Resolutions are such a daunting concept aren’t they? It’s asking us to see ourselves, really, truly see, and address the parts of our lives we don’t necessarily love. What do I do that I want to change? How am I falling short? What should/could/would I be doing if it weren’t for ‘x’?

And then when we’ve successfully stripped ourselves down, vulnerably honest about our less than ideal qualities, we make a pact to our future selves to change. To do better… more… different. We promise to abandon our ingrained habits and qualities for this more ideal self; and we make this promise on the wings of an uncertain future. It’s a lot to swallow if you really think about it.

That’s why I like a list instead. A list I can do. I am the master of the to-do list.

Plan, check, task completed, check. Check, check, check. It feels good doesn’t it? The pen as a sword, vanquishing item after item. After listening to the Happier podcast recap their 18 for 2018 (aka a to-do list for the year), I was inspired to make my own list for 2019 with the one-word theme of positivity. The 19 for 2019 were items I thought would align with this larger goal of bringing positivity to my life and most of them did.

So here we are… 2020. The first year we’ve been alive that has been in perfect balance (visual friends, I know you’re enjoying this symmetry). What one word am I carrying throughout this year? The more I meditated on the balance of 2020, I realized that is what I needed. So much of the unease I feel comes from tipping too far in one direction or the other, everything from expecting too much from myself to not investing in what truly matters. It’s the arbitrary deadlines, the neglected care for self, the push to do more and the procrastination manifesting from the soul’s protest. This year beckons for more than one word… this year needs balance:

The one-word theme of this year is MORE/LESS. It’s time to focus MORE on what ought to be done and listening LESS to the anxious voices in my head. This year calls for allowing myself MORE flexibility and MORE space for spontaneity and focusing a little LESS on the metrics and what I think is expected from me… because usually the only one expecting anything is me.

With this reflection and the one-word theme presenting itself so clearly, the 20 for 2020 list came fairly easily. Here they are, in no particular order, as usual…

1. MORE memories
A few years ago, I attempted the 1 Second Everyday app and broke the streak. Here’s to a second attempt and 365 days of life. Also, hell or high-water, those family pics are happening this year.

2. LESS wardrobe issues
Moving to DC, half of my clothes were “lost” by the moving company. It’s weird how you don’t know what you’re missing until you need it. This one is all about identifying and addressing everything in the closet that needs to be replaced. More importantly, it’s about allowing me to invest in myself and purchase what I need.

3. MORE DC adventures
Our days in DC are numbered and this one is about making a list, checking it twice and doing all things DC before we move this summer.

4. LESS disorder
You know how some people have a junk drawer? Well we have a junk room — that one room where we never quite get everything put away. This one is all about fixing that room now and not letting it happen in Alabama.

5. MORE balance
I run. I run what most people consider to be a lot. But, with all the running I’ve neglected other areas of fitness — strength, cross-training and flexibility. This year I’m working to find more balance in my fitness.

6. LESS waste
Yes, I’m hippie enough to care about the plastic problem. And yes, I want to do more about my own impact.

7. MORE meaningful metrics
I use a scale and a scale exclusively to evaluate my efforts and I don’t like it. I think this only gives us a partial picture. This year I'm incorporating weekly taping and photos to see the true transformation.

8. LESS knitting anxiety
I’m kinda sorta obsessed with knitting at the moment, but dear lord, I do not handle any sort of error well with this — ask my husband. It makes sense… I’m a newbie after all. This is my pledge to complete 10 projects this year and combat anxiety with repetition.

9. MORE time with friends
There’s never enough time with friends. Here’s to getting all of the trips on the calendar!

10. LESS selfishness
I want to volunteer. I want to do my part. And I want it to be meaningful for me and the right fit for my talents.

11. MORE love for favorite seasons
This is about allowing myself to invest in the two seasons that bring me joy — fall and Christmas. My decor (or lack thereof) should match my love for this time.

12. LESS unfinished challenges
Another item I started a couple of years ago and petered out on — The 30 Day Yoga challenge on Do Yoga with Me. This year I’m taking the challenge and finishing it!

13. MORE writing
I tried challenging myself (unsuccessfully) to write a blog post a month back in 2017. This year, I’m in the right mind to actually do it.

14. LESS beauty guesswork
I like doing my makeup, and I’m okay at it. I spend all this time making wings and ensuring that brow game is on point, that when it gets to my lips, I do one of these ¯\_(ツ)_/¯ Here’s to finding the perfect (any?) lip color that works and finishing the damn look.

15. MORE Southern adventures
DC is getting a bucket list, so Alabama/South should get one too. Carpe diem, baby!

16. LESS unfinished pins
Crafty friends, you ever walk down a store aisle and think, “I could totally make that”? Yep, this kid. And do I ever do it? NO. Never. Let’s do at least one of those damn projects this year.

17. MORE creativity
Last year, I started devoting the two hours before work to my creativity. This item is making sure that practice continues into 2020, even if it needs to move to a different pocket of the day.

18. LESS unfinished business
Oh hi, ghost of New Year’s past. Last year I said I would update my portfolio and make a final aircheck for my last season on the radio. Let’s close those chapters in 2020, mkay?

19. MORE beauty techniques
Fun fact: I’m 34 years young and don’t know how to curl my hair. If you see a picture of me with curled hair 1) I woke up like this 2) I got a haircut 3) I begged a friend to do it before we hit the club. I’m tired of being unable to do this simple task.

20. LESS restrictions
My favorite of them all — the freedom to do or not do whatever it is that I need. This is a blank space, open to be whatever may be.

That’s it! These are the 20 things I would like to accomplish in 2020. I’d also like to give a huge thank you to those who took the time to discuss their thoughts on my 19 for 2019 and were brave enough to share their goals for 2020 with me (before I shared mine, I might add). I’m here to support you, so expect me to ask how it’s going throughout the year. As I’ve learned over the past couple of years, support often makes or breaks these types of things. Just know that I believe in you and you totally got this. :)