Well, another year has rolled around and it’s that time when we all reflect on what changes we’d like to make in our lives. I’ve been thinking about it, and have decided that mine are all internal – things I want to change about how I think about me and my place in the world. I’ve always been a worrier and my own worst enemy (hi, I’m Eileen and I’m just like 90% of the population). This year that just passed I’ve been harder on myself than usual, feeling generally like I should have done more: worked out more, ate better, been a better friend, been a better wife  – and ended up feeling like I failed on all levels. Now I know that isn’t actually true. In reality I was fine and did a lot of good things. But in my head, which is the source of all woe, I felt like I just didn’t give anything 100%.

So my resolution for 2012 is to be kinder to me, to try not to have such high expectations and to allow myself room to not be perfect and to be okay with less than perfect me. To try and first look at what I do right rather than what I do wrong. A few years ago we were talking and I asked Chuck what he wanted to achieve in his life. His answer was that he wanted to be the best version of himself that he could be. I didn’t realize how wise that was at the time but I see it now. I am going to devote 2012 to being the best version of me I can be, and to accept whatever that turns out to be, even if it isn’t quite perfect.

Putting it down in writing means that I can’t run away from the words. So now comes the tricky bit — living it!

Happy New Year!