Last summer, I signed up for a limited run of a subscription box from one of my favorite online retailers. In one of the boxes, I got this pink aluminum cup, with a unicorn emblazoned on it. One of the first nights that I had it, I poured a beverage into the cup, and took a selfie with it. It wasn’t a classic selfie, with good lighting or perfect makeup. In fact, other than a green metallic lipstick, I’m pretty sure that I’m not wearing any. My hair was pulled back under a headband of sorts. But I loved the picture and the contrast in it and pretty much everything about it. I shared it to my instagram feed with the statement: I am a #goshdarnunicornprincess.

Since then, this idea of claiming the status of #goshdarnunicornprincess has stuck with me. I’m not cutesy. I’m not overly feminine. I don’t wear pink or decorate with rainbows. I’m not 12.

But I’m a #goshdarnunicornprincess.

Why? Because I am unabashedly me. I love the things and the people that I love without apology. I try to be strong and brave and to stand up for what is right and good and just and true. I strive to not worry about the expectations of the world, but seek to build my own expectations and to live into them. I love beautiful things and dark things and pretty things and creepy things. I’m not perfect, nor do I want to be. I wear all black and sometimes even wear black lipstick, and yet I would carry a tiny pink heart purse if I could fit everything I need to in it. I want to create and put wonderful things and ideas into the world.

I am a #goshdarnunicornprincess.

This year, I will turn 40. Instead of regretting or lamenting, I yearn to make it a great year, one to be celebrated.

I yearn to make my life a great life, one to be celebrated.

And so I’m claiming this as my #goshdarnunicornprincess year.

And so, this year, I vow

To set time aside to write and create
To share what I write and create on a regular basis
To set time aside to read and to wonder
To use that time to live into my dream of creating something consumable, be it a book or a podcast (or both)
To take bold and brave steps in my profession, trying new things and not being afraid to experiment
To continue to love and to laugh and to protect those that I love with every breath
To live boldly and fully as the #goshdarnunicornprincess that I know that I am.

I’m excited for the year ahead. Let’s see where this road takes us, shall we?