The Beginning of Something Great

Happy New Year! I’m excited for my small family (Terrance and I), and everyone else who is experiencing the refreshing calm that comes along with the bringing in of the new year. Tingly and ecstatic, this part of the holiday season always gets me going, thinking of all the changes I’m planning to implement, ranging from new living room décor to a new weekly schedule that includes intense workout sessions.

So, why does it feel so official to start fresh on January 1? Well, because… it just does. I strongly believe that something magical happens when the clock strikes 11:59 pm on New Year’s Eve. It’s like life as we know it has been reset, and many of us are refreshed and ready to take on new challenges in a more determined way. So, to all of those who say, “oh, it’s just another day, all you ‘resolutionists’ are crazy,” I say, bah humbug! You know nothing!

As you can tell, I’m freaking excited, because this is going to be the best year ever. This will be the year were this here single mom goes from being the underdog to head honcho. Life will not chew me up and spit me out like it has done over the last few years, I’m sure of it. Why? Because I am determined to make changes. Terrance is growing up, and he needs to see his mom being successful; he needs to see me fly.

“I’m elated for this year, and not just because the year has changed, but because I’m changing and it feels amazing.”     — singlemomflying

So, what are my plans? Since curious minds want to know, allow me to elaborate. My goals for the year consist of three main things: I want to lose weight, I want to write and earn additional income from it, and I would love to improve my financial circumstances.

Since before the beginning of time—well, technically 1988 —I’ve been fat. Why have I been battling the bulge for so long? I’ll leave that discussion for another blog post; just know, that I can stand to lose a few pounds. This year, I have decided, is the perfect time to finally get this weight off.

Secondly, it just so happens that I’m a writer— a damned good writer says my more confident alter ego, Charmaine. But I haven’t written much because the not so confident, Cheryl, believes that I suck at it. However, in 2017, I plan to pick up a pen, put it to paper, and make marvelous things happen. This is the year that I write regardless of how I feel. This is the year that my child will witness his mother bring in cash by using, dare I say, her God-given talent of putting words together to create art.

Lastly, my finances are something I can honestly say that I’m not proud of. In the words of Dave Ramsey, “I have done stupid with a lot of zeros on the end of it.”. Of the three goals, this one is the most important and the most challenging. As I strive to leave a legacy for my little boy, more and more I begin to understand the need to give him a running start in life. Being financially stable is crucial to survival as well as success in this world. And so, I must put on my big girl pants, make a solid budget, and attack this horrible cloud of debt with a vengeance. You’d better watch out Experian, Transunion, and Equifax, because I’m making some major comebacks this year. Debt, you’re goin’ down!

Finally, I’d like to say that everything within me wanted to start this blog— years ago. However, for so long, a small amount of self-doubt would convince me that I shouldn’t try. So, to all the readers who stop by, please understand that posting this is huge for me. This is not just some typical New Year’s resolution mumble-jumbo casually thrown down on paper; on the contrary, it’s an insight into my plans to change my and my son’s life. I’m elated for this year, and not just because the year has changed, but because I’m changing and it feels amazing.

The purpose of this blog is to come from a place of love, strength, discovery and vulnerability. Please join me as I share my journey.