As the new year rolls around, we all know what it’s time for: New Year’s resolutions. Something that half of us look forward to while the other half dreads to hear your resolutions that most of the time you don’t go through with. I also would like to say that January 1st is on a Monday this year, which brings me great satisfaction; what a perfect way to start.

Are you one of those people that sets an unrealistic goal as a New Year’s resolution? Because I will be the first one to admit that I am guilty of this. I am guilty of making promises to myself and breaking my own heart (or, making my heart happy might be more appropriate because it usually involves food.) New year, same me.. Almost every year.

However, I feel like 2018 is a great opportunity to make resolutions and stick with them. No “I’ll start on a Monday,” or “I’ll wait until the first of the month.” Monday, January 1, 2018 is looking you dead in the face. There couldn’t be better timing for you to start to become the person that you want to be.

To be successful in your New Year’s resolution, you have to make sure that you set realistic goals. As I previously stated, I am world’s worst about being overzealous and setting goals that just aren’t achievable. Sometimes it takes many short-term goals to reach your one long-term goal, and there is absolutely nothing wrong with that.

We often find our resolutions shooting for sheer perfection rather than shooting for little things that help bring us closer to it. We shoot to lose 100 lbs rather than 10 lbs at a time.

We build ourselves up and find us letting ourselves right back down again, which we then are disappointed every year. We fall right back into our old habits that we were so anxious and determined to get rid of at the beginning of the year.

There is nothing wrong with starting off small. Sometimes little successes motivate us to get to even bigger successes. Celebrate the small stuff; you deserve it entirely. I think I might even set a few short-term goals for myself this year as well.. Which, again, will probably have something to do with food. I do plan on much growth and glowing throughout my 2018. I hope for success, health, happiness, and so much more.

If you do have a New Year’s resolution, I wish you the best of luck when you begin. I pray you have much success. If you don’t have a New Year’s resolution, continue to be the same you, and be happy about it.

There is so much to be thankful for. I pray that 2018 brings you many blessings. College kids, I pray you have a successful spring semester. Eat your peas and greens, and have a Happy New Year!