making the “right” or “best” decision has diminished the quality of the experience of my chosen outcome.

I’ll practice lightness of being with others. I’ll be more conscious of accepting people as they are – not wish they were different, not try to change them, not point out what I perceive as flaws. I will love people wholly and hold them in the light that they already are.

Outside my 2016 mantra, here are some of my other resolutions and you can hold me to them:

1. Keep dance and yoga in my life. When I’m dancing or practicing yoga, I feel a connection to my body, mind and soul that I want to cultivate this year and every year.
2. Wipe the dust off of my sewing machine and get to it. I’d be lying if I said I wasn’t at all thrilled about the floors upon floors of fabrics at Britex. “Make it work!”
3. Go travel somewhere new. Domestic or international.
4. Read on Muni. Occasional Instagram scroll-feats are fine from time-to-time, but I want to use the commute as a way to unwind by connecting to a good read.
5. Build a wardrobe that I really love. This one may seem silly but it’s made the list before and I still feel like I haven’t quite nailed my wardrobe staples. This is on here for me to work towards creating a closet that feels me and doesn’t only consist of stockpiled basics and sale/impulse buys.
6. Try a new recipe at least once a month. I’ve invested in some pretty  great cookbooks lately so you bet I’m going to Farmers Market so hard.

Speaking of intention setting, my goal in taking a bath this afternoon was to sit and ponder my resolutions – well that and to invite blood to return to my extremities. Instead, I dozed off.

7. Take more baths.

But warm and reflective, I end wishing you a beautiful year of love and lightness. Happy New Year!