It’s almost time for a new year and a (somewhat) fresh start. 2016 certainly had its ups and downs, but it at least helped me think about what I want to change and improve about myself in 2017! Some of these are short-term or things I’ve been meaning to do for a while, and others will have a more lasting impact. Without further ado, here are 10 goals you should absolutely consider making in 2017:
1. Study a foreign language.
Foreign language fluency is quickly becoming one of the most sought-after professional skills. It will also improve your ability to communicate should you travel abroad in broaden your cultural horizons. If English is the only language you speak, I recommend learning Spanish since it has a lot of words in common with English, and each letter is always pronounced the same way, making it leaps and bounds easier to learn to speak than other languages. It is also the second most spoken language in the U.S. You can choose from many different languages for free with Duolingo, which is great for vocabulary. Language Zen only offers Spanish at the moment, but it is much more immersive and helps you learn to speak Spanish, not just read it, partially through music. (This is also free.) Babbel is fairly inexpensive, offers quite a few languages, and strives for speech proficiency more quickly than Duolingo. If you attend WCU (and many other schools, I’m sure) you can also use Mango for free through the library’s website, which offers many languages.
2. Improve your diet.
It’s difficult to keep resolutions that require you to completely cut something you love from your diet, so focus on limiting your intake of certain foods (at least in the beginning). I would recommend limiting dairy and sugar (especially soda) as priorities. Maybe a “cheat day” system would work for you, or maybe it would work to cut specific foods that have those substances. You could cut ice cream but not cheese to start off, or you could continue to eat sweet things but not drink soda. Whatever works for you!
3. Read more books.
Make a reading list for yourself of things you’ve been meaning to read or things you find interesting. I’ve personally been thinking about reading The Lord of the Rings series for years. Maybe you love a movie and want to read the book that inspired it. Maybe you want to focus on classics. Maybe you want to read the Bible in a year and could take advantage of one of the many free reading plans offered through the iOS App Store. Maybe books related to your field of study or work are best for you. I recently bought a Kindle for less than $25 through Amazon Warehouse Deals and a case with an LED light for about $5.50, and both are in great condition! I can also get a lot of free books for my Kindle through Amazon an even more because I have Amazon Prime. Reading helps improve your vocabulary and make you a more well-rounded individual no matter what you choose.
4. Start a bullet journal.
What’s a bullet journal? It’s a great way to condense all of your journals into one and keep yourself organized from year to year, month to month, week to week, and day to day. The website has a video showing the most basic model, but it has quickly become a Pinterest-dominated field, and there are tons of other ideas for things you can add there. I use mine more for my own mental health and sanity than for organization (although my daily to-do list is in there as well). I use it to track every day habits, things for which I’m grateful, people’s birthdays, books I’ve read/want to read, a prayer list, TV series I’m watching, and many, many more. I also always have a space where I can write about a couple things pressing on my mind that happened that day. It’s a customizable system that can be as intricate or simple as you wish, but it certainly gives me more peace of mind.
5. Donate blood.
The Red Cross has many stipulations regarding who can and cannot donate blood for safety purposes, and this unfortunately limits their donor population. If you can donate blood, you absolutely should! A single unit donation can save up to three people. Blood drives are held constantly in your area. Get the free Red Cross donor app, and you will be able to find blood drives that suit your needs based on your location, the time that would be best for you, and what you want to donate (blood, platelets, etc.). It also tells you what your blood type is after the first time and lets you know where your blood has been sent to save lives. If that isn’t enough, most blood drives offer free t-shirts, and they all have free snacks and often free meals like pizza and subs. People who donate several times each year are eligible for rewards like a lunchbox, a water bottle, an Amazon gift card, or discounts on magazine subscriptions.
6. Get more exercise.
This could mean anything from getting 8,000 steps in per day to working out every morning at 6 am. It could mean doing the Couch to 5k program or going to a couple workout classes each week at your gym. It could even be something as little as doing 20 push-ups or 50 sit-ups each day. As long as it’s a step up from what you’re doing right now, you can make it a goal for next year!
7. Take up a new hobby or pick up a forgotten one.
Maybe you’ve always wanted to learn how to crochet. Maybe you used to play guitar but haven’t touched it in years. Maybe you aspire to makeup guru greatness. Whatever your hobby, it can probably be self-taught through YouTube! (Isn’t the Internet great?) Just dedicate a little time each week or so to improve your skills in whatever you choose to do! Be sure to choose something that will make you feel like you’re accomplishing something (not wasting your time while you’re doing it) and that helps you relax.
8. Volunteer in your community.
Helping causes that are important to you isn’t just good for other people—it’s good for you, too! Volunteering helps you to gain new insight and grow more compassionate, and it helps people, animals, and causes near you. Many cities have local homeless shelters that take donations of toiletries and cleaning products. Lots of churches prepare meals for these shelters or host organizations like My Father’s House that house families in need, and they always need volunteers. Look into your local animal shelter or pet adoption center if you’re interested in caring for animals. Help build a house on a Habitat for Humanity workday! Walk or donate for a Crop Walk or a 5k that benefits a local charity. The possibilities are endless!
9. Reconnect with old friends.
It’s not that your old friends don’t want to spend time with you; it’s just that everyone needs a push to actually make it happen. If you’re back in your hometown, send out a few texts and make a few plans! People might need a few reminders, and you might have to try more than once, but it’s always worth it to have a coffee date or shopping day to catch up.
10. Learn a new word each day.
There are so many ways to expand your vocabulary! If you Google “learn a word a day,” there are apps, websites, and all sorts of other programs to learn a new word. I receive emails with a new word each day. You can also download an app that sends you notifications each morning with a new word including its definition. Dictionary.com and Merriam Webster have a “Word of the Day” on their websites (and dictionary.com has a data-free app). Make it a goal to speak and write more eloquently in 2017!
