This year started with a bang - quite literally - and it seems as if 2020 has extended its toxic self into the new year. There have been several memes circulating regarding 2021, and an example is the whole seven-day trial period and the want to return it. 

While the jokes are comical, it's frustrating because this time is supposed to represent a fresh start, but we seem to have been left high and dry. However, it's on us whether we want to follow our old habits or embark on making a change to a better self.

This year, I based my intentions on the five aspects of life: health (mental and physical), personal development, relationship with others, career and finance, and the relationship with the greater power. 

Health - MENTAL + Physical:

• Be More Outside: last year gave us another reason to be appreciative of the outdoors. This year I want to visit at least three new national or state parks.

• Visit Someplace New: this may not be the conventional goal for this aspect of life, though traveling eases my mental and physical self. For me, traveling gives me this sense of new appreciation for where I am because it allows me to gain a new perspective on life. For this goal, whether it's somewhere in my current state or outside, I want to explore a new location.

Learning - Personal Development:

• Read at Least Three New Books: don't judge, but I have a hard time getting into books and making the time, which, let's be honest, we all have the time, but it depends on what we do with it. However, this is still something I want to change. I've been into James Patterson books, but I also want to incorporate more self-help books into the mix.

• Confidence: I need to remind myself, pardon my french, that I'm a bad bitch. Last year wasn't the best for my mental health, but I need to remind myself of my accomplishments and what I've got to offer. My manta, do the best I can.

• Learn a New Language: This is a very tricky and difficult goal for me, but something I would really like to work on better this year. I want to be 85 percent bilingual by the end of the year and actually carve out time to learn, rather than make excuses.

Social - Relationship with Others:

• Strengthen My Relationships: the relationships we create in life are what keeps us going, and those in our close circle are the ones we start to become. I want to have more moments with my close friends, my partner, and my family. Time is valuable and slips away faster than we think - so, whether it's dinner, happy hour, a quick weekend trip, whatever it may be, I want to have more of them.

• Grow My Relationships: too often, we're content with our circle and don't feel the need to grow - I want to change that for myself. I want to make new genuine connections, seek those who can give me a fresh perspective, those who can teach me something, and those who strive.

Work - Career and Finance:

• Find The Fire, Again: I was drained of my creativity for some time last year, but I recognize that. My intention to heal this is by following creative individuals and finding inspiring content that motivates me, rather than the daily bs on social media. I want to create more content for my brand and develop it to its full potential.

• Invest More: I will grow my finances by 20% - 30%. I will invest more in the stock market and learn how to properly diversify my portfolio.  

• Work The Job I Want, Not The One I Have: As humans, we're designed to work, and while it might not be the traditional 9-5, we're always working on how to be more efficient and strategic in what we do to become better. I want to work on getting a higher title this year because I want to grow further in my capabilities and skills -“When you stop growing you start dying," William S. Burroughs.

Spirituality - The Relationship with the Greater Power: 

• Authenticity: Be authentic and outspoken, don’t be timid or hold back.

• Push Boundaries With Life: try something new every month that scares you.

• Bring in More Wealth: find ways that nurture my soul and bring me wealth in a multitude of ways - knowledge, success, leadership.

• Astrology: astrology has always been something that I’m intrigued by, and this year I want to learn more about how to read charts properly.