Here are some of my resolutions for the new year:

1. Save money.

This year, I closed my savings account because I didn’t have anything to put in it. Depressing.
I’m hopeful that the new year some of the ways I’ve started to cut back will pay off. I got rid of that rarely used fax number. I may chuck my expensive Blackberry phone plan. I cut back on my Netflix subscription and those magazines I’m barely keeping up with. This new year, I’m hoping I’ll master being able to distinguish between what I want (my next little black dress) and what I actually need (rain boots–how did I forget how much it rains in New York?!).

2. Lose Weight.

Yeah, this is everyone’s solid favorite as New Year’s resolutions go. I’m carrying around an extra 25 pounds I put on after developing fibromyalgia and I’d like to see at least 10-15 of it go. I have no dreams about being a size 0 ever again but my knees could use a lighter load to carry. Of course, this means I’ll actually have to use my gym memberships (like right now when I’m blogging instead?). Arg.

3. Eat more bunny food.

I read a joke somewhere about Dominicans eating fruits and vegetables. They joke was that they don’t. And the only vegetable I could find in the Dominican cookbook I bought is eggplant, of which I’m not a big fan. I’m going to eat more salads as a meal (gross!) and hopefully, more spinach and broccoli (and not just when I order Chinese food). How I will survive life without an extra helping of rice and beans is beyond me!

4. Live more. Write less.

I spent a year and a half stressing out about writing my book, publishing articles and getting a freelance career off the ground. Four hundred pages and several clips later (including 2 in a major magazine), I realize that I really need to get out of the house more. Writing went from being something I loved to do to something that was giving me panic attacks. I’m considering cutting back my blogging to 5 days a week and replacing that blogging time with much needed long walks. Sure, I’ll take my journal with me in case something strikes me but I’m not going to let my writing keep me up late at night anymore.

5. Stop Complaining. Start moving on.

I’m not happy where I am in life. I’m not happy with my relationship with G-d. I’m not happy living in Riverdale. I’m not happy living with fibromyalgia. I’m not happy. Period. I can’t change a lot of these things but maybe I can change the way I respond to them. I’m going to try to stop complaining about the things I can’t change and try to figure out new strategies to change the things I can.

I’ve already started making some changes. And I’m already making new friends with common interests. I’m even trekking out of Riverdale when my body’s up to it. I’m also debating giving G-d a second chance. We’ll see.

This year, I’ll learn how to park. This year, I’ll get published in some interesting places (I hope). And wherever this new year takes me, I’m hoping I’ll be up for the challenges ahead.

What are some of your new year’s resolutions? What are you looking forward to this year? (And have a happy new year! See you Monday!)