2014: Look Up and Reach for the Stars

I’ve never really been one for resolutions. While I totally think making them is a positive way to begin the New Year, I can’t remember the last time I actually participated in the ritual. I like to think it’s because if something needs resolving, I usually fix it right away. I repeat, that’s what I like to think. That’s not always how it works with me either. While I’ve made bold choices in the past few months to set my life on a new track, there’s also been points in my life when I should have made a change but stayed put a little too long. That’s life – the silver lining is that I’m aware of these points and have learned from them. Each experience builds upon and influences the next.

I guess that’s essentially what a New Year’s Resolution is: how will the past year influence the next? While I don’t physically write down a list of things on January 1st, I do always reflect on what happened over the last 12 months and think about what I intend or want to happen in the 12 that lie ahead. What lessons did I learn in 2013 that will benefit me in 2014? What will I do to keep myself motivated in this new chapter? These are the questions that have been swirling in my head since I counted down to midnight a few nights ago while wearing a magenta Happy New Year crown and sipping champagne.

Here’s what I came up with:

First and foremost, 2013 taught me to be prepared for the unexpected. Both the good and bad. Sometimes the universe hands you gifts – accept them graciously and don’t hesitate to find the deeper meaning as to why they were given to you. There usually is a reason. On the flip-side, sometimes things don’t work out as you thought they would. From the people in your life or the timelines you set, nothing is ever set in stone. Be flexible, be resilient. Disappointments can creep in from time to time – but I’ve found that they are easier to overcome when you stay true to yourself through it all. As for my plan to stay motivated in 2014…one thing that always helps me is to go back and re-read my blog posts from the beginning. It’s always a good idea to remind yourself why you’re doing what you’re doing.

In addition to reading my own posts, another way to stay motivated is to read those written by others. I can’t tell you how many wonderful writers I’ve come across, each with different perspectives and stories; they’ve all struck a chord with me in some way and made me feel like we’re one big group on the pursuit of happiness. Although, rather than call it a pursuit, my final strategy to stay motivated is to find happiness in everyday and know that it will only grow as I continue to follow my heart and my intuition. Hmmm, I guess I just wrote my resolution for 2014 : )

I hope your New Year is off to a good start! Currently, we are bracing for this year’s first snowstorm in the Northeast. Before I get back to being snowed in, however, I thought I’d share some shots of my New Year’s Eve festivities:

I started off the night with my brother, Billy, at a friend’s apartment on the Lower East Side. After a quick champagne toast, I headed to Almond in the Flatiron District to meet my crew for dinner and drinks.

Definitely festive.

Awesome group of people!

My friend, Jamel, making the first toast.

Before dinner, we headed to the pool table room and grabbed some props to take a group shot. The lighting wasn’t so great, but it was still fun.

I had a “ball.” Obviously.

Delicious Surf and Turf dinner: braised short ribs and lobster.

Preparing for midnight…

Happy New Year! My best friend, Daniela, and I ringing it in.

The ladies…taking a break from dancing.

Wishing everyone a safe, healthy, successful, exciting, and, most importantly, HAPPY New Year!!

Natalie xo