journal-and-coffee

Happy New Year!

Ever since I was a teenager, I loved the idea of a fresh start to each New Year. Usually, I’d write down a bunch of beautiful goals and then promptly forget about them.

This year, I decided to go back and look through my journals to see what 2016 was all about.

  1. Everything’s going to be fine. Jeez, Lani. How often do you need to be reminded?
  2. Sometimes change and risks don’t pay off. Aaaand you get up and try something else.
  3. Politics suck.
  4. It’s true, having something to look forward to does make you happier.
  5. No more ramen before bed.
  6. Lists of dreams, desires and ‘to dos’ are only useful if you go back and look at them.
  7. Watching TV shows to decompress, escape, laugh and enjoy a story. It’s okay, yo. Relax.
  8. Kindness is not random. And this year, attempting to practice more of it.
  9. I’m such a stress case! Meditation better work – or else…
  10. I can’t meditate while lying down.
  11. Stay in touch with your friends, numbnuts, even when you feel yourself sliding down the wall.
  12. Keeping a journal to record my life is still the best idea-turned-habit. It provides an outlet for head-traffic and I get to write down the good stuff. Win. Win. Win.
  13. I’m not the morning person I thought I was.
  14. I’m not as patient as I’d like to be.
  15. I wrote, ‘life is good’ often in my journal. Remember that.
  16. I can fly in my dreams.
  17. A lot of things can be negotiated, like rent, but what’s important to me, my free time, cannot.
  18. Sometimes you can’t tell who your true friends are going to be right away. And that’s okay. It’s like watching a movie.
  19. Part of my job, as I see it, is to be grateful. Not in a ‘smiling through the pain way’, but in a ‘don’t be an asshole way’. I hope.
  20. Ask for help.
  21. A year goes by fast.

What did you learn in 2016? Are there any journaling/goal setting rituals you do to ring in the New Year?

59 replies on “21 things my journal wants me to remember about 2016”

  1. I agree with you when you say a year goes fast – however, not so fast when you are nearing the end of a pregnancy.

    What did I learn in 2016? Well, that a little human can bring ultimate joy and happiness.

    Happy New Year, Lani! I hope 2017 is an amazing year for you.

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    1. Awwww. Thanks. Heheh, yeah I suppose when you are ready to give birth you either want to hold on or get it over with! So glad to hear that you are happy with your little bundle of joy and that all is well and good. Happy New Year! Here’s hoping the beautiful life continues for you…xxoo

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  2. I can fly in my dreams too. Can’t figure out why I can’t in real life. It seems so easy in my dreams 🙂

    I like politics, it’s a reminder about the importance of “balance” in society and that it doesn’t just happen, it requires being proactive

    I don’t journal in the traditional sense, but I do it somewhat on FB. I can certainly be criticized for that, but it’s a way of sharing my life with family and friends back home and thoughts here and there with others.

    Our prayers this first day of 2017 were exclusively about freshness and new things as opposed to being thankful for the blessings in 2016 (of which there were many) or changes needed. That was a nice feeling.

    At 65 years of age, I still don’t feel like I’m in the waning years, but reality is that I don’t have as much time to make a difference or correct my mistakes. That means I have to give more thought to some things without losing spontaneity

    Happy New Year. ,

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    1. Ugh. I just feel like I wasted so much time with politics in 2016. I read back through my journals and remembered all the energy that went into keeping up because I thought it was my duty to do so. And because, let’s face it, it was a banner year.

      So, nah, I’m good. I’m ready to move on and focus on what I can do at ground zero, so to speak. Got to start somewhere, right? 😛

      Normally, I’d be all about goal-setting for 2017, but I thought for a change, 2016 deserved a look back to see what I needed to do moving forward.

      For some reason, Tony, I don’t see you at 65 rocking in the ‘ol rocking chair. And we don’t mind that you treat FB as a personal journal or update! That’s what it’s for!

      Happy New Year, new beginnings and all that good stuff for you and Julie in 2017. xxoo

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    2. Dude! 65 is the new 45! I’m 57 which is the new 37. So, while we ain’t spring chickens, we’re not ready for the rocking chair yet either. Rock on…..dance floor, not chair!

