Christmas is over and the mad rush to finish baking and shopping and wrapping is finally done for one more year. The post-Christmas pre-New Year build-up is one of my favourite times of year. It's a time for taking stock of what happened in the previous year and to think about my goals and plans for the New Year.
I'm sure that many of us will have items like losing weight, quitting smoking and going back to the gym on our New Year's resolution list (again) this year. We often get a little less enthusiastic come February when we don't remember the tight pants from January and the sugar comas from the ridiculous amount of food everywhere. Local gyms are very busy in January and then start to slow down again in February and March and life happens to make us forget the new possibilities of the New Year.
We break our resolutions to ourselves every year. Maybe we deliberately set unrealistic goals to ensure failure or maybe they become less of a priority as the New Year loses its shiny newness.
This year, I'm setting more manageable goals for myself and I challenge you to do the same.
I have to confess that I'm a bit of a fair weather outdoor activity person. I don't like to run in the rain or walk the dog when it's below -15 degrees. Also, I hate snow pants.
I mean come on, they're really unflattering, snow will always find a way inside and they are a wet, soggy mess to peel and take off.
Truthfully, most of the time the thought of putting on snow pants and toques and the other 15 items needed to stay warm for an extended stay outdoors seems like an obscene amount of work. Not only do I have to get myself into snow pants, but now I also have to stuff a squirmy toddler into his snow pants and gear as well. After everyone is ready, we're not even outside yet but we're all ready for a nap. It's enough to make me want to stay inside my nice warm house.
However, once I'm actually outside and sledding or making snow angels or throwing snow at my husband, I have fun. I have fun every single time.
So this year, I resolve to stop dreading the snow pants and get outside (if it's warmer than -15). I will go snowshoeing, cross-country skiing, snowboarding and make a snowman. If we've chosen to live in a city where there is winter and snow eight months of the year, we might as well enjoy it.
There are so many things to do in Prince George. There is really no excuse for not taking advantage of the things that this city has to offer. Check out the Tourism PG website for ideas if you're stuck. We should celebrate the things that set our city apart from places like Vancouver and Victoria. Yes we have snow. We have lots of snow. At least our bridges won't send shards of ice down to wreck our cars during an enormous commute. So let's celebrate our differences Prince George; let's be proud of our city and make this year the best year for community involvement.
We will never meet our neighbours by staying inside.
