The first week of 2024 went off without a hitch. We had our first Toastmasters meeting of the new year, I made the most of going to the gym, and I got to witness the first major snowfall of the season (two inches people). However, I missed the boat on some grand opportunities and mixed up my priorities.
I was off last Thursday and Friday and right there I could taken the time to research some LGBTQ therapists in the Greensburg area. I was given the suggestion to talk to someone last Spring about my journey but held back. I didn’t want to narc on my parents and the negativity surrounding transgender TikTok star Dylan Mulvaney made me once again question my journey. I almost abandoned it entirely until I went back at the eleventh hour (June 23, 2023).
I ate breakfast at Waffles INCaffeinated and enjoyed myself. However, that afternoon I felt the need to rush myself and didn’t hit up all the stores I wanted to. Thus,a shopping day will have to wait. Don’t know if I want to use my JCP gift card on just yet. I could have also worked out a little longer instead of checking the time.
The new week has gone well and I am awaiting the arrival of colder weather making it feel like January. Next week will feel really frigid and have most of us wondering, “Is it Spring yet?”
Tuesday night at Laurel Highlands Toastmasters, I gave a speech on New Year’s Resolutions and making them count as well as some of mine heading into 2024.
One of the ways to make your New Year’s resolutions count is that you don’t have to make them on New Year’s Eve. They can still count if you make them later on in the year too. Maybe you haven’t thought of ways to improve yourself and your wellbeing when the calendar turns to January.
In our Table Topics session at Greensburg Toastmasters last Wednesday, our Topicsmaster asked us questions related to making New Year’s resolutions. In addition, she asked if we were for or against what was being asked of us. I wish I’d have written down the questions to share them to this blog.
Another way to make your New Year’s Resolutions count is to have an accountability partner or friend to make sure you’re meeting your goals. This comes in handy if your New Year’s Resolution is to exercise more, eat less, or even read the Bible in 2024. I’ll hint on my resolutions later on in this blog.
One of my upcoming projects in January is to put together a vision board for 2024. People do this at the beginning of the year and while this practice has been questioned by some, it’s just a fun way to make plans for the New Year. I’m going to hit up a couple of stores for supplies and might even by a vision board kit. Doing a vision board is also a good way to defeat seasonal depression during this time of year.
Now on to my New Year’s resolutions. I made them before New Year’s Eve (and I’ll make a few on February 1, March 1, and even April Fools’ Day). I have plans to exercise more and eat better. That’s the number one answer when asking what the most popular New Year’s resolution is and also, the one that no one sticks to after a month. Last week I stayed true to my promise and went to the gym three times and will be heading there this evening. Tonight for dinner, I’ll be having some salmon.
Another resolution that I made was to go back to church after taking an extended period away from there. I walked away after things came to a head in my personal life in 2021. I hadn’t given it much thought and I wasn’t going back until I knew I was ready to. Saturday night, I attended Allegheny Center Alliance Church and the message was in Proverbs. While I’m in no hurry to find a new church, at least I’m getting fed and I enjoyed the message I got from the preacher. I’ll at least be attending (online) for the duration of the sermon series, which lasts ten weeks. This Sunday, I have plans to attend Living Word Congregational Church in Jeannette with my adopted Momma.
The last resolution that I’ll highlight for now is one that’s past due for me. That is to believe in myself and be confident in myself. I’m responsible for the decisions that I make and I know I need to follow through on them when the situation calls for it. Even if my harshest critics don’t accept my ways, I need to stay true to myself. I can’t continue to live in fear of what may happen, and a great example is my fashion journey and going against the status quo (I wear scarves and own a couple of Coach purses). Some people have worried that it will lead to ridicule or even getting fired (though Giant Eagle is LGBTQ friendly) and suggest that I go back to being more traditional. Also, if I like something then that’s all that matters. The only approval I need is my own.
Finally, with next week’s weather forecast calling for frigid temperatures, what a perfect time it will be for attending Ligonier IceFest. Dress warmly if you’re headed out there next weekend. I have gone the last two years and enjoyed myself, and there’s lots to see and look at (such as the many ice sculptures in the diamond). Stop in for a bite to eat or shop around at one of the many little shops in town. Also, you can take a ride around the town by horse carriage. I’ll try to stop up when I have a free day next week.
Stylish 🍒 