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  3. Hahaha. I wish I could fly in my dreams. Haven’t had that one yet 😀 The staying in touch point resonated with me, and also the point about your true friends. In 2016 I got a clearer picture of who would actually be there for me and to make the effort to catch up and hang out. Sometimes it really does take an effort to meet up lol, and when you can agree on a time and place, then there is figuring out what to do together. Most of the time, though, is finding a spot to sit and chat.

    Can’t be bothered with setting any goals really for 2017, and really just want to live life with no expectations. Maybe also relax a bit more and not try to do so many things – it certainly felt that way a lot when I wasn’t feeling well and spent a lot of time waiting for the doctors.

    Here’s to 2017. I have a feeling it will be special for a lot of us in some ways, and I hope it will be a good one for you 😛

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    1. Yeah, I have a tendency to disconnect when things get shitty. I might reach out, but it’s like I don’t want to bother people with my petty dramas and heartaches. As far as meeting up, it’s easy for me, I never do it. Hahahhaaa. Actually, my focus has been on my writing and maintaining my sanity, so there wasn’t much time for me to socialize. It’s like when I did have a great social life, I didn’t finish my first book and when I finished the book, I wasn’t socializing.

      Goal setting is a tricky one. I think I’ve finally figured out my game plan and I’m excited to share it, but I know it’s too soon to blog about it. So, who knows. It really does come down to figuring out what works for you. I think I’ve finally accepted this.

      2017 is going to rock, just you see Mabelee 😛 Thanks for the good wishes! xxoo

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      1. I get what you mean in terms of reaching out. In 2016, I really bottled up and from what I feel over the last few months, it pushed people away and that hurt. It was a very hard and painful lesson to learn 😦

        I find it so hard you never meet up or socialise because, well, that blog post with all the photos of you posing with so many people 😛 Even if that was past, I am sure you did socialise a bit this year…

        Lol, I hope 2017 is going to rock. I already feel it will be a special one for all of us 😀

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      2. Yes, I make those social pics really last. Heh, heh. I think the last time I went out was for the staff party, so I could get a lot of photos in one easy place.

        Actually, most people assume I’m an extrovert because I’m obnoxious, annoying and loud, but I’m a sensitive, ‘rather be home with a book kind of gal’. So complex. 😀

        I just told myself that I’d stay in better contact with folks. No more, once in a blue moon emails. I hope I can do it!

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    2. I certainly hope you are right about 2017. So far, we’ve had two kinds of problems and it’s just January, ha ha!

      I want to set goals, too, but what comes to mind when I try to think is just “To survive the year.” Kind of pathetic, but it’s also the truth.

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      1. I am sorry to hear about the problems, but hope they will be resolved in due time.

        Survival is harder than it is. So you are very wise to focus on keeping afloat. I already feel like I am being too ambitious, especially with writing :”D

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  5. Your mediation rules crack me up. How do you meditate if you can’t do it lying down?

    I think I need to practice patience more. Starting with myself. Then my husband and animals. Then the idiots who believe you should go 15 mph and make a right turn from the LEFT lane–

    yeah. Patience. Same as last year.

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    1. Hahaha. Yeah, on-going goals.

      Aw, man, you know what? I was trying to meditate before going to sleep and then I’d just lie there trying to meditate and not drift off to sleep. F’n nightmare. Ended up stressing over the whole damn thing.

      Now I meditate in the morning, sitting up. 😀

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  6. I try to keep my goals brief, vague, and unintelligible so that no one knows when I don’t meet them! ^^ I think it’s awesome that your journal tells you so much about your year. It makes me want to write a journal!

    For me, #11 & 18 stood out because I am working on the whole friends thing too. It’s only the 1st and I’m already exhausted! I wish you the best this year ^^

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    1. I have a love/hate relationship with goals. I’m trying something new out, something I hope won’t make me feel like the biggest loser when I don’t make it.

      Friendships can be tough. We don’t really learn about how to maintain them and care for one another anywhere. Just life, right? I’ve been trying to keep myself very much contained, like in a bubble, no drama.

