New Start

May 1st is my four year anniversary of leaving New Jersey and arriving in Portland. I have decided that it is time to start a new chapter in my life. Four years seems like a decent amount of time -- we are supposed to get through high school in four years and the same with college.  Why not a new chapter in adulthood? As I've already mentioned off/on, I haven't had the easiest time since the start of 2011. You name it...I've had a struggle with it.  I am already making a mental list of the things I want to change in my life. Whether it is my approach to work, my financial situation, people I associate with, or how I approach different situations, I've decided to make some significant changes. I know it won't happen overnight, but I want to reward myself for making daily progress. 


I am referring to these changes as my new manifesto for life. I need to shed some of the unhealthy behaviors from the last year, including some of the unhappiness associated with this time. I think it also boils down to the fact that life is too short to spend time working so hard on relationships that should make us happy. I strongly believe that we should surround ourselves with people who leave us feeling fulfilled, confident, nurtured, and lighthearted.  I no longer want to spend time in therapy discussing relationships that should meet basic needs.  You are either good to me or you are not.  If you are not, good riddance. I am closing a lot of doors that I believe will leave me a much happier person.