making things happen

Posted on January 1, 2013 by Kelly

I hope everyone had a happy and safe New Year!

I was slightly pathetic last night and didn’t make it until midnight (unless you count temporarily waking up when the fireworks in Central Park were really loud). I didn’t really end the year with a “bang,” and admittedly spent the last month or so of 2012 in somewhat of a depressed and anxious haze both personally and professionally. I know I’m being facetious here, but I haven’t been in that bad of a funk in a long time. If I’m being honest I’m still not feeling totally normal. But, it’s a new year, and although cliche, I’d like to start it out “right” with a positive mindset.

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and a delicious breakfast

After all, if everything works out 2013 will be the first year in which I get to do what I love and get paid for it. I’ll finally be able to write “MS, RD” at the end of my name, explore what I’m passionate about and surround myself with like-minded colleagues. For the first time, I’ll be helping people every day – in big ways or small – and it’s all I’ve ever wanted to do. I can’t get down on myself because I don’t know exactly what I’ll be doing where and when immediately right now.

I don’t believe in sitting back and letting things happen or relying on fate. I’ve gotten pretty far in life all on my own by making things happen – I went to Boston for college and never looked back, packed up everything I owned and moved to New York in 2006 without knowing a soul because I was unhappy in Boston and always wanted to live in NYC, went back to school at the age of 25 to study nutrition part-time while working full time, and finally quit my job at a PR agency last January and took out massive student loans to start my year-long dietetic internship full time.

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so much studying

I don’t come from a privileged upbringing and have never had anything handed to me – I got a scholarship to college, took my first “real” vacation only three years ago and have supported myself for as long as I can remember. Sometimes I wish this were different because things would have been so much easier (especially financially). But then again, I don’t think I would have developed the same drive or appreciation for what I’ve managed to accomplish if things were simply given to me or I just expected them.

I guess my point to this endless rambling is that I think it’s ok to feel anxious and scared about not knowing where exactly my future is going (and how the bills will be paid). But there comes a time (i.e., now), when I need to stop getting down on myself and channel more positive energy. Because when it all comes down to it, I have the power within me to make things happen just like I always have. And that makes me pretty excited for 2013 :)

What about you? What will you make happen this year?

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  • http://www.enlightenedrunner.com/ Abby

    I was in bed by 10:30…I hate all the hype about going out, spending loads of money and being in crowded bars with over-priced booze on New Years. This year, I will figure out how to be my own boss. I came a long ways last year, quitting my job as a teacher and now working in the running industry. But still, I crave more…I don’t want to work for anyone (unless it’s myself!)

    • MealsforMiles

      I love that goal! Being my own boss is a long-term dream of mine too :) Good luck and can’t wait to hear your plans!

  • embenton

    Happy New Year! Great seeing you yesterday. You will get good news before too long, I’m sure of it. :)

    Things I hope to make happen this year: marathon PR and trip to Peru to see family I haven’t seen in 5 years.

    • MealsforMiles

      yay, I’m so glad you stopped by! I know a marathon PR will happen for you, and a trip to Peru sounds amazing! Always wanted to go there so I will live vicariously for now… :)

  • Ali

    Yes to all of this, Kelly! One thing I had a hard time with when I first moved to NYC was feeling like I was in the minority. The people I met here seemed to have so much. They had huge apartments, designer everything and bottomless pits of cash. I was struggling to pay rent in my Spanish Harlem apartment and refused to take cabs anywhere, regardless of the hour.

    I went through phases where I’d get jealous because other people had it “easier.” But you are so right that you probably wouldn’t have the drive and determination to work so hard if you’d had things handed to you. And take pride in that! Whenever my friends go out and drop $800 on an outfit (OMG), I have a moment of “I wish I could do that,” but it’s always followed by “I work my ass off, I support myself, and I love cookies.” The cookies part is unrelated but true.

    This is a very long essay that should be condensed to say, “Let’s run together more in 2013 so we can talk about these things in real life.” Keep working hard and hold your pretty little head high. You’re almost there!!

    • MealsforMiles

      Aw, thanks Ali! It’s nice to know I’m not the only one like me here (complete with love for cookies). I hope we can run together a lot more this year – sound good? :)

  • http://twitter.com/CandyCrazedRun Anne@CandyCrazedRun

    THAT is how to kick off the new Year! You can read all of the “New Year advice” you can stomach, but you just hit the nail on the head!
    I am sure that kind of attitude is going to lead you to fantastic things!

    • MealsforMiles

      thank you so much, Anne! :)

  • http://runthelongroad.com/ RunTheLongRoad

    i went to bed before midnight too!

    i was poor for a long time. i got my license when i was 18 but didn’t buy a car until i was 25. and i remember not having enough money for the 1st payment (and i was living with my parents at the time – yes, i had to move back in!).

    keep doing what you are doing and those vacations will come :)

    • MealsforMiles

      Thanks lady :) I’ll settle for the ability to pay bills/rent over vacations for now! I hope you got a great (early) run in to start out the year!

  • http://www.susanruns.com/ Susan – Nurse on the Run

    I’m going to make it happen by hanging out with you more often. :) But seriously.

    One of these days I’ll figure out what I want to do with my life…

    • MealsforMiles

      we will both make this happen! :)

  • runningseal

    I understand how you feel about not having things handed to you but really in the long run I think it’s better. Maybe. I’m sure that great things will come your way in 2013!! And I want to see you more:)

    • MealsforMiles

      I definitely think it’s better too – wouldn’t have it any other way, despite it sucking sometimes. And yes to hanging more :)

  • Shannon

    Happy New Year!!! Believing that the power to make things happens lies within each one of us is a very powerful and positive message, love it! It took me a long time to figure that out. Since I can’t tackle any big mountains this year I’m setting my sights on something a bit different – the 39 1/2 miles of the Avon Walk for Breast Cancer. Last year was all about me (I had to do it all before the dirty 30)- this year is going to be all about other people.

    • MealsforMiles

      those are awesome goals for this year, Shannon! I think you’ll have a great year, obvi ;)

  • Katie

    Hey Kelly! I’m so sorry to hear you’ve been in a funk. I don’t know if this is true for you, but for me, it’s extra hard to stay positive when it’s COLD AND DARK. Wahhh. I am wishing for many positive things for you for 2013 and I am sure they will come! I hear you on feeling poor and working hard, but it builds character. ;) And I, too, packed up everything and moved to NYC with no job, no money, and really not knowing a soul back in the day. We should run together sometime. We have more in common than I knew!

    • MealsforMiles

      Hi Katie! Haha, yes you are right – it definitely builds character :) Let me know what your running schedule is like these days!

  • runnerskitchen

    I love posts like this because it assures me (and probably others) that we’re not the only ones feeling this way. Sometimes I get frustrated thinking I’m the ONLY one with student loans or I’m the ONLY one whose family is on the lower end of middle class, but I think what you said is right on – something that you struggled for will be that much more meaningful, more important than something that was just handed to you. Kinda like running…a hard fought PR means a lot more than one that just happened because of natural talent or luck. Anyway, Happy New Year! And I would be happy to join in any sweat squad meet ups that happen soon.