      Best wishes to you, too!

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  7. Hey, Lani! Happy New Year!
    Had to giggle because people assume I’m an extrovert too. NOT. Perhaps we need to go into showbiz since we are, obviously, great actresses given the sheer number of people who are convinced that we’re extroverts. What do you think? I’ve had people get mad at me because I wouldn’t agree with them that I was an extrovert. What? I mean, I’ve lived with myself for 57 years now. Preeeeetty damn sure I’m an introvert, lol!

    I like your phrase “outlet for head traffic”. Definitely stealing it! Maybe I need to take up journaling again. Lots of head traffic last year. Sigh.

    I too can fly in my dreams. Can breathe underwater and levitate. The skill to do all three utterly escapes me during my waking hours. Bummer.

    And snarkiness is a vastly underrated skill!

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    1. Heh, heh. Thanks!

      Damn it. I can levitate, too. Don’t remember swimming. I don’t have many swimming dreams. Let me see if I can change that. I’ll get back to you…

      When I think of extroverts, I think of busy-bodies. I think of folks who are not only outgoing, but who love to be around other ppl all the time. Like, they can’t eat out alone or do errands kind of thing.

      I’m just not like that. I blame childhood where I spent a lot of time alone, especially once I started getting into reading.

      It took me a while to figure it out, but like you, I’m not spring chicken anymore. I need time to recharge, reflect and decompress. But when I am around folks, I can be fun, I really get it in and then I’m done. xxoo

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      1. Yep, I have a cousin in-law that really dislikes being alone. She loves to go, go, go and do, do, do and will call and ask if I want to go shopping, go to a “Tupperware” type party, go to a festival and she tells me all about everything she’s seen, heard and done, she’s on Facebook all the time……and I love her to death but she’s EXHAUSTING! I like people in small doses. I can go to a party and have a great time…..laugh, dance, talk to everyone, sing karaoke……but then I’m good for a while and content to putter around by myself. I enjoy going into town once a week and striking up conversations with random strangers….. perhaps because I know that it’s a conversation with a built in time limit so to speak.

        Like you, it took me a while to figure it out……that being an “extroverted introvert” was a thing and it was totally okay to be one and to just go with the flow whichever way the flow is going at any given time. Oddly enough, the hubs and both kids are “extroverted introverts” as well. Thank god because I don’t know how I’d have survived raising a kid who was like my cousin in-law, lol!

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    1. Ugh. I wish I was one of those ZEN people. I reallly embarrased myself several times (at least) by being such a stress case. I keep blaming menopause and I’m not even going through it yet.

      HNY!! xxoo

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      1. I hit menopause at coming up on 56. Miserable few months of hot flashes that felt like being roasted alive from the inside out. Stressed out to the nth degree! But once the being roasted alive business eased off? Stress levels are significantly lower than they were before menopause! Yay! Nobody told me that there was an up side to menopause besides the obvious elimination of your monthly visitor!

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  9. “It’s true, having something to look forward to does make you happier.”

    Very, very true. I think we all need this to have hope and joy in life. There always needs to be something to look forward to, whether it’s a life event or a trip or a new career opportunity. For me, it’s trips mostly.

    Those are all great points, Lani. Love it!

    Happy New Year! Wishing you the best in 2017

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    1. Glad you enjoyed them.

      Sometimes looking forward to the weekend is enough. Or at least enough, to get you through one day at a time. Because far away goals can feel to far away to give you encouragement.

      Cheers, Mary. xxoo

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    1. No. Were not. It’s on one of those lists, you know, those lists that say all the wonderful things you want in life and then the last thing I ended with was ‘ask for help’. I figured I better write it down again…reminders. 😛

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  11. That was a cute list! I appreciate introspection…hope all those lovely thoughts helped you in ‘getting up and trying something else!’ Lets get going with all the dreams that are waiting! Cheers to new horizons! 🙂

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  12. Great list Lani! I really enjoyed your humor. I particularly identify with the one about lists of dreams and desires being useless unless you go back and look at them. I am not sure if I have ever gone back and looked at mine, but there is something magical about just making a list that reassures you that everything is going to be better from now on because of it.

    Thanks by the way for asking about my move on Twitter. I am settled in and loving the new apartment and town. It was a great way to begin the New Year. I would have answered on Twitter but my sanity has demanded that I take an extended break from Twitter, and I have decided to acquiesce.

    The best of luck with keeping your resolutions. Have a great 2017! 🙂

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    1. Good point. There is something useful-feeling about writing down a list. Like, ‘hey, look at me, I’m doing something important!’. 😛

      Glad you hear you are settled and liking your new digs. A Twitter break sounds good. I suppose that’s like a Twix break, but better for you. Mmmmm.

      xxoo Happy 2017 to you, too.

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  13. Happy new years!

    Lessons for 2016? Take things a little easier/less personally when possible, trust myself more than others more often, and that fish are food not friends.

    This year, I rang in 2017 by spending almost all of 1/1…asleep. Usually Rosh Hashanah is when my goal setting gets done.

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  14. “Life is good”—something I find myself saying to myself on multiple occasions. It’s funny how we need reminding of something that should be fairly obvious to us.

    I’ve toyed with the idea of journalling—either physically or through an app. But for whatever reason never committed. I think I liked the idea of it more than doing it. Maybe it’ll take me to just take the plunge and do it to get into it. One day I’ll decide 😉

    What did I learn in 2016? Hard work pays off. Even if it takes a little while.

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    1. Love it! And that is an excellent reminder. I need to remember that the hard work I’m putting into now, will pay off. Cheers 😀

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  15. Love the list! No ramen before bed lol

    Today I read this quote that I think really sums things up weather it’s work, relationships or any other experiences:

    “The price of anything is the amount of life you spend on it” – Henry David Thoreau

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  16. I, too, can fly in my dreams! I also have dreams quite often about tornadoes? I think I watched too much Wizard of Oz when I was little 🙂. I love this post and your About page. It’s so great to meet you and your humor is so wonderful! Happy New Year Lani!

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    1. HNY! Tornadoes?! Wow, I can’t say I’ve had that one. But I’m fairly certain I’ve seen the wicked witch on her bicycle in the storm. Heh, heh.

      Glad you like the list and the about! OMG. Worked so hard on that dang thing and its been through so many revisions. Cheers ^^

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    1. Yeah, just wanted to do something a little different and going through the journals was a good way to see what I had written, what was important and what gets forgotten.

      Happy New Year to you, too, Timi! Have I not said that already? Sheesh! Your blog is open on my browser…here I come!

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  18. 2016 went by faster than I thought!
    I learned that I need tor relax more and that life is a marathon and not a race!
    I gotta stop and smell the roses. 🙂
    Also persevere through the challenges, they are only temporary!

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      1. Yes! Definitely. It seems like I tend to blog when I am off of facebook. I am on a Facebook fast at the moment. And I definitely plan to blog more for the next couple of months. 🙂

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  19. In an “interview” I’m posting soon, that’s one of the question, or something like that. And I said, I didn’t really learn anything new, except 2016 only emphasized what I already knew, good or bad.

    You’ve got a good list here, though.

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  20. 2016 went by so very fast and now 2017 seems to be headed in the same direction. What a great reflection to be able to sit down with your Journal and prioritize where you’ve been and where you want to go in the new year. Nothing like starting fresh at the beginning of the new year.

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    1. Thanks. It’s been great so far, as far as personal development goes. I’ve been able to stick with the things that I’ve wanted to do. But it’s still early days yet!

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  21. Happy super late new year Lani! I love your list

    “I wrote, ‘life is good’ often in my journal. Remember that.”

    When I’m having a superbly awful day and I’m usually in the car, grumpy, in traffic; the radio is on (recycling the 20 same pop songs) and 9/10 this Pitbull song comes on. He said:
    “Everyday above ground is a great day, remember that.”

    I’m embarrassed to admit Pitbull gives me perspective on life, but whenever I hear this line I think: yes. Being alive is good. Life is good.

    Hope you have a lovely 2017 🙂

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