I just turned 24 and 2011 is right around the corner.  I feel as if I am in a transitional period in my life and I am eager to make positive lifestyle changes.  I am hoping to nourish the many aspects of who I am in a more thoughtful, proactive, and informed way.

1. The Minimal Impact Girl

• Change light bulbs
• Shop totally local, organic, and seasonal.
• Broaden my cooking horizons and make as much from scratch as possible. (hot chocolate mix, bread, etc.)
• Minimize my packaging.
• Improve cleaning products and laundry procedures.
• Homemade or locally made skin care products.
• Wear and buy clothes with natural products, that are locally made/produced/sold, or are used/vintage/bartered/traded.
• Reuse:
• Containers and jars.
• Get non disposable razors.
• Keep re-usable bags on me all the time.
• Reduce:
• Reduce trash by buying majority of re-usable or bio-degradable products.
• Recycle:
• If not able to reuse, must be recyclable.

2. The Healthfully Aware Girl

• Get a medical check up and gyno appointment.
• Learn more about my cycle and alter my diet according to my monthly physical phase and the nutrients and minerals that are necessary at each period.
• Study and implement homeopathic cures.

3. The Bilingual Girl

• Study Arabic alphabet, vocab, etc., each morning for 10 minutes.
• Listen to Arabic on ipod a few times a week.
• Try thinking in Arabic words and phrases.
• Watch Arabic movies, listen to Arabic music, look up Arabic newspapers.

4. The Activist

• Volunteer at least once a month with an organization and cause that I feel passionate about.
• Create a newsletter with a alternative point of view with progressive, liberal, and thought provoking content.

5. The Creator

• Write, write, write.  Stories, articles, poems.
• Keep creating cards and forms of meaningful and unique remembrances.
• Branch out into jewelry and clothes eventually.

6. The Intellect

• Study subjects that interest me by finding viewpoints that support differing angles.
• Education: reform, systems throughout the world, practice in America. 
• Governance: America, China, Germany, etc.  How are different places ruled and governed? Who really rules the people and how are the needs met for the majority of citizens?  What is the quality of life like around the world? 
• Women: from around the world, women who have fought for their beliefs, women artists and writers and activists and entrepreneurs, etc. Female youth in America and worldwide.
• Homeopathy
• Read literature from all over the world by people from all walks of life as well as the canons of English literature.

I am hopeful for the future and excited for the next journey and evolution of who I am and what I stand for in the world.  I want to make so many changes in society and the world but I cannot begin to incite change in others if I cannot incite change in my life and be able to walk the walk.  Step by step.