There’s something about the New Year that inescapably makes you ponder all those big questions. What am I doing with my life? How do I feel about the choices I’ve made? Am I living a life I’m happy with? This is why we make resolutions. We all need a fresh start every once in a while, and the New Year is the ultimate clean slate we need to make those changes we’ve been putting off. Of course, you can argue that there shouldn’t be one designated day to make improvements but when it’s a part of the collective psyche to resolve your lifestyle, it’s hard not to participate.

For me, 2012 will be my most career-focused year to date. I’m finally in a place I want to be professionally, and as far as I’m concerned, there really is only one way to go. My number one priority will be upward mobility. I turned down an opportunity that might have jump-started the journey to that coveted job title, but it was not without its downsides. I listened to my intuition and realized that maybe I have a little bit more to learn before I start moving on. In 2012, I will not give up my hunger for knowledge as it pertains to this industry and I will continue to exercise my fantastic networking abilities.

Resolution number two will be the most challenging, but it’s one I’m thoroughly committed to. From 2007 up until mid-2011, I consumed a mostly red meat/pork free diet. Partly for health choices and mostly for my disgust for the beef industry, I was steadfast in my dietary stipulations (save for the occasional bite of a very high-quality gourmet hamburger or steak). But after re-learning some information about the downsides of a carnivorous diet, I’ve decided to make the jump to full-on vegetarianism. It’s a lifestyle I have always wanted to adopt but have never quite fully executed. This means bye bye poultry, beef, pork, and fish. Sure I’ll make some exceptions, but only for a certain kind of meat that abides by very specific qualifications. Surprisingly, I haven’t made this decision out of vanity. This isn’t about weight loss. This is about environmental sustainability. Sure sushi is fucking delicious, but contemporary fishing methods are appalling. This is about not accepting the sub-par standards meat industries place on what is good enough for you to eat. “But Kristina, chicken is actually really healthy and good for you.” No it is not. Tell me how a genetically-enhanced, hormone infused franken-animal confined to a 1x1 square foot space and slaughtered for consumption in ways that put the Saw movies to shame, can somehow make your body a healthier specimen.

I apologize in advance for future rants like that, but like I said, the collective meat industries and their practices are just not right. I’m trying not to forget that their system is one motivated by profits & the strongest position you can make for or against a cause is with your dollar.

This year, I will make more of a point to research where my food comes from.

Lastly, 2012 will be the year of single Kristina. Uhh, maybe THIS one will be the most challenging resolution to keep, but to be fair, I’m already well on my way. I have always been a “relationship girl” since I started dating in high school and have never really experienced a long period of time living for myself only. For the first time since I’ve started dating, I don’t want to be tied down to a relationship anymore. It’s taken a while to get to this point, but I’m happy focusing on myself and my friendships.

2011 wasn’t a bad year for me. It was a year of endings for me and a few new beginnings. So in a way, I feel like I’ve already been turning a new leaf and 2012 will be about continuing down this path.