Did I accomplish my 5 goals?

The whole reason I started FromBrownEyes was to hold myself accountable. I quit my job with the intention of trying new things, redefining my happiness, and taking a step forward. This blog has always been an honest account of my thoughts, feelings, and world views. And with that honest account comes a open discussion of my failures. Because I truly believe that the only way to prevent mistakes or failures (or should I take growth mindset and say,”opportunities” ?) from occurring again is to reflect on what really happened.

Six months ago, I wrote a mid-year check in, today I am going to round up my 2016 New Year’s Resolutions and reflect back on why I only met half my goals.

Here were the original 5:

1. Go on a road trip. This will be a first for me. The longest car ride I have done to date is the 6 hours between LA and Sacramento, but I wouldn’t call that a road trip at all. In 2016, I want to drive across multiple states; eating the local cuisine, finding motels as I go, and discovering Middle America.
2. Go to a festival. Mardi Gras in New Orlands, Coachella in California, Burning Man in Nevada, EDC in Vegas, Carnival in Brazil, Full Moon Party in Thailand – there are lots of options. Where ever I end up, I really just want to dance the night away and meet some amazing people.
3.  Go backpacking.I love nature and the outdoors, but I have never gone backpacking. I have been camping plenty of times, but it always involved driving up to a campsite, unloading the car and sleeping in a big family tent with our dog. So this year, I want to go on a camping trip with a friend. The kind where you strap a sleeping bag, water purifier, and a flask of whiskey to your back and discover amazing views, new wildlife, and yourself.
4. Go hang gliding. Living in California, this is pretty accessible. I am not scared of heights, but I don’t necessarily feel comforted by them either. This will definitely force me to ‘feel the fear’ and do it anyway. I imagine this would be a very freeing experience, providing amazing views and tons of fresh air and clarity. Maybe Groupon has some specials?!
5. Go to the Hollywood sign. I was born and raised in LA and I have yet to hike to the Hollywood sign. I mean, it is very #basic, but still, it is like a right of passage! Grab some trendy Lulu’s and your favorite Ray-Bans and you are set!

Here is what really happened:

1. Go on a road trip. Well, I checked this one off the list a few times over. While I did not “discover Middle America,” I definitely discovered the American West Coast (virtual high five if you followed that with, “best coast”). I went from California to Oregon, Oregon to Washington, and California to Nevada. As this posts, I am currently on an 11-day road trip with my parents and brother going throughout Oregon and Washington again!
2. Go to a festival. Big, fat “INCOMPLETE” for this one. But I did realize that festivals are expensive. I wish I could mark this as complete, but honestly, I’m glad that I spent my money on other things last year. I mean, people drop hundreds on these weekends! To each their own, but I am glad that I instead went to concerts, like We Can Survive and Cali Christmas, which had allowed me to see about 25 artists perform. We will see what will happen in the years to come.
3.  Go backpacking. Another, unfortunate, “INCOMPLETE.” I really want to go backpacking but it is just so damn expensive to purchase all of the equipment. I bought boots and a backpack, so some of the most expensive purchases are (thankfully) behind me. But, needless to say, those two things alone will not keep me alive for a weekend. I did only the type of backpacking that I could afford to do at the time – meaning that I stayed in a hostel instead of a tent – while I was in Alaska. Not the goal I was aiming to achieve, but it was a big step in the right direction.
4. Go hang gliding. Damn, another “INCOMPLETE!” Honestly, I never even looked into hang gliding. I just figured since I lived by the coast in Los Angeles, it would be an easy-to-find adventure. But, if you don’t put any effort in, it is never going to happen. I did, however, go skydiving! Different extreme sport, but within the same ballpark. It was an amazing experience and I can’t wait to go again (which will be once I have an income, so don’t hold your breath).
5. Go to the Hollywood sign. Finally, the win I needed: A “COMPLETE!” I have mentioned it before, but the hike to the Hollywood sign is not all it is cracked up to be. Especially in the LA summer swelter. The view of the sign itself is pretty lame and the surroundings lack beauty. If you are looking for a sight worth seeing, come instead to Eugene, OR, where in 30 minutes you can feel like you are on top of the world.

Well, my resolutions came in at 40% completeness, which is way less than I anticipated. But, I have to say, I’m good with it. A lot of the resolutions I had chosen involved some serious cash (the hike was the only free thing on there!). Considering that I was taking a year off work, I should have better considered my finances. I’ll definitely keep them in mind as I make my list for 2017.

Even though my resolutions were a fail, my year wasn’t. I got to spend so much invaluable time with my family, visit eight countries, fly an airplane, become published professionally, travel the US, move to a new state, and start earning my master’s degree.

It has been…one hell of a year. Thank you, sincerely, for doing it with me. FromBrownEyes, I’ll see you in 2017!

-TM

How did your 2016 resolutions turn out? Let us know below.