A year ago, when I was still blogging on Tumblr, I posted a list of ten resolutions for 2011.
New Year’s {Style} Resolutions – with annotations completed on December 29, 2011. (The numbers correspond to the photo collage above from left to right).
1. Do Ballet as often as I possibly can.
I’m beyond happy to say that I accomplished this to the best I could. I performed again in my ballet school’s show, just like the good old days. This fall, I stepped up my game and started going every week and working on flexibility.
2. Wear less Black.
I embraced this resolution whole-heartedly. Colour-blocking was one of my favourite trends of the year, and I don’t think I own a black pair of pants anymore. Nearly every bag I bought was in an eye-popping colour, and I own blazers in pink, red, orange, yellow and green. Perfect for my future career as a newscaster.
3. Go to McDonald’s less.
In June, I found out I had celiac disease, so I took this resolution a step further. I completely revolutionized what I put into my mouth, and I feel like a completely new person. I’m no longer sick, and pains I’ve had all my life are gone now.
4. Heal my feet so I can wear these more often…
Last year I was suffering from stress fractures, and I’ve gotten a lot better. Though I haven’t purchased a perfect pair of Loubi’s or YSL’s, my collection has gotten bigger and blogging has forced me to experiment and put different heels into the mix.
5. Save up for something from Chanel.
Does perfume count? I guess I could afford something now, but a MacBook Pro is more important for my move to Europe! (more on that later…)
6. Work hard, and get accepted to study abroad in Australia.
Something in me changed. All I wanted last year was to run away to a gorgeous foreign land, and I changed my mind to study in Lyon, France. When that prospect seemed too unreachable, I discovered an amazing program near Amsterdam. Only 25 days left till I leave. I think this is one of my proudest accomplishments.
7. Take more photographs.
The fact that 1TB on my iMac is 50% taken up with photos since July is proof that I have stayed faithful to this goal. Last year, I travelled to Florida twice and met Harry Potter and Mickey Mouse, went to Ottawa, my nation’s capital, spent a summer in cottage country and most recently, a week in Mexico. The people, places and things contained in jpeg format document one of the most amazing years of my life.
8. Wear red lipstick more often, and not be afraid of getting lipstick on my teeth.
A friend on vacation said to me “Do you have permanent red lips?” Safe to say, I embraced my inner woman by embracing red.
9. Learn to spend less.
I guess I have to break one resolution. But I’m happy that I spent it on friends, outings, travelling and gorgeous, gorgeous clothes. You can’t wear money after all! In the past few months though, I’ve been saving up for my exchange, and it’s been an interesting experience learning how to say no.
10. Continue to write, and keep working on my portfolio.
I think that this blog and my work for the Women’s Post is a testament to how much I’ve grown in a year. Forcing myself to write almost everyday on this blog has developed me as a writer and creative thinker, constantly looking for story ideas and inspiration. Working for the Women’s Post was one of my favourite experiences of the year. I grew disheartened with the journalism industry, and working for a small magazine’s online content made me excited again… and for me right now, sky’s the limit.
On January 1st, I will post ten new resolutions, and I hope that in 2012, I will make them happen, just like I did in 2011.
