To a new journey - Welcome 2016

2015 was a pretty rough year. I was off work for medical reasons for a couple months and then lost my job. I made the most of it and traveled the rest of the year but even those trips were full of trying times and disappointments despite my attitude to enjoy as much as I could.

2016 has started off now - the house guest who overstayed their welcome finally moved out, meaning I have full use of my room again and all their things are now gone from the house; the new year started with a posting of art (which is a rare thing for me now a days, even if it was an exchange piece); I've got an updated resume and a few places to post it; and I've started up running a couple of games to keep my imagination going and to explore other concepts and possibilities.

Every year I plan to make resolutions but I find that they don't tend to stick. Instead I have a few general life changes I want to make. More ways of thinking than anything solid, but I want to have concrete goals so I'll take my time thinking on them. Some are definitely easier to put down to paper than others but it is something worth trying for.

1) Be kinder to myself:
- I always berate myself, or put myself after others. I think of myself in negative internal commentary most of the time. So starting slowly, I am going to change that. I want to make changes that benefit my brain, body and spirit.
- I want to make healthier choices: mental, and physical.
- take 20 minutes at least 2-3 times a week for myself to find calm, and peace. I think this will mostly take the form of walking down to Pacific Spirit Park/Camosun Bog as that place really lets me slow down and just enjoy the moment.
- I am determined to regain control of my body and be kinder to it. Sleeping at least 7 hours and re-situating my body clock to sleep at night. Less stress eating and take the time to cook for myself more like I used to.
- try to think of at least 1 positive thing about myself every day and say it aloud. Somehow speaking it does something for the mind. 
- Endeavor to be content with what is before me, and what I already have.
- Do my best to believe the words and accept the kindness of friends.

2) Put thoughts into action:
- I want to become someone who no longer is a passive individual, just watching life go by. I have so many ideas and thoughts yet so very few have manifested themselves beyond the confines of my memory.
- I want to choose 2 charities or organizations that help others and involve myself at least 4 times this year. This could take many forms from volunteering to donating etc.
- I will begin looking for work overseas and out of country by no later than July this year if no promising job prospects turn up. If by the time my lease on my rental room expires, and I have not yet found something locally, I will begin packing my things and try to acquire these jobs and work on getting a work visa.
- Use the new Hobonichi or a calendar to visually and easily be able to see what I have done. Use this to help with #1

3) Be creative:
- Find creative solutions for problems that arise. I find often that breaking things down into smaller bits and then making a game out of them can help. I know this yet, I rarely take the opportunity to do this and problems become indomitable and cause me anxiety and often depression.
- At least twice a month, work on creating something. That could be as little as intentionally baking something, drawing, sewing or whatever. Plan for every week, but be ok to expect something less as long as I reach 2 times. Once this has been successfully achieved, slowly bump up the frequency (be sure to determine what that growth rate is)
- Take everyday tasks and even some of these goals, and infuse them with my imagination to create something better than just doing the bare minimum to proceed. 
- Learn from mistakes and take pride in accomplishments.

and perhaps most importantly...

Remember that there is no failure, only deferred success. (my sister's wise words)


Anyhoo sorry about the long rambling post. I'll be cross posting this elsewhere as well so that I remember and people can call me out on things (if they so care to do so).