I've had multiple, unrelated instances in the past week where people have said to me: "2011 is going to be your year. I can just feel it!" I'd respond by either blushing or laughing that big hearty surprised laugh like Julia Roberts in Pretty Woman when Richard Gere snaps the jewelry box on her fingers. I react this way partly because I don't want to believe it to better avoid disappointment when it doesn't happen... but isn't that setting the deck up against myself before the year's even begun?
Because you know what? I feel it too. There's a change in the air. And I think that's why I was mostly sad on New Year's Eve. It felt like the time you finally take your stuffed animals off your bed because you know you're a big girl now (which I eventually did... at 27 *ahem*). Or like a kid who knows there is no Santa Claus, but still watches her friends' faces light up as they put out the milk and cookies.
For me, it's not so much about growing up, as it is about growing in. Finally being ready to grow into who I am truly meant to be. And that's scary, and sad, and exciting, all at the same time.
Whereas, if I had to give it a theme, I'd say 2010 was about Travel and Discovery, I think 2011 will be the year of Growth and Adventure.
So without further ado, just a few things I would like to see happen in 2011.
- Get out of credit card debt: it was a goal I was "hoping" to get around to last year, but hoping really isn't worth a damn without action. As of December 1st, I began tracking every. single. expense. To see where my money has been going and how to stay on track. I was inspired after watching a marathon viewing of Til Debt Do Us Partwith Gail Vaz-Oxlade. When it comes to money, I really love to have blinders on, to believe that everything will just "work out" on its own. Oh yeah, sure it will, in about 21 years if I stopped using my credit card and made only the required minimum payments. And for what? A couple dinners and some train tickets? No thank you!
So, I've been making changes. And if you would like to help me accomplish this goal, please let your friends know that my condo is still currently up for rent.
- Run a 10K Race & start prepping for a Try a Tri: I did 5 last year and I am almost ready for a 10. A challenge that I would like to take on now is swimming, since both my place and my gym in Toronto have a pool.
- Get into fighting shape: Actors have to put down height and weight on their resumes. Since everybody's weight always fluctuates, it's the only area where it's ok to fudge the info a little. I am currently waaaaaaay off. The thing is, I carry the extra weight really well. So well, that if you tried to guess my weight, to my agent's relief I'm sure, you would be wrong and probably much closer to what I put down on my resume. But that doesn't mean I like it. And just like getting out of debt and running a race, getting into shape requires a plan. Fortunately, thanks to an awesome gym rat friend, I've got a step-by-step guide to get me back down to resume weight, including things to do every single day. For my Roller Derby show, I want to wear a midriff top and when I do, there WILL be Visible Abdominal Definition! (or VAD for short)
- Work more in French: it's my mother tongue and I have never performed in a professional play or film in French (industrials don't count). I also want to get the rest of my UdA credits in order to be a full member of all three performer unions in Canada.
- Work in front of the cameras: As much as I enjoy doing stand-in work, and as much as am I happy to have done a lot of industrial/promotional videos, now I want to do stories. TV or film, it doesn't matter, I just want to be in front of the cameras telling a good story.
- Keep traveling: Last year, I wrote: "Is it weird that I actually love living out of my suitcase and sleeping on other people’s couches?" Not that there's anything wrong with people's couches, nor their generosity in letting me stay at their house, but how about a few hotel rooms here and there?
- Keep learning: this one never changes.
Though there are lots of other things that I would like to do and accomplish during the year, this is all I'm going to be putting down for now. There's a few things I'm just not ready to share yet since I'm still waiting to hear back from a few potential projects.
So there you have it, my goals for 2011. Now, if you'll excuse me, after wasting away the first two days of the year in my very comfortable bed, it's time for me to get back into gear. First stop, the gym and then the grocery store. But while I'm gone, feel free to let me know what your goals for the year might be!