Yesterday at my office, my coworker Delfina and I were discussing New Year’s resolutions. She was reading an article from U.S. News (which unfortunately I can’t link to because WordPress is acting up at the time of this post) that suggested 50 ways to improve your life in 2009. We decided to challenge one another to compile our own list of 50 ways to improve ourselves in 2009. I’m pleased to say I won the challenge, because I actually listed 50 things compared to Delfina’s 37. Since I went through the trouble of compiling the list, I felt I should share.

50(+) ways to improve my life in 09′

1. Blog more  (2008 was my first year, and I didn’t do it nearly as much as I would have liked to)
2. Stress less
3. Be nicer to Chris, my awesome fiancé
4. Take a yoga class
5. Play the violin more, learn a new song
6. Learn a new musical instrument
7. Go to the eye doctor, get cute new glasses
8. Go to the dentist
9. Learn French
10. Save for wedding
11. Clear out clutter in the apartment
12. Learn to cook something new
13. Study more history (Holocaust, French Revolution, etc)
14. Walk to work as often as possible
15. Invest more money
16. Bring lunches to work
17. Improve relationship with grandparents
18. Take more mini-vacations
19. Visit home more
20. Visit a state I’ve never been to
21. Let go of drama from the past
22. Do something nice for a stranger
23. Clear out old clothes & donate to charity
24. Volunteer at an animal shelter
25. Read as many non-fiction books as fiction
26. Expand knowledge on philosophy
27. Take a pottery class
28. Buy a camera & learn more about photography
29. Watch Casablanca & Breakfast at Tiffany’s
30. Read Breakfast at Tiffany’s first
31. Plan a ghost hunt
32. Stop making excuses & go to the gym
33. Organize cabinets in kitchen
34. Strengthen new friendships
35. Be conscientious about recycling
36. Stop whining/complaining so much
37. Update resumé
38. Donate to a charity
39. Pick up a new hobby
40. Get a massage
41. Take better care of myself
42. Stop setting unrealistic expectations
43. Pay off debt
44. Don’t acquire new debt
45. Think about purchasing a home
46. Get more rest
47. Cut back on caffeine
48. Learn to like a new vegetable
49. Take a cake decorating class
50. Take a dance class
51. Stop biting my nails!!
52. SPREAD MORE LOVE!!!!

What are your resolutions? Are you looking forward to 2009?

I will be sad to see 2008 go, but I cannot wait to see what 2009 brings. This past year has been the best year ever, so I’m hoping the upcoming year will continue to build on that. I wish everyone a safe, healthy and happy New Year!!