2013: The Year of Sexy

by Gigi Griffis

Photo by Daniel Wang.

New Year’s Eve is my favorite holiday.

It’s all about change, preparation, and celebration of the future. It’s a holiday that looks forward, that reminds me that anything is possible. In other words, it is a holiday full of hope.

And I love it.

Every year before the countdowns and the dropping glittery ball, I spend some time contemplating my life, asking myself who do you want to be? What do you want to do? What do you want to do differently? And then making goals for the new year, my annual fresh start.

This year, my goals turn on a common theme. And it probably won’t surprise you to learn that said theme is being sexy. Because in sexiness, there is cleverness, wildness, risk-taking, and whole-hearted love. And there’s no room for stress or anxiety, two of my frequent bedfellows who I’d, quite frankly, like to boot out of bed for good.

But, like when I talked about being sexy earlier in 2012, I should probably elaborate. In 2013, the year of sexy, I want to:

Stay strong and get outdoors

I love feeling strong, walking everywhere, being out in nature. It has been, hands down, one of the best things about traveling full time. I’m always motivated to get out and explore—because there is so much to explore. With that in mind, I expect 2013 to be full of things like skiing lessons, lengthy hikes, river kayaking, and maybe even paragliding and a crossbow lesson. Because awesome.

Travel

Duh, right?

Live in beautiful spaces

One of the biggest contributors to my happiness in the past year has been living in really beautiful spaces. Like that top-floor apartment with a balcony overlooking the Black Forest, or the spare room in my friend’s gorgeous Parisian flat with its simple, tasteful furnishings and windows overlooking the Montemartre side streets, or the warm second floor apartment in Thun with a balcony (complete with hammock) overlooking Lake Thunersee.

Conversely, some of my highest stress moments were brought on by living in less-than-ideal spaces. Like when I had the bossy roommate or had to share a bathroom with dozens of workmen who couldn’t aim properly at the toilet.

With this in mind, in 2013 I plan on being intentional about living in beautiful spaces, even if it sometimes means increasing my housing budget and spending less money on other things. Where I live impacts my happiness to a large degree. And my happiness, in turn, impacts my work, my sleep, my health, and so on and so forth. And obviously being happy and low stress is much sexier than being anxious and sleep deprived.

Take risks and be vulnerable

Vulnerability breeds confidence, and so does taking risks (and finding yourself blissfully and surprisingly successful).

Fill my schedule with ongoing contracts

When I say “fill my schedule” I don’t mean “overwork myself” (just to be clear, because I obviously have that tendency), but rather that I’d like more and more of my contracts to be long-term and ongoing. I find that I work really well with agency partners and long-term gigs and I feel less stressed when I know where my income is coming from. So long-term contracts, I’m coming for you.

Do something big, charitable, and inspiring

I haven’t figured out what yet, but you know me: I care a lot about love. I care a lot about charity. And I’d like to live a life that matters. I already give 10% of my profits back to charity…but what can I do this year to up the ante? Any ideas?

Get my confidence back

At the end of the summer, I felt confident, sexy, excited. But somehow I lost some of that confidence as the year wound down. I can tell that I’m apologizing for myself more, being more self-critical, and I don’t like it.

So it’s time to start doing things that breed confidence. Namely: letting go of perfectionism, focusing on the positive, focusing on love, taking the time to dress well, and practicing self love.

Because confidence is sexy. And there’s such a thing as faking it not only till you make it, but till you become it.

What’s the theme of your new year?

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35 comments

Marco Fiori January 7, 2013 - 2:02 pm

Haha, the year of sexy. In coining that – it’s official, that’s what 2013 is going to be about. Improving my self confidence and saying yes more is what my goals are.

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gigigriffis January 7, 2013 - 2:20 pm

Excellent! I like the saying yes more one. The rule of both good comedy and a good life. :)

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Ali January 9, 2013 - 4:46 pm

You are awesome. Confidence is something I struggle with quite often, and I would love to improve that in myself. I love the part about your living spaces. I don’t require a lot from where I live, but it definitely has to be comfortable, and the place you described with the guys missing the toilet sounds like the complete opposite. I’m sure you can accomplish these goals this year, sounds like a really great list!

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gigigriffis January 10, 2013 - 3:05 am

Thanks! Let me know if you come up with any confidence building strategies that work well for you. My sister pointed out part of my problem is that I’m isolated out here and I get so much of my energy and excitement (things that make me feel positive about myself in general) from social interaction. I’m currently changing some of my travel plans because I think she’s spot on.

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iris January 15, 2013 - 8:06 am

I decided awhile back that I spend too much time at home to not be 100% satisfied with it. That’s why my apartment gets all the compliments. It’s so much work, but if you browse enough decor websites, you eventually absorb enough to transfer to your place and make it beautiful, too.

Good luck with your resolutions!!

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gigigriffis January 15, 2013 - 8:19 am

I so agree! I met a woman last summer who had this completely stunning view off her balcony and she said people were always telling her she should spend less money on her home, but every day when she goes outside and sits on the balcony, she feels good. And she said that’s worth the extra expense. I thought that was quite insightful.

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Brianna January 21, 2013 - 8:08 am

My theme for 2013 can be summed up as “simplify and self-discipline.” For years, I have been blessed with stable finances, a lovely home, and a wonderful group of friends. Unfortunately, I haven’t always done the best with monitoring those finances, keeping my possessions simple, or watching what I eat/drink with friends! So this year is about cleaning out all the unnecessary clutter from my house, cutting out the excess to truly enjoy the finer things in life (just less often), and gaining confidence that I am in control of where my money goes. Funny how I rarely had to worry about these things when I was a poor, skinny college student! :)

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gigigriffis January 21, 2013 - 8:26 am

Cheers! Really excellent goals. I have another friend who is doing something similar. She’s calling it her year of Trim. Trimming down possessions, spending, weight, etc. I love it. If you are looking for some simplification inspiration (and if you haven’t checked it out before), I always really like Missminimalist.com.

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Rob September 21, 2013 - 12:43 pm

Nothing beats spending time outside in beautiful places. Exercise, sweat & muscles are as sexy as it gets. :)

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gigigriffis September 22, 2013 - 1:48 am

Agreed!